My Spitfire Repairs

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:37 pm

Several people have asked what the situation is now with my Spitfire. Thanks for the interest. There is not a great deal to report. After the accident the plane was disassembled and taken by truck, Chapman, back to QG in Colorado. The fuselage is mostly undamaged, it is stored in one hangar. The wings are in the work hangar, and Ray and crew have done some preliminary work, removing the radiators, etc. and most of the top skin of the left wing where most of the damage is.
I don't want to jinx anything by giving a positive report, and I haven't spoken to Ray in detail about it, so I'll just put it as the damage at this point doesn't look any worse than first thought. There is plenty of work needed, damaged skins, wing tip, ribs,aileron, flaps, gear attach, plus the broken prop blades and some lesser damage to the right wing. Work has pretty much stopped now. It is hard for me to go over and look at her. If I said it was just a machine, it would be like calling a library or a great art museum just a building.
I can't afford to have Ray start full repairs now, due to money, especially with the stock market and economy so weak, so we are at a pause. And no, I don't want to sell it, have had several offers for that.
I am in contact with the insurance company, still preliminary. I don't have hull insurance. The FAA report on the accident is not yet out.
Several folks have made donations to QG, which I greatly appreciate, as well as all the good wishes. I don't have the names now, but John Little was first,then Larry from Phoenix, etc. Thanks guys. Unfortunately, none of them was named Bill Gates or Warren Buffet.

Bradburger · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:49 pm

Thanks for the update Bill.

A Spitfire might be just metal to some, but I guess to you it's like one of the family. I can see how it hurts to see her lying in various bits in a couple of hangers and not her old self.

Fingers crossed, and although it might take lots of time, I'm positive your Spitfire will be back in the air one day with you at the helm.

Cheers

Paul

Hal B · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:05 pm

Thanks for the update. I know what you mean about the stock market :cry:

Hang in there!

mazdaP5 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:14 pm

Thanks for the update, and best of luck getting her back in the blue.

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:14 pm

Bill Greenwood wrote:

Unfortunately, none of them was named Bill Gates or Warren Buffet.

Hmmm. On the other hand you now know your relations with others on WIX now isn't compromised by the potential of cash or rides.

Good luck.

maxum96 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:26 pm

Thanks for the update Bill. Keep your chin up. Hopefully there's going to be a happy ending to this thread.

T-6G Pilot · **Posted:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:21 am

Just curious Bill (and if its none of my business I apologize) but since it appears you were not at fault and nothing would have happened if the Hurricane had not been on the runway, shouldn't their insurance pay for your repairs? Maybe I'm thinking too "car like" in this case and aircraft insurance works differently.

In either regard, hope things work out for the best for you and the airplane.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:58 am

T-6, I welcome your input, this is a public site after all. I have received a letter from the insurance company and have just written my reply. Therefore we are at the beginning stages. I am fortunate that there are photographs that cover it.
I wish I could discuss this more fully, as well as all my thoughts about this, and I wish the plane was well on its way to flying again soon, but at least it is safely back in the hangar.

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:15 am

Bill....you have to sympathize with anyone whom is trying to settle / finalize a claim with insurances.........

Best of luck.

Thomas · **Joined:** Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:14 pm **Posts:** 92

Good Luck Bill

snj5 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:33 pm

Best of luck that everything works out well.

I remember seeing my SNJ sitting in a hangar with blades bent back, still dripping oil from the engine failure, wondering how I could ever put it back together.

You'll persevere, and it will be better than ever. Everyone's with you.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:03 am

I appreciate all the support folks have expressed. I wrote a letter to the insurance folks, mailed yesterday, so we will see what their response is. I just wish while I am not flying it that repairs were underway at full speed. In the meantime I am going to concentrate on training, perhaps flying some other airplanes like T-6, maybe Stearman and keeping my flying level up. It was really helpful and a great boost for my confidence to be able to fly the Harvard and the single Spitfire MK IX recently.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:17 pm

My thanks to John Little, Larry Welty, and Donald Price who sent a donation to QG Aviation for the repairs. Much appreciated, guys.

Melo_965 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:06 pm

Bill,

I am really sorry to hear about the runway accident. We are all really glad that you and the other pilot were both ininjured. And glad that your Spitfire is back in the hangar at home. I sincerely hope that the discussions with the insurance people go really well. I hope your Spitfire is again flying proudly sometime soon. It was also great to read that you got the chance to fly a single Mk IX. I hope there are many similar opportunities to keep you flying Spitfires until your own Spitfire is airworthy again. My flight with you last year on Battle of Britain day remains one of the high points of my life.

Best regards,
Melo

The Inspector · **Posted:** Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:55 pm

When the biggest part of the hurt has passed, when the situation improves, and when you finally say to yourself 'time to roll up my sleeves and fix my baby' will be the moment when the initiative will kick in and every day after you reach the starting point, you will know progress has taken place from where you started that morning. Been through that with a couple of race cars belonging to friends and one sunken unlimited hydroplane I crewed on. It becomes a labor of love, not just something to accomplish-
Untill that time arrives, you subconciously are already planning the repairs and will have a plan formed in your head-best of luck on the rebuild and one day she'll be right again!

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