The exhaust pipes on the Packard built Rolls Royce Merlin engine are still warm following the initial test flight of Temora Aviation Museum’s new Supermarine Mk XVI Spitfire TB863. Steve Death arrived at the Museum yesterday afternoon to get ready for todays test flight. His preparation included a short flight in the Mk VIII Spitfire and reviewing the test flight schedule with Chief Engineer Peter Pring-Shambler.
With the ink barely dry on the Certificate of Airworthiness Steve climbed into the cockpit this afternoon, pressed the starter button and smiled as the Merlin came to life.
Steve stated: “It was a pleasure to fly such a nice airplane. The Mk XVI performed extremely well and is remarkably similar to our other Spitfire, the Mk VIII. The Museum engineering team did an excellent job reassembling the aircraft and that was made evident when the test flight schedule was completed without a single defect being noted. I can’t wait for Museum visitors to see the new Spitfire on September 16th and 17th”
The Museum is planning to fly both Spitfires in formation at our next Flying Weekend. It will be a huge event with the RAAF Roulettes, Mustang, Boomerang and more.
Click on the links for pictures of todays flying:
http://aviationmuseum.ayera.com/news/spitxvi.cfm
http://aviationmuseum.ayera.com/news/steve.cfm
http://aviationmuseum.ayera.com/news/guys.cfm
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