Planes of Fame Spitfire PR-XIX photos

[bdk]

http://community.webshots.com/album/235034823EAcwVn?810

Setter's massive photo postings recently (thanks for that!!!) have encouraged me to add some to the mix since people seem to like them.

Please mind the copyright!

BK

[mrhenniger]

Setter's massive photo postings recently (thanks for that!!!) have encouraged me to add some to the mix since people seem to like them.

Very nice! And thanks for the resolution. When were these taken?

Please mind the copyright!

Is it OK to have some prints made for my personnel photo collection?

Mike

[bdk]

Very nice! And thanks for the resolution. When were these taken?

'02, '03, and '04. Before, during, and after first (modern era) flight.

Is it OK to have some prints made for my personnel photo collection?

But of course! Just don't start making calendars and selling them using my photos!

[DazDaMan]

Very nice - I rather like this one given the contra-prop and clipped wings on a Spitfire XIX....

[Shay]

After looking at all these Spit pics, not just the XIX but the Mk.I's on up, it made me think. I'm a big fan of all Warbirds. And when it comes to which fighter can claim the title of "All Time Best Fighter" the decisions and opinions can becomes quite fuzzy. But would it be fair to say that the Spitfire epitomizes the most evolved level for a piston-powered fighter? Seems to me that witht the advent of the US fighter jet aicraft on the horizon, that the manufacturers stop putting effort into honing the potential of the mainstream piston fighters. True Corsair production soldiered on but wasn't fully embraced by the powers that be again in lue of the jet aircraft coming on scene and interest soon fizzled and production ended. Besides the Corsair is a different arena. Aircooled versus Liquid cooled. The Automotive industry has showed us that this battle has been won by the Liquid cooled engines. Although I'm very fond of my Corvair I do realize the supiority of liquid cooled engines. Leading me to the development of the Spitfire. The Spitfire went through a mirad of different model changes most of them pretty significant. In an endeavor to create the ultimate piston powered fighter. Personally I think SuperMarine has todate come the closest to achieving this goal. Although I have to wonder what would be if Frank Whittle had never dreamed the jet engine. What would piston engined fighters performance look like in 2004 if development had continued in force. Forgive me for my meager ramblings. Just the beautiful lines of the Spitfire got me thinking. Great pictures by the way. Thanks for sharing.

Shay

[Cindy]

just as an FYI - I heard a rumor yesterday that TAM had sold the Spitfire to someone in France. Don't know any details, but it would explain why it's suddenly off the schedule for the upcoming event day

[SaxMan]

The liquid-cooled engine is superior until someone starts throwing lead up at you, then you'll probably wish you had a nice, big, round one in front of you...or even better, two or of them (or maybe four?)!

I would agree that when you look how much the Spit evolved from the Mark I to the Mark XXIV (or was it XXII?) that it really was one of the most evolved airfames of all time. However, there are some other designs which may also be considered the ultimate piston-engined fighter: the P-47N "Long Range" Thunderbolt, the P-51H "Lightweight" Mustang and the F8F Bearcat come to mind.

[bdk]

just as an FYI - I heard a rumor yesterday that TAM had sold the Spitfire to someone in France.

Confirmed! Money will go to meet commitments for constructing a new museum hangar. If someone had stepped up with a sizeable donation, it would not have been sold.

[Cindy]

well....I haven't won the lottery yet or they would have a donation for the new hangar and for a real home for the motor pool

It'll be interesting to see what everything looks like next time I'm in CA

[bdk]

They tore down all the old buildings on the northeast end of the compound in preparation for the new hangar. The new hangar annex added to the north end of the south hangar (opposite the Enterprise Hangar) is structurally complete and being fitted out inside for the new gift shop and offices. The place is looking more like a real museum all the time!