Air to air...a Spit from a Lib (LOTS of pics)

[retroaviation]

Please, no drama here about this being a "replica" Spitfire (Bob DeFord's) and a "maybe it is and maybe it isn't" B-24. Just try to enjoy the pictures, please.

These were taken by me on my last flight in Ol' 927, with a crappy little digital camera I had at the time. Some were taken from my favorite position in the airplane, the tailgunner's section, while others were taken from the tunnel gun position (the shots looking straight down on the Spit) and from the waist gunner's position.

An interesting footnote to this is that Bob DeFord had purchased an authentic flight suit, Mae West (or whatever the Brits called 'em), and flying gloves from a fella that flew them in the Battle of Britain (the real battle, not the movie). He wears them every time he flies this Spit, to honor those that flew in battle. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

I have a bunch of pictures here, so I hope they don't get too redundant for y'all.........






















Hmmm, gotta tell him about that access door......








From the tunnel gun position...












And finally, from the waistgunner's position......












Okay, I'm done. I hope that wasn't too much at one time.

Gary

[K5DH]

Great stuff, Gary! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a grand time!

BTW, your camera doesn't seem all that bad to me. The Spit/Lib pics and the Another Solution pics are fine for internet viewing.

Very cool about Bob's genuine Battle of Britain flight gear!


Cheers!

[Cripes A Mighty]

Well I would have to say that that "crappy" camera did a hellova job.

Great pics and thanks

[Iclo]

Wow, cool pics. Tanks Gary

[TAdan]

Awsome Gary! Thanks for posting them.

I love the pics of the shadows.

[Chicoartist]

Very, very nice pics ... thanks for "taking us along".

Nice to not see an ultra-cool jet jock at the controls of a [currently flying] WWII aircraft for a change, as in the attire of the pilot. That RAF life vest just screams "time machine".

OK, I'm stupid ... I've never heard of this particular Spit. Is this a full size replica/reproduction? Built from scratch? Looks good to me!

Wade

[Zachary]

Great photos! Wish my crappy little digital camera took pics so good...

Zack

[sgt hawk]

Hey Chico, He's wearing that Mae West cause their ain't no guns in the wings and he could end up in a tank(that's what they call ponds out in West Texas).
Hawk

[retroaviation]

OK, I'm stupid ... I've never heard of this particular Spit. Is this a full size replica/reproduction? Built from scratch? Looks good to me!

Wade

Well, in order to find that out, you'll just have to get yourself a copy of the next addition of Warbird Digest, which is in print today.

Gary

[Flying Pencil]

SUPERB replica!

SUPERB costume, er Uniform!

SUPERB crappy digi camera!

Thanks for sharing!

Bob DeFord did a great job in is oversized model! Really!
Only 1 glaring issue: His is a Mk V, and they had the 20mm cannon sticking out like a forks (funny, he did model the bulges for the gun), and the 4x .303's in the outer wings (could be painted on).

PS, can Bob make a Mk I?


Anyone have details on Bob's sweet toy? Engine? construction material?

[Bill Greenwood]

Bob's engine is an Allison. Does that mean he won't get through the Pearly Gates in time? Nope, but he may have to do a day or two of redemption first. Nice photos of a nice plane, I'd really like to see it in the flesh, er aluminum, or that is the spruce!

Last edited by Bill Greenwood on Thu May 29, 2008 9:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Robbie Stuart]

Great shots Gary. That Spit sure is pretty. Cool seeing the pilot in the period flight gear.
Robbie

[vg-photo]

Very cool! Great shots too.

[n5151ts]

...you lucky dog! I'd love to just see them fly together but air to air...man is that cool!

[Mgawa]

Most impressve photo topic about Spitfire I have ever seen!!! Thank you for this amazing images and keep on good work