Spitfire rated pilots...how many?

[Mark V]

Stuart Goldspink, UK
Carl Schofield, UK
Dave MacKay, UK
John Beattie, UK
Pete John, UK
Howard Cook, UK
Phil O'Dell, UK
Bill Perrins

[Bill Greenwood]

I was surprised to see my name first on this list. I wasn't sure if it was complied by flying ability, or historical importance or even alphabetically.

Then it came to me in a flash, it was done by handsomeness, starting at the top. As good as any I guess.

There are, of course, pilots who haven't yet flown a Spitfire, but who are legally qualified to do so since they have an unlimited type rating if that is the proper term.

It's great to be able to share the experience with others. Hope I get to do it again.

Last edited by Bill Greenwood on Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Iclo]

Robert Faix in France

[marine air]

What would it take to get rated in the U.S.?

[Erik H]

Rolf Meum (Norway)
Bertil Gerhardt (Sweden)

[Bill Greenwood]

Marine Air, if it is still the same process, you gain the necessary primary or basic training. Tailwheel and then heavier tailwheel. FAA does consider the T-6 to be the closest step up, other than access to a dual control Spit. You get signed off by the CFI who is supervising or monitoring your training to fly the Spit or Mustang or P-40 or whatever, after the T-6. For me I had dual time then the FAA rep came to the airpiort and watched me fly the solo demo, with 3 takeoffs and landings. The CFI was a friend and even check pilot for the FAA so his signoff carried a lot of weight and my check flight was easy.

If you have Stearman and T-6 time you would likely qualify with just a refresher to get the Jet A out of your system.

If you are anyone else are about to fly a Spit, especially a Merlin one, phone me if you'd like some tips. It is not hard, but it can be if you aren't familiar with some of the basics like the throttle lock.

[Bradburger]

Interesting reading!

Here is a list of possibly all current UK Spitfire pilots using the names already mentioned in this thread (plus the respective organisations they fly for or have flown for in recent years), and also a few that have not been mentioned.

Nick Grey (TFC)
Stephen Grey (TFC)
Alan Wade (TFC)
Carl Schofield (TFC)
Stuart Goldspink (TFC)
Jack Brown (TFC)??
Peter Kynsey (TFC/Grace Spitfire)
Alister Kay (OFMC)
Nigel Lamb (OFMC)
Brian Smith (OFMC/TFC)
Lee Proudfoot (OFMC/HFL/ARC/Spitfire Ltd)
Paul Bonhomme (OFMC/TFC)
Cliff Spink (OFMC/TFC/HFL/ARC/Spitfire Ltd)
John Romain (HFL/ARC/Spitfire Ltd)
Alan Walker (HFL/ARC/Spitfire Ltd)
Dave Ratcliffe (HFL/ARC/Spitfire Ltd)
Steve Noujam (HFL/ARC/Spitfire Ltd)
Rod Dean (HAC/HFL/ARC/Spitfire Ltd)
Fl/Lt Charlie Brown (HAC)
Clive Denny (Kent Spitfire/HAC)
Howard Cook (HAC)
Phil O'Dell (Rolls Royce)
Bill Perrins (Rolls Royce)
Peter Monk (Kent Spitfire)
Dan Griffith (Kent Spitfire)
Peter Teichman (Hanger 11)
Paul Day (Bayliss TR.IX)
Andy Sephton (Shuttleworth)
Trevor Roache (Shuttleworth)
Sir John Allison (Shuttleworth)
Dave MacKay (Shuttleworth)
Robs Lamplough (MV154 'MT928')
Pete John (MV154 'MT928')
Richard Grace
Anthony Hodgson (PT462)
John Beattie (Kennett Seafire)
Jonathan Whaley (PPS/Classic Aero Engineering)
Tony Bianchi (PPS)

Don't forget the RAF's BBMF pilots.

PeterA

Not sure if the below have had any Spitfire flying time in recent years (they have in the past), so maybe someone will know!

'Shiney' Simmons
George Ellis (Shuttleworth)
Roger 'Dodge' Bailey (Shuttleworth)
Rick Roberts (ex owner of PV202)
Peter Hoar
John Farley
Pete Jarvis (ex-OFMC)
Mike Searle
Tim Routsis
Tony 'Taff' Smith


I recall 'Shiney' Simmons was being checked out as a pilot for HFL/ARC, a couple of years ago, but haven't seen or heard about him flying Spits or other histroric aircraft recently.

George Ellis is a current Shuttleworth pilot, and used to fly their MKV in the late 80's/90's but has he flown it more recently? I've never seen him fly it during displays there for the past 5 or 6 years.

Not sure what happened to Mike Searle, but he used to fly PL983, and I think Pete Jarvis was (and may still be) on the Flying Control Committee for the Duxford shows.

Cheers

Paul

Last edited by Bradburger on Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[cg51]

Bruce Lockwood
Alan Preston?
David Price

[JDK]

I'm betting there's only one current Spitfire pilot called Death.

Two flying Spitfires in Aus, currently. Pilots:

David Lowy AM
Steve Death
Guy Bourke
Doug Hamilton

[Obergrafeter]

Did Mike Burke ever fly a Spit?

[ZRX61]

Also from the UK.......
John Romain

I wondered if someone would mention "Shetland"

Anyone mention Paul Day?
edit: ah yes, I see it now.

Does Johnny Allison not fly with TFC these days?

[ZRX61]

Don't forget Pete Regina...

[Ontario-Warbird]

Jerry Billing

[Fleet16b]

Also, Jimmy Leeward

[Mike]

Does Johnny Allison not fly with TFC these days?

Not for probably the last 15 years