Spitfire Crash (ML407)

Vulcan · 7 Jun 2008 at 16:19

For the aviation enthusiasts...

Just heard that the "Grace Spitfire" has crashed during take off at Duxford. Apparently the land gear got stuck in the ground which caused the aircraft to flip up and dig the nose into the ground. Lucky the aircraft wasn't going any faster otherwise the aircraft would have completely flipped possibly killing the pilot (Carolyn Grace).

Some pics I took last year:

p4radox · 7 Jun 2008 at 16:37

Is it a write-off?

Hopefully not, such beautiful machines.

Voltar · 7 Jun 2008 at 16:45

what a sad loss to Britain indeed.

Women drivers :rolleyes:

Meridian · 7 Jun 2008 at 16:54

p4radox said:
Is it a write-off?

Unlikely - although it mostly depends on how much money she wants to spend on it. There's no shortage of Spitfire parts (believe it or not) so a rebuild would be expensive (in labour costs) but not difficult. Track down pics of the state Graham Warner's Blenheim was in after he pranged it the first time in about 1987 - and that was fully repaired within about four years.

Nearly forgot: "write-off" isn't the right term because very few of these classic planes are insured - the cost is astronomical, typically about 1/3 of the plane's value per year.

M

Vulcan · 7 Jun 2008 at 16:59

p4radox said:
Is it a write-off?

Hopefully not, such beautiful machines.

Just the front end I believe. Won't be flying again this year that's for sure. Which brings up a dilemma, spitfire components are extremely expensive, and with the aircraft grounded it loses a lot of it's income.

shauncr91 · 7 Jun 2008 at 17:40

Damn, hope they can get it flying easily enough

Ben M · 7 Jun 2008 at 17:48

I guess Grace will be needing a nose job then?

nutcase · 7 Jun 2008 at 19:00

Glad to hear no injuries, but shame to hear such a beautiful aircraft damaged

footman · 7 Jun 2008 at 19:07

Is that the 2 seater version?

JodieO · 7 Jun 2008 at 19:19

Glad no one was hurt. We went to Duxford recently, it's a fantastic day out.

Steve2000 · 7 Jun 2008 at 19:37

Sad to see such a remarkable aircraft with "HSBC" plugged on the side. :rolleyes:

Andr3w · 7 Jun 2008 at 19:39

You aviation enthusiasts would love to work where i do...bascially if i stand at the back door of my office, or go sit on the chairs outside...i am about 100m from the runway, with the runway running horizontal infront of me, so i get to see alsorts taking off

Most recently ive had some american F-16s (apparently) and loads of tornado's practising LOWLOW flying (with afterburners, ears = owww) and some apache's came in the other day

Vulcan · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:04

footman said:
Is that the 2 seater version?

Yes, duel controls.

Steve2000 said:
Sad to see such a remarkable aircraft with "HSBC" plugged on the side.

True, but they pay a lot of money, without them as a sponsor the aircraft wouldn't fly.

Andr3w said:
Most recently ive had some american F-16s (apparently) and loads of tornado's practising LOWLOW flying (with afterburners, ears = owww) and some apache's came in the other day

Pics!

Andr3w · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:07

I don;t have time to take pics im afriad

platypus · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:08

Steve2000 said:
Sad to see such a remarkable aircraft with "HSBC" plugged on the side.

If it gets these beautiful craft flying again, I'm all for it.

4T5 · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:09

I'm still waiting for the little Gif with her on her nose & a Flashing Pwned.

FreeStream · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:09

Steve2000 said:
Sad to see such a remarkable aircraft with "HSBC" plugged on the side.

Yes, and you can see that when its flying can't you? :rolleyes:

Vulcan · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:09

Andr3w said:
I don;t have time to take pics im afriad

What is it you do in the RAF again? And what base are you on?

Wang Computer · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:11

Oh dear, not another one... Sad for the pilot too.

Energize · 7 Jun 2008 at 20:11

Concorde Rules said:
Yes, and you can see that when its flying can't you?

You work for hsbc then?