|
|
|
Rotary Funday on
Sunday June 15 |
17th June 2008 |
|
The Kent Spitfire
was the star
attraction at the
Rotary Funday held
at the Kent County
Showground. Flown
superbly by Dan
Griffiths under
excellent
conditions, the
planned slot at
14.00hrs had to be
delayed until
14.30hrs due to
problems at Biggin
Hill. However, the
appearance of the
aircraft over the
North Downs ridge
and a live
commentary by yours
truly soon had the
huge crowd looking
upwards. Dan flew a
full 10 minute
display culminating
in a ‘wing waggle’
and a superb Victory
Roll. At the end of
the display people
were coming up and
asking questions
about the aircraft
and whether or not I
had photos and
mementoes of the
day. Unfortunately
all I could do was
refer them to the
website. Our next
display will be
three days at the
county show also
held on the former
airfield of Detling.
A very apt venue for
in 1944, squadrons
of Spitfires made up
the Detling Wing to
carry the war back
over the Continent.
Robin J Brooks. |
|
|
|
|
Audley End Spitfire
Day Update |
29th May 2008 |
|
Dear Friends and
Supporters
We can not describe
the sense of
overwhelming
disappoint,
frustration and
immense sadness that
we have yet again
been deterred by the
weather today.
17t
The transit flight
from Biggin Hill
today has been
cancelled and as a
result we again,
have to make the
painful decision to
cancel our first
Audley End Spitfire
day, due to take
place on Saturday
31st May and 1st
June.
Whilst you have been
completely
understanding and
sympathetic in the
past we do feel that
now we have probably
pushed your patience
and goodwill and as
a result we will be
refunding your
ticket costs. We
will not be
rescheduling this
event at this time.
As you know the
voluntary time taken
in planning and
preparation is
immense whilst we
knew the format
would have offered
something very
memorable and
special, we clearly
can not deliver. For
that we offer our
deepest apologies
for the
disappointment we
have caused.
Above all, the safe
operation of The
Kent Spitfire and
the safety of our
pilots is of the
utmost importance to
us, at no point can
we ever let
commercial pressure
effect any decision
to fly the
aeroplane.
For those that
purchased tickets
and supported us we
are truly very
thankful.
Refunds will be
administered within
the next 7-10 days
by cheque.
Yours truly,
The Kent Spitfire
Team. |
|
|
|
|
The Power of the Web
|
26th May 2008 |
|
The power of the web
has recently been
proved without
doubt. The second CO
of 131 (County of
Kent) Fighter
Squadron was Sqd Ldr
Pedley and I have
recently been
contacted by both
his sons. Both are
military men with
one of them a Group
Captain commanding
the Maritime Patrol
System Program
Office in Australia
whilst the other is
a Squadron Leader at
the Central Flying
School of the Royal
New Zealand Air
Force.The fact that
a Spitfire is now
flying with the
words ‘Spirit of
Kent’ emblazoned on
the side of the
fuselage exactly the
same their Father’s
mount gave both men
a deal of pleasure
and pride. On their
next visit to the UK
they have indicated
they would like to
visit Biggin Hill
and once again see
the Spitfire known
as the ‘Kent
Spitfire.
Robin J Brooks
Publicity. |
| |
|
|
The Best Send off in
the World |
5th May 2008 |
|
One of the more
unusual displays for
the Kent Spitfire
took place at Bodmin
in Cornwall in
April. The last
request of a
Spitfire enthusiast
was that a display
was carried out at
his funeral.
Accordingly, pilot
Dan Griffiths took
‘Spirit of Kent’ to
the wake which was
held in the family
garden. A seven
minute display over
the gathered family
and friends ensured
that the person
concerned did indeed
have the best of
‘send off’s’.
After its annual
service and
check-up, ‘Spirit of
Kent’ is now back at
its home base at
Biggin Hill. |
| |
|
Kent Spitfire 2008
Dates |
29th April 2008 |
|
The first of two
Kent Spitfire Open
Days will take place
on Sunday May 25
2008 at Manston
airfield in Kent.
(Now known as Kent
International
Airport). Held in
conjunction with the
Spitfire and
Hurricane Museum,
this is a free event
to allow the people
of Kent to come and
see their own
Spitfire, a mark 9
named ‘Spirit of
Kent’. Several other
aircraft have
indicated that they
would like to attend
and the afternoon
will see a flying
display by those
attending together
with a display by
‘Spirit of Kent’.
The museum and
restaurant will be
open all day with
trade stands
situated nearby.
Events will begin
around 10.00hrs with
the last display by
‘Spirit of Kent’
around 15.30hrs.
Some future dates in
Kent where the
aircraft will be
displaying are the
Biggin Hill Air Fair
(June 7 and 8),
Rotary Open Day at
Detling Showground
(June 15), the Kent
County Show (July
11,12 and 13) again
at the Detling
Showground and the
War and Peace Show
at the Hop Farm
(July 19). Further
dates will be added
later.
FURTHER KENT
SPITFIRE DATES
In addition to those
already mentioned
above I have just
received notice that
‘Spirit of Kent’
will be displaying
at Ramsbury on
Saturday May 10
followed by a
flypast on Saturday
May 17 for the
Shoreham Aircraft
Museum. This is in
conjunction with a
memorial to be
erected at the crash
site of a Battle of
Britain pilot near
Chelsfield. The
following week the
aircraft will be
displaying at the
Kent Battle of
Britain Museum at
Hawkinge on Saturday
May 24 in the
afternoon and in
addition to the
Spitfire Open Day at
Manston on the
Sunday will also be
displaying at the
Southend Seafront
Airshow the same
day. Southend will
be repeated on the
Monday Bank holiday
before ‘Spirit of
Kent’ flies to
Normandy on Tuesday
June 3 for the D.Day
commemorations. The
aircraft will return
to the UK on Friday
June 6 in time for
the Biggin Hill Air
Fair.
Monday June 23 will
see ‘Spirit of Kent’
fly to Poland for a
week of
commemorations, the
first time in many
years that a
Spitfire has been
seen in the skies
above Krakow.
For people visiting
the website for the
first time, please
note that Kent
Spitfire merchandise
is now on sale at
the Kent Battle of
Britain Museum on
the former airfield
at Hawkinge near
Folkestone. (www.kbobm.org).
R J Brooks –
publicity Kent
Spitfire.
|
| |
|
|
New dates for the
Audley End Spitfire
Days released |
14th April 2008 |
We are delighted
to announce the
rescheduled
dates for the
Audley End
Spitfire Days.
These will take
place on 31st
May and the 1st
June 2008.
An outline of
the day and
approximate
timings and
content are as
follows:
|
09:30 |
Arrival
Tea &
Coffee |
|
10:00 |
Introductions
and a
presentation
on the
Spitfire
‘Gate
Guardian’
project
and
Audley
Ends
roll in
returning
many
Spitfires
back to
airworthy
status.
Includes
special
guest
speakers
and
previously
unseen
images
and
footage.
A Prize
draw
will
also
take
place. |
|
12:00 |
Complimentary
lunch
and
refreshments |
|
13:00 |
Group
Activities
giving
you the
chance
to get
close
and
personal
with
Supermarine
Spitfire
MKIX
‘The
Kent
Spitfire’
as well
as WW2
veteran
Piper L4
Cub,
Messerschmitt
108 as
well as
many
other
aircraft.
Other
fantastic
display
items, a
B17
cockpit
section,
military
vehicles,
historic
artefacts
and a
very
unique
WW1
artefact.
Take a
tour of
the
Vintage
Fabrics
facility
and view
their
current
restoration
projects.
|
|
16:00 |
Spitfire
Alive! A
full
ground
crew
demonstration
and
pre-flight
inspection.
Followed
by an
engine
run and
taxi.
One
lucky
guest
will get
to be
our
official
ground
crew on
the
day!17:30
Close &
Free
time. A
great
opportunity
to catch
some
very
unique
photographs
and
mementos
of your
day from
The Kent
Spitfire
Shop. |
Special guests
and additional
items are being
added to the
day. We also
plan to have a
WW2 veteran
attending.
What do I do if
I have already
purchased a
ticket?
Your current
ticket will get
you access to
the day. Just
let us know
which day you
would like to
attend. Please
contact us
or phone 07890
663542.
What do I
do if I can not
make the
rescheduled
date?
Contact us
and we will
arrange for your
ticket to be
refunded. Please
detail who we
need to make the
cheque payable
to and the
return address.
I want to
attend, can I
get a ticket?
Tickets are on
sale however it
is likely they
will be very
limited in
number. Please
contact us
as soon as
possible via
email or phone
to secure your
place. Tickets
will not be sold
on the day so
advance purchase
is crucial.
Payment can be
made via cheque
to Merlin
Promotions or
over the phone
via Credit Card.
We can also take
PAYPAL via our
shop at
www.kentspitfire.co.uk
Tickets are
priced at £45
and include
lunch and
refreshments all
day.
The team
would like to
thank everyone
who voiced their
support and
gratitude after
the first day
was sadly
postponed. We
are very much
looking forward
to welcoming you
back for a very
memorable
Spitfire
experience. |
| |
|
|
Postponement of the
Audley End Spitfire
Day |
28th March 2008 |
It is with immense
sadness and regret
that I write to
inform you of our
decision this
morning to postpone
the First Audley End
Spitfire Day.
Scheduled for 29th
and 30th March 2008.
We took this painful
decision this
morning at 10:00am
whilst at Duxford.
The weather this
week, now, and that
forecasted makes it
an extremely risky
operation to move
TA805 from Duxford
where she had
completed her winter
maintenance, the
short distance to
Audley End.
Both the wind
strength and
direction, as well
as the factored
'Wind Gusts' mean
that the weather at
Duxford is 'out of
limits' for the safe
operation of a
Spitfire. This is
compounded by rain
and general poor
weather.
After much
consultation with
the team and the
information provided
to us by the MET
Office we have
arrived at the
decision to postpone
the event.
As a group of
volunteers we are
devastated. The
decision not to fly
is a simple one. Our
pilots are highly
trained and the
conditions to which
these aeroplanes can
perform in are well
documented and
factual. The thought
of delivering this
bad news to those
who have got behind
us and supported
this new venture is
desperately
disappointing.
If I can take this
opportunity to
confirm some
actions.
-
A new date will
be advised soon.
This event has
been postponed
NOT cancelled.
-
If you wish to
cancel and have
your ticket
refunded please
contact us. We
will refund the
full ticket cost
if requested.
-
If the new date
is suitable and
you wish to
maintain your
place then we
will issue a new
ticket with the
revised date.
-
The team will be
attempting to
contact every
one by telephone
today to back up
this
information.
This information
will also be
emailed.
Should you find the
above unsatisfactory
please
contact me directly
I will call you back
as soon as possible.
As a gesture of
goodwill, and a
small way to try and
offer something back
as a way of apology
we would like to
offer all those who
have purchased a
ticket a 30%
discount off any
item from our Kent
Spitfire shop. This
includes all the new
clothing lines.
Finally, we are
determined that the
re-scheduled event
will be bigger and
better than before.
We'd like to again
offer our most
sincere apologies to
you all for firstly
supporting this new
initiative and
getting behind us
both financially and
vocally.
We'd also like to
express our deepest
apologies to the
team at Flying
Tigers and The
Diecast Aviation
Forum who got right
behind us, their
support towards
historic aviation is
both significant and
much valued by the
entire team.
Once again we hope
and appreciate you
understand this
difficult decision
we have taken, we
look forward to
seeing you all again
in the near future.
|
| |
|
|
Audley End Spitfire
Days |
23rd February 2008 |
|
Spend
a day with
the Kent
Spitfire!
This full
day event takes place at the beautiful
Audley End airfield not far from Audley End
House and the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
This historic location witnessed the
re-birth of the modern day Spitfire and the
founding members will be on hand to share
their stories, and previously unseen images
and footage of Spitfire restoration and
operation.
Star of the day we undoubtedly be
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX TA805 The Kent
Spitfire, this as well as other historic
aeroplanes and artefacts will make it a day
any aviation enthusiast will not want to
miss!
To ensure your day is ‘up close and
personal’ we are limiting ticket numbers to
just 40 guests.
So…does queuing to get into airshows drive
you mad? Paying extra to get a little bit
closer? Restricted photography opportunities
and High Vis vests getting in the way?
Falling over Windbreaks, Stepladders and
thousands of other people?
Well The Audley End Spitfire Day promises to
give you a Historic Aviation experience like
no other.
Click here
for more
details from
the Kent
Spitfire
Shop |
|
| |
| |
|
|
Kent Spitfire Model
Update |
1st
January 2008 |
|
 Kent
Spitfire Models now
dispatched!
The last pre-ordered Limited
Edition Kent Spitfires have
now been dispatched and
should arrive with customers
before Friday 25th January.
The team have worked hard to
get these out as soon as
possible despite several
delays.
We would like to express our
deepest thanks to those who
have purchased a model and
have been so supportive
throughout. Your patience
has been greatly appreciated
by the entire team and we
trust you enjoy your
collectable Kent Spitfire
model.
Thank you to all those who
took the trouble to write
and email after receiving
their Kent Spitfire.
Keep our New website in your
favourites and come back
soon as we look to add more
Kent Spitfire 'exclusives'
over the coming weeks!
We
would like to say a special
thank you to SRF Trading
Limited for their help
getting the models to the
UK, Michael at Flying Tigers
Ltd for his help and also
Gemini Aces for delivering
us a first class model! |
| |
|
|
 TA805,
the Kent Spitfire, was the
main attraction at the 2007
Kent County Show held on the
former Detling airfield near
Maidstone. Held over three
glorious days in July, the
aircraft gave stunning
displays in the hands of
Clive Denney on the Friday
and Sunday and Dan Griffiths
on the Saturday. At midday,
most of the crowd stopped to
look upwards as the sound of
a Merlin engine was heard
above the noise of tractors,
steam engines and animals.
This was the first time a
Spitfire has displayed at
the county show and such was
the impact that the
organisers have booked the
aircraft for next year. With
fine weather prevailing, it
was the perfect setting over
an airfield that during the
war flew Spitfires in a unit
known as ‘The Detling Wing’.
Such was the impact on the
public that the aircraft has
been booked to appear at the
2008 show. |
| |
|
|
 Kent
Life magazine publishes an
article on TA805 in
Septembers issue. |
| |
|
|
|
 The
2007 Biggin Hill Air Fair
saw TA805, the Kent Spitfire
win the prestigious
Breitling Trophy. Flown by
Duxford based pilot, John
Romain, it was given for the
best solo aerobatic display.
This was the first public
outing for the aircraft,
owned by Peter Monk and Mike
Simpson. Flying in the
colours of 234 (Madras
Presidency) Squadron, it is
named ‘Spirit of Kent’ in
memory of 131 (County of
Kent) Fighter Squadron. A
Mk9, the aircraft is set to
be a regular sight above the
skies of Kent. It is
intended to use the aircraft
as much as possible to
educate the youth of the
county and to let them get
‘close up’ to a wartime
Spitfire. Other venues will
include county shows, prom
concerts, weddings etc. and
it is hoped that Kent based
companies will want to use
the aircraft for various
promotions. |
| |
|
