Rotary Funday

 

Audley End Spitfire Day Update

 

The Power of the Web

 

The Best Send off in the World

 

Kent Spitfire 2008 Dates

 

New dates for the Audley End Spitfire Days released

 

Postponement of the Audley End Spitfire Day

 

Audley End Spitfire Days

 
Kent Spitfire Model Update
 
Kent County Show
 
Kent Life
 
Biggin Hill Air Fair
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!

 
Kent County Show

31st August 2007

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

22nd August 2007

Kent Life magazine publishes an article on TA805 in Septembers issue.
 
Biggin Hill Air Fair

5th May 2007

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.

 
 
 
 
© Kent Spitfire 2008