Chalke Valley
Cricket Club and
the Kent Spitfire,
with the support of
the Arnhem Veterans
Club, bring you the
unique opportunity
to win a 20 minute
aerobatic display at
a time and place of
your choosing.
Price is £10 per
ticket and there is
no restriction on
how many tickets you
can buy.
All proceeds go
towards the Kent
Spitfire Arnhem
Appeal, which is
raising funds so
that the Spitfire
can fly in support
of the Arnhem
Veterans' Club at
the 65th Anniversary
on 18th/19th
September 2009 and
towards the Chalke
Valley Cricket Club
New Ground Appeal.
The weekend of 25/26
July proved a busy
time for the
aircraft. Flown
superbly by Clive on
the Saturday, the
first display was at
War and Peace show
at Beltring. Coming
in low over the
arena, Clive was met
by a fusillade of
firing from the
re-enactors below.
It was then on to
the Bae Open Day at
Rochester Airport
where after
displaying, Clive
landed and parked up
to allow the
visitors to see
'Spirit of Kent'
close up. In the
evening it was the
Headcorn Airfield
Proms and what a
nostalgic and
British evening this
turned out to be.
Among a picture of
waving flags, Clive
flying 'Spirit of
Kent' and Anna
Walker flying the
HAC Hurricane
together with Rob
Davies in P51
Mustang 'Big
Beautiful Doll'
ensured that it was
nostalgia all the
way. Sunday it was
Dan bringing the
aircraft into
Rochester for the
airport open day.
Departing at around
2.30pm, Dan flew
several nice passes
over the huge crowd
before departing for
Biggin Hill. Another
successful weekend
for the Kent
Spitfire.
Tickets are
available on Sat 8th
and Sun 9th August
at Biggin Hill to
sit in the cockpit
of The Kent Spitfire
where you will have
your photo taken and
you will be shown
around the aircraft
by one of the
pilots.
Tickets are
available for £30.00
(photograph
included).
Cheques should be
made payable to the
"Shoreham Aircraft
Museum", and sent 13
High street,
Shoreham Village,
Sevenoaks Kent TN14
7TB. Or you can pay
credit card by
phoning the museum
on 01959 524416.
During the
build up to
the 2009
Flying
Legends Air
Show, the
Kent
Spitfire had
a special
mission - To
stop three
Americans in
P-51
Mustangs
known as
The Horsemen
flying where
they should
not be
flying!
Jim Beasley,
Ed Shipley
and Dan
Friedkin
were meeting
photographer
John Dibbs
on the south
coast for a
special
photo sortie
over the
Seven
Sisters near
Eastbourne
Peter and
the Kent
Spitfire
flew into
Duxford and
escorted the
three
Mustangs
around the
Stansted and
Gatwick
zones to
Lydd where
they were to
be based for
the photo
sortie.
Once the
session was
complete,
the Horsemen
were allowed
to venture
back to
Duxford with
out the Kent
Spitfire
guiding the
way.
After
much
negotiating
with Peter I
was allowed
to use a map
and find our
way back
from Lydd to
DX. "Go left
at the
Thames and
take a right
at the
lakes."
"Don't hit
Stansted"
- Jim
Beasley
The photo
shoot was a
great
success and
the photos
are
stunning.
Jim Beasley
has posted
some here -
Warbird
Information
Exchange
Thank you to
Jim for
providing
the
in-cockpit
photos he
took that
day!
In very difficult
conditions due to
low cloud and
drizzle, the immense
crowd at Chelsfield
Village Fete were
treated to a superb
flying display by
Dan in 'Spirit of
Kent'. This was the
second appearance of
the aircraft at this
very popular fete
and although flying
was limited to a
flat display, Dan
none-the-less
thrilled the crowd.
I have been asked to
pass on the many
compliments that
came to me from the
people to Dan.
Shortly after the
cloud base came even
lower causing Dan to
abort a planned
visit to Ardingley.
The next displays
from 'Spirit of
Kent' will be a very
full day on Saturday
25th July. Starting
with an appearance
at War and Peace at
12noon, it is then
off to Bae Systems
Open Day at
Rochester Airport
for 12.30 followed
by an evening
appearance at the
Headcorn Proms at
Headcorn Airfield.
The next day
(Sunday) the
aircraft will fly at
a memorial service
for Andy Cresswell,
a popular member of
the Lashenden Air
Warfare Museum,
again at Headcorn
before flying to
Rochester Airport
for the Open Day.
With the success of
last years fete and
the first appearance
there of the Kent
Spitfire, the
organisers have
booked the aircraft
for this years fete
on Saturday July
11th.
Over the years the
fete has gained in
popularity and this
year is to be no
exception. ‘Spirit
of Kent’ is to be
flown by Dan
Griffiths once again
and with good
weather we can look
forward to some
impressive flying. A
new visitor this
year is the
appearance of the DeHavilland Vampire
which will be
displaying after the
Kent Spitfire. Pics
of last years
display are to be
seen by visiting
www.chelsfieldfair.com.
Once again it will
be a good day with
lots to do and see.
(Please note the
amended date of this
event)
Robin J Brooks on
behalf of Dave
Griffiths –
Organiser Chelsfield
Village Fete.
The
Kent Spitfire
returned to Biggin
Hill after three
days flying over the
Normandy beaches
during the June6
commemorations.
Flown by both Peter
and Clive, several
successful sorties
were flown over
Arromanches and
Caen. Looking down
at the veterans
below Peter remarked
he could almost see
tears in the eyes of
the warriors.
This was a personal
tribute that Peter
wanted to pay to
those who gained our
freedom for today.
Bad weather had
prevented the
attempts of the past
two years but 2009
saw almost perfect
weather allowing the
flight to go ahead.
For many of the
veterans this might
well be the last
year they attend the
commemorations in
Normandy but it was
gratifying to see so
many Air, Army and
Sea Cadets in
attendance.
Let us hope they
will carry on the
memory just as the
Kent Spitfire did.
The Kent Spitfire
Open Day at Manston
held on May 24 2009
exceeded all
expectations. Around
4,000 people flocked
to the former RAF
airfield now known
as 'Kent
International
Airport' to see Dan
Griffiths fly
'Spirit of Kent' in
the morning and in
the afternoon.
Resplendent in its
invasion markings,
Dan ensured that the
people saw the
aircraft from every
angle possible. The
afternoon also saw a
flypast by the nine
Hawks of the Red
Arrows who were
based at Manston for
the weekend and
flying at the
Southend airshow.
Also giving a
flypast was a
Eurofighter Typhoon,
another visitor to
Southend. However
the star of the day
was certainly
'Spirit of Kent'.
One drawback with
these open days is
that we cannot now
bring the aircraft
to park outside the
Spitfire and
Hurricane museum due
to new security
regulations at the
airport. It is hoped
that future
negotiations with
the airport
authorities will
enable the crash
gate to be re-opened
and allow the
Spitfire to park
alongside. It is
hoped to hold
another open day in
September. Watch
this space!
On Thursday May 14
the cameras of ITV
Meridian arrived at
Biggin Hill to
record a tribute to
D.Day to be
broadcast around the
June 6 period. Derek
Johnson together
with cameraman
Martin interviewed
the writer regarding
the history of
Operation Fortitude,
the decoy plans to
fool the Germans,
before speaking to
Peter Monk about his
own tribute to those
brave men who took
part in the
invasion. It is
Peter’s intention to
fly ‘Spirit of Kent’
over to Normandy and
along the invasion
beaches for the
veterans who will be
parading below. This
may well be the last
year that those who
took part in this
historic landing
will be able to
travel to France as
age takes its toll.
Hence the aircraft,
complete with
invasion stripes,
will bring a tear to
many of those below.
Bad weather over the
past two years has
prevented Peter from
going despite his
intentions of doing
so but this year,
with the promise of
a good June, ‘Spirit
of Kent’ will fly
once more over those
battlefields and
oceans where the
allies landed to
ensure us left
behind of a free
world.
The Kent Spitfire,
resplendent in its
new invasion
stripes, displayed
at the 100 years of
flight celebrations
at Muswell Manor,
Shellbeach, Leysdown
on Sunday May 3.
Flown by Dan
Griffiths, it was
part of the aerial
display organised by
the writer for the
current owners of
Muswell Manor.
Leysdown is the
cradle of British
aviation as the
first fledgling
steps in flying were
taken by members of
the Aero Club in May
1909. Aviators such
as J T C Moore-Brabazon,
the Hon Charles
Stewart Rolls and
others took to the
air from the tiny
airfield to become
the first Britons to
fly powered flight.
After a visit from
the Wright Brothers,
Short Brothers
arrived from
Battersea to begin
building several
Short/Wright flyers
for these intrepid
aviators. This was
the birth place of
all that we see in
the air today and it
was here at Muswell
Manor that history
was made.
Accompanied by
appropriate music,
the Kent Spitfire
arrived fresh from
Duxford and
displayed for 15
minutes before
returning to its
proper home at
Biggin Hill. To
great applause and
cheers, Dan
displayed the
aircraft to its best
at this home of
British aviation.
Our next appearance
will be at Manston
on May 24 when the
Spitfire will hold
its open day with an
appearance from the
Red Arrows.
Please note that
those attending the
War and Peace show
at Beltring in July
will not see, as
advertised in
various magazines, a
dog fight between
the Kent Spitfire
and a Messerschmitt.
Both aircraft will
be displaying
independently.
The first of two
open days in 2009
for the Kent
Spitfire will be
held at the Spitfire
and Hurricane Museum
at Manston airfield
on Sunday 24th May.
This is a free event
with flying, stalls
and much more.
We are fortunate to
have the Red Arrows
at Manston for
refuelling whilst
doing a display over
Dover and they have
kindly consented to
do several flypasts.
In addition the Kent
Spitfire will be in
attendance and will
hopefully be able to
park near the
museum.
A Stearman will also
be displaying on
what should be a
very good day,
weather permitting".
At this moment in
time I am attempting
to get together some
type of programme
for next year.
Anyone interested in
booking the Spitfire
for that special day
and display, please
contact Robin J
Brooks on 01622
675847. A free DVD
is available to
interested parties.
Saturday 15th
November saw the
Kent Spitfire in the
hands of Dan
Griffiths display at
a 65th birthday
party at Denton near
Folkestone. The site
was alongside the
Clip Gate Farm
Airstrip, a private
strip used by the
owner farmer and
friends. According
to Lynne, who
organised the
display for her
father, there 'were
tears in the eyes of
everyone'. Of course
a Spitfire was no
stranger to the area
as during the war
many fought in skies
above and many came
to grief in the
accompanying
countryside. With
fine weather and
clear blue skies,
Dan gave the
assembled friends
and family a day to
remember.
Robin J Brooks -
Publicity.
In association with
the
Shoreham Aircraft
Museum and the
RAF at War living
history group, we
will be taking you
back to 'RAF' Biggin
Hill 1944, and an
opportunity for you
to access a private
part of the airfield
and see 'The Spirit
of Kent' in one of
the original war
time 'revetments'.
No barriers or
fences and a
wonderful
opportunity for
enthusiasts to step
back in time.
As well as Spitfire
veterans and free
entry to the
staggering
collection of Battle
of Britain artefacts
at the Shoreham
Aircraft Museum and
your opportunity to
meet war time
Spitfire pilots
including Wing
Commander Bob Doe,
DSO, DFC* (234
Squadron Biggin
1940) as
well as those who
fly The Kent
Spitfire today.
Numbers will be
limited and tickets
available on the
day.
To register your
interest or
'reserve' your space
please
contact us.
Ticket pricing and
the days agenda will
be detailed later
this week.
With glorious
sunshine, Sunday
September 14 saw a
large gathering at
the former RAF
station of Manston
to enjoy a day of
flying and aviation
memorabilia. Located
next to the superb
Spitfire and
Hurricane Museum,
the morning display
opened with a
display by Richard
Meredith in his
silver Pilatus P2.
This was followed
later by a Stearman
of TG Aviation, the
resident flying
school at Manston,
flown by Dave Evans.
With several authors
on site to sign
their books and free
entry to the museum
plus stalls selling
everything from
aviation material to
clothes and flowers,
by midday all the
car parks were full.
At precisely 3.30pm
all eyes turned
towards Canterbury
as Dan Griffith
brought TA805 into
the circuit. From
then on it was eyes
upward as he
displayed the
aircraft for 15
minutes to rapturous
applause from the
crowd. Accompanied
by a commentary and
Spitfire music the
entire performance
was recorded on
video and placed on
‘You Tube’ where
people could re-live
the flying display.
It is hoped to hold
several such events
next year with the
emphasis on becoming
even bigger.
A
ceremony was held in
Sundridge near
Sevenoaks on
Saturday 23rd August
in memory of Flight
Lieutenant Pat
Hughes who died in
the defence of his
country on 7th
September 1940. He
was one of a number
of Spitfires from
234 Squadron
operating out of
Middle Wallop in
Hampshire vectored
to attack a large
force of enemy
bombers intent on
attacking London.
During a ferocious
battle, Pat Hughes
was seen to attack
one of the Dornier
17’s before himself
crashing at Darks
Farm, Bessels Green
due to the force of
the explosion of the
Dornier. Spitfire
X4009 buried itself
deep in the ground
with the body of the
pilot being found in
a garden nearby.
An Australian,
Paterson Clarence
Hughes hailed from
Haberfield, New
South Wales and in
1935, at the age of
seventeen, had
joined the Royal
Australian Air Force
as a cadet at Point
Cook. Two years
later he applied and
was successful in
receiving a
commission in the
RAF. He served with
Nos 64 and 247
Squadrons until
November 1939 when
he was transferred
to No 234 Squadron
at Leconfield. Just
before a move to its
new base at St Eval,
he had married
Kathleen Brodrick.
One month later he
was tragically
killed and was
awarded a posthumous
DFC for his bravery
in the dogfight.
Fl Lt Hughes already
had 12 confirmed
kills with several
damaged and
probables and was on
his way to becoming
one of the
outstanding pilots
of the Battle of
Britain.
The ceremony on
Saturday 23rd was to
dedicate a plaque
indicating the spot
where he fell to his
death and was
another dedication
carried out by the
Shoreham Aircraft
Museum who have
been responsible for
placing memorials at
several crash sites
within the Sevenoaks
area. A flypast by
the Kent Spitfire,
TA805, named ‘Spirit
of Kent’ and flown
by Clive Denney,
carried a piston
from X4009 in the
cockpit in a
poignant tribute
arranged by the
Museum.
Hailed as the
‘largest military
show in the world,
Saturday July 19 saw
the Kent Spitfire
displaying over the
arena to a capacity
crowd. Flown by Dan
Griffiths, his
arrival was timed to
12 noon when there
was the customary
firing of three
large guns in the
arena. At midday, to
the accompaniment of
deafening bangs, the
Kent Spitfire dived
down and entered the
arena to applause
from the huge crowd
gathered to watch
the re-enactments of
WW2 battles taking
place. With a clear
blue sky after a
very wet morning,
the impact was
immediate as Dan put
the aircraft through
its paces. With a
commentary and
appropriate
‘Spitfire music’,
the 15 minute
display left people
wanting more.
Talking to the arena
directors after Dan
had departed it was
hoped that if the
organisation ask us
back next year we
can do even better
with many more
pyrotechnics used to
good effect. Whilst
the War and Peace
show is mainly for
land based military
equipment, the
appearance of the
Kent Spitfire was
hailed as one of the
best ‘exhibits’ on
show.
If ever the power of
advertising need to
be proved, it
certainly was on
Saturday July 5 when
‘Spirit of Kent’
displayed at the
Chelsfield Village
Fair. Thousands of
people from as far
afield as Bromley
and Orpington
flocked to the
little village green
encouraged by seeing
photos of the
aircraft on the
posters advertising
the event. A
stunning display was
flown by Dan
Griffiths to a
background of puffy
clouds and a blue
sky. With roads
blocked and car
parks full to the
brim, the fair
proved the perfect
venue for the Kent
Spitfire. To the
many organisers of
village fairs out
there, if you want
to pull in the
people, advertise
the fact that the
Kent Spitfire will
be appearing.
Three days of fine
weather, though
rather windy, saw
the Kent Spitfire
display at the Kent
County Show at
Detling on July 11,
12 and 13 2008.
Flown on two days by
Clive Denney and one
day by Dan
Griffiths, it again
proved one of the
top attractions. The
Spitfire stand did
good business with
many people
inquiring about the
aircraft and where
it was to appear
next. Having flown
to great acclaim
over the past two
years at the show,
it is hoped the
organisers will ask
us back again next
year. The show is
all about Kent. It’s
farms, orchards,
lush countryside and
now, its own
Spitfire. How many
other counties can
boast the same!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Would
like the opportunity
to sit in a flying
Spitfire?
The
Kent Spitfire
returned to Biggin
Hill after three
days flying over the
Normandy beaches
during the June6
commemorations.
Flown by both Peter
and Clive, several
successful sorties
were flown over
Arromanches and
Caen. Looking down
at the veterans
below Peter remarked
he could almost see
tears in the eyes of
the warriors.
A
ceremony was held in
Sundridge near
Sevenoaks on
Saturday 23rd August
in memory of Flight
Lieutenant Pat
Hughes who died in
the defence of his
country on 7th
September 1940. He
was one of a number
of Spitfires from
234 Squadron
operating out of
Middle Wallop in
Hampshire vectored
to attack a large
force of enemy
bombers intent on
attacking London.
During a ferocious
battle, Pat Hughes
was seen to attack
one of the Dornier
17’s before himself
crashing at Darks
Farm, Bessels Green
due to the force of
the explosion of the
Dornier. Spitfire
X4009 buried itself
deep in the ground
with the body of the
pilot being found in
a garden nearby.
Kent
Spitfire Models now
dispatched!
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.