Julien (UK) Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Just found these pics which were taken by a good friend of mine. He has said its ok to post them up. All copyright to Colin Ruffles, Julien Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Julien (UK) Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 A few more; Julien Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 (edited) Looks like the photoshoot at Bentwaters ( I think! ) in 2008 with Maurice Hammonds P-51 Janie and B-17 Liberty Belle. Edited March 14, 2010 by Army_Air_Force Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ross blackford Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 :D, Beautiful bird. Thank you for posting Julien. Does anyone have any shots of the Spitfire converted in Russian during WW2? It would be good to see them if anyone has them or a link to them. , Ross. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Av8fan Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 (edited) For those that may not be aware The Grace Spitfire Oh to have a flight in that. Thanks for posting Julien Edited March 14, 2010 by Av8fan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Here's one of the other two seaters. I think there are four in the UK. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Julien (UK) Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 Looks like the photoshoot at Bentwaters ( I think! ) in 2008 with Maurice Hammonds P-51 Janie and B-17 Liberty Belle. Yes it was. A great day. Julien Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Neat! Never seen a two seat version of the Spitfire until now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Neat! Never seen a two seat version of the Spitfire until now. This one looks even better. ;-) Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 (edited) Julien, Great photos..may I ask you. is this one of the same Spitfires that JAMES MAY went up in and the lovely lady sat on the wing, isn't she a Pilot that took MAY to the skies. she looks so familiar. HOLMES Edited March 16, 2010 by HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Spitfire OU V belongs to Carolyn Grace who was the pilot who took James May for a flight. The aircraft was restored and converted to a low profile two seat aircraft by her late husband, Nick Grace. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Spitfire OU V belongs to Carolyn Grace who was the pilot who took James May for a flight. The aircraft was restored and converted to a low profile two seat aircraft by her late husband, Nick Grace. Ah I thought it was the same lady.. Thank you for reminding ME of her name... Thought that was HER Spitfire.... HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Av8fan Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 James May is a lucky man Flight in a Spitfire and a U-2!!!! Holmes, if you go to the link above, you get the Grace spitfire site and you can buy some memorabilia if you are interested. I have my eyes on a few pieces. If I ever managed a ride in the Spitfire, I would be smiling too much to care about upset stomach I get on a plane. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mumbles Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Spitfire OU V belongs to Carolyn Grace who was the pilot who took James May for a flight. The aircraft was restored and converted to a low profile two seat aircraft by her late husband, Nick Grace. Sorry to be picky, but.... It was converted to twin seat TR.9 configuration for the Irish Air Corps postwar rather than by Nick Grace. In its as-built single seat Mk.IX configuration it served with 485 (NZ) Squadron during World War Two in the markings it now wears, and flew in support of the D-Day landings, being credited with the first allied air to air victory on D-Day in the process. There is another TR.9 operating in New Zealand currently (well sort of, it has had a couple of unfortunate landing accidents keeping it out of the air while repairs are undertaken). Details here: http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board...0316&page=1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Beautiful aircraft ... Thanks Folks ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Sorry to be picky, but............... If you'd read my post carefully, you would have seen that I said Nick Grace converted the aircraft to a 'LOW PROFILE' two seat aircraft. All the Irish air force aircraft had the tall bubble canopy to the second cockpit. This low canopy version is known as the Grace conversion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mumbles Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 (edited) If you'd read my post carefully, you would have seen that I said Nick Grace converted the aircraft to a 'LOW PROFILE' two seat aircraft. All the Irish air force aircraft had the tall bubble canopy to the second cockpit. This low canopy version is known as the Grace conversion. Fair enough, you learn something new every day! I thought you were referring to the conversion to two seats, rather than a modification of that configuration. Now that I think about it I do faintly recall hearing the 'Grace Conversion' term in the dim distant past (i.e. as a pre-teen poring over copies of 'Flypast' in the 1980's), but must have forgotten about it. Thanks for the clarification Edited March 17, 2010 by Mumbles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 So, presumably, the 'Grace Conversion', although better looking than the original high-canopy two-seater, is less useful as a Spitfire trainer??? The original high rear canopy must have given a better view forward for the instructor ??? Can anyone comment on the different outlooks from either rear cockpit - was the rear seat higher in the original ? I imagine that the Grace Spitfire is emminently suitable for giving backseat PR rides to selected luminaries (e.g. James May) rather than as a 'proper' conversion trainer. Although there must still be a requirement to train budding Spitfire pilots/rich owners - so the Grace type rear seat must be adequate for the task. Ken PS - As well as the Grace Spitfire and U2 rides, James May also flew backseat in an RAF Typhoon (the Euofighter one that is) - lucky b*****d Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ross blackford Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 :),Hi Ken, The Russian converted Spitfire (at least one MkIX is known to have been converted to a 2 seater in Russia during the GPW) was used as a trainer and it was much like the Grace Conversion with the low bubble canopy over the rear cockpit. It was also known to have been used as a fast communications aircraft at times. I'll try and find a photo of it and post a link to it here. , Ross. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 .........I imagine that the Grace Spitfire is emminently suitable for giving backseat PR rides to selected luminaries (e.g. James May) rather than as a 'proper' conversion trainer.Although there must still be a requirement to train budding Spitfire pilots/rich owners - so the Grace type rear seat must be adequate for the task. Ken ............... I would have thought that an experienced Spitfire Pilot could handle the flight from the rear seat while the student sat in the front. Forward view past the engine is poor at best from a normal cockpit, so a limited forward view from the rear cockpit shouldn't stop training for experienced pilots, giving the student a standard view. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 This one looks even better. ;-) Cheers, Andre Thanks Andre! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Julien (UK) Posted October 10, 2010 Author Share Posted October 10, 2010 Spitfire TR.9 Julien Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Sharp looking one. The rear bubble style canopy clearly looks better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cheeley Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I was at Ardmore last weekend and they had the Tr9 flying. They were tinkering wth it before the show, so here are a couple of 'cowl off' shots I hope you find them useful Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Chris Lovely Photos..Like the detailed shots...WOW ! Thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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