Fly to work in a Spitfire?

[PFGEN]

I was just reading this thread, and thinking of the evocative tone of a Merlin, when I heard/felt another one close to my heart. The dulcet tones of twin 3-blade rotors that can only be a CH-47 Chinook. Looked out the door, and there she was, transiting along the lake. I'd pay good money for one more trip in one of these babies:

View attachment 327468

Especially that particular one!

You'd like living round our way. I have them flying over regularly along with Apaches. Other locals whinge and wail about noise and why can't the troops just pretend that they're in a helicopter and run along the road in a group going wokka wokka wokka (somebody actually submitted that one to the local rag). I go outside and sniff the air as they fly over.

 

[Roadster280]

You get a better view...
...in a Sioux.

Never had the pleasure. But I've got a special affinity with Mr Wokka. I spent the best years of my life flying in them, marshaling them, hooking under them and controlling their LZs. I felt the vibration more than heard it this afternoon, and knew where to look and what for. Brought it all back. It's more than half a lifetime ago for me, but dang, I miss them.

As @PFGEN says, I'd inhale their exhaust like dîckheads do smack. Dunno what it is at the root of it, but the CH-47 is the King of helicopters. I've spent plenty of time in powerful military helos of many types, but give me a Wokka any day. The King.

 

[Bushmills]

You wish...

Australian man wins right to fly replica Spitfire to work | AIRLIVE.net

Anybody else reckon this Spit looks a bit dodgy?

That’s on my wish list (if the next book sells well).

 

[Lardbeast]

...and the P-51D (not the earlier P-51 versions)...

On the other hand I like the lines of the P51A. That razorback look does it for me, although it didn't perform as well at altitude due to engine constraints.

Spitfire? Leaves me cold, I'm afraid. Do like the F4U though. I think later models were fitted with corncob engines and they're really beefy looking exhibits. Solid and workmanlike. Same for the A1A.

 

[Saturation]

why can't the troops just pretend that they're in a helicopter and run along the road in a group going wokka wokka wokka (somebody actually submitted that one to the local rag). I go outside and sniff the air as they fly over.

That, in fact, is exactly what we did when training to be deployed to VN in 1967.
Never ever saw a bloody helicopter until we arrived in the country.
The training consisted of RL Bedfords and chairs set out on the parade ground to simulate the interior of a Huey.
Imagine our surprise on arriving in the country to find that there were as many helicopters as mosquitos, and were being used as taxis.
A complete culture shock.
One thing I must give to the yanks is that when they train their troops, is that they train with the real thing.

 

[BoundApprentice]

Never had the pleasure. But I've got a special affinity with Mr Wokka. I spent the best years of my life flying in them, marshaling them, hooking under them and controlling their LZs. I felt the vibration more than heard it this afternoon, and knew where to look and what for. Brought it all back. It's more than half a lifetime ago for me, but dang, I miss them.

As @PFGEN says, I'd inhale their exhaust like dîckheads do smack. Dunno what it is at the root of it, but the CH-47 is the King of helicopters. I've spent plenty of time in powerful military helos of many types, but give me a Wokka any day. The King.

I am scared of flying and heights, Helicopters absolutely petrify me I am always wanting to get on the deck as soon as possible I never as long as I live want to get on a Sea Stallion shite heap again, there is one exception to this and it baffled me it is the only type of Helicopter I have been in where I haven't been scared out of my wits the entire time in it and it was a Wokka I have no idea why, also got to fly in BN in Afghanistan which was an experience and a half

 

[PFGEN]

On the other hand I like the lines of the P51A. That razorback look does it for me, although it didn't perform as well at altitude due to engine constraints.

Spitfire? Leaves me cold, I'm afraid. Do like the F4U though. I think later models were fitted with corncob engines and they're really beefy looking exhibits. Solid and workmanlike. Same for the A1A.

Now that's what I mean. It should tickle your soul and I'm afraid the reduced scale replicas don't do it for me.

I love the noise that corncob engine makes when its started up from cold. Its one mahoosive mother. By contrast the Merlin sounds like a well tuned sports car. Both have their own unique distinctive sound.

Some might like this. Jay Leno has a Merlin engine in his garage in a stand for static running. He's just a big kid with bigger toys. Got to like that.

Packard Merlin

 

[HLD DMR]

Now that's what I mean. It should tickle your soul and I'm afraid the reduced scale replicas don't do it for me.

I love the noise that corncob engine makes when its started up from cold. Its one mahoosive mother. By contrast the Merlin sounds like a well tuned sports car. Both have their own unique distinctive sound.

Some might like this. Jay Leno has a Merlin engine in his garage in a stand for static running. He's just a big kid with bigger toys. Got to like that.

Packard Merlin

If you want a fun experience, try starting up a Corsair with the shotgun starter, standing right behind the 13ft Hamilton Standard prop when it’s winding up is something you’ll never forget.

 

[Lardbeast]

...It should tickle your sou...l

It's just a replica so expecting the real thing would be a bit silly. That said, some replicas are a bit tummy banana enlarging like the Titan Mustang. There's also a 190 replica that makes me drool. You just know they're bags of fun to fly and hooning about in them would be better than feeling up Claudia Schiffer (but not by much).

 

[PFGEN]

It's just a replica so expecting the real thing would be a bit silly. That said, some replicas are a bit tummy banana enlarging like the Titan Mustang. There's also a 190 replica that makes me drool. You just know they're bags of fun to fly and hooning about in them would be better than feeling up Claudia Schiffer (but not by much).

That needs a "knowing smile" button rather than just a like.

 

[putteesinmyhands]

That needs a "knowing smile" button rather than just a like.

Dream on.
But I've passed your desire for a "wishful" smile to the COs.

 

[Stovepipe]

A friend of mine, Ex RAF Harrier jockey, was flying one of those Mk 26 "Spitfires" and had to deliver it to France, but of course, had to pass by the Cliffs of Dover to get the obligatory shot of the elliptical wing and the chalk cliffs, etc,etc and heads for France. Once inland, the engine shits itself by throwing a conrod thru the crankcase and he manages to pull off a very skilful landing on a a former Luftwaffe base. It's almost as if the ghosts of the Luftwaffe were getting their own back.