Royal Air Force Yacht Club

Hi.

I thought that you and the members would be interested to know that on 14th June I achieved a 50 year dream when I flew in a Spitfire.

I was lucky enough to make contact through a skiing chum with his father, Squadron Leader Paul Day, the retired ex-commanding officer of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Paul kindly offered to take me up in MJ627 if I was willing to present myself at Raf Waddington on June 14th at 1000. Needless to say, I obliged!

Andy Hill

Arriving at RAF Waddington I nearly failed to gain entry as the guard was so jealous he wouldn't let me in, but luckily relented. Paul collected me from the Guardhouse and took me across to the dedicated hangar and there was
MJ627 in all her glory. She seemed smaller than the MT818 that used to fly out of Southampton Airport in 1960, but then, I was only 9 at the time and she used to tower over me! Paul gave me a very thorough set of safety instructions, including how to escape the aircraft in the event of a catastrophe but I am not certain it gave full allowance for the slightly corpulent frame that is me. He then passed me over to Keith the engineer, who installed me and strapped me in. The cockpit is tiny, I was able to move my head and forearms but not shoulders and upper arms; June 14th was a sunny day and the cockpit was like a greenhouse as well.

Pre-flight checks completed, we taxied out onto the runway and the throttle was opened up. She very quickly gained airspeed and we were airborne. Paul had briefed me that we were heading east out to the Norfolk coast and would then fly along the shore before turning for home near Skegness. He had also briefed me that he would hand over the controls and talk me through a few
manoeuvres: he was as good as his word and ten minutes into the flight I had control. I completed several gentle banked turns than as the confidence built, some more aggressive turns. The plane was a joy to fly, responsive without being daunting, with light controls. Paul took control back and then proceeded to teach me how to carry out a victory roll. Five minutes later I had the controls and two victory rolls later was speechless, grinning from ear to ear and hooting like a child!

Paul in charge we headed to Mablethorpe and then flew down the coast to Skegness, low enough that we couldn't see over the bank at the back of the beach. We were out over the sea, maybe 50 metres from the waterline, giving the holiday makers a sight that they never expected. As we climbed at Skegness, Air Traffic Control became busy, routing us around Eurofighters and several other less noteworthy planes but finding time to request us to overfly at low level RAF East Kirkby, RAF Coningsby and two private
airfields: it was obvious that they were as impressed with MJ627 as I was! A quick circuit of RAF Waddington, a perfect three point landing and it was over, but what a memorable half hour. 

Andy Hill