I said I was envious of your Mustang flight. Now I’m even more envious. After 17 years she’ll be aching to “slip the surly bonds, and dance again on laughter-silvered wings” As an airline pilot currently on furlough, I can sympathise with her pain. Beautiful machine and the Best of British to you. 🇬🇧
Man, Kermit, I know you probably hear this alot, but you truly have one of the best jobs in the World. You are living the dream of so many small (Big in Heart) Boys. To be able to fly so many different War Birds that have been the fantasy of us all as we built the Plastic Models and flew them in our dreams. Thank you sooooo much for making all of the videos. They are a treasure beyond compare and allow so many of us to share that dream with you.
Thank you, Kermit, for all your efforts to keep this stunningly beautiful piece of aviation engineering and WWII history flying as she should. Just parked on your flight line, she has the stance of a thoroughbred and the lines of a bird of prey eager to loft in the winds high above. Gorgeous!
Kermit, you are an inspiration to warbird lovers everywhere! Bravo! Can't wait to see this Spit back in the air where it belongs. Thank you for your devotion and integrity.
The XVI was terrific: 2 x 20mm and 2 x .50cal, even 500lbs bombs . Any traffic on the North West European front roads were fair game. Rommel himself was blasted off the Falaise road and wounded. We have come along way from the under armed Mk1s of the Battle of Britain.
"...under armed Mk1s..." Eight machines guns, with a collective fire power of 160 rounds per second cannot be thought to be "under armed". Consider that the guns were harmonised so that their fire arrived at a single point when the target aircraft was in range. A three-second burst put 480 rounds into that point, which brought a certain level of finality to the engagement. During the Battle of Britain, Supermarine tried a pair of 20 mm cannon in some Spitfires, but the experiment was not a success - the cannons' feed mechanism could not stand high-g and the guns jammed. Later, the problems were sorted out and the marks that followed - in particular, the Mark V - had two cannon and four machine guns. It depended on the type of wing that was fitted - some had two cannon and four .303 Brownings, while others had two cannon and two .5 Brownings. Some experienced pilots preferred the .303 machine guns, as they considered them more effective against fighters - Douglas Bader always liked the machine guns and when he commanded the Tangmere wing, flying Mark Vs, his personal aircraft was a Mark VA, fitted exclusively with .303 Brownings.
It is great that Kermit and his organization is preserving and using these unique airplanes. What will happen in the future when it is time to preserve B1, B2, and B21 which cost $140 k per hour (2022 dollars) to operate? No amount of cajoling will get that much cash out of the public. Costs are just out of sight.
I agree with slickstrings re the clipped wings - but I guess the Spit wasn't built ONLY to look good - that's just an amazing bonus. It was great to see this all basically as it happened, failures, issues - not edited just to make a nice vid - far better this honest and complete way!! Loved it. Thank you.
I remember having a vhs video of this Spitfire flying with the classic kermie cam with flyby and touch and goes! Incidentally, this Spitfire was rebuild just a few miles up the road from me at Personal plane services at Booker UK many years ago now but I remember the test flying!
God Bless you Kermit......you are the legacy.....to future generations who dream of flying.....those who dream of winging over the world.....in High Flight!
it's actually great view of the whole engine-structure with open covers. . . i am going to show it to my kids to explain where the engine is and how the whole plane structured, great video! thanks!
This is my favorite plane you have Kermit!! It was awesome to see it run, I first found your channels when she ran last and have loved every video since. You and your whole team are doing some amazing work.
Many years ago I did a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of this aircraft. Its from a photo of it flying over fields. I glued it onto hardboard so I can mount it on the wall next to all the other ones.
Kermit, its great to see you and your team work on this masterpiece of a machine. Keep the videos coming. Always stop what I am doing to watch your videos.
Um...are you sure about that Mark number? The Mark IV was the first Griffon-powered Spitfire and only two were made. There is a Mark VIII and a Mark XVI in Oz. Is it one of those that you have seen?
@@MarsFKA It's a two seat trainer version owned by Judy Pay of 'Little Airplane Coy" based at Tyabb airfield..You should be able to see some pics of it online.
@@justinsquire4212 Do you mean "Old Airplane Company"? - there is nothing about a "Little Airplane Company" at Tyabb. I can see various photos of some of their aircraft, but no mention of a two-seat Spitfire, which are all converted Mark IXs, by the way - there is one based at Ardmore, in NZ. If you have a better link, or photos, than I was able to find I would be interested in seeing them.
@@justinsquire4212 No problem. Thanks. A lot of P51s have been converted to two seats. There is one based at Ardmore that takes customers up for NZ$2,800 for thirty minutes. The same ride in the two-seat Spitfire is $4,050...
The week my dad made the jump to the p-51b-c he also flew in combat the spit MK X and a spit MK IX. Three of the most iconic WW2 fighters...in one week. He was with 15th 333. For pure flying he said the MK V was the best handling aircraft he ever flew. Poorly armed was it's one flaw. He said many parts in the MK V were made of wood, ie dash to save on metal. Wartime production cut corners on early spits.
SlovesL a rebuild does not mean they are not using original parts and "Using original parts" does" NOT mean they are using piston rings from 1945! Of COURSE the engine has been rebuilt. It would be UNSAFE otherwise. Foolish thing to say. I doubt they are even using 70 year old pistons or cylinders! They are impossible to find, all past overhauling and dangerously old.
Thanks for posting this awesome video - the images of the engine are very useful to me, as I am building the Tamiya 1/32nd scale Spifire IX, which features a Packard Merlin, and thanks to this video I can now do a great job on making it very authentic in terms of colours. Much appreciated, a wonderful aeroplane, best of good luck, there's sure not long before she will fly again to bring great joy.
Hi there - yes, agreed very much, I am aware of the distinction, and you are completely correct. The Tamiya 1:32 kit makes use of the Packard Merlin in its contents (as the scale model is also re-used for the 1:32 P-51D, and 1:32 Mosquito B IV), and as a result the rocker covers of the model do not say 'Rolls Royce'. Any great video like this is a joy to a modeller like me as it gives tremendous insight. Again, you are totally correct re marks.
spitfire fans are all over the world imagine even from west africa we love the merlin engine and the spitfire. any time i will visit the uk. i have to see the spitfire.
Yep, for me The Spitfire, the Hurricane, The Lancaster , the Mosquito and yeah the P51 Mustang, if he's got all those in the collection then I'm impressed. But if you haven't got them all then you ain't got the set, ha Seriously though a fantastic aircraft nice one Kermit and as others have said the sound of a Merlin simply beautiful
The Brits have handed back almost all overseas territories to their inhabitants - any plans for the US to do that? I know Trump is trying to get rid of all immigrants, but hasn't been successful finding anywhere that'll take him.
Is this beauty ever going to fly have been waiting for ever it seems to see it back in the sky. Kermit has so many he's trying to save i think they forget where that at to finish some of them.
Love It! Excellent vid as usual... Bring on the Kermi Cam next time! I work on the Mark 14 at CAF Socal Wing. It is a lot different, except for the funky air powered brakes. Ours has the Griffon and the 5 blade "Wrong way" prop. We only have three pilots for her, I don't have any of the required T-6 time, but I can dream in the meantime...
injured my right eye last week working with a palm tree here in Miami. Was given medication, and told to put liquid tears as needed. I didn't need them tonight.
I believe this is the spitfire that belonged to Battle of Britain flight, which became the BBMF. I think it suffered engine failure in 1960 and crash landed in a field
@@ryandoe11 this man is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to restore, maintain, and operate aircraft and you're complaining because of advertising?
You could interchange the wing tips for the mission, the clipped wings were usually used for low level. The Mk XVI which Tim Wallis owned flew frequently in both configurations. It is now at Temora in Australia. I personally prefer the elliptical tips.
The late Raymond Baxter flew Spitfires during the War and particularly liked the Mark XVI with the clipped wings, which he oftener flew over the Low Countries after D-Day, searching for V2 launch sites: "The clipped wing on the LF XVIE made the aircraft a delight to reef about at low level. It was easily the most offensively-optimised Spitfire I ever flew, and the old Packard Merlin was a great engine for the job, with one exception. There was a rev range in which it didn’t run smoothly, and of course this was the range we had habitually used for long-range formation work in order to conserve fuel. The only solution was to avoid those revs, and the problem, I was later told by the great Sir Stanley Hooker of Rolls Royce, was caused by Packard using a slightly modified carburettor." He told how they found a V2 one day. They were circling over a wooded area, with a lot of flak coming up at them and, suddenly, a V2 launched from the wood. One of the Spitfires was in a position to fire at the rocket, but missed, which Baxter reckoned was just as well, because the explosion might have knocked some of them out of the air.
Don't you just love Kermit's outlook on life? One of a kind.
I said I was envious of your Mustang flight. Now I’m even more envious.
After 17 years she’ll be aching to “slip the surly bonds, and dance again on laughter-silvered wings”
As an airline pilot currently on furlough, I can sympathise with her pain.
Beautiful machine and the Best of British to you. 🇬🇧
Man, Kermit, I know you probably hear this alot, but you truly have one of the best jobs in the World. You are living the dream of so many small (Big in Heart) Boys. To be able to fly so many different War Birds that have been the fantasy of us all as we built the Plastic Models and flew them in our dreams. Thank you sooooo much for making all of the videos. They are a treasure beyond compare and allow so many of us to share that dream with you.
What a GREAT guy Kermit is. Keep up the Great work Kermit, We are all listening and watching, from the UK, Near Duxford air Museum Essex England.
gareth price Duxford is in Cambridgeshire.
gareth price erdse
@@Gary85Paul he didn't say he was in Duxford.
I am but duxford is in cambs
outstanding piece of machinery!!!! please, please, please, do a in depth Kermie Cam once this plane is ready to fly.
Thank you, Kermit, for all your efforts to keep this stunningly beautiful piece of aviation engineering and WWII history flying as she should.
Just parked on your flight line, she has the stance of a thoroughbred and the lines of a bird of prey eager to loft in the winds high above.
Gorgeous!
Kermit, you are an inspiration to warbird lovers everywhere! Bravo! Can't wait to see this Spit back in the air where it belongs. Thank you for your devotion and integrity.
The XVI was terrific: 2 x 20mm and 2 x .50cal, even 500lbs bombs . Any traffic on the North West European front roads were fair game. Rommel himself was blasted off the Falaise road and wounded. We have come along way from the under armed Mk1s of the Battle of Britain.
"...under armed Mk1s..."
Eight machines guns, with a collective fire power of 160 rounds per second cannot be thought to be "under armed". Consider that the guns were harmonised so that their fire arrived at a single point when the target aircraft was in range. A three-second burst put 480 rounds into that point, which brought a certain level of finality to the engagement.
During the Battle of Britain, Supermarine tried a pair of 20 mm cannon in some Spitfires, but the experiment was not a success - the cannons' feed mechanism could not stand high-g and the guns jammed. Later, the problems were sorted out and the marks that followed - in particular, the Mark V - had two cannon and four machine guns. It depended on the type of wing that was fitted - some had two cannon and four .303 Brownings, while others had two cannon and two .5 Brownings.
Some experienced pilots preferred the .303 machine guns, as they considered them more effective against fighters - Douglas Bader always liked the machine guns and when he commanded the Tangmere wing, flying Mark Vs, his personal aircraft was a Mark VA, fitted exclusively with .303 Brownings.
The sound, the sound....Kermit you and your crew are the best! Greetings Perth Western Australia
Good to see you have a British mechanic on the job 👍 beautiful aircraft
I'm glad someone has the knowledge and money to keep these flying
Alex Donnett well i just happen to be in a postition to be able to do neither of those things.
It is great that Kermit and his organization is preserving and using these unique airplanes. What will happen in the future when it is time to preserve B1, B2, and B21 which cost $140 k per hour (2022 dollars) to operate? No amount of cajoling will get that much cash out of the public. Costs are just out of sight.
I agree with slickstrings re the clipped wings - but I guess the Spit wasn't built ONLY to look good - that's just an amazing bonus.
It was great to see this all basically as it happened, failures, issues - not edited just to make a nice vid - far better this honest and complete way!! Loved it.
Thank you.
Fantasy of flight is a great museum and well worth a visit.
I remember having a vhs video of this Spitfire flying with the classic kermie cam with flyby and touch and goes! Incidentally, this Spitfire was rebuild just a few miles up the road from me at Personal plane services at Booker UK many years ago now but I remember the test flying!
Mister Weeks your videos old and new are helping to get me through this quarantine!
Great work on the Spitfire! Hope to see her back in the sky very soon :)
Best wishes and always happy landings from Germany
Beautiful sounding bird! I love your "behind the scenes" style videos.
Absolutely my passion, all Spits.. my fave would be the high back MkIX and MkVIII.. Please get her flying, she deserves air beneath her wings again.
God Bless you Kermit......you are the legacy.....to future generations who dream of flying.....those who dream of winging over the world.....in High Flight!
Woah, people flew these into battle, big ups to them!! It's why we love them, people and aircraft
it's actually great view of the whole engine-structure with open covers. . . i am going to show it to my kids to explain where the engine is and how the whole plane structured, great video! thanks!
Once finished, I hope we can see it on the ground and in the air. Looks beautiful!!
This is my favorite plane you have Kermit!! It was awesome to see it run, I first found your channels when she ran last and have loved every video since. You and your whole team are doing some amazing work.
Many years ago I did a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of this aircraft. Its from a photo of it flying over fields. I glued it onto hardboard so I can mount it on the wall next to all the other ones.
@Kermit - Love Spitfires. Your master mechanic is invaluable!
Kudos to these guys, who just keep on to keepin on
Cool Well done I do like your passion Kermit cheers Leigh
Kermit, its great to see you and your team work on this masterpiece of a machine. Keep the videos coming. Always stop what I am doing to watch your videos.
Beautiful aircraft looking forward to the flight.
The beard is looking good, man! Amazing u remember how to start it after 15 yrs.
Always a pleasure to watch your video's! thanks for sharing!! thanks for saving this part of History!!.
I Love Spitfire!! Can't wait to see it in the sky
Fantastic sound. Wow. Love the RR.
Love those Spitfires, hope there is a flight video.
We have a Mk IV here in Tyabb Australia.. It's always a spectacle when it taxi's out & warms up, what a sound!!
Um...are you sure about that Mark number? The Mark IV was the first Griffon-powered Spitfire and only two were made.
There is a Mark VIII and a Mark XVI in Oz. Is it one of those that you have seen?
@@MarsFKA It's a two seat trainer version owned by Judy Pay of 'Little Airplane Coy" based at Tyabb airfield..You should be able to see some pics of it online.
@@justinsquire4212 Do you mean "Old Airplane Company"? - there is nothing about a "Little Airplane Company" at Tyabb.
I can see various photos of some of their aircraft, but no mention of a two-seat Spitfire, which are all converted Mark IXs, by the way - there is one based at Ardmore, in NZ.
If you have a better link, or photos, than I was able to find I would be interested in seeing them.
@@MarsFKA yes that'd be the one at Tyabb..sorry the two seater was her Mustang..I'll see what links I can find.
@@justinsquire4212 No problem. Thanks.
A lot of P51s have been converted to two seats. There is one based at Ardmore that takes customers up for NZ$2,800 for thirty minutes.
The same ride in the two-seat Spitfire is $4,050...
10:03 Yes!! I live in FL and have same problem with mine! Keep wire brush handy if you want then to hold.
A teaspoon of oil more like a tablespoon LOL. Great video guys love seeing you all get these old birds back flying.
Kermit. Can't wait to see her where she belongs.Thank you as always.
The week my dad made the jump to the p-51b-c he also flew in combat the spit MK X and a spit MK IX. Three of the most iconic WW2 fighters...in one week. He was with 15th 333. For pure flying he said the MK V was the best handling aircraft he ever flew. Poorly armed was it's one flaw. He said many parts in the MK V were made of wood, ie dash to save on metal. Wartime production cut corners on early spits.
For that engine to start so easily and run smoothly at low revs it must be in really good condition , hope to see this flying soon.
Englishman French I'm assuming it was freshly rebuilt.
Nope, I read somewhere they're trying to use all original parts, gauges too.
SlovesL a rebuild does not mean they are not using original parts and "Using original parts" does" NOT mean they are using piston rings from 1945! Of COURSE the engine has been rebuilt. It would be UNSAFE otherwise. Foolish thing to say. I doubt they are even using 70 year old pistons or cylinders! They are impossible to find, all past overhauling and dangerously old.
When they eventually start soaringtractor
Thanks for posting this awesome video - the images of the engine are very useful to me, as I am building the Tamiya 1/32nd scale Spifire IX, which features a Packard Merlin, and thanks to this video I can now do a great job on making it very authentic in terms of colours. Much appreciated, a wonderful aeroplane, best of good luck, there's sure not long before she will fly again to bring great joy.
Hi there - yes, agreed very much, I am aware of the distinction, and you are completely correct. The Tamiya 1:32 kit makes use of the Packard Merlin in its contents (as the scale model is also re-used for the 1:32 P-51D, and 1:32 Mosquito B IV), and as a result the rocker covers of the model do not say 'Rolls Royce'. Any great video like this is a joy to a modeller like me as it gives tremendous insight. Again, you are totally correct re marks.
Hi I would just like to say that I think this video is really first rate.Cheers from the uk
Wow, what a great video, I fly the Spitfire LF MK XIV in DCS, and the startup procedure is very similar, Thanks for sharing!
The most beautiful and historic WW2 fighter plane.
Awesome.
waiting to se you fly it kermit!!!! many years ago at your place i saw the feicher stork take off . it was an amazingly short run up to take off!!!
the purr of the Merlin engine is like no other
Great vid. Now I see why Paul's the man.
Spitfire the sports car of the skies.
spitfire fans are all over the world imagine even from west africa we love the merlin engine and the spitfire. any time i will visit the uk. i have to see the spitfire.
Damn that's a beautiful Spit
These old planes sound so so good.
Please get the spitfire flying again kermit its one of your most amazing aircraft’s and needs to be airborne once again
enjoyed kermit weeks when he was in Miami he has a great place now with some cool aircraft
Any updates on this one? I love these late model clipped planes.
nice job. hope you get the old girl flying soon. i realy like these old warbirds. im myself are aviaton fan from finland
The sound of freedom!
Such a beautiful aircraft
Yep, for me The Spitfire, the Hurricane, The Lancaster , the Mosquito and yeah the P51 Mustang, if he's got all those in the collection then I'm impressed. But if you haven't got them all then you ain't got the set, ha
Seriously though a fantastic aircraft nice one Kermit and as others have said the sound of a Merlin simply beautiful
Great video, nice to see you're getting closer to flying her.. just a few little jobs to do still ;)
There's no sound sweeter then the purr of a Merlin.
Same engine bud.
They did.
And what exactly was done to the native peoples of the US, wilbur?
The Brits have handed back almost all overseas territories to their inhabitants - any plans for the US to do that? I know Trump is trying to get rid of all immigrants, but hasn't been successful finding anywhere that'll take him.
soaringtractor Lol limeys 😄 not heard that for a while
The sound of that engine gives me goose bumps
I hope we see it on WW!! Weekend next year in Reading PA
Bubble top and clipped wings! NICE! Hope this flies soon.
Is this beauty ever going to fly have been waiting for ever it seems to see it back in the sky. Kermit has so many he's trying to save i think they forget where that at to finish some of them.
Just beautiful. Very well done.
Love It! Excellent vid as usual... Bring on the Kermi Cam next time! I work on the Mark 14 at CAF Socal Wing. It is a lot different, except for the funky air powered brakes. Ours has the Griffon and the 5 blade "Wrong way" prop. We only have three pilots for her, I don't have any of the required T-6 time, but I can dream in the meantime...
What a beautiful sound :)
That looks like such a serious aircraft, even today.
I love a merlin at idle...pure music.
Don't think it's a Merlin but a Griffon. It's found in the later Mks of Spitfires.
TheRifleman762 Nope, Mk XVI has a Packard built Merlin..
TheRifleman762 Spit XVl was basically a lX with a Packard Merlin instead of a RR Merlin.
Are you sure? This Spit has a bubble canopy and a pointy tail fin neither of which the IX had...
The Mk XVI (Packard Merlin IX) Spitfires definitely had cut-down fuselage and broad chord vertical stabilisers
don’t flight that plane Kermit, just saw Joe Black standing there... 😁 nice video
Beautiful airplane. Thanks again for sharing.
Isn't that a beauty...Love Spits!!
I don't know how those pilots stayed awake during those missions. The Merlin engine is like a lullaby to my ear. Soo sweet when it's purring.
Joel _ Benzedrine & fear.
That was cool!. It's got to be spooky running in after that much work, but it sounds good.
Beautiful plane can't wait to see it fly. I have a Spitfire RC plane I love flying but nothing compares to the real British Warbird.
Another member of the fleet. :O) Thanks for the vid Kermit.
Can't wait to see this plane wheels up
"Possibly rust on the drums". It's central Florida. EVERYTHING steel rusts almost instantly
Beautiful aircraft. I don’t know which I like better,a MkII or this one!🤔🤔🤔🤔
Check out the wind generated by those props at idle! Oh baby!
When it's flying, bring it with you, next time you come down to New Zealand for Classic Fighters Omaka. Then we can see *four* Spitfires flying.
injured my right eye last week working with a palm tree here in Miami. Was given medication, and told to put liquid tears as needed. I didn't need them tonight.
Ouch! Get well soon.
amazing engine sound.
ohh man 7 november my B day :D thenxs 4 the videoo really nice
Kermit has one heck of a Great Beard! Merlin's Rule
7:13 I can almost here him saying, "Oh my wife is gonna love this" as he's taking pictures
She's a beautiful old girl Kermit and belongs in the air. You just need to add one of her griffon sisters to the stable to keep her company!! :-)
Amazing work guys!
It's alive!!! Wow!
I believe this is the spitfire that belonged to Battle of Britain flight, which became the BBMF. I think it suffered engine failure in 1960 and crash landed in a field
Who is giving the thumbs down , ex 109 pilots ?
I'm sure misclicks. But then again cant win them all lol
I gave it a thumbs down due to the amount of ads
john lockwood kermit has a 109.
@@ryandoe11 this man is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to restore, maintain, and operate aircraft and you're complaining because of advertising?
Maybe people who don't like aircraft named after war criminals.
Sweet plane. the P 51 and that one are sweet.
Kermit is the only person on earth that laughs at Ferrari upkeep costs....
I see they adopted the P51D canopy. Would have been great if they adopted the landing gear setup to stabilization upon take off and landing.
Moreso the other way around. The bubble canopy was flown on a Spitfire first; didn't enter production until late 1944 however.
@@blockheadgreen_ Wow!! D day was June 6th 1944 which means the P51D Mustang only saw combat for less than say 10 months heavy bomber escort missions.
@@the7tongardengnome and even then, the P-51B/C only came into service a few months before that as well!
Supermarine Spitfire look great
Thanks for uploading these vids K...~S~
Update on this required that was nearly 3 years ago! Any news on when it's going to be ready to fly or what the current state of play is ?
We're hoping to get back on it soon . . . there are a lot of projects going on right now.
Just beautiful.
The clipped wings, was given tips for a static part in the battle of Britain's film I believe?
You could interchange the wing tips for the mission, the clipped wings were usually used for low level. The Mk XVI which Tim Wallis owned flew frequently in both configurations. It is now at Temora in Australia. I personally prefer the elliptical tips.
The late Raymond Baxter flew Spitfires during the War and particularly liked the Mark XVI with the clipped wings, which he oftener flew over the Low Countries after D-Day, searching for V2 launch sites:
"The clipped wing on the LF XVIE made the aircraft a delight to reef about at low level. It was easily the most offensively-optimised Spitfire I ever flew, and the old Packard Merlin was a great engine for the job, with one exception. There was a rev range in which it didn’t run smoothly, and of course this was the range we had habitually used for long-range formation work in order to conserve fuel. The only solution was to avoid those revs, and the problem, I was later told by the great Sir Stanley Hooker of Rolls Royce, was caused by Packard using a slightly modified carburettor."
He told how they found a V2 one day. They were circling over a wooded area, with a lot of flak coming up at them and, suddenly, a V2 launched from the wood. One of the Spitfires was in a position to fire at the rocket, but missed, which Baxter reckoned was just as well, because the explosion might have knocked some of them out of the air.