My friend, your face showed nothing but pure joy. I almost thought I was in the Spit with you. The production with that music was just perfect. I got tight in the throat and my eyes were watering. Thank you so very much for sharing.
Thank you very much Kurt for your pleasant words. I did indeed love the flight that much and thank you for liking the many many days it took me to edit it all into my masterpiece. I wanted so much to make it look as good as it felt. Cheers
Absolutely loved this! You seriously looked like you were in your complete element and in awe of that machine. To think ... the young lads who flew these in the 1940's so fiercely and dedicated themselves to the defence of our once great Nation! You followed in their footsteps and flew with their wings on your shoulders. This is something I will do soon and yeah, forget the cost, I'd rather spend it on something as amazing as this and make a priceless memory than give it to those clowns in Government. Thanks for sharing fella! Great job!
I'm doing this for my 30th birthday in August at Duxford. I feel you, about the cost... but it's literally the only thing I have on my bucket list. I almost teared up watching this video....... I don't know how I'll handle it for real
I have to say old chap thank you so much for posting this as this is also my biggest dream to be in a spitfire soaring through the sky like a majestic piece of history that is so close to my heart. I’m only 35 but this is MOST definitely on my bucket list. Every day all day I get the spectacle of these magnificent machines of history fly over my house. The sound gives me goose bumps every time. Will never get bored of those merlin engines. Really happy this made your life. Just to add the second video is good with that style music have to say either was good but maybe the Battle of Britain 🇬🇧 theme tune would of gone well too haha.
Thank you for your lovely comments. Yes, it was a life changing event for me, and I’d love to do it again. I wish so much to be living in a place close to these things flying every day. Wow. I’d live my days in the garden looking up. Lol. Cheers.
Been there. Only real men cry when they fly a Spitfire - You are not alone! You can now fly a Spit and also have someone pilot a Hurricane flying side by side along Dover cliffs. KOOL..
Wonderful stuff Stephen! the tears are excused. Totally understand, this has been my life long dream too. My Grandad served in RAF Bomber Command throughout the war, although he never spoke of it. But I was brought up with the stories.. we mere mortals can only hope to emulate that generation in some small way.. full of admiration and respect for all the chaps that went up to save our little island. And to see England over the tip of a Spitfire wing... wow! Wonderful video, thanks for sharing :) kind regards
A dream come true, congratulations Stephen, I also love the Spitfires and maybe one day I'll be there, I confess I also cry to see your face emotion .. greetings from Uruguay
Great video. I'm an aviation fanatic and have flown light aircraft and gliders and I think I would get quite emotional too. Like the bit at the end with the loop tied to the music.
Hello Stephen, thank you for sharing this, I've not actually got to the end of it yet as I can't see for tears of joy !! I've just booked my 82 year old Mum in to fly, all she talks about is her watching the Spitfires as a girl and how sad she is for those who never made it back, their courage and bravery under immense adversity. So to have the chance to fly in a Spitfire herself is just tremendous, I know if she doesn't do it now there will always be regrets, long after she departs us, so sod the money !
I re-did the video with different music. Some of my friends didn't like the classical touch, so just for them I tried a different tack .lol ua-cam.com/video/Ptpx6XdCuS4/v-deo.html
My Mum had her flight on the 27th of April, it was simply brilliant, a real tear jerking time. She loved every second and got to 'fly' the Spitfire too. The staff were very attentive and she was made to feel very special. She can't believe she did it and tells everyone who'll listen. She was cool as a cucumber and it took me a while to realise that one of the cockpit still photo's was in the middle of a loop. She tried to offer it to me after the briefing, bless her, there's plenty of time for me to do it and I most surely will one day :) Cheers Stephen.
Fantastic video Stephen. Wonderful editing and music and great to see your enjoyment. Brings a tear to my eyes too. I am going up in the Shark in August and a Spitfire flight will no doubt follow !! Boultbee are a great bunch of guys.
Thank you for taking us with you in this Spitfire and conveying your excitement. Looking at the pictures, perhaps you could feel the invisible presences of the many young pilots who flew it, and no doubt among them, that of John Gillespie Magee Jr as he touched the face of God, accompanying your flight.
This is my dream as well. There are things you have to do in life and when I took early retirement this was on my list of things I must do. I'm sure I will shed a few tears when I achieve my ambition. (I was fine until the Out of Africa piece of music was played!!) Money is there for a purpose - I don't want to get to the "Why didn't I do that" age and regret not doing it. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful video
Do it Anne ! I honestly tell everyone it was the best day of my life, and I mean it !! Are you certain ? They ask. Don't you mean your wedding day or the birth of your children ? Sorry, this is the No.1 day, and it will be yours ...x
i re-did the video with different music. Some of my friends didn't like the classical touch, so just for them I tried a different tack .lol ua-cam.com/video/Ptpx6XdCuS4/v-deo.html
Unless the quality of the sound was just too poor to use, I really think you should have left the music OUT completely - just the sound of the engine and intercom . Your face did however say so much !
Great video Steve, and I just know how you feel ... exactly, because I had my lifelong dream to fly a Spitfire just 4 weeks ago at Boultbee. It was the most exciting day of my life and thats me, with 2,000 hours flying powered aircraft and gliders. I was an 8 year old boy again. Fabulous - I could see the emotion in your face and I felt the same watching you. Unfortunately, they had a technical glitch with the in-flight video which meant I didn't get the DVD but, hey, the memories! Thanks for sharing, Steve.
They had a glitch with the video when I was there ....and I virtually begged them to get it going. They did, but with no intercom sound. I didn't care !! ....phew ! Cheers dave.
Looks like you had a good time mate, glad to see some of my handywork is still going, I built all the hydraulic and pneumatic systems for that aircraft amongst other parts. Aircraft was originally built for Paul Portelli of Classic Aero Engineering at Thruxton, Paul sadly passed away before it's completion in 2009 and never saw her fly but she went to a good home none the less. Looks like you flew with Dave 'Rats' Ratcliffe.
I did indeed fly with "Rats" ...he was superb ! Made my day and indeed my life complete. cheers. Nice to know/speak to someone linked to that beautiful plane too. thanks.
Hi Stephen, Happy New Year to you sir. I came back to this marvellous video today, as I wanted to let you know, it inspired my girlfriend so much that she has been arranged this for me too.. a surprise 50th birthday gift which she gave to me in November; hoping to do the flight this summer. She asked me early in the year what I wanted to do, or what I wanted as a gift. But I´m not that materialistic and not so much into things.. I´ve always believed that experiences are of far greater value. This has been a childhood dream since I was a boy, (I mentioned this in my previous comment) but never thought it possible, until last year. Now with her with her economic wizardry and your inspiration, its going to happen. Sadly though, we lost my niece over Xmas.. so that has taken priority since. A very bad time.. but, I will be taking a little pic of her with me on the trip. She was always fascinated at some of the crazy adventures I´ve had, and things I´ve done, and always wanted to do it herself, someday :) So once again, thanks for sharing this. Best wishes to you and your family for a very happy and peaceful 2017. Kind regards, Alan
Thank you very, very much Alan. So glad to hear you're going to do it, ....delighted you have such a lovely girlfriend to help you. x MY video starts with me sat in the cockpit, but the original slightly longer version has me saying a piece to camera regarding the recent passing away of both my parents and their help in paying for my experience. It's a bit too emotional (and soppy) to have included in this youtube edition. Trust me, this Spitfire flight will be very emotional for you, so take the photo along and share the time with her, you'll remember it forever ! Best wishes to you for 2017 also, and I wish I was there to see your flight too. All the best.
Worth every penny for the opportunity to wield "The Second Excalibur of England!" What is that gorgeous music? I'd really like to know, will get a copy! BTW ... June 2016 ... congratulations from America, on becoming sovereign UK once again..
Music is ....1st -Arrival of the birds, 2nd and 3rd - In paradisum (Faure reqium) 4th - Out of Africa by John Barry, and finally the 4th (ending) is a classical piece from Paul McCartney's "Standing Stone" symphony titled "Celebration Andante" ....glad you liked it ! Thanks.
Brilliant. Good for you! Presume you did the 30 minute flight? We are treating my Father to this for his 80th birthday present - any tips would be gratefully received! Do you think he would be ok doing lop the loops etc? Thanks in advance! Richard
30 minute flight. Yes !! best thing ever ... as for your dad being 80 years of age, i'm sure they'll take that into consideration and treat him to exactly what his body can take !! You get a good pre-flight brief off the pilot and he asks you exactly what you would like and chats to you about the pro's and cons. I asked for the full whack and he said "are you sure" and when I said an emphatic Yes, he told me not to throw up in his aeroplane, but if I did could I please use the sick bag provided, then we'll carry on !! The G-forces are a bit hard during the pull-ups, but i'm sure your dad will tell them if it's Ok to carry on or not. The aileron rolls are no physical problem and a pure joy !! Please have a lovely day ...all the best !
I was up at Goodwood the other day and saw someone go up for a flight, I was a little envious, as it happens I am in a position where I can afford to do it, it isn't cheap but I think it will be the most exciting and memorable 20 minutes of my life, and I've never been one to be wise with my money, spend it whilst you can still enjoy it I recon! and you certainly looked like you enjoyed your experience! Do you get the video recording and photos as part of the experience or is that something you did? I need to loose some weight now! I think I am just about at the maximum weight limit and I know the cockpit is not spacious so l want to make sure I can fit!
Wow, for that price they should include the video! Well I weighed myself the other day and I need to loose some weight, but not as much as the scales said when they weighed me for my Dragon Rapide flight!
In 1950 they converted about 50 Spitfires to the two-seat arrangement for the irish air force as trainers ! There are about 10 left flying so far. Mostly in the U.K Yes, they are a single seat fighter throughout the war !
Brilliant video! Speechless!
My friend, your face showed nothing but pure joy. I almost thought I was in the Spit with you. The production with that music was just perfect. I got tight in the throat and my eyes were watering. Thank you so very much for sharing.
Thank you very much Kurt for your pleasant words. I did indeed love the flight that much and thank you for liking the many many days it took me to edit it all into my masterpiece. I wanted so much to make it look as good as it felt. Cheers
Absolutely loved this! You seriously looked like you were in your complete element and in awe of that machine. To think ... the young lads who flew these in the 1940's so fiercely and dedicated themselves to the defence of our once great Nation! You followed in their footsteps and flew with their wings on your shoulders. This is something I will do soon and yeah, forget the cost, I'd rather spend it on something as amazing as this and make a priceless memory than give it to those clowns in Government.
Thanks for sharing fella! Great job!
Thank you Paul, much appreciated. Hope you get to do it and enjoy it even more. 👍
I'm doing this for my 30th birthday in August at Duxford.
I feel you, about the cost... but it's literally the only thing I have on my bucket list.
I almost teared up watching this video....... I don't know how I'll handle it for real
I have to say old chap thank you so much for posting this as this is also my biggest dream to be in a spitfire soaring through the sky like a majestic piece of history that is so close to my heart. I’m only 35 but this is MOST definitely on my bucket list.
Every day all day I get the spectacle of these magnificent machines of history fly over my house. The sound gives me goose bumps every time. Will never get bored of those merlin engines.
Really happy this made your life.
Just to add the second video is good with that style music have to say either was good but maybe the Battle of Britain 🇬🇧 theme tune would of gone well too haha.
Thank you for your lovely comments. Yes, it was a life changing event for me, and I’d love to do it again. I wish so much to be living in a place close to these things flying every day. Wow. I’d live my days in the garden looking up. Lol. Cheers.
That spitfire smile :)
That moment when your brain tells you your flying in a Spitfire ,you'l Never forget it ,been 3 odd years & i Still am in awe !Cheers
Been there. Only real men cry when they fly a Spitfire - You are not alone! You can now fly a Spit and also have someone pilot a Hurricane flying side by side along Dover cliffs. KOOL..
18 months to go and counting.............my 60th treat. Don't worry about the tears......just watching your fantastic video started me off!
Sensory and emotional overload! Brilliant! ❤
Wonderful stuff Stephen! the tears are excused. Totally understand, this has been my life long dream too. My Grandad served in RAF Bomber Command throughout the war, although he never spoke of it. But I was brought up with the stories.. we mere mortals can only hope to emulate that generation in some small way.. full of admiration and respect for all the chaps that went up to save our little island. And to see England over the tip of a Spitfire wing... wow! Wonderful video, thanks for sharing :) kind regards
It's the most beautiful bird of the world
A dream come true, congratulations Stephen, I also love the Spitfires and maybe one day I'll be there, I confess I also cry to see your face emotion .. greetings from Uruguay
Thank you very much !
Great video. I'm an aviation fanatic and have flown light aircraft and gliders and I think I would get quite emotional too. Like the bit at the end with the loop tied to the music.
Thank you !
Hello Stephen, thank you for sharing this, I've not actually got to the end of it yet as I can't see for tears of joy !!
I've just booked my 82 year old Mum in to fly, all she talks about is her watching the Spitfires as a girl and how sad she is for those who never made it back, their courage and bravery under immense adversity.
So to have the chance to fly in a Spitfire herself is just tremendous, I know if she doesn't do it now there will always be regrets, long after she departs us, so sod the money !
Thank you very much for the reply. I'm sure your mum will love it and adore you even more for arranging it. Well done !! xxx
I re-did the video with different music. Some of my friends didn't like the classical touch, so just for them I tried a different tack .lol ua-cam.com/video/Ptpx6XdCuS4/v-deo.html
My Mum had her flight on the 27th of April, it was simply brilliant, a real tear jerking time.
She loved every second and got to 'fly' the Spitfire too. The staff were very attentive and she was made to feel very special.
She can't believe she did it and tells everyone who'll listen. She was cool as a cucumber and it took me a while to realise that one of the cockpit still photo's was in the middle of a loop.
She tried to offer it to me after the briefing, bless her, there's plenty of time for me to do it and I most surely will one day :)
Cheers Stephen.
Truly wonderful. You sir are a lucky man.
Fantastic video Stephen. Wonderful editing and music and great to see your enjoyment. Brings a tear to my eyes too. I am going up in the Shark in August and a Spitfire flight will no doubt follow !! Boultbee are a great bunch of guys.
They are indeed ! Thanks for your comments. cheers.
❤❤
Absolutely brilliant. Congratulations. A dream indeed...
absolutely fantastic Stephen, thank you so much for sharing your dream, i can so understand your tears of joy
fantastic, what a great video, never seen anybody enjoy them self so much, thank you for posting
+reggieaero
Thank you !
Brilliant Video Stephen,looked like you loved every second,well done..
Thank you for taking us with you in this Spitfire and conveying your excitement. Looking at the pictures, perhaps you could feel the invisible presences of the many young pilots who flew it, and no doubt among them, that of John Gillespie Magee Jr as he touched the face of God, accompanying your flight.
Thank you Manuel.
Brought tears to my eyes too, great video Steve - captured the moment very well.
I'm tempted to do it ;-)
This is my dream as well. There are things you have to do in life and when I took early retirement this was on my list of things I must do. I'm sure I will shed a few tears when I achieve my ambition. (I was fine until the Out of Africa piece of music was played!!) Money is there for a purpose - I don't want to get to the "Why didn't I do that" age and regret not doing it. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful video
Do it Anne ! I honestly tell everyone it was the best day of my life, and I mean it !! Are you certain ? They ask. Don't you mean your wedding day or the birth of your children ? Sorry, this is the No.1 day, and it will be yours ...x
i re-did the video with different music. Some of my friends didn't like the classical touch, so just for them I tried a different tack .lol ua-cam.com/video/Ptpx6XdCuS4/v-deo.html
Unless the quality of the sound was just too poor to use, I really think you should have left the music OUT completely - just the sound of the engine and intercom . Your face did however say so much !
Great video Steve, and I just know how you feel ... exactly, because I had my lifelong dream to fly a Spitfire just 4 weeks ago at Boultbee. It was the most exciting day of my life and thats me, with 2,000 hours flying powered aircraft and gliders. I was an 8 year old boy again. Fabulous - I could see the emotion in your face and I felt the same watching you. Unfortunately, they had a technical glitch with the in-flight video which meant I didn't get the DVD but, hey, the memories! Thanks for sharing, Steve.
They had a glitch with the video when I was there ....and I virtually begged them to get it going. They did, but with no intercom sound. I didn't care !! ....phew ! Cheers dave.
Looks like you had a good time mate, glad to see some of my handywork is still going, I built all the hydraulic and pneumatic systems for that aircraft amongst other parts. Aircraft was originally built for Paul Portelli of Classic Aero Engineering at Thruxton, Paul sadly passed away before it's completion in 2009 and never saw her fly but she went to a good home none the less. Looks like you flew with Dave 'Rats' Ratcliffe.
I did indeed fly with "Rats" ...he was superb ! Made my day and indeed my life complete. cheers. Nice to know/speak to someone linked to that beautiful plane too. thanks.
No worries mate, working on GA stuff now, miss the classic aircraft scene.
Hi Stephen, Happy New Year to you sir. I came back to this marvellous video today, as I wanted to let you know, it inspired my girlfriend so much that she has been arranged this for me too.. a surprise 50th birthday gift which she gave to me in November; hoping to do the flight this summer. She asked me early in the year what I wanted to do, or what I wanted as a gift. But I´m not that materialistic and not so much into things.. I´ve always believed that experiences are of far greater value. This has been a childhood dream since I was a boy, (I mentioned this in my previous comment) but never thought it possible, until last year. Now with her with her economic wizardry and your inspiration, its going to happen.
Sadly though, we lost my niece over Xmas.. so that has taken priority since. A very bad time.. but, I will be taking a little pic of her with me on the trip. She was always fascinated at some of the crazy adventures I´ve had, and things I´ve done, and always wanted to do it herself, someday :) So once again, thanks for sharing this.
Best wishes to you and your family for a very happy and peaceful 2017. Kind regards,
Alan
Thank you very, very much Alan. So glad to hear you're going to do it, ....delighted you have such a lovely girlfriend to help you. x MY video starts with me sat in the cockpit, but the original slightly longer version has me saying a piece to camera regarding the recent passing away of both my parents and their help in paying for my experience. It's a bit too emotional (and soppy) to have included in this youtube edition. Trust me, this Spitfire flight will be very emotional for you, so take the photo along and share the time with her, you'll remember it forever ! Best wishes to you for 2017 also, and I wish I was there to see your flight too. All the best.
I cried just watching it thinking of the hero's that did it for us Xx
Pure joy. ❤️
Totally get it. I want to do this before I die.
Wonderful vide & very lovely choice of music. I got a lump in my throat. Musr be a lovely memory to have!
Thank you very much for your lovely comments. I still dream about it a lot. Life changing. X
40TH Birthday next year I'll be joining the club.
Know the feeling had my flight of a live time in May 2018 present for 70th birthday from my lovely wife.😁
i love the video the music is so sweet
To fly in a Spitfire is heavenly....but to fly a Spitfire is to be in heaven.
Worth every penny for the opportunity to wield "The Second Excalibur of England!" What is that gorgeous music? I'd really like to know, will get a copy! BTW ... June 2016 ... congratulations from America, on becoming sovereign UK once again..
Music is ....1st -Arrival of the birds, 2nd and 3rd - In paradisum (Faure reqium) 4th - Out of Africa by John Barry, and finally the 4th (ending) is a classical piece from Paul McCartney's "Standing Stone" symphony titled "Celebration Andante" ....glad you liked it ! Thanks.
You made me cry, was that at Biggin Hill
It was at Goodwood. Boultbee flight school. ...it could have been darkest mongolia, I would have loved it just as much ! lol.
Merry xmas
How wonderful, how wondrous.
Same for me, lifelong dream, I'm going down there on Wednesday!
Brilliant. Good for you! Presume you did the 30 minute flight? We are treating my Father to this for his 80th birthday present - any tips would be gratefully received! Do you think he would be ok doing lop the loops etc? Thanks in advance! Richard
30 minute flight. Yes !! best thing ever ... as for your dad being 80 years of age, i'm sure they'll take that into consideration and treat him to exactly what his body can take !! You get a good pre-flight brief off the pilot and he asks you exactly what you would like and chats to you about the pro's and cons. I asked for the full whack and he said "are you sure" and when I said an emphatic Yes, he told me not to throw up in his aeroplane, but if I did could I please use the sick bag provided, then we'll carry on !! The G-forces are a bit hard during the pull-ups, but i'm sure your dad will tell them if it's Ok to carry on or not. The aileron rolls are no physical problem and a pure joy !! Please have a lovely day ...all the best !
Thank you so much Stephen, really appreciate your kindness replying. Happy Christmas! And all the best for 2017.
I was up at Goodwood the other day and saw someone go up for a flight, I was a little envious, as it happens I am in a position where I can afford to do it, it isn't cheap but I think it will be the most exciting and memorable 20 minutes of my life, and I've never been one to be wise with my money, spend it whilst you can still enjoy it I recon! and you certainly looked like you enjoyed your experience! Do you get the video recording and photos as part of the experience or is that something you did? I need to loose some weight now! I think I am just about at the maximum weight limit and I know the cockpit is not spacious so l want to make sure I can fit!
you need to be less than 17st, ...and the video is extra !! aarrgghh.
Wow, for that price they should include the video! Well I weighed myself the other day and I need to loose some weight, but not as much as the scales said when they weighed me for my Dragon Rapide flight!
MJ627?
Where is this uk ?
Spitfire sound is missing ??
I think I've pretty much decided where £2750 is going....
Do it! It will be the best £2750 you've ever spent!
cool. had me blubbing
I thought spitfighters were one seaters
In 1950 they converted about 50 Spitfires to the two-seat arrangement for the irish air force as trainers ! There are about 10 left flying so far. Mostly in the U.K Yes, they are a single seat fighter throughout the war !
Stephen Nolan I will have to come over for a holiday when corona all finished be a dream to fly in one, thanks mate
why ruin the video with 'music'. it's the spitfire engine we want to hear, it makes it's own music.