Spitfire OUV. A Truly Emotional Start-Up. www.ml407.co.uk
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- www.nostalgiate...
See: www.ml407.co.uk
Nick Grace bought the 2 seat Spitfire in 1979 in a dismantled state and after 5 years of work took off with his wife Carolyn on their first flight. Apart from the substantial task of general re-assembly the fuselage and wings were essentially as they left the factory but a large amount of the work involved stripping back to bare metal and re-riveting after treatment with modern anticorrosives which is why OUV is still operational today with no corrosion. Tragically Nick was killed in a car accident in 1988 but his widow continues to fly OUV. This short clip is taken from the film "Perfect Lady" which covers the full story of OUV's restoration. It and other videos are available from Carolyn's website with all profits going to maintain the Spitfire in flying condition. - Авто та транспорт
R,I.P Nick, a true gentleman who gave us back a gentle lady. Caroline carries forward his legacy. .thanks to you both
I remember watching the "Perfect Lady" on TV all those years ago and was totally enthralled and in awe of The Grace family's hard work and dedication in bringing this beautiful aeroplane back to life. I had the programme on VHS tape but would love to find it on DVD.
Bless you Carolyn for continuing to keep the dream alive after Nick's tragic passing.
I've seen this plane at Duxford it's a beautiful machine, for his wife keeping it flying is a beautiful tribute to her husband he be soo proud of her.
In 1995 in my 50th year I flew as P2 in this aircraft ML407 for 30 minutes , Just ONE of a very few disabled pilots with C.Palsy to do so. I shall be 73 in five days time (Nov 12th)
Since then I have flown SOLO in a Cessna 152 G-BUEG in 1999 !!
The Grace Spitfire. RIP Nick and well done to Carolyn and son for keeping this beautiful machine flying.
Simply stunning, out of a van to back in the air! Such dedication, and sadness that Nick is no longer with us. He has left a wonderful tribute for his wife, and the rest of the world.
Thanks for posting...What a clip, and what a family for carrying on what Nick had undertaken, truly amazing and all credit to them.
The Grace Spitfire is most definitely still flying... incredible that after Nicks sad death that Carolyn learned to fly the Spit!
Now of course, even the little boy in the video (their son) learned to fly her & now displays the aircraft. An amazing story.
pt2... The sound of her engine brought a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat. Probably the most beautiful, elegant aircraft ever flown for my money.
So very well done Nick, one man's dream turns to reality and is still with us as a landmark of your dedication and work....
Nick and Carolyn RIP you are Gods co-pilots.
Thank you both for ML407. Priceless history
lives.
How could anyone dislike this video? I love seeing old vehicles and aircraft being restored. Especially if it has a history to it. 5 stars and a tear of joy XD
A fabulous story, how sad that Nick was lost so tragically but what an amazing lady Carolyn is.
I'm sure I echo everyone who has watched this in saying it would be an ultimate dream come true to fly in such an iconic aircraft. Thanks for sharing this lovely video.
Having had the extreme pleasure of flying in this beautiful machine and meeting the indomitable and awe inspiring Carolyn Grace I feel that this little snippet of a larger documentary sums up the whole ethos of this unique aeroplane and the family that own and run it. www.warbirdflights.co.uk #ultimatewarbirdflights
Magnificent aircraft, I'm glad people care enough to restore and resurrect these wonderful machines.
What a beautiful piece of footage taken of two people who so obviously loved each other, and loved their project.
To this day, Holst's 'Venus' is forever filled with the image of a Spitfire taking off, flying, and landing for me. I use it as a timer when flying my scale r/c Spitfire 22, as its duration is that of the battery ! One of my favorite films of the Grace Spitfire.
Thanx nick!
r.i.p.
a monument to the brave pilots of the RAF
and to your love of history. and to our love of it as well!
An incredable acheivement , and enthusiasm such as that from your wife ,Priceless .
What a fantastic film, little did she know that one day she would carry on flying. God bless you Karalin....
I knew the story of Carolyn Grace. In this video I watch Mr Nick Grace for the first time.
Indeed, truly amazing and very moving story.
It's so sad about Nick but wonderful that the fruits of his labor and such a loving woman are still around keeping the machine working and not just sitting around on (static) display smewhere.
My wife and I saw the Grace spitfire flying at Seething air show this month, I watched her fly past it was amazing thank you so much for all your dedication and hard work in keeping this wonderful plane alive for us all to enjoy.
Its wonderful how a machine can bring people so much happiness.
I think what was equally beautiful was his Wife;s support. The airplane is a marvel and so are the people! Sorry to hear of the gentleman's passing.
In 2009 I was lucky enough to be at Duxford on a lovely warm summer day a few days before a Spitfire weekend. OUV was stood on the fringe of the runway with Mrs. Grace herself and one of the engineers. Myself and a handful of others were able to stand less than 100 yards away as they fired her up them turn 180 degrees directly in front of me as she taxied to the runway before taking off. With so few of us by the fence it felt like my own personal air display. I can still feel the goosebumps now!
The passion these two share is immeasurable. An absolute delight to watch. Thank you.
Isn't it amazing how such an everyday thing such as the starting of an engine can be so moving within a certain context...
What a wonderful moment to share, very touching...
Thank you!
the spitfire is the most beautiful flying machine of all time .
The Spit helped save Britain from the Nazis.. No surprise Brits think it's beautiful and it deserves the accolades it gets. The Mustang is a certainly a nice looking craft but looks a lot like the FW. To me, nothing says *WARBIRD* like the P-40. That plane is beautiful from every angle.
it did bring a tear to my eye. I live in oregon, the states. greetings from across the pond :)
The story of Nick Grace is always a good talking point when people get concerned about the safety of flying.
Same for so many pilots, its usually not the flying that gets them, but some other damn thing in life thats so damn petty compared to flying.
Everytime I fly I keep Nick and his achievements in my mind - he's fantastic, and so is his family for keeping the Spitfire flying.
Very nice work, brings a tear to my eye to see the ol gal in the air again. cheers
The perfect family,for the Perfect Lady.Have had this on video for many years.
I watched this film in 1985.... Still as poignant now as it was then....what a fantastic achievement...
A true thing of beauty!!! Thanx for sharing the moment with us all..
history restored what a wonderfull story and what a wonderfull man thanks for shareing this video and hope your spitfire flys forever
The sound of the Merlin engine, whatever it has been put in, makes me emotional.
I lived close enough to play on Biggin hill airbase after the war and these were still flying over my parents house years later as I grew up. What memories. I knew as a toddler that they and their friends were special even though the jets were starting to creep in (fly over). Propeller bombers flew close enough to reach up and touch, it seemed to me. I played in the Lancaster forgotten in the corner and to this day, I restore motorcycles of the prewar era (my financial ability) as I feel that 1925/1970 was stunning in engineering development. The difference between wooden frame and monocoque in 3 years of development has to be reccognised in the hurricane v spitfire. Both are right, neither is wrong. Both look, sound and feel good, And, you have one, in the air for everyone to experience in the future as long as society cares: Wow, thanks for sharing this, it is so historically valuable.
USA here, beautiful airplane, sorry about your loss. Fly safe.
I love the sound of a Spitfire in the morning.....it sounds like.....victory.
more moving than i can express. we should be proud of people like this. nick a real hero and his w9ife grace/ nothing does more than this to live that life again. the greatest generation we have produced. and that engine roar.Upwards they surged into that azures dawn, they lost the earth where recently they trod; ethereal they groped amid the stars; stretched out their hands and touched the face of God
Wow. Just...wow. I wish more war birds could be looked after as well as OUV. Thanks for posting this. It's was a treat.
I have heard that part of Carolyn's work today is that she can be employed to conduct fly overs at funerals. On the final pass she will do a victory roll. Apparently people have applauded.
She is this gentle, elegant lady in the cruise but in the fight she becomes this wicked girl who smacks your bottom and says if your a good boy, she might just save your life.
No wonder so many English school boys loved her.
What a beautiful love story man and wife and the love of the plane. Bang up job he did.
Your wife's love got him thriough this adventure. Good show !
So sad of course, that Nick was killed in a car accident. But what a wonderful memorial it is that Carolyn..& now children, fly the Spitfire. Beautiful aircraft.
As a child this was one of my favourite videos, we recorded it with our new VCR in 1989...to this day, Holst's 'Venus' from The Planets will always evoke the luscious image of a Spitfire taxiing to the end of a the green fields of Gramarye, pausing for breath, and then flying lyrically over the lovely hedgegrown land before coming to rest in that Blessed Plot of Earth, This England...
"Off it went in a big hurry"
Yup... ;) Thanks for sharing neebur.
Awsome engine, Awsome sound, Awsome plane. superb piece of filming.
I love any form of restoration.. and this was awesome to watch.
It's nice to have a supporting wife !
To me this is one of the most beautiful combat planes in the world.
I remember videoing the series that charted the restoration of this plane in the eighties, and watched it many times. Great stuff!
So sad. Carolyn keeps it flying in his memory..bless her!
Yeah, 'The Perfect Lady'; what better name for this beautiful aircraft, or indeed Carolyn Grace, who, after the tragic death of her husband Nick, (he rebuilt 'OUV' / ml407, by himself) learned to fly the aircraft, becoming the only woman in the world for years to have a liscence to fly a Spitfire. This particular Spitfire flew over 100 combat missions, and is credited with the first kill during the D-Day landings. Devastating...gets me every time, too. Agreed, thanks for posting!
the 2 seater is still in 1 piece but hasnt flown for a few years last time i saw it was at rendlesham airfield in suffolk in a hanger ,the 1 the woman flys is also kept at rendlesham and is flown on a regular basis..I used to work in 1 of the many units on the airfield and had many pics and a few vids of the spitfire taking off and landing.
What a fabulous story!.
God Bless him for doing what he did may he rest in peace.
I have seen the entire documentary from which this excerpt was taken, The Perfect Lady.
It’s worth every second.
My late friend Al Studholme, who flew Mk IX’s for 401 Sqn, attended a fighter pilot reunion at Southampton years ago…..can’t recall the date.
He chatted up Nick Grace and mentioned he’d flown Spits.
Al had lost his engine over France, escorting American bombers to St. Omer. It was Al’s last flight in a Spitfire.
He was captured and spent the remainder of the war in Stalag Luft III. And we all know what happened there, although Al was not one of the escapees.
Nick Grace graciously asked if he’d like to go up again.
Needless to say………..!!
In Larry Milberry’s book The Royal Canadian Air Force At War, Nick Grace’s act of generosity is documented, including photos of Al waving from he rear seat during a low pass.
Al is long gone as is Nick Grace so it’s wonderful that OUV carries on.
Wonderful story! Thanks for posting.
very good video, congratulations friend, it hurts that I have never seen one!, greetings from Mexico ..
Very neat! I was introduced to that sound listening to the hydroplanes on the Columbia River. There's nothing better! Very neat story! :)
lived his dream - nice story thanx 4 upload
Spitfire!!! Flying art work!!!!! Thanks for sharing this video!!!
A wonderful tribute.
Great Comment !!! The man had a true "Trophy" wife !!! A REAL BEAUTY !!! She was with him all the way .....lucky fellow ...too bad.
God bless Nick grace, left us with a legend
Awesome! The most beautiful plane ever.
The hangar where he rebuilt it was my Great grandfathers hangar until he died in the war. (The Black Hangar) Wish I could find the whole documentary.
Hi Charlotte, I wonder if this video might have the complete program? I think it was called "The Perfect Lady". www.warbirdflights.co.uk/product-page/the-grace-spitfire-trilogy
i sat and watched this programme when it was first broadcast why i can not find the full programme please lets find the full complete programme
Try here: www.ml407.co.uk/
GOD bless you carolyn. thank you both
@pmscott6135 I don't know if this is the same Spitfire, it is incredibly lovely and lump appropriately in throat. My wife's cousin Sandy served in Gulf in Tornadoes, before that F4s, he got "Gulf fever" because of the anti poison drugs our guy and girls were given. He got to fly a 2 place Spitfire, he loved it to bits, he rolled it against all laws, we loved him to bits, he adored his job and family. Such a lovely man and so driven and inspirational. He would say " that's the sound of freedom"
This Is Simply Beautiful
CONGRATULATION AND GREATINGS FROM HUNGARY!
HAVE ALWAYS HAPPY LANDING!:))
Wonderful Peter, thanks for sharing this!
Great short about a great aeroplane.
Marvellous, indeed !!!
Tears of joy. Tears of sadness.
Beautiful. This epitomises ,for me the heyday of British engineering.
The "Grace Spitfire" as she is known is a mark IX I think. she has a Merlin with 27 litres capacity and well over 2000 horsepower. She is the most glorious machine and the only 2 seater surviving as far as I know. I;ll get better figures and re-post later when I get home. Don't forget, that engine also powered the Lancaster, hurricane, mustang and even some halifaxes! Truly "the engine that won the second world war!
wot a sweet story cheers for posting
I was 5 years old when the war ended. We were familiar with Messerschmidts overhead all the time. When we saw Spitfires chasing Messerschmidts back toward Berlin we knew peace was coming soon. No more bad dreams about artillery holes in my bedroom wall! NOT I still had them for years.
My father Bryan Charles Cobbett worked on these all through WWII. :)
Great story, what a beautiful woman and a beautiful aircraft.
Well done Sir!
I think a major part of this is Nick Grace's low key commentary to what had been a mamonth piece of work.
Peter
Yes it is still flying - used at air shows and special events.
What is ironic is that I met him once or twice in the Flying Fraternity as a Pilot with all Ratings (pleasure only) Twin,IR,IMC Night etc ,etc many years ago and he always used to say that he had already seen an idiot on the road before it pulled out in front of him ! Not on this occasion sadly !
Jolly good show!
I am so glad that men take the time and money to bring these Beautiful Warbirds back to life ! : D
Amazing! This is a brilliant clip!
Hi Philippe,
It doesn't have a meaning it was just the plane's original registration that would be painted in large letters on the fuselage.
Regards,
Peter
great video
wonderful plane and his sound,,,
Given there are two sets of controls.. might be useful having another person along... and high speed taxi tests in taildraggers are fraught!! The natural element for the Spitfire is in the air... providing the engine works well enough, and the prop is set to fine or auto, it will fly... a bit out of trim, maybe, but easily fixed for the next flight. The hydraulics are reliable, and if the fluid is fresh, hardly something to panic about! Messerschmitt hydraulics get blocked with rubber debris...
Totally stunning..!!
Wonderful!. Nuff said.
@Fishnflightbum agreed. i am grateful to them for doing what they did.
You're not alone.
beautiful.....
Is Caroline Australian? She sounds a bit Aussie! Beautiful piece of film! I have never seen it - and I too could feel myself welling up! Even more so as I lost my Dad 2 years ago to Cancer and He loved these old birds as much as I do. We watyched them fly around Broughton Aerospace near Chester. We used to live 4 doors away from a Spitfire designer in Chester. Remarkable aircraft. Also another remarkable aircraft was the Lancaster Bomber - used to be built near here too!