fantastic video. Many thanks for taking the time to post it. And much thanks to Steve and Mel for restoring and keeping these warbirds alive and flying. I too have a Spitfire currently in restoration, a Mark IV, but it has four wheels and no cannons or Brownings. Cheers from Texas.
I flew in a Mk IX spitfire last October including aerobatics over the Solent. Fantastic aircraft, worth every penny, put a smile on my face that's lasted months. However flying in one and fighting in one are two totally different things especially when they probably had very few hours on type. It brought home to me what those young men did for us in 1940 and throughout the war.
My grandfather owned a company that manufactured the wingtips of the spitfire. My mother was 6 yrs old when she was evacuated to the countryside during the Battle of Britain
Super presentation!! The FYI of little known history details were extremely interesting. Great pair of collectors/historians. Hats off to their efforts.
As a commercial fishermen we have retrieved many military artifacts I have a lower wing spar from a mk 1 spitfire, last week a browning. 303 machine gun with a spent round still in the barrel don't know it wouldn't of ejected once fired,bless him he obviously went down fighting.
Superb guys so much excellent information many thanks for your passion in keeping our important heritage alive with this beautiful example of the iconic spitfire thx 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏
Yes, but remember, one of his legs became trapped so he released the prosthetic leg which allowed him to bale out. Another pilot may not have been as lucky in the same situation.
Loved this, worth a fortune, I'd bet she will one day fly again especially with the increase in airworthy spitfires, although she may end up as a two seater? I also thought later on they actually illuminated the stalling problem? Great vid and full credit to these guys and their passion!
Yes, I agree. I read it as BA 877, but you're probably right. A have searched in several books, including the one by Morgan and Shacklady without finding that serial number. It's probably not original for some reason.
Very interesting, but not to be overcritical I'd like to see more of the aircraft, like a walkaround, and less of the two (remarkable) gentlemen, like the serialnumber BA 877, possibly BA 377, and a little more information about the Spit itself. A LF, F or HF IX, which of the Merlin series 60s and so on. Having the serial number BA 877/377 it would be possible to track down its history. After all it's a survivor, a real gem. I have looked in the book Spitfire, The History, by Morgan and Shacklady without finding either serial number, so I wonder if it's original. That would be interesting to find out. Thank you for you effort gentlemen.
Great film, many thanks! I assume this Spitfire Mk.IX is a static replica it seems. One thing I'd recommend to the Heappey brothers is to install a rear view mirror atop the windscreen frame in the Spitfire. This was an important fitment which gave pilots an opportunity to spot the enemy behind, you'll see this fitted to most Spits. Fitting one of these to their Spit will make it appear more 'operational'. Lastly is there a link to their Bf 109 E, I'd love to see more of that thanks.
I just found your link and that been in 4K was so lovely to see all the detail in this clip and then to hear the two guys talking about it too! That was great fun and please thank those two guy as well apart from you too! 🙂😉👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍
My old man was 17 years old when he went through pilot training he said some of the instructors were unusual I have a couple of good stories! He was straight from boarding school, where they plaid a lot of rugby and also boxed, different times!
The tape over the gun ports (and the cover that was over the 20mm cannons) was yes to stop bits going down the barrels when taking off but the main reason for it was to stop moisture getting into the mechanism and freezing when flying at height and thereby jamming the guns. Also I think he meant 1942 not 1932 when talking about the Mk9s appearing.
A question for the boys, how the hell do you move a Spitfire around to the shows? As far as the documentaries I've seen the wings are a bugger to take off of a Spit. Do you have to do that every time you move it from its home? The armour plate behind the pilot was as far as I've read 8 mm thick steel or in English Money 5/16". It may have got thicker in later marques, I don't know, but as the Bf 109's had a 30 mm cannon and not even a 1/2" armour plate would stop that.
The brownings were in fact covered to prevent ice forming in the guns prior to first being fired, this was a problem in the early part of the battle of britain. i dare say the other reasons are also correct but this was the main reason.
Safety quick release button on security straps and parachute straps. Push the button to release the straps disconnect radio and oxygen canopy back and flip plane to drop out. UK parachutes had same quick release button, airborne troops landing could get out of harness with a button push, US airborne could not a lot of troops drowned when they landed in flooded areas as it took too long to get the chute off.
I love the Spitfire as a long time WW2 history fan its nice to see the planes still being preserved for future generations. Had a little laugh when the comment about how big the prop and plane was I thought he should stand next to a P-47D, Not a knock on the spitfire I think it was one of the best point defense aircraft of the war and later had better legs with added drop tanks. Again thanks for the vid.
If I had a big enough garage or garden I would absolutely love a replica Spitfire like the guys here.. Fabulous! The early Spitfires had a greater tendency to overheat when taxiing. The twin radiator MkIX onwards coped better. There were no MkV Spitfires flying during the Battle of Britain.. Just MkI & MkII Spits. The MkV operated from 1941 with the Merlin 45 engine 1:30 Did he really say 1932 in error..or is my hearing failing me?
1:30 said 1932 definitely a slip of the tongue he knew his spitfire stuff obviously clearly meant to say 1942 mentioned the correct date several times later in the interview
It is a good thing you decided to keep your aircraft in a combat paint condition. Not that there is anything wrong with a show plane, it just keeps it real. The Spitfire had 19 seconds of guns, Canadas old F18's had about 2 seconds of 20mm. The Merlin has a way better sound though. Thanks for doing what you two do. Cheers
Tape over barrels stopped guns icing up, its cold up there. Fire the guns tape is gone but as said 14 secs of ammo. It would also show misfire as tape would be intact.
A huge advantage to the UK during the Battle of Britain was the fact that the action took place over UK ground. All downed craft ended up on British soil. Enemy aircrew became POWs and Allied pilots very often got into another aircraft and was off again, or off to a hospital if needed. Own aircraft were quickly salvaged and/or repaired in a widely spread system of repair facilities.
This guy is wrong. When they were speaking of the machine guns, he mentioned "the whole nine yards" when referring to the .303 belts. That statement refers to a belt if .50 BMG ammo, not .303.
Just a couple of quick obs'... The BoB Spits were all Mk 1a and Mk II's , the Mk V entered sqd' service in 41. And the Merlin engine was water cooled not air cooled. 👍
Stably that is not a Battle of Britain Spitfire, it has a 4 blade prop and cannon bulges on the upper part of the wing. It’s more than likely a Mark V. The only cannon armed RAF types in the battle were 1 Hurricane and the Westland Whirlwind Squadrons. Nicely restored aircraft though, well done.
The last Mk was the FR47 and the Mk24. These were both similar. The Mk24 was the last land Mk. The FR47 Seafire had counter-rotating props and folding wings...as this was a carrier aircraft. It fought in support of ground troops in the early Korean War in 1950. Only 3 are in existence. These are the ones left from that deployment that this viewer knows of. If I'm wrong, I'll stand corrected.
I cannot imagine they are airworthy...that is - I am unsure of the Spitfire, but the Me109E4 is definitely not. The website says they can display it as "crashed" if wished ... which you would never do to an airworthy aircraft.
Flush rivets were quite time consuming and difficult to fit during manufacture. Experiments were conducted to determine which rivets had the most aerodynamic impact, and subsequently only the most significant rivets were flush.
Fun fact, that bar in the door has only been coloured red post war, as a safety device regulation. In some period photos of Spitfires, the bar isn't there at all!
I particularly liked the piece about the morse key and lamp. I am a radio amateur, callsign G3UCQ, and I own an original spitfire morse key and lamp. Using my amateur radio equipment I connected the key to my transceiver and not only had many morse contacts world wide but also with another 'ham' in the USA who was also using a Spitfire morse key. That was the furthest contact spitfire morse key to spitfire morse key. I have a video of this contact here ua-cam.com/video/UY0Geb4N0fs/v-deo.html. I have also flown in a spitfire from Biggin Hill. Wow!
Good to see there are people like yourselves doing the right thing by these wonderful Spitfires.
I saw their 109 in bits at their farm a while ago. Couldn't believe my eyes
Forgot my manners, thanks to everybody involved in this video, its wonderful.
men who keep the spitfire alive thank you it our history .great Britain . sadly not so great now in 2023 .
Saw the boys at Trucks Tanks Firepower, super great lads and what a stunning aircraft. A MUST see for anyone visiting a show like this!
fantastic video. Many thanks for taking the time to post it. And much thanks to Steve and Mel for restoring and keeping these warbirds alive and flying. I too have a Spitfire currently in restoration, a Mark IV, but it has four wheels and no cannons or Brownings. Cheers from Texas.
No worries!
Hello from Houston. Please keep us posted on your restoration. Would love to see your plane.
Thanks, foe a great little video. I'm happy to swap you the spit for some old bike parts in my shed. ...... 😊
Any time!
I flew in a Mk IX spitfire last October including aerobatics over the Solent. Fantastic aircraft, worth every penny, put a smile on my face that's lasted months. However flying in one and fighting in one are two totally different things especially when they probably had very few hours on type. It brought home to me what those young men did for us in 1940 and throughout the war.
Wow...That was impressive you guys! Not publicly funded or sponsored. Bravo chaps! Bravo... Keep 'em flyin'. Love Ya's...
Brilliant just brilliant, my favourite aircraft of all time...
A knowledgeable pair, with a great pair of aircraft.
My grandfather owned a company that manufactured the wingtips of the spitfire. My mother was 6 yrs old when she was evacuated to the countryside during the Battle of Britain
Wow and an amazing plane to see at Tanks, Trucks and Firepower show, thank you for bring it along xx
Glad you enjoyed it
Super presentation!! The FYI of little known history details were extremely interesting. Great pair of collectors/historians. Hats off to their efforts.
Thanks for that!
The dope patches on the gun ports also helped stop the guns freezing at high altitudes.
That is proper stuff. Would love to see these birds Airworthy again.
David it is a glass reinforced plastic replica, it will never fly
Amazing gentleman. How humble..cheers 🥂
We agree!
I've unexpectedly learnt new interesting information from these guys. I only came to see camouflage colours for a spitfire kit.
Beautiful aircraft always admired the Spitfire, Well done.
Fantastic guys.
Glad you enjoyed it - great guys very passionate
As a commercial fishermen we have retrieved many military artifacts I have a lower wing spar from a mk 1 spitfire, last week a browning. 303 machine gun with a spent round still in the barrel don't know it wouldn't of ejected once fired,bless him he obviously went down fighting.
Wow that's very cool, must be so many Military wrecks out there.
Used to be loads trawled up at Newhaven Sussex it was like a what's what of Aeroplane parts! all lined up along the Fence!.
An amazing aircraft, and amazing men that flew them...love the spitfire ...Thank you for all you folks do to save these aircraft...BZ
Superb guys so much excellent information many thanks for your passion in keeping our important heritage alive with this beautiful example of the iconic spitfire thx 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏
It is beautiful
Well done both beautiful aircraft.
Super awesome! PLEASE be careful with it!
Amen to that. Too many of these precious aircraft are being lost by hot rod millionaire pilots out for a thrill.
Douglas Bader managed to bail out of one, remember, he had two artificial legs.
Yes, but remember, one of his legs became trapped so he released the prosthetic leg which allowed him to bale out. Another pilot may not have been as lucky in the same situation.
I lived in Kinmel Bay Rhyl 20 years ago and I used to see a Spitfire flying around the area at summer weekends.
Bombastic Best!!! Aces High!!!
Wonderful airplane
What a great find in a barn. ❤️ 💪 💪
My favorite Spitfire! The MKIX!! Very nice!!
Same here!
Loved this, worth a fortune, I'd bet she will one day fly again especially with the increase in airworthy spitfires, although she may end up as a two seater? I also thought later on they actually illuminated the stalling problem? Great vid and full credit to these guys and their passion!
Nice job gents.
I could have a great night in the pub with these 2, I,d even buy the beer, great video.
Interested in why the registration is BA377, which was allocated to a Blenheim V
It's a replica. Registered on the British aircraft preservation council as number 377
@@scottbrookes5434 So this was never built during ww2 as an actual Spitfire?
Yes, I agree. I read it as BA 877, but you're probably right. A have searched in several books, including the one by Morgan and Shacklady without finding that serial number. It's probably not original for some reason.
This Mk IX was the archetypical Spitfire. Beautiful aircraft gents!
Very interesting, but not to be overcritical I'd like to see more of the aircraft, like a walkaround, and less of the two (remarkable) gentlemen, like the serialnumber BA 877, possibly BA 377, and a little more information about the Spit itself. A LF, F or HF IX, which of the Merlin series 60s and so on. Having the serial number BA 877/377 it would be possible to track down its history. After all it's a survivor, a real gem. I have looked in the book Spitfire, The History, by Morgan and Shacklady without finding either serial number, so I wonder if it's original. That would be interesting to find out.
Thank you for you effort gentlemen.
Great film, many thanks! I assume this Spitfire Mk.IX is a static replica it seems. One thing I'd recommend to the Heappey brothers is to install a rear view mirror atop the windscreen frame in the Spitfire. This was an important fitment which gave pilots an opportunity to spot the enemy behind, you'll see this fitted to most Spits. Fitting one of these to their Spit will make it appear more 'operational'. Lastly is there a link to their Bf 109 E, I'd love to see more of that thanks.
That rear view mirror was a field modification, and not all of them had one fitted.
No mention of running the engine, there was an engine?, or restoring it to airworthy condition. I would have asked about that.
wow this is amazing
Lovely and didn't khow about the light
I just found your link and that been in 4K was so lovely to see all the detail in this clip and then to hear the two guys talking about it too! That was great fun and please thank those two guy as well apart from you too! 🙂😉👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍
These guys are gold!
My old man was 17 years old when he went through pilot training he said some of the instructors were unusual I have a couple of good stories! He was straight from boarding school, where they plaid a lot of rugby and also boxed, different times!
The tape over the gun ports (and the cover that was over the 20mm cannons) was yes to stop bits going down the barrels when taking off but the main reason for it was to stop moisture getting into the mechanism and freezing when flying at height and thereby jamming the guns.
Also I think he meant 1942 not 1932 when talking about the Mk9s appearing.
It was not tape, it was linen that was doped so it would stick.
i wish i could find a spitfire in a barn
A question for the boys, how the hell do you move a Spitfire around to the shows? As far as the documentaries I've seen the wings are a bugger to take off of a Spit. Do you have to do that every time you move it from its home? The armour plate behind the pilot was as far as I've read 8 mm thick steel or in English Money 5/16". It may have got thicker in later marques, I don't know, but as the Bf 109's had a 30 mm cannon and not even a 1/2" armour plate would stop that.
They probably flew the ol girl to the shows, great excuse to go for a fly lol.
The brownings were in fact covered to prevent ice forming in the guns prior to first being fired, this was a problem in the early part of the battle of britain. i dare say the other reasons are also correct but this was the main reason.
also to show the guns are loaded and primed ready to go because as soon as landed they where fuelled and rearmed ready for the Bell.
Safety quick release button on security straps and parachute straps. Push the button to release the straps disconnect radio and oxygen canopy back and flip plane to drop out. UK parachutes had same quick release button, airborne troops landing could get out of harness with a button push, US airborne could not a lot of troops drowned when they landed in flooded areas as it took too long to get the chute off.
And pull the rubber ball on top of the canopy and it will fall off.
The Spit is not the only aircraft I like, but it's the only one I would trust with my aweful skills.
You can tell later Spits which have the more powerful engines as the cowling is squared above exhausts
I love the Spitfire as a long time WW2 history fan its nice to see the planes still being preserved for future generations. Had a little laugh when the comment about how big the prop and plane was I thought he should stand next to a P-47D, Not a knock on the spitfire I think it was one of the best point defense aircraft of the war and later had better legs with added drop tanks. Again thanks for the vid.
If I had a big enough garage or garden I would absolutely love a replica Spitfire like the guys here.. Fabulous!
The early Spitfires had a greater tendency to overheat when taxiing. The twin radiator MkIX onwards coped better.
There were no MkV Spitfires flying during the Battle of Britain.. Just MkI & MkII Spits. The MkV operated from 1941 with the Merlin 45 engine
1:30 Did he really say 1932 in error..or is my hearing failing me?
I heard 1942.
1:30 said 1932 definitely a slip of the tongue he knew his spitfire stuff obviously clearly meant to say 1942 mentioned the correct date several times later in the interview
It is a good thing you decided to keep your aircraft in a combat paint condition. Not that there is anything wrong with a show plane, it just keeps it real. The Spitfire had 19 seconds of guns, Canadas old F18's had about 2 seconds of 20mm. The Merlin has a way better sound though. Thanks for doing what you two do. Cheers
This video is a modelers delight.
The first MK 9 test aircraft flew on 26 February 1942.
What brave men they were.
Tape over barrels stopped guns icing up, its cold up there. Fire the guns tape is gone but as said 14 secs of ammo. It would also show misfire as tape would be intact.
A huge advantage to the UK during the Battle of Britain was the fact that the action took place over UK ground. All downed craft ended up on British soil. Enemy aircrew became POWs and Allied pilots very often got into another aircraft and was off again, or off to a hospital if needed. Own aircraft were quickly salvaged and/or repaired in a widely spread system of repair facilities.
Oh wow! Every boy's dream.
What an interesting pair! Would LOVE to see the Me 109 - Spits are, lets face it, almost ten a penny compared to a real M1 109!
Where's the 109?
so I want to know how they transport her is she doesn't fly?
This guy is wrong. When they were speaking of the machine guns, he mentioned "the whole nine yards" when referring to the .303 belts. That statement refers to a belt if .50 BMG ammo, not .303.
The interviewer wasn't very knowladgeable.
Just a couple of quick obs'... The BoB Spits were all Mk 1a and Mk II's , the Mk V entered sqd' service in 41.
And the Merlin engine was water cooled not air cooled. 👍
It was water cooled but still required to be in the air for the radiators to be air cooled so technically also air cooled in a way
High brovs can the spitfire fly or could it be made to fly fantastic looking plane you both must be so proud of it all the best fred.
Did the crank on the BF109 actually turn the engine or did it wind-up an inertia starter?
Inertia starter, he is full of half-truths
more armor for the pilot.. they used two coats of paint
Stably that is not a Battle of Britain Spitfire, it has a 4 blade prop and cannon bulges on the upper part of the wing. It’s more than likely a Mark V.
The only cannon armed RAF types in the battle were 1 Hurricane and the Westland Whirlwind Squadrons.
Nicely restored aircraft though, well done.
They say in the video it isnt a BoB Spitfire and explain up to mk4 or 5 were the BoB ones
It's a Mk IX (Mark 9) They didn't come out until 1941. They could carry a small drop tank which was great when they went on the offensive over France.
I would have loved to have seen the “SMESSERSMIT” 109 very rare!
👍
The last Mk was the FR47 and the Mk24. These were both similar. The Mk24 was the last land Mk. The FR47 Seafire had counter-rotating props and folding wings...as this was a carrier aircraft. It fought in support of ground troops in the early Korean War in 1950. Only 3 are in existence. These are the ones left from that deployment that this viewer knows of. If I'm wrong, I'll stand corrected.
Amazing! Are still airworthy and do the 2 brothers fly them?
I cannot imagine they are airworthy...that is - I am unsure of the Spitfire, but the Me109E4 is definitely not. The website says they can display it as "crashed" if wished ... which you would never do to an airworthy aircraft.
how did they come by the spitfire who restored it
Mmm....a 1932 mk lX and a barn find.............is this for real ?
The guy who started FedEx bought a Spit, The elliptical wing contributed to its manoeuverability but could be dangerous @ low speed.
The whole nine yards is absolutely nothing to do with ammo belts.
Complete myth, and I’m amazed these guys have just said that.
Me too !! Also I reacted to them claiming that The Battle of Britain saw up to Mk V in use. Rubbish. The Mk V was introduced early in 1941.
1.32; I definitely hear the guy say ''..1932..''? Surely he meant 1942?
I heard 1942.
Contrary to Mitchell's quest for clean aerodynamics, why are there domed rivets?
Flush rivets were quite time consuming and difficult to fit during manufacture. Experiments were conducted to determine which rivets had the most aerodynamic impact, and subsequently only the most significant rivets were flush.
Nice, but clickbaited for NO Messerschmidt !
Yup, I'd have loved to have had a look round the 109 as well!
Mk9 1932? can that be correct???
I think he said 1942, which would be correct.
I do think the MK IX was introduced in 1942 not 1932! Correct me if I am wrong people? OK sorry he corrected himself later on!
Mal answered every question directed at Steve...lol.
Hawker Tempest is my choice
In what way did this 1943+ Mk IX fight in the Battle of Britain?
The same way in which these guys think that MkV’s were involved in BoB (when in reality we already know that it was only Mk1s & Mk2s)
Mk IX isn't exactly BoB, but well done, anyway 😊
Great lads great . I’d sit in it and pretend I’m flying like a kid . I’m 60 and have flown . But what the Haeckel 😅❤
Fun fact, that bar in the door has only been coloured red post war, as a safety device regulation. In some period photos of Spitfires, the bar isn't there at all!
"Well [2 seconds to work out all the details in his head] ok."
Lovely aircraft but not airworthy...?
MK24 was the last.....
Along with the Seafire Mk. 47.
I was under the impression that the last Mark was the Mk.24.
... and the Seafires Mk. 45, 46 and 47.
Douglas Bader was an old pilot at 29 in 1939.
The Mk9 Spitfire was never in the Battle of Britain. Mk1's were. The Mk 9 came much later in the war.
Battle of Britain Spit Mk 1a, this is aMk 9 circa 1942, he made a mistake early on said 1932 but corrected it a little later. Good tho
Not Mk 9, Mk IX. 9 and so on were after war.
That looks like a Mk9 Spit. Not Battle of Britain aircraft.
The Spit is not Battle of Britain vintage, but the Messerschmitt Bf-109 E-4 would have been.
came here to say this... Clickbait.
I particularly liked the piece about the morse key and lamp. I am a radio amateur, callsign G3UCQ, and I own an original spitfire morse key and lamp. Using my amateur radio equipment I connected the key to my transceiver and not only had many morse contacts world wide but also with another 'ham' in the USA who was also using a Spitfire morse key. That was the furthest contact spitfire morse key to spitfire morse key. I have a video of this contact here ua-cam.com/video/UY0Geb4N0fs/v-deo.html. I have also flown in a spitfire from Biggin Hill. Wow!
We want to see the plane not the dudes...whatever.
Whole nine yards did not come from ammo belt length. Real old myth. Came from textile industry in the 1840s. 9 yards of cloth to make a complete suit.
No one is really sure where the saying originated, but it's not for a suit. A three piece suit requires around four yards of material.
@@paulbradford8240 When did this term come into use in the RAF? It allegedly was used in the US Army Air Force early in the Pacific war.
@@donaldmcgavin471 except it most likely wasn't used at all, nothing to do with ammo belts anyway.
Bueno que coño pasa? No vuela el spitfire? O qué?