Spirit of Kent Spitfire Manston 2009

Pilot Dan Griffith is seen giving another scintillating display in the Spirit of Kent Spitfire at Manston on Sunday 24th May. Once again Dan displayed the ability of the Spitfire to execute very tight turns, which during combat in the Second World war probably saved many pilots' lives, particularly the pilots who flew the unarmed PR Spitfires, such as Spitfire PL965. Very tight turns and superior climb speed were the only real "defence weapons" that Photo Recce Spitfires, eg PL965, had in their armoury. One final note about this video, watch out for the wing waggle towards the end of the video - worth waiting for!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Manston
• Spirit of Kent Spitfire
• Spitfire Mk IX
• Dan Griffith

[rgnvideo]

Hi popmerde, Have just read your comment. Glad to read that you are "really interested" in the display. I would be obliged if you could elaborate on your first sentence and I will do my best to answer any "queries".

[rgnvideo]

jagman256 Glad that you enjoyed Dan's display. You can also watch Dan displaying the Spirit of Kent Spitfire at Manston on 14.9.08. Other Spitfire video clips on rgnvideo include the late, great Ray Hanna displaying at Manston, Chailey and Biggin Hill. Also watch his son Mark flying Spitfires PL965 & MH434 at Rochester and MH434 at Duxford. I was fortunate to meet both of them and knew Mark well.

[rgnvideo]

To 25daveyboy -You're absolutely right, the sounds are magical - music to the ears - long may the Spitfires (and Hurricanes) keep flying!

[rgnvideo]

The Spirit of Kent Spitfire is a Mk IX and is fitted with a Rolls Royce Merlin engine

[rgnvideo]

kelandab

If you enjoyed this video clip, then may I suggest you watch the clip of Dan Griffith flying the Spirit of Kent Spitfire on 14th September 2008 at Manston. You will find it listed under rgnvideo clips. I hope you enjoy it - Dan is seen giving a superb Spitfire display - including wonderful tight turns.

[rgnvideo]

Hi Harry,

Thanks for your comment. Don't worry, I have no plans to get rid of my present video camera!! I have no clips of the Sea Fury at present, but I have posted some footage of Ray Hanna flying the OFMC's Fury in 1994/1998- see my YouTube clip "Ray and Mark Hanna". Also check out Harvard FE788_Rochester. The pilot is Dan Griffith - the pilot seen flying the Spirit of Kent Spitfire at Manston. Ray, Mark and Dan - three of the best display pilots I have had the pleasure of watching.

[popmerde]

@rgnvideo hey man, are you completely sure of that? i just want to make sure because im really interested in this beautiful display.

[ianevans67]

That sir is music to my ears

[Merlin2Stage2Speed]

I had always been a fan of (now sadly late) Ray and Mark Hanna since their displays at the "Wings Over Wanaka" air shows in New Zealand back in the late 90's/early 2000's, flying Sir Tim Wallis' superbly restored Spitfire Mk XVI.

Dan Griffiths is now firmly added to my list - his display method of keeping the Spitfire "close hauled" and the engine spooled up provides a magnificent example of just how maneuverable the Spitfire is - including this wonderfully restored and maintained LFMk IXc.

[danglerose]

Such a magical sound! Superb flying. It was wonderful for him to push it to the pins instead of just parading her out like some old relic. He showed the power and the majesty of the machine.

[bmxmattylemoth]

i so wish i could have the chance to fly in a spit

absolute iconic aircraft!!

looks the bizz at 0:39 and the rest of the vid.

glad theres still some left.

long live the memory of the fighter boys,there spitfires and hurricanes and ground crews and what they did for england.

never forget!!

[GBrutus7]

Superb video, watched this a few times now. The sound as she pulls into the vertical near the start is simply majestic. Nicely filmed and thanks for sharing.

[JasonMaximHall]

Wonderful posting - thank you!

[Jagman256]

A brilliant display in one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made with the best sound in the world, the Merlin. Goosebumps every time without fail :)