How to Start a Spitfire: Step-by-Step Guide with John Romain

HOW TO START A SPITFIRE, with John Romain
For #BritishScienceWeek , pilot and owner of the Aircraft Restoration Company, John Romain, explains the intricate and fascinating process of starting a Supermarine Spitfire. Watch to celebrate this masterful piece of military aviation history and British engineering.
Learn more about Bremont’s #aviation and #military history here: bit.ly/3eqhpzV

[@mr.tibbles8140]

Yes, this is the exact video I needed because I couldn’t figure out how to start my new spitfire i got a week ago. It’s just sitting in my garage and now I can finally take off from my street, awesome

[@3angels661]

Yeah right!

[@LiquidSnakeSSJ4]

i don't know why your comment has so many likes. this video is just for educational purposes and those interested in learning more about history. they're walking us through the steps as if we were there with them. nothing wrong with that, kid. settle down lmao

[@mr.tibbles8140]

@@LiquidSnakeSSJ4 lol, I know, it’s cool

[@mr.tibbles8140]

@@LiquidSnakeSSJ4 I am one of those people who are interested in learning, but it’s the title that’s funny and how it comes across

[@peterbrown6224]

@@mr.tibbles8140 Mine's a Mark 22, so this is of no educational purpose whatsoever. Obtaining the ammunition is a drag, too. :-)

[@DMSVICAU]

Enjoyed this video But It would have been heaps better if we could of heard it start up.

[@mikefawdrey6113]

Why do we have to have stupid music

[@maxxod1]

There aren’t speakers good enough for the kind of sound that a Spit makes. I was fortunate enough to hear one fire up at an air show and was close enough that I could feel it in my chest when it was taxiing . Was more impressed by that than the jets that were there.

[@kenprice1961]

@@mikefawdrey6113 I have a MUTE!

[@LaCrepe_]

A bit sad that you didn't include the actual start of the engine. 😢 Good video nonetheless, seeing this beauty never disappoints

[@RT-eb6vo]

Cool. Here's how to start a spitfire. But lets not actually start it ...

[@jreedc]

Exactly

[@genghisgalahad8465]

You have to pay extra for that...

[@Chippy_Dez]

Check out Kermit weeks if you want to see run through and start ups there his own planes p51b and a few others. Very cool

[@gusm2752]

Incredible. All that and leave out the best part. Firing up that awesome Merlin engine.

[@coronalight77]

@@gusm2752 thank you for that brilliant observation that hundreds already made comments about. M0r0n.

[@Just_lift_anyone]

I followed this tutorial in my Spitfire, she started up great, I took off cleanly - so far so good. Having a great time in the air as I'm typing this message. Do you have any lessons on how to land your Spitfire and turn them off??

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

Was rather hoping to hear the sound of that mighty Merlin starting!

[@Diego-we5ui]

God bless I found this tutorial. I have been sitting on my spitfire for a day wondering how to start it up

[@Glen.Danielsen]

This Mark I is in pristine gorgeous condition! Also beautiful videography here. You Brits created a marvelous enclave of illustrious aircraft during that war: the constantly evolving Spitfire, the Mosquito, the Lancaster, et cetera! Cheers to you from the States! 🇺🇸💛🇬🇧

[@Shoorit]

Thankful for the brave young men and women who jumped into this or any other plane with very little experience and fought for our country and future.

[@willmorrell488]

Men, not women.

[@seanjoseph8637]

@@willmorrell488 Women pilots used to ferry them, but yeah.

[@mundih]

I was at Duxford in 1998, saw John Romain fly a Spitfire. That was my first time. It was magic.

[@idolnash13]

Thanks, I just bought one and it just got shipped to me. flying it to work tomorrow very informative video

[@LesSharp]

As a kid, I lived on the approach to RAF Uxbridge, which was home to one operational Spitfire. It was an aircraft that was flown in the annual birthday celebrations for the Queen, and some other occasions. As such, it had to be flown once a month, either to qualify the aircraft, or a pilot, I was never sure which. It was just music to hear that Merlin fly over our house once a month.

[@Goat4459]

Sick wish I had that lol

[@paulyflyer8154]

And to think 18 year old kids had to do this in a hurry before putting their lives on the line

[@JamesAlexander14]

The ground crew would have already done this prep before the pilots flew these beautiful birds. Time wasted completing pre flight checks would have been disastrous and allowed the enemy to cause more damage than he did. The aircraft had to be flight ready for any ‘scramble’ and that was the sole purpose of the ground crew.

[@blindestoftheblind]

@@JamesAlexander14 That wasn't a pre flight check, that was a start procedure.

[@MrLucator]

...and now their only start procedure is for their mobiles

[@michaelnorfleet7246]

@@JamesAlexander14 Coming from a instrument rated private pilot you’d be amazed how fast you can get a plane started once you’ve done it countless times in flight training, the start up procedure for this spit isn’t to much different from your typical general aviation aircraft and even in the event of scrambling leaving over a dozen unmanned aircraft with primed engines and magnetos on is flirting with disaster

[@idolnash13]

@@paulyflyer8154 and now 18 year olds today are wondering what gender they are. Have times changed

[@PrathameshPonkshe]

I was just wondering how to start my Spitfire

[@philgray1023]

I had the same problem with an Audi hire car. It eventually decided that I knew nothing and allowed me to drive away, releasing the handbrake itself.

[@harvelein]

Never know when u gonna need it

[@yashpandit7085]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind next time my Spitfire doesn't start.

[@TheGearhead222]

Duxford museum is one of the best, if not the best , living WWII airplane museums in the world. Have not been there, but my parents were and they loved it! Dad was a Pilot and a Navigator in the R.C.A.F. during WWII, but was kept back as a trainer and never got to fly "Lancs" as he so wanted to-John in Texas

[@Mostrichkugel]

Thank you for that helpful video. Now i can order my Spitfire at my local airplane dealer.

[@philjamieson5572]

This'll come in very handy when I get to start up and fly a Spitfire. I wish. Cheers for this excellent piece.

[@philgray1023]

You can, but it won't be a cheap experience. I went for a "joy" flight where I was going to take some aerial photos. Unknown to me, my friend had actually booked me a flying lesson. Initially I couldn't figure out why the pilot was explaining the controls. I thought he was just stalling to minimise my air time. Then he asked me to actually fly the thing. Any idea how hard it is to fly and take photos at the same time? Talk about blury. I didn't stop shaking until an hour after the flight.

[@willmorrell488]

You can always fly it in DCS World. It has a brilliant simulation of the Spitfire.

[@GoFullAuto]

Hoooow I ennnnvy the people who are able to master these amazing, powerful machines! Huge compliments!!

[@jonlong42]

i live near Goodwood airfield and a spitfire regularly flies over , its beautiful, and i love the engine sound !!!!

[@John-ob7dh]

Same her .I live Not far from Biggin Hill.They go over every week. And 6 weeks ago I went up in one ,and was handed the stick for about 5 mins .AWESOME.

[@DadsRCHangar]

And imagine they had to do all this so quickly. Thanks for showing 👍🏻

[@spitfire4sergi]

How can you not picture her as a living, breathing machine. What a beauty.

[@ramal5708]

Its pretty useful tutorial, if you wanna jack a Spitfire from someone then this is your go-to guide

[@savinggracechurch4112]

My grandad worked at Supermarine in the drawing office. Love spitfires they always get the hair on the back of my neck as I listen to that gorgeous sound of the merlin engine. Also love watching "First of a few" with David Niven and Leslie Howard.

[@aircooled2068]

Only once,did I hear/see a spitfire in flight I was in my back yard in ireland,and heard what I first thought was a very fast approaching loud motorcycle ,but as it came closer,I knew it was something very much powerfull!!! Then the penny dropped, as I caught first glance of the unmistakable shape of a spitfire! I have never since experienced anything quite like it,it will stay with me forever!

[@John-ob7dh]

AC.about 6 weeks ago ,I had the fantastic experience of going up in one ( 1943 model ) . Not only did I go up ,but I had the stick for about 5 mins .Experience I still have not got over.Dont ask how much it cost.You only live once.

[@HipposHateWater]

Got caught on a lie and had to google how to start and taxi a Spitfire real quick you're a life-saver for time-travelers

[@joeydepalmer4457]

when you taxi a spitfire, do you put a "TAXI" sign on top and call into the dispatch and say you re now in service?

[@hunormagyar1843]

@@joeydepalmer4457 Yes.

[@petesmith9472]

I flew as a PPL for quite some years but gave up an never flew again when I sold my RV8. My heart was racing throughout this video; such an exciting prospect. Thank you.

[@BlueTechRS]

Please pick it up again. It is such a beautiful thing to do and you're lucky to have the ability to do so. - I wish i could say the same, but i have some medical issues which prevent me from being able to fly solo.

[@robleary3353]

Love it. Have an old VHS tape of 'The Spitfire' an amalgamation of its history, then moving into operatoinal service, all original black and white footage over dubbed. BRILLIANT. Watched it tjat many times I knew where the pilot of this clip was going and what was next.

[@sharkoftheskies3256]

I learned to fly on in mfs 2020 and memorized the start up sequence. It feels great to fly in a sim and I'm absolutely sure that's not even half as great as flying it in real life.

[@Galinjins]

Try DCS you can have dogfight and everything else

[@DanSlotea]

Go get some flight lessons even a few hours, computer games, no matter how complex are nothing like real life flying and don't get too close to real simulators either.

[@ferrari2k]

@@DanSlotea I think it will be quite hard to fly any number of planes as you can in a simulator... ;)

[@adf286]

Well no fucking shit

[@GERntleMAN]

I really liked the part with the start-up. Sounded amazing. Good stuff.

[@kenprice1961]

Too bad we couldn't HEAR IT!!

[@markraatsart5049]

Terrific video and incredible products. Thank you for sharing Bremont

[@ianbrown4242]

This is one of my favourite KZbin videos ever.

[@climbjt]

I’m ready! Now just gotta find a Spitfire!

[@tamar5261]

Thanks, next time I see an unlocked spitfire park outside my house I know exactly what to do 😊

[@stevefox8605]

Superb video, thank you. Awesome watch, legendary plane. 🇬🇧👍🏻👍🏻

[@Warbird-Aviation]

Thank you so much for this perfect video!!!, Lovely I make some videos of T28s

[@stangoodvibes]

Watched it. Added 'starting a Spitfire' to the Skills section on my CV.

[@kylegallant3423]

still a masterpiece to this day

[@DCS_World_Japan]

I wasn't expecting such a huge difference in cockpit layout or start sequence from the MkI to the MkIX.

[@jonboogy]

This is one of the most beautiful fighter planes ever but, I can't imagine having to get that thing started during an air raid

[@jeffhess7130]

Two 👍👍 Up For The Spitfire !!

[@cloudaye]

Cant wait for my next visit to the museum...

[@LuckyJack99]

Well done piece Bremont ! Cheers !

[@oshag3670]

Now I know something about something I’ll never do

[@drod3434]

Thanks, I have been looking all over the place how to start this damm thing.

[@seanjoseph8637]

I watched a vid about the MK1 a few hours back and it said the black lever (stbd) was for pumping the undercarriage up in earlier MK1's...

[@ianthomson9363]

That's correct. Poor editing!

[@seanjoseph8637]

@@ianthomson9363 Cheers.

[@Jones-xx2gc]

I wish we could have heard it start up. Some modern vehicles are getting a bit long winded to start these days, but not for the same results.

[@bearlyawake3904]

I was expecting to see it start!

[@Warbird-Aviation]

Hey great video. Thanks for all this inputs!

[@andrewmarsden1970]

John Romain has my job. Top man.

[@hankcuccina5260]

Fascinating.

[@paulyflyer8154]

Fantastic. Imagine being a 19 year old scrambling to intercept some Heinkels over the Channel having to do all this. Half of today's 19 year olds can't even drive.

[@andysillars]

Urrmmm where was the engine start ? Bit of an ad to sell Bremont watches.

[@PNH750]

Interesting to note how different the turn / slip indicator was in later models of the Spitfire???

[@kwd0405]

Nice, now I need a Spitfire

[@dmor6696]

i got my spitfire yesterday with my new F22 for free! gave it to my girlfriend (she crashed the Mikoyan Mig-29k last week attempting a drive through over her favorite Burger King) thanks, hopefully she will get it to start this evening, i'm hungry

[@justarandomguy4860]

Now i need the Spitfire

[@colibri67]

No wonder that military pilots first did some hours in the Harvard / Texan / AT6. A great "stepping stone"!

[@jimtech362]

Can't imagine how they manage to fly up with this million steps sequence and the BF109 shooting around

[@christiancadio9023]

Un superbe avion . L’un de mes chasseurs préférés de la seconde guerre mondiale.

[@EugeneMetreveli]

Are you kidding? I watched the whole video waiting for the sound of how it started and warming up!

[@mirageycq]

Wow! Thanks alot.

[@donatonotaro]

thank you

[@Bonzman]

We love Duxford, great day out ✈️🚁🛩️

[@Tjoppy]

What an anticlimax to not actually start that magical Merlin. I'll stick to my bicycle.

[@Arnechk]

Yeah, in the fit of rage I am going to look for some BF109 videos that actually start now.

[@Tjoppy]

@MichaelKingsfordGray almost 5!

[@johnhaffenden9576]

Just a point, I have just watched a video from Duxford relating to their Spitfire, the chap said that the big leaver on the right was to pump up the undercarriage, you have just used the lever, pushing it forward to prime the fuel, is that right, great video

[@chillingmaschinengewehr1460]

beautiful

[@rbf100]

That is quite a long check list to start the engine. All this had to be done in super quick time during the Battle of Britain when the Luftwaffe was constantly attacking and the British pilots had no time to rest.

[@fcukmegently]

Thanks...I'm sure this'll come in handy one day!

[@Tier1Citizen]

But wait dude, now I have to go look for a video to actually watch the aircraft being started. Well dang, I want those three minutes and thirty three seconds back.

[@hatorihanso1238]

So many times I have been in a situation where I need the knowledge to start a spitfire, and I ended up taking the bus .

[@AuthenticKiwi]

I will use this for reference in DCS and whenever I somehow manage to get into a cockpit of a spitfire I managed to find

[@John-ob7dh]

Get over to Biggin Hill.They have about 16 there.

[@MURDOCK1500]

During the BoB would the ground crew have done most of this procedure?

[@HeliRy]

Good question. I would assume that each pilot would have already done the main checks before assuming their standby duty. So they’d likely just hop in, reset the brakes, turn on the battery, prime the fuel and let er rip.

[@joeydepalmer4457]

Two Questions: 1.This is starting up now, in peace time, how did they do it during the war? did they take short cuts to get it going? And the second question is flying her: she was built and designed as a fighter and was built to fly with guns and what have you to fight the Germans, but how dose it fly with out guns and other military requirements? Did she need to be modified to fly with out all the military hardware?

[@pup1008]

3:20 it literally spat fire 🔥!

[@MrGilRoland]

My brain: We need to sleep, pal. Me: Shut up, this is vital information.

[@HeliRy]

Man, I’d be SOOOO nervous starting a Spitfire for the first time lol.

[@herrlogan17]

Excellent!

[@markharris1546]

He has the best job in the world 🥺🥺

[@mattdow9039]

So take a moment to jump back to 1940 and the pilots have just scrambled, would they carry out these checks? or the ground crew prep the planes as the pilots ran towards them?

[@jive091]

Great vid Thanks can I come and have a go🙂 # my dream to go in a spitfire

[@justinstrik7125]

Actual video of my future encounter with a spitfire. I now know how to start one but wil never do it 😢

[@justinsalaskanadventures]

How cool! Thank you so much!!!

[@Faded877]

Right so all I need now is a spitfire

[@charlie9ine]

How much of the pre check would have been up to the ground crew before the pilot entered the cockpit?

[@maxou953]

Magnifique !

[@1241GIBEK]

great. now i need to buy me a spitfire

[@tomb3582]

One doesnt realise how much things are going on in the engine now when its all 90% automatic :) amaging machines those old aircraft.

[@tomb3582]

how many things is. so sorry

[@Youtubax]

I just realised how I already knew about these starting procedures from DCS. I’m such a nerd lol

[@bsmith8950]

My dad flew spitfires right through the war from the MK1 right through to MK18 and 24 . The Mk 18 , he flew stationed in India and also he used it during the Burma campaign against the communists . His marking was 'Z' through most of the war

[@billsmart2532]

So this is a scramble during the Battle of Brittan??? I dunno bro..

[@testube66]

Am I supposed to have a airplane? I don't have one. Why am I here?! 😂

[@AdmiralQuality]

How do you cage/uncage the attitude indicator?

[@TheCaesar32]

So when does he get to start it?!

[@ianbetts4435]

Imagine remembering all that in the war when called to get off the ground fast and defend against Nazi invasion.

[@jardamuth]

Im surprised these engines doesn't need a couple of spins for oil priming before flicking the mags and starting.

[@robinfryer479]

What was that big black shiny lever with the knob on, on the starboard side, for? I never saw that in my cousins Mk. XVI.

[@mattthacker4122]

Fuel Wobble Pump?

[@ianthomson9363]

It's used to pump the undercarriage up or down (not to prime the engine with fuel- blame the video editor for that!) and was only fitted to early Mk 1 Spitfires, such as N3200 as shown here. Later models used an engine-driven pump, which is why your cousin's Mk XVI doesn't have it.

[@anthonyrowe7805]

Wow! What a process to go through while the Luftwaffe are bombing your airfield

[@BaronFlyingClub]

I have got a really good Timex I built myself.

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

Nice video shame about the big watch. I would catch that time piece on everything