Top Gear the Spitfire challenge

[@hanif12able]

watching clarkson's reaction is so priceless that bring smile to me. its like watching someone who is actually reach his childhood dream

[@DanM012324]

I'd probably start crying..

[@ncc74656m]

+Daniel May I know the feeling. Jezza said he almost was!

[@turricaned]

In retrospect it's a bit sad - this was just before he started to forget that he wasn't supposed to act the pillock off-camera too...

[@TheTsar1918]

Jeremy's reaction is basically every person who ever lived. Within seconds he becomes a little kid.

[@TheMarineGamerIGGHQ]

I'm sorry turricaned that human emotion is too flawed for your acceptance

[@LauraJA7X]

Hammond didn't say a thing he was like a kid at Christmas the pure joy in his face.

[@bogomir67]

Hehehe, yes, I noticed that as well. He was just letting Jezza do the talking and enjoy his ride. And May was smug, as in "been there already...." :-D

[@shopldt538]

Who would not be the same.

[@BigRedPower59]

Beyond any doubt, one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built.

[@olivert1922]

BigRedPower59 the most beutiful

[@fabri872]

the p-51d, i think

[@nedpike2186]

As much as I love the Mustang, it's all angles and lines. The Spit is seductive curves and, to me, wins on the "sex appeal" rating.

[@Dan_B]

Totally agree

[@lordschaumloffel9234]

a perfect beauty. and a guarding angel on englands shoulder in dark times.

[@masterskrain]

I think that's the HAPPIEST I've ever seen Jezzer!

[@jonnnyren6245]

I think it's May whose the happy git here because well, he's May Spaniel of Hammersmith who is an avid plane enthusiast and a licensed pilot with a Cessna 182.

[@ZenonZolek]

One can't blame him, I'd be the same, amazing

[@scoot155]

Jezza

[@DrHavoc1]

I like how Hammond is so happy that he can't even speak :D

[@parjacpar3077]

never seen all 3 of them smile so much and all at same time but dont blame them. Also think it was unfair on others that all you got to hear was Clarkson speaking. . . . What did make me laugh was when they turned up at there destination and who was waiting for them then i know they had a challenge on there hands like Clarkson's cow driver in one challenges hand went for a walk around a steering wheel. . . . . I know a German who was alive during the war even he bought up the German /Brit disagreement told him that's in past not going down that road.

[@jobansand]

@@parjacpar3077 'disagreement'

[@Emily14528]

So proud to say I am related to Reginald Mitchell, the designer of that beautiful plane. Maybe one day i will get to fly in one

[@user-wt6lb3lu4y]

nice!

[@MausOfTheHouse]

Design a plane, please.

[@robginnaw8131]

From the very sincerest part of me I wish you that happens. To me R.J Mitchell was the man who saved Britain. Yes ok we had Churchill too but without this stunningly beautiful aircraft we couldn't have done what we did. This plane means so much to Britain and is an international treasure. You must be so proud. I know I am to be able to say it's a sign of hope and victory. And it's ours. But above all it's yours too. God bless him. He gave his life in the design hours perfecting it. So good even goering got told that in order to defeat us they'd need a squadron of spitfires. That's one hell of an appraisal. Lol. Lest we forget. 🇬🇧🇬🇧👍

[@neonwilliams5722]

You go girl!

[@tjv-logs]

Woah! So your grandfather is Gordon Mitchell !!!

[@patricklundstrom8376]

Poor Hurricane, Spitfire stealing all the thunder...

[@Poulpink]

Spitifre also steals it from Typhoon and Tempest :'( Hurricane and Typhoon tried to gain it again with rockets n shit but still spitfre is better, silly spitfire :'(

[@harrywoolston6996]

Tim C I agree. As much as the spitfire is incredible and is one of the best fighters of the war, the tempest was the fastest propeller aircraft and handled like a dream too

[@TimeTravelStudios]

+Royal Blues Aerobatics - Did you, perhaps, fly one? ;D

[@DrewWithington]

Yes it's not fair. But Hurricane was like a normal horse and Spitfire was like a thoroughbred race horse in the Derby. Those elliptical wings and the streamlined fuselage. 40mph faster from the same engine.

[@ingoelsen9910]

And not to forget the men and women of home chain, that made the fighters appear right where they were needed

[@Avofan]

Nothing like the sound of the Rolls Royce Merlin.

[@deanmckellar619]

Yeah but it'd be better if it wasn't muted out by the sounds of a screaming Clarkson

[@ajnode]

+dean mckellar You realise you can watch videos of Spitfires that don't have Jeremy Clarkson in them, right? Why the fuck would you come to this video if you don't like the TG presenters ya dopey fuck?

[@Avofan]

ajnode​ yes there are other videos out there but you make a stupid post to showing how ignorant and stupid you are. You yourself wasn't expecting Jermey to be yelling while flying in the Spitfire. 

[@ajnode]

Alexander Love Yes I did.

[@Cee64E]

I know, right? Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

[@britishguy4615]

Every time I see a spitfire goose bumps appear. I love being British sometimes.

[@prouductiveheavey]

👏🏻 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 same here 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 👏🏻

[@koneeche]

Screw your F-16 jets, We got Spitfires.

[@nosteponsneek4616]

you are an japanese so ha you just got A6Ms. Eat My Bf109...

[@mr.caswell2388]

+Michelangelo Boldri For once I meet another person who understands and appreciates the Centauro! G.55, what a beautiful bird.

[@Muck006]

+Michelangelo Boldri The Me 262 wasnt really "too late" ... Germany had a loonie at the helm who wanted them to be bombers and so the planes had to be modified (and made worse as a fighter). Its always nice if your Dictator interferes with the military because he thinks he is a genius.

[@yaialai98]

*I appear with HA1112* Somebody said something?

[@LuaNub]

take my PO-2

[@whoot78]

I'm a Canadian and the Spitfire sends a tingle down my spine, knowing that our Granddads also flew with the RAF during the war. It's not only a British person should be proud of that plane. I think everybody who's from Canada and Australia have a special place for the Spitfire and the RAF as well. :)

[@gmctech]

There's something about that gutteral growl and scream that only a spitfire can do.... I'm from Canada and my great uncle who was from Nova Scotia was a spitfire pilot.... it makes me shiver every time I see a spitfire fly online... what these boys who instantly became Giants of humanity did back then so willingly and without hesitation to protect their countrymen should give every person pause for thought. My dream is to see a Spitfire and a Lancaster in all their glory, to watch them fly and if I could, touch them... in addition to my uncle who piloted the Spitfire i also had a great uncle who was the pilot of a Lancaster and was mainly involved in electronuc warfare (he sadly didnt make it home, but gave it his all in the European theatre to push forth to victory) I love everything aviation, but the Spitfire and Lancaster both hit close to home; I could ramble on and on forever about them but at the end of the day I tip my hat and give thanks for these planes and especially these young hero's that piloted these gorgeous beasts without reservstion. Bravo men, bravo and a deep warm thank you for giving so much.

[@notlikely4468]

I did my medic training in a Veteran's hospital....EVERYBODY who was in the RCAF '35-'55...was a spitfire pilot...and they all flew in the Battle of Britain As our NCO used to quip..."for The Few....there sure are a lot of them...."

[@shopldt538]

Yes its an iconic sound. Just need to hear it and it brings emense pride and respect to all who fought. But to me its a noise that makes you feel safe and warm inside.

[@ashruscoe3920]

gmctech Nice comments.. the empire is reinforced, personal stories are reinforced. I had an uncle (uK) who served on merchant ships from uk to canada. Torpedoed, sunk and lived twice. family legend describes this was both times in novascotia. including that one of these occasions when talking to hospital staff (Nova Scotia) and discovered that there was Kin connection. uk back then and now relies on like minded countries. I live. In Australia.

[@declandickson2839]

yeah I have a spitty ace great uncle too. But I'm Torontonian

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

We Brits tip our hats and give thanks to the Canadians, Aussies & Kiwis- who provided stalwart, unflinching support to Britain during both world wars. RESPECT.

[@gaptoofgranny]

dakkadakkadakkadakka newwooorrrr. plane noises. inside a plane. yeah it's that awesome.

[@Simon_r2600]

Thats not just plane noises. That are Spitfire Rolls Royce Merlin V12 Engine noises.

[@paleoph6168]

3:14

[@TehKazlehoff]

i feel bad for the pilot who had to ride with clarkson. he must have lost some kind of bet with the other 2 pilots.

[@ErenSagin]

i was thinking exactly same thing about

[@Callllum]

TehKazlehoff why?..

[@vidribbin]

james may richard hammond, in awe, Clarkson shout a lot ,i love it

[@sblack48]

Hopefully he/she could turn off the intercom.

[@notlikely4468]

Canadian...they got all the shit jobs

[@qwertgfdsaful]

The British are wonderful people, and they deserve every bit of pride and glory for contributing to the world’s peace winning the Battle of Britain

[@dhtelevision]

Teatro Theageri Thanks

[@javiergilvidal1558]

The world was in peace before Britain declared war ..... Twice!

[@javiergilvidal1558]

@Johannes Liechtenauer Please stick your stupid insults up your stinky wide ass. Before calling anyone what YOU are, read some history and learn about all the British manoeuvring to concoct the next war. Germany was intended as a British-built missile to destroy the USSR -a manoeuvre which proved successful in the long run.

[@joelangley7974]

@@javiergilvidal1558 in what way was the world in peace before Britain declared war, most of Europe was under attack by the German army.

[@neilcoo]

@@javiergilvidal1558 You're an ignorant and dangerously wrong idiot. Read this: www.britannica.com/biography/Adolf-Hitler/Rise-to-power

[@richardtattersall647]

some say that was top gears finest moment.. most peoples boyhood dream to fly in a spitfire. twas mine.

[@buffalo827]

The funny thing is I reckon the Spitfire is better than any car they've driven on this show.

[@philipadastra]

It's faster, yes. But better? Define better. It's an airplain man.

[@buffalo827]

philip s Just cooler I think. Much sexier. I just prefer planes I guess, not much into super cars I reckon they're tacky and try-hard. I just drive a Golf.

[@philipadastra]

Thats the thing. We cant get any of them.

[@user-gq9gm2en4g]

Probably

[@douglaspealing5608]

I'd say it's more badass. Don't know of many supercars that have saved the world from a mass murdering psychopath..

[@peterjeevesphotography7613]

Clarkson: Living a childhood cream May: 'This is rather nice'. Hammond: Didn't seem overly excited

[@brunoleal5123]

How didn’t seem overly exited he was like a child in Christmas morning

[@DannyCZ]

Peter J P - so very true!!! :-DDD. Both M&H are pilots, H even the heli pilot. 1000+ for using “rather nice” :-)

[@AdamMann3D]

James knows the woman that owns the famous 2 seat spit and has flown it. It's less of a big deal for him.

[@richardgarno6591]

Interesting logic Jeremy. It's like using a garden hose on a house fire before the fire department arrives, then taking full credit for whatever bits of the structure are left.

[@Thesecretlifeoddmh]

Not really... the British were far from defeated after the end of the Battle of Britain. Jus took at the campaign's in North Africa for example. We had to wait a while until we got any sort of strong support

[@rmstitanic8163]

The Spitfire. Designed by a Legend. Built by craftsmen. And flown by Heroes. The most beautiful aeroplane ever to grace the skies. I never get tied of watching this magnificent machine. And listening to the growling of it's Merlin engine. 👌

[@deanlarge4883]

First time I've seen this clip in a while... To those who say they'd love a trip in a Spitfire- you really would! I was lucky enough to do what the Top Gear Trio did a couple of years ago, and I'm still smiling about it...that moment when the chap in the front says "You have control..." and you find yourself flying a Spitfire. Absolute magic. :-)

[@canicheenrage]

"The country it saved". With a little help from the Hurricanes. ;)

[@jjt1093]

Damn right :)

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

I loved the way Jeremy and James were cheering along at every turn and Richard just had a grin on his face and didn't say anything.

[@34Arran]

Just love Hammond’s smile during this. If it was any bigger his ears would disappear! You can see the fulfilment of schoolboy dreams in his face.

[@asyncawaited]

There is something quite special about the Merlin engine; a symbol of kindred blood between the British Bulldog and the American Eagle. Very proud of my brothers across the pond who gave Jerry an hellish and unrelenting fight. Thank you for your service, mighty Spitfire.

[@shtupidmate]

Matthew Sweet I love the distinctive ticking noises it makes

[@BoraRossi]

I'm Italian...3 members of my family died during WW2 when the allies attacked an ammunition factory for the Germans and on the way, they destroyed the village they were living here in Italy, people say those planes were Spitfires...but that's part of the history now...i don't have bad feelings about it, on the contrary, i think the Spitfire along with the BF-109 are the most beautiful warplanes ever made.

[@ze_rubenator]

Thing is though, Spitfires never bombed anything. All they carried were .303 machine guns, and later on 20mm cannons as well. I think the even later ones, like the Mk. XVI's, could be modified to become a dive bomber, but it would be very ineffective for carpet bombing... Though they may have escorted any Allied bombers who were passing through. To be fair, the Germans bombed the shit out of everything they came across. For example, here in Norway there wasn't a single city that wasn't flattened by the end of 1940.

[@BoraRossi]

Ze Rubenator Well, i never said they bombed the village...i said they destroyed it on the way to the factory which was 1 km away... and yeah my grandpa told me they were Spitfires attacking the village with the machine guns they had, he says he never understood why they attacked them tho.

[@rossmum]

Ze Rubenator Spitfires made pretty handy improvised dive-bombers, it was not uncommon for them to carry bombs or rockets on offensive sweeps over Europe (especially after D-Day). Over Italy and the Balkans from 1943 onwards, Mk.Vs, VIIIs, and IXs all operated in that role frequently.

[@ze_rubenator]

tommy p calling the soliders scum is just not fair. Sure, they were a part of the Nazi regime, but they were only doing their jobs, just like everybody else. Für Vaterland und Ehre. The Axis bombed the shit out of everything, and so did the Allies.

[@naterod1719]

Ze Rubenator this is true, a lot of people can easily hate the Germans, simply because of the Nazi creed. The Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe were not exactly the Waffen SS. This is true even higher up in the commanding ranks, Rommel being the best example, war without hate. He was by no means racist or even nationalistic. They fought for their country, by the foolsih decree of Hitler to almost never retreat, they fought gallantly and heroically as well. Their courage cannot be denied. The same is said for the Japanese ( whose political leaders have never extended sorrow or compensation for what they did. Unlike Germany, which is troublesome for me being part Japanese)

[@cleverusername9369]

Hammond: gleeful silence May: polite, restrained British excitement Clarkson: SPEEEED AND POWEEEERRRRR

[@highlo3517]

Could not have done it alone. All the allies did their part. Just amazes me that you guys could hold on so long. With the 109 having the altitude advantage and out numbering you guys the hurricane and spitfire pilots did a damn good job. The spitfire helped turn the war due to its modifications during the battle of Britain. You guys learned quick and were able to get rid of the 109's advantage. Spitfires are beautiful birds.

[@fm2dmax]

This is the first time I've seen clarkson so genuinely happy and impressed that he sropped all the sneer and sarcasm!

[@_nigelgaming]

“Spitfire saved the world from Hitler” *Hurricane crying in the corner:*

[@CyberEJ]

What a majestic aight, honestly. They just look fantastic. Spitfires are a legend which will live on, no doubt. Priceless.

[@JMChladek]

At least of the three, only James May can say that he "flew" a Spitfire as he took the controls from the back of Carolyn Grace's Spit in his "Toy Stories" series. And he genuinely had the time of his life doing it.

[@liamweaver2944]

One of the most terrifying words to come from a Luftwaffe pilot: “SPITFEUER!!!”

[@Modcorpable]

Have to say even at the age of 17 I got a lump in the back throat an a tear come to my eye watching this.....

[@shopldt538]

This is what is so amazing. 80 years ago this was the most advanced plane and the one everyone was excited to fly. Then 80 years later its still the plane that creates the exciement and the one that makes people cry and the one everyone wants to fly. What a plane and what an experience.

[@d2anti678]

Jeremy's reaction 😂😂😂

[@SETHWANTSAHUG]

And in all honesty, Hammond looks absolutely terrified but did a great job keeping it together.

[@billfarnham1592]

Hammond is a pilot himself. He was ecstatic.

[@darthos6257]

Bill Farnham Hammond is a helicopter Pilot, James has a fixed wing license.

[@dogstar234]

Phillip Reynolds you have to have a fixed wing to get a helicopter license

[@darthos6257]

dogstar234 Really? wow...

[@jagx234]

dogstar234 Is that a U.K. thing? Cause rotary wing licenses in the States are completely separate things from fixed wing. Then there are multiple classes of both, turbine, multi-engine, light sport, and such. Instrument ratings and FAA medical certifications can carry over between types though.

[@sblack48]

It's one thing to be in one, but to have two others right beside you so you could share the experience with your friends must have been absolutely breathtaking!!

[@elliotjames12]

god the sound they make a 1:45 when they fly past, beautiful machines

[@benjaminoates4636]

Jeremy was like a kid in a candy store, and he has the full right to be one, as I would be too o3o

[@maxillain]

This particular footage has never been aired. It's an extra footage of their arrival to Britain vs Germany challenge in series 11 episode 6.

[@TD402dd]

I've never seen Jeremy Clarkson this excited and he had every right to be. I also agree it was the combination of the Hurricane and Spitfire that won the Battle of Britain. God save the Queen!

[@hollyhs3222]

Absolutely amazing planes. So incredible that they got to ride in them!

[@jasperrasper2392]

Great respect for fighter pilots ...also the ground crews that kept the planes in the air.

[@robertcooper6853]

Great music from a great movie!

[@S.R.Crnt.]

surprisingly, or perhaps not.. I think this might be the most beautiful moment in the entire show. such pure joy on the deepest level. Like they've reached nirvana.

[@calveithtv5494]

Casual F15 chilling in the background

[@thenibblershow5305]

??

[@ChristopherHolder-j6k]

Nothing like the sight and sound of this beautiful aircraft. I envy the pilots who get to fly these warbirds

[@Lockwoodbeck61]

I have Ron Goodwins Battle of Britain theme as my ringtone but the sound of a Merlin overlaid brings a tear to my eye every time. So evocative.

[@SiljeMeum]

Even I got all teary eyed from this.. That really is a dream come true

[@rebekadunn]

Look at how happy the hamster is in this he can't even talk :D

[@kiljosh]

+ClarksonHammond&May Hahahaha yea my thoughts exactly, he was speechless the entire time. May didn't have much to say either! Maybe they were scared but hiding it from the camera?

[@TheCrimsonFckr]

I would have had the same reaction. "Spring Chicken to Shite Hawk in one easy lesson."

[@celticguy197531]

+TheCrimsonFckr and it is not to be used for Polish Chit-Chat :D

[@cesarerenzi6866]

+TheCrimson Please can you give me the address and the phone number of this flight center Spitfire. I would like also very much to live this wonderful adventure of Flying on romantic Spitfire. Thank you. Riccardo from Italy. [e-mail]

[@grabber_blu_angel]

Those Spitfires and the P-51D Mustang are amazing. Those Rolls-Royce/Merlin V-12s are great.

[@cornwallkev201]

I can understand Clarkson saying that it brings a tear to his eyes flying in a spitfire, it did to me when I had the lifetime privilege to fly in one. What an experience it was and an honour to fly in a machine that our heroes did in WW2. God bless them all.

[@ex59neo53]

A BIG THANKS to the guys that are keeping these planes in good shape !! :)

[@RumTumTuggy]

This airplane ride turned these redcoats into giddy little girls lol. I would have reacted the same way in their position to be fair

[@aaronoriain229]

Anyone notice the Royal Canadian Air Force insignia?

[@ToddSauve]

Yes, knowledgeable Canadians and many others will know that the RCAF roundel near the cockpit of the Spitfire was taken from RAF Wing Leader Johnnie Johnson's Spitfire that he flew with the Canadian RCAF Spitfire squadrons he led during WW2. The RCAF roundel did not appear on RCAF aircraft until after WW2 however. Johnson was the top scoring Allied ace in the European Theatre with 38 kills.

[@aaronoriain229]

Cool, I did not know that.

[@ToddSauve]

Now you do! Are you Canadian?

[@aaronoriain229]

Todd Sauve No I'm Irish. But yeah, the more you know.

[@ToddSauve]

Well, you're a Pink Floyd fan and that's a good sign! ;)

[@rocket8351]

That sound of an old prop plane flying by low may just be the best sound in the history of mankind. Spitfire, Mustang, Thunderbolt, Lancaster, doesn't matter, it's awesome.

[@kyberwolfuk]

we had the AVRO Anson From old warden in at RAF Waddington.. we have the Battle of Britain memorial flight 6 spitfires 2 hurricanes 2 chipmunks C47 Dakota ( Sky train ) and PA474 the uk airworthy avro Lancaster just down the road at RAF CONINGSBY. so we're used to the sound of an old prop and the Anson sounded great

[@duncangibb488]

what a marvelous clip, and with the music from The Battle of Britain from Ron Goodwin, its an absolute joy to watch. Clarkson's reaction is just so genuine, he is laughing like a drain, it almost makes me remember how i was, as a young boy on Christmas eve nights, many decades ago. I would love to fly in one of these, nothing like the roar of a Rolls Royce engine to stir the blood. fucking marvelous.

[@Bruningable]

The Hawker Hurricane saved England.

[@paavopuurunen9249]

+Bruningable :And Brewster F2A saved Finland.

[@clay9596]

+Bruningable hurricane took out bombers. spitfire took out fighters. that was their roles

[@navnig]

+Bruningable I think a fairer statement would be, 'The Spitfire didn't win the battle of Britain but Britain couldn't have won the battle without it'.

[@turricaned]

+navnig - Yup. Both aircraft (and the guys that flew them) played a big part, but the reality was far more complex. On the British side, Dowding's organisation of a brilliant communications network around the Chain Home radar and Observer Corps was a masterstroke, almost always putting the fighters in the right place at the right time. There was definitely a degree of luck involved too, as Goering's tactical naivete and tendency to be easily provoked meant that he made several blunders just as he could have had the RAF on the ropes. And on the political side, there's a strong case to be made that Hitler was always relatively ambivalent about invading the UK - he just wanted us as far out of the fight as possible so he could focus on his perceived nemesis in the USSR. The UK invasion (Sea Lion) was "postponed indefinitely" due to the unfavourable weather conditions in winter, and when he pulled the trigger on the USSR (Barbarossa) in June '41, it seemed that the U-Boats had the Royal Navy contained and RAF Bomber Command was suffering terrible losses bombing Germany - it's likely that Hitler thought (erroneously) that it would only be a matter of time before the UK negotiated for peace.

[@navnig]

turricaned The Luftwaffe themselves didn't help their own cause at all either. While the RAF rotated their pilots, even against the pilots own wishes at times, the Luftwaffe didn't give their pilots anything like as much proper R&R, compared with the amount of time off the RAF.gave their pilots.

[@skyfallpurple]

Squadron 303 decisively helped save England. Do not forget about us...

[@kenquinn84]

Polish Sqdn. Top guys.

[@HeeroYuy911]

I love the Spitfire it's beautiful but I hate how it over shadows the Hawker, The Hawker was a magnificent aircraft and during the the battle of Britain there was about 3 hawkers for every 1 spitfire maybe 4 for every one. The spitfire slowly became the primary fighter built but it was the Hawker mainly. A turn around and rearm/refuel for a hawker was about 10 mins and the spitfire was about 25-30 making the Hawker more effective. As I said I love the Spitfire but I just hate how the Hawker is over shadowed always even more so for the Pilots that flew them and did not make it back it's a little disrespectful to forget these things.

[@DavidELD]

The Spitfire is probably the more iconic for its name and looks. You can't argue that it just doesn't scream "iconic" with a name like "Spitfire" and the shape of the craft. Hell if you're starwars inclined I think it's almost like World War 2's X-wing. It just has the certain "I don't know what". But the Hurricane is a bad ass through and through.

[@highflying82]

WELL BROUGHT UP POINT HEEROYUY911 THE HAWKER HURRICANE WAS THE BACK BONE OF THE AIR WAR IN BRITAIN WITH BUILDS AND KILLS OUTNUMBERING THE SPIT WITH A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS EQUIPT MAINLY THE POLISH SQUADRONS OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN THE HURRICANE WAS ABLE TO TAKE ON ALOT OF DAMAGE DUE TO ITS WOOD AND LININ STRUCTURE AND STILL RETURN TO FLY ANOTHER SORTIE BUT THE SPITFIRE IS THE MORE PRETTY WITH THE EARLY MODEL 1A THROUGH VB ELIPTICAL WING WHICH WAS ACTUALY DEVELOPED AFTER RJ MITCHELL INSPECTED A HEINKEL HE 70 IN A WIND TUNNEL AT RAF BOSCOOMBE DOWN UK

[@DressedWings]

I hope you mean Hurricanes. ;) Hawker made lots of aircraft, and I doubt the Hawker Harts saved Britain in the summer of 1940.

[@xfatsx1991]

The Hurricane claimed more air kills than the Spitfire and it was a better dog fighter. I understand your point. Both are outstanding aircraft but you have to admit, the Spitfire looks so much better! Proud to be British! :)

[@ze_rubenator]

xfatsx1991 Are you sure about the better dog fighter bit? I saw an interview with one of the Hurricane pilots, and he said that when they intercepted German bombers the Hurricanes would concentrate on the bombers, while the Spitfires would take down the 109's that escorted them. This due to the fact that the Hurricanes just couldn't cope with the 109's. And - while there were three times as many Hurricanes as there were Spitfires - the fact that the Hurricanes were the ones mainly taking down bombers might also contribute to their higher number of air kills. Also, the Spitfire is a fucking gorgeous plane.

[@ljackso]

I have NEVER seen these guys have so much FUN! Cars are awesome but there is NOTHING like flying! Glad you guys got to fulfill your dream!

[@buffalo827]

I think most historians would agree that the Battle of Britain resulted in more of a stalemate than anything else.

[@MaxCruise73]

I take it Jeremy enjoyed the flight.

[@leftcoaster67]

I swear he had an accident in the plane. He was THAT excited.

[@nickc.8814]

Amazing! I want to do that.

[@karenstjohn6759]

And the Hurricane…

[@bcaffrey98]

RayPall, thanks. I seemed to recall that the RAF took advantage of the Spitfire's dogfighting abilities (and later their reputation in the Luftwaffe) by directing them to engage the fighters while the Hurricanes went after the bombers. The Typhoon (which I liked) was a poor 3rd place, but did well as a ground attack and attacking axis shipping along the coasts.

[@robleary3353]

Just love Jezzas enthusiasm and awe. Two great fighter planes, the Spitfire and the Hurricane halted the German Juggernaut! (Thankful for the English Channel) The Germans required air superiority for their invasion force, but they never got it!. Lest we forget!.

[@UKIrStokesLARK]

I love how Richard, being the youngest is just like "yeah cool, Spitfire" then James is like a little speechless child at Christmas who clearly wants to scream about his excitment but maintains his composure, where-as Jezza is so hyped :') Love this!

[@hugosherlock9343]

Who's here after watching The Grand Tour Season 3 Finale? 😭❤️

[@TTH77]

Yes we all know the Hurricane was the unsung hero etc and it shot down more planes etc but if the Spitfire hadn't shot down the ME 109 fighter escorts to enable the Hurricanes to deal with the bombers it would of been over anyway. So the Spitfire was the catylist to success.

[@alistairscott137]

Wrong.

[@alistairscott137]

its know that the Hurricane also shot down Me 109s as well bombers , so its all depends how good the pilot was as well.

[@radiantjet418]

I LOVE the spitfire!! BUT WHY THE HECK IS THERE A HSBC CHINA BANK STICKER ON ONE OF THEM!!!!! it's @ 0:39

[@boluomiduo]

it is a british bank

[@radiantjet418]

bedevilment21 HSBC = Hong kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

[@boluomiduo]

Andre Jitta do some research please

[@radiantjet418]

bedevilment21 Yes I know there headquarters is in the city of London with ties to Hong Kong.

[@megalomaniac86]

Andre Jitta Founded by a Scotsman in Hong Kong which was a British Colonial outpost at the time to take advantage of British trade between Britain and China. HSBC now actually stands for HSBC and not Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation since it bought the British Midland Bank and transferred it's HQ to London before the UK handed back sovereignty of Hong Kong back to China in 1997. HSBC roots are very much British, Saying it isn't British because of the name It's just like saying the East India Trading Company wasn't British..

[@axedaddyx]

The Beautiful Spitfire...and lethal I should say....and I know exactly why Jeremy is so overwhelmed in this video...it's a ride of a lifetime...I'd shed some tears on a flight in a Spitfire and giggle like a child !

[@frederickphelps2380]

I watched "Battle of Britain" last night to get me in the mood, then I watched "Where Eagles Dare," and after that I topped it off with "The Great Escape." Now I'm ready to take on Jerry!

[@R-Blix-Live]

does anyone else hate the fact that hsbc is on the side of a spit?

[@nrjelley]

BaconBitsGaming(cjrockman) Yes, but the reality is that HSBC probably paid for the restoration of that plane, hence the sponsorship logo.

[@dicktaylor2600]

Why?It is a British bank.

[@TheMarkyMarx]

take on jerry daga dag dag daga! :-)

[@huwgsxr1000]

Do you think Jezza liked that...i can't tell?

[@layton5088]

gixer turbo yeah

[@NBM3]

Glad it brought tears too someone else's eyes as well.

[@hugehelmet]

MJ627 is a MK9 and was originally fitted with a 66 Merlin engine, but later it got a 76 Merlin engine. It currently resides at RAF Waddington, where the Waddington flying club is.

[@trainknut]

Well... not that specific Spitfire, because those are two-seater training aircraft... but similar Spitfires(specifically the Mk1 and Mk2) did save the world from Hitler in a way.

[@celticguy197531]

they did they were the first one to inflict a defeat on the luftwaffe, which lead to Nazi Germany to attack Russia, imgaine if Germany did win the Battle of Britain, the gate to the rest of the world would have been open to them if Britain fell

[@trainknut]

paul morrison Please read my comment again... I didn't say spitfires didn't save the world. I said THAT specific spitfire didn't save the world, because it's an unarmed two seater training aircraft.

[@celticguy197531]

sorry my fault was tired when i wrote that sorry

[@FightingForce1]

Yup Thanks to that amazing British plane the Battle of Britain was won which allowed the allies to go head with D-Day.

[@Chebab-Chebab]

Fighting Force Tactics, rather than the Spitfire, (a wonderful plane) beat the Luftwaffe.

[@NedTheDread]

Clarkson is a beauty! Love his machine gun sounds, fuckin awesome!

[@thunderhead6133]

Always love Hammond. He really seems to enjoy everything they do and he always has a smile on

[@edj66]

I like to think that we can take inspiration for the future from that past, the engineering skill and intuitiveness, pioneering spirit, confidence, social cohesiveness that spawned the NHS etc. The stuff you're seeing in this video is entirely a bit of fun, and it is also showing Jeremy Clarkson et al's generation. My generation is not so obsessed with it, but theirs was. It permeated popular culture for decades - look at all the films, cartoons, books, kids stories, toys etc that were made!

[@surfinbird84]

Why do people feel the need to bicker over who is the best and who saved who? Think before you type. You are doing nothing except disrespecting the war dead and the few that remain. Be thankful and respectful to the many who died to give us our freedom from such evil.

[@flyingrobotpig]

surfinbird84 finally an intelligent comment

[@Dgp-d3c]

lets not get bogged down in who saved who from 'oo

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZiWYZykpJZskMU

[@zubairibrahim3795]

Well Said!

[@FOKI5895]

Mistersmith6000 - Suzuki didn't made the zero ..Mitsubishi did.

[@FatalTaco]

>The Spitfire saved the world from Hitler Meanwhile, all of the other allied planes cried as they felt insignificant.

[@clay9596]

Fatal_Taco *cough* *cough* mustang *cough* *cough* b-17 *cough *cough*

[@StewartEvans52]

PalmTopTiger131 both of wich enjoyed air superiority when they were fighting,so hardly a good comparison

[@FatalTaco]

How come so many people forget about the Eastern Front?

[@StewartEvans52]

we don't forget but the battle of britain was our war with no help at the time,trust me i have a few russian mates who i play battlefield 4 with and i tell them all the time the amount of respect i have for there parents/grandparents

[@mikewright3097]

PalmTopTiger131 Mustang powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin IX engine I believe?

[@martinnevey7258]

Spitfire. .concord. .125 train...Britain used to make such great things...thanks Eu

[@Rogerrrish]

My father was in India ,Burma and Saigon 1943-1945 and had the highest regard for Indian Soldiers, many of whom became great friends. He was in 19th Indian Div and then 20th Indian Division at the end of the war.

[@derby1919]

i was a soldier in a bit of ww2 now im 97 years old

[@derby1919]

im not actually im 13

[@dhtelevision]

Derby 12345 Are you sure

[@TRC98]

I love my countries planes ;)

[@QuinsIrishFury]

This looks awesome! I'm such a history nerd. : 3 Top Gear UK for the win! Top Gear US can suck it!

[@QuinsIrishFury]

Glinkling Smearnops No Shit Sherlock. : )

[@Taser1-1]

Did the British really saved the D-day? From my point of view they Russians did far more work. When the Allies invaded France, most of the war-battered German units they met were undermanned, short of armor, trucks, heavy artillery, almost immobile, and reduced to less that 40% combat effectiveness by previous hard fighting on the Eastern Front.

[@NextGen_Pants]

***** Of course, if they fell in the Battle of Britain. Without a launching platform, D-day never would've happened, a major component of the allies would've been down to whatever was left in Africa, which wouldn't have lasted much longer as Operation Torch never would have never been executed. Russia would not been able to fight Germany alone without the opening of a 2nd and 3rd front. They also depended greatly on U.S. supplies from the Lend-Lease act, and without a strong ally in Western Europe, I doubt American supplies would've even made it to western Russia. Each of the big 3 allies had a very important role to play in the liberation of Europe.

[@sulasaurus]

same

[@Priest57man]

Aldo F Mayo oh shut up😂😂

[@craigpennington1251]

Some body give him a chill pill. But hey, who can blame him. What an experience and a thrill it must be. Enjoy it guys, this stuff is priceless and so are the gents who flew them in battle.

[@jrcrawford4]

LOL he's screaming and May is all like, "Don't yell on the intercom, Skip" and Hammond just grins and waves a lot. What a cool way to spend the day. The BOB soundtrack is nice too.

[@tomppa1974]

Actually Jeremy, it was Hawker Hurricane. The plane that saved Britain from jerrys.

[@quasar_33b]

not really hurricanes went for bombers because they couldn't compete with the BF 109s , and the spitfires fought it out with the Bf109s

[@yaialai98]

Hurricanes shot down more targets than the spitfires

[@DougHanchard]

Both airplanes did. As did what few AA guns on the ground. But what really saved Britain was Radar. The Spitfires and Hurricane's didn't have a chance if they could not be coordinated and directed to the incoming bombers and fighters as quickly as possible without burning up excess fuel and still manage up to FIVE sorties - PER DAY. Jerry wasn't dumb either. The Luftwaffe didn't send up everything at once and drew down both the Hurricane's and Spitfires to strength levels that bordered on defeat numerous times during the early stages of the Battle. The Hurricane was just as difficult to keep flying as the Spitfire. Parts were impossible to keep in stock. The Hurricane was an effective tactical defense fighter. But it was not a match for anything else other than the Me-109 series and the bombers. The Spitfire's production soon ramped up and could fly more missions to reduce the Luftwaffe tactical advantage as more and more Bf / Me -109's had to fly escort and go after the Spitfires while the Hurricane's could then take potshots at the Bombers. It was an effective tactic. A Spitfire often drew two or more Bf-109's away from escorting the bombers leaving many vulnerable. This is where things almost began to unravel as Air Vice Marshal Leigh-Mallory wanted big wings (mainly with Spitfires) while his counterpart Vice Air Marshal Keith Park (biased and loved the Hurricane) fought with hit and run tactics in smaller fighter sweep formations. From a post mortem tactical perspective, both were correctly using the right tactics given the number of RAF assets available and airfield serviceability. Both aircraft served honorably during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire in the hands of an experienced combat pilot did have a better survival rate than those flying the Hurricane. The Hurricane bleed off energy at greater rates than the Spitfire, resulting in poor climb rate. The Hurricane could not outdive a BF-109 while the Spitfire did. And lets be honest, the separation of total Luftwaffe victories between the two is not all that much 55/42 (percentage) in favor of the Hurricane between July and October of 1940. And if we dissect it further, the Spitfire shot down far more Bf-109's than the Hurricane did, while the opposite is true for number of destroyed Bf/Me-110's and He-111's and Ju-87's.

[@bluesrocker91]

+Quasar _33b Not true... The Spits would attack the BF109s at high altitude where they had the advantage. BF109 pilots would typically dive away from the Spitfires to evade them, exploiting the Merlin engines weakness for negative G. The Hurricane's thick wing was very effective at low altitude and could easily out turn a Messerschmitt in the denser air. So there were often packs of Hurricanes circling a few thousand feet below to pick off the 109s that escaped the Spitfires.

[@barrierodliffe4155]

Few Bf 109`s could escape the spitfires, the so called weakness was not that much and the Spitfire being well able to gain in a dive, could soon catch up, the Spitfire was effective at low or high altitude. The Hurricanes at lower altitude were more concerned with attacking bombers.

[@rafaelrp07]

"Spitfire saved the world from Hitler!"-> THIS IS NOT CORRECT! The radar/ Britain intelligence service saved Britain from Hitler and USSR saved the world from Hitler. The allies did the Dunkirk evacuation in Operation Dynamo that saved many soldiers lives. But Britain was isolated and did not showed contra-offensive (none of the Allies showed) until the Nazi empire lost the 6th Army (the biggest and the greatest army in the Wehrmacht) in the battle of Stalingrad! The 6th army had the greatest commanders and the most experience nazi soldiers (those ones who invaded and took Paris from France). Also many Panzer divisions got lost or suffered big casualties.The Allies just invaded europe again on the D-Day after Hitler use many soldiers from Western front to invade Russia and lost hundred thousand lives, equipment, army logistic, etc. Before that, Britain was trying to defend itself to keep alive, US was fighting with big difficult in the Pacific front and Ocidental Europe was in the hands of Hitler. People can defend that Britain did this, US did that, wherever. We're forced to believe that D-Day was the "honor battle" to take Europe against Nazi's but Hitler has already been bleeding out its power since milions of people died into the Soviet/Russian land. Said that, I agree that Spitfire was the greatest airplane of Second World War! It's iconic and a masterpiece warbird from Allies side.

[@hbilha]

Also, Hurricaines shot more nazi fighters than Spitfires did, in the battle of britain.

[@jpteknoman]

and let's not forget that in that battle germany had sent Bf110 and Ju87 only. the Bf110 was a heavy fighter with pityful performance and the Ju87 was a dive bomber, meaning that it flew in a straight line to the target hoping to reach it before getting shot down. the germans did not expect the RAF to have anything but small slow biplanes and were caught unprepared. had they known, they would have sent BF109 and Fw190 as escorts, that outperformed the early spitfires and huricanes completelly, and would have won easilly. by the time germans learned from their mistake, the british had the radar and their planes could get in the air early so they could be in a position to engage in equal terms. the same thing that happens with hurricanes and spitfires, happened with the japanese zero and Ki. the zero and the spitfire got famous, the hurricane and the Ki were the better performing planes that did all the work

[@UKEnduro]

hbilha that's because there was more hurricanes then spitfires in service at that time

[@rafaelrp07]

I think Hurricane is overshadowed 'cause their main target in the Battle of Britain was against Nazi bombers and Spitfire took place against Nazi fighters (and histories of legendary dogfights must had been known afterwards). Btw, I think this quit unfair. Hawker Hurricane score in this battle is about 55% of German losses (as far as I know).

[@2009SONICFAN]

don't care SPITFIRES ARE STILL F****** AWESOME!

[@TheBluntMan]

noooooo Polish pilots save the GB from cataclysm of nazi !!!!! Poles save your ass !!!!

[@Evilroco]

while I acknowledge the great contribution of Polish pilots during "BoB" they were less than 150 out of 2500 ,the Czech's ,Aussie's and Canadian's also played a vital role.

[@louiscyphre6655]

Michael Dwojewski A już chciałem to samo napisać im po polsku.By bardziej się namęczyli.

[@louiscyphre6655]

Evilroco Mam gdzieś globalne liczby ! Ci polscy piloci statystycznie zestrzeliwali dwukrotnie więcej Niemców , przy trzykrotnie mniejszych stratach ! Jakby nie liczyć,byli PIĘĆ RAZY LEPSI ! A teraz was dobiję - NADAL SĄ NAJLEPSI W ŚWIECIE !

[@Evilroco]

I have nothing but praise for the Polish pilots of 302 , 303 sq and those in other RAF squadrons. The 140 odd who took part in the BOB shot down 201 enemy aircraft with a loss of 27 pilots and 81 aircraft a good tally but not as dominating as you suggest.

[@TheBluntMan]

bull shit !

[@batteredwarrior]

Yeah, it was incredible! Really stirred the emotions... And this was at Old Warden, in Cambridgeshire. A 1930's era airfield, surrounded by 30's and 40's aircraft (and earlier!)...very evocative!

[@zellarsDD777]

The plane Clarkson was in actually couldn't have been at the Battle of Britain because it was marked with the symbol of the Canadian RAF, which was not equipped with Spitfires at the Battle of Britain but Hawker Hurricanes.

[@kyberwolfuk]

I think she was a post war trainer last saw her at RAF Waddington since been sold

[@colonelmomo666]

First flying lesson the other day, and I pretty much had the same energy as Richard. The instructor was asking me if I was enjoying it and if I was alright and all I could do was stay speechless and smile like a kid. I can't wait to go back up there!