Spitfire - lower your head!

Watching a real Spitfire in flight is an awesome experience, but how about finding yourself unexpectedly at the end of a surprise "strafing run"? THAT was low!

[@Whitpusmc]

From a US Marine who loves his Corsairs, that there is one absolutely positively gorgeous hunk of England’s best!! Love it!!

[@barryessam4731]

Glad you enjoyed our spitfire, she is a beauty.👍👍👍👍👍

[@Pavia1525]

I have a framed autographed painting of Pappy Boyington that he gave to my father.

[@Whitpusmc]

@@Pavia1525 I’m jealous!! That’s a family heirloom for sure.

[@20PhantoM07]

F4U if I remember right? Another beauty!!

[@Whitpusmc]

@@20PhantoM07 You do!

[@ARS-77]

You Brits made a beautiful piece of machinery with the Spitfire. Love the sound of that Merlin engine.

[@RaymondCore]

The most beautiful fighter airplane ever designed. Thanks for the upload.

[@GordyM-ov7pt]

Agreed.

[@johncrispin2118]

If ever an aircraft looks like it was meant to fly it is the spitfire, it’s sheer grace and balletic movement is unique.

[@hughjaanus6680]

its sheer grace....

[@jimbartlettjr]

There does not exist any creation of the hand of man that is more beautiful than a Spitfire.

[@shaunpatterson9148]

Lads, (or Lasses) im sorry to disagree but your wrong. There is another aircraft which looks like it was crafted by a god with the sole purpose of flying. The Dehaviland Mosquito. The clean lines, The Perfect curves, the symphony Orchestra in 24 parts of merlin! Never have i heard a silent airshow crowd, till two merlins on the same aircraft started up.

[@raywellswork]

@@shaunpatterson9148 Whilst I agree with you on the beauty of the Mossie I have to go with Jim. I watched 25,000 people shut the hell up in 2010 when this happened. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWfGZKlvns6bndk

[@raywellswork]

@@jimbartlettjr 100% agree Old Bean. Have never seen one land without bouncing even with Ray Hanna in charge. They do not like to land.

[@daviddickey1994]

Two thumbs up from an American to the WWII RAF fighter pilots - one of the greatest groups of men in history. And those who designed and built their awesome planes. Thanks UK!

[@dashcroft1892]

Additional two thumbs up to all the Commonwealth pilots who flew, fought, and lost their lives in the far flung corners of the globe - including my great uncle, from Hearne, SK, who lost his life over the Med defending Malta. Facta non verba.

[@SuperDad58458]

And Back at you guy's for backing up with your Planes and Men And girls. And i wont name the planes as all the American one's. Hey they all had their space in deciding the out come.. And the the Jock's that flew them

[@paulmac007]

And .... thanks to the USA for the glorious P51 Mustang .... with the Rolls Royce V12 Merlin engine. Those aircraft were the wings of angels for the ground troops ❤️❤️❤️

[@martinhambleton5076]

Respect to you Sir!

[@timothydraper3687]

Thumbs up back again, the American daylight bomber crews paid a huge price. 4 thumbs up, if I had four hands.

[@Greynerd]

A spitfire operating off grass. it doesn't get any better

[@johncheetham4607]

As I mentioned previously I'm not a pilot. Were not having a dig at the coverage. Bet you you were bricking it capturing that flight. 😎😋

[@almostcorporalthorne8799]

Saves the extremely expensive tires

[@JohnSmith-vi5pz]

You're probably getting confused with horses, Spitfires operate of Avgas. ;-)

[@necessaryevil3428]

If theres a greater noise in the world than a merlin at low level, i am yet to hear it

[@uncledodge9396]

I've operated off grass many times and have got quite high doing so...

[@claudevieaul1465]

I really feel I've been lucky enough to have seen Spitfires take off, fly around and land, from pretty close range. There's nothing like the full-throated roar of an RR Merlin. Absolutely beautiful aircraft.

[@jackthebassman1]

Some years ago, I went to an air show I think it was it was Lakenheath, the RAF BBMF were there on the ground, due to take of together at a certain time. When the time came it was difficult to get close due to the crowds but the sound of those six Merlins were something to behold, there was hardly a dry male eye in the place.

[@GordyM-ov7pt]

@@jackthebassman1 Glad to hear I'm not the only one who gets emotional at the sound of a Spitfire.

[@riproar11]

I have seen WWII war bird airshows in the US since 1994. After the 2011 Reno Air Races crash, air shows were really tamed down. Low and close to the spectators seats fly by's became a thing of the past. I made this comment out loud during a 2012 air show and a British gent said to me, "Mate, you need to go to Duxford to still see that kind of flying."

[@alantillett7614]

All the top modern day fighter jets in the world, can not match the beautiful sound of that Merlin engine. Class.

[@arminiuszmazowszanin2670]

modern planes are like rockets

[@Giantsfanghg]

True but that tomcat god damn if it doesn’t excite me

[@ralphcrisp2896]

The Merlin sounds as if it can always reach back and find more power. To me, this corresponds with the "unlimited power," that Merlin, King Arthur's magician, was believed to possess. Just my guess as to why they named it the Merlin.

[@diagorosmelos3187]

That last bit with the roll and slip of the Spitty made me smile. I can imagine in WW2 some cocky pilot after a mission doing that over the base before landing. (Maybe I've watched too many B&W war films.) "Chocks away Ginger"!

[@JohnCampbell-rn8rz]

Experienced pilots and Squadron Commanders were dead against the Victory Roll. It killed the odd inexperienced pilot who didn't realize he'd sustained damage during a dogfight.

[@jimbartlettjr]

@@JohnCampbell-rn8rz I really appreciate that scene in the movie BoB

[@GRDwashere]

The spitfire, P-51 mustang, F4U corsair, dehavilland mosquito, and P38 lightning.... I have struggled my whole life trying to decide which is the most beautiful aircraft ever built among those five. After 50 years of contemplating I have to declare it a five way tie.

[@davidlegg9690]

you're so right

[@alanharvey9720]

Gabriel R.D. your choices of aircraft are exactly the same as my own. Well said! My dear Dad had Corsairs on his British carrier during WW2 (HMS Speaker) and I love this aircraft, but for me, the Spitfire wins in many respects. I'm kinda undecided in another way though, cos the Mosquito was such a fantastic plane! It is a VERY close contest and not an easy one to decide with so many attributes of each plane to be considered.

[@user-yb4eu9jx6v]

messerschmitt bf 109..

[@mothmagic1]

yep

[@markbaker3172]

Lol ya but man if function follows form.... never will be a more beautiful fighter then the spit

[@idleonlooker1078]

Sexy and superb!! Over 80+yrs since the iconic Spitfire first flew and they're still giving awesome flying displays. Spitfires helped win that essential victory against the Axis (The Battle of Britain) without which WWII - and our current world - would have been lost. IMHO the Spitfire is STILL the best fighter of that era. Keep flying your gorgeous Lady!! 😊👍

[@davidparry1982]

Love that you can hear the skylarks singing as the Spit flies over the boundary - very evocative

[@johnrussell1202]

I loved the Spitfire , As a little kid I used to stand on the road at Turnhouse Airport (RAF 603 Sydn ) Spits came down the runway ant took off right over our heads .

[@andrewh5457]

In the battle of Britain, the pilots were no more than kids. Respect.

[@MrTubbymarshall]

Geoffrey Wellum was 18yrs old. His book First Light is an enchanting read.

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

And 70 hours was enough flight experience to be sent to war. The Spitfire has a bit of a roll tendency at low speed so every so often a brand new pilot would just die on the first flight, loosing control right after rotation.

[@davidgray3321]

My father was trained to fly in WW2 ages 17!

[@woverby1963]

Spitfire is a gorgeous , lethal plane. Love the sound it makes and its a joy to watch. My favorite by just a hair though will always be the P51, by a hair mind you, very close race to me.

[@williamtomkiel8215]

While you're "kicking" back, dealing with the covid thing and all that, for presumably better or worse It would be appropriate to take some time to raise a glass of thanks to all original Spitfire pilots who stood for the right thing at the right time

[@johnlawrence7386]

I do, I also give thanks to the men of the army and navy, and all the women who helped save this country, today's youth would not be here , but for them.

[@henhousewoodworking1351]

Amen to that

[@StonyRC]

Absolutely - we British were fortunate enough to have pilots from many countries serve with the RAF. Many Thanks to each and every one - Warriors All.

[@quacksmack7449]

and to ensure these cucks of 2021 don't piss away your freedoms like they are working so hard to do. These lads would be sad.

[@charlestaylor8566]

Don’t forget the real victor of the B of B The Hurricane !

[@marcguidry5744]

Though I've never seen a spitfire in other than video, I've heard that Merlin engine many times up close. There was a father and son flying team here in town, and they flew a P-51 Mustang during the yearly airshows. The roar of the Merlin is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

[@lonniebailey4989]

How the Spitfire is beautiful. I’m from America and the Spitfire is one of my favorite planes, on par with the P-51 Mustang.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

Gotta love that Victory Roll at the end

[@im9282]

Christopher Plummer would disapprove.

[@BillyCalhoon]

Has a place in every Englishman's heart, along with the Hurricane.

[@scottmorgan8048]

Englishman ?

[@keithhenderson3727]

Scott's Welsh Irish polish French chec Israeli USA Canadian etc not just ENGLISH

[@chumleyk]

Let the man speak for his own kind and not for others. Isn't that how the world works now!??

[@scottmorgan8048]

@@chumleyk nah

[@paulmac007]

@@keithhenderson3727 Designed and built in England by an English man from Stoke on Trent. Not taking anything away from Squadrons containing any countrymen at all .... but my take on that perfectly decent comment was the Spitfire was an English aircraft. There's always one though I guess 🙄

[@ianhaggart1438]

Always send the goose bumps out. Love the sound, the icon that is the Spitfire and the freedom it helped make. To all the service personnel past and present we thank you. 👍 🥃

[@jamesb.9155]

Amazingly big airscrew on it and that Merlin V-12 roar is mighty impressive!

[@dormantsuperhero]

Flown as it used to be, before becoming precious history.

[@moodymysta]

this is how it would have been flown in 1944, when buzzing your local village ! beautiful if a little risky

[@matthewcaughey8898]

@@moodymysta but it would have felt good knowing that at least during the day Jerry was going to get an ass whooping if he decided to mess with you cause that Spit was up there somewhere

[@moodymysta]

@@matthewcaughey8898 you know it!

[@jeremybunn8473]

The fact that it looks a bit risky makes this clip more enthralling for me. This must have been the way the Spitfire would have been handled in WW2, I love the way he just opens the throttle as soon as he has straightened up and takes off as if the ' scramble ' bell has just been rung ( no fannying around with instrument checks ). I also like the angle of approach as if seen from an enemies point of view, it looks like he is coming in for an aggressive attack on the viewer. Great stuff.

[@robertmarsh3588]

Wonderful, evocative video. I count myself lucky everytime I see and hear one of these marvellous aircraft.

[@richmarsh5029]

Good on ya mate

[@John-ob7dh]

5 months ago, I went up in one ,and had the stick for 5 mins .Awesome. The one I went up in shot down a 109 on its 2nd day of service on 27 Sept 1944 over Arnhem.

[@jamesgrant5689]

My second favourite plane of all, only beaten by the mighty Mosquito.

[@steveweston6287]

James Grant yes I agree totally but what about the lightning? (thejet engingined one)

[@peterclapson6785]

P51 Mustang with Merlin engine

[@barrierodliffe4155]

@@peterclapson6785 It took the Rolls Royce Merlin to turn the P 51 into a good fighter but it was still not a Spitfire.

[@darrellsimpson6966]

Yes, the Mosquito is beautiful, but to me the spitfire is perfect. In the same way as the mark 1 E type (sort of).

[@peterclapson6785]

@@darrellsimpson6966 Series 1 E Type- now you are talking ! Been luck enough to have ‘flown’ both the Mustang and Spitfire but never driven my dream car

[@jamessutherland762]

Love that sound. The sound of a TRUE fighter

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

james OOOOOHHHH Love the sound of that PACKARD built in AMERICA version of the Merlin !!! FYI MkXVI spitfire !! !

[@scottbeaudry121]

This video is fantastic, the low flyover and the barrel roll are really cool.

[@edwinvandenberg4025]

An amazing plane with an amazing sound, love it.

[@Jw-no7id]

So many of those war birds are a much beautiful pieces of art as they are amazing weapons of war.

[@georgegoldsmith8261]

Apparently if you were 26 years old in a squadron in WW 2 you were considered as being old. We all owe these pilots and ground crews whatever country they came from so so much.

[@melanieb7903]

This was great. My stepdad Lt Col Jim Goodson Distinguished Service Cross & Silver Star (lots more awards) was known as 'King of the Strafers' for this low flying, shooting up train lines, communication lines, under low bridges etc

[@DirkGently1972]

Arguably the most majestic looking fighter of WWII 🥰

[@hollis6445]

Beautiful, just beautiful. I may change my gender and start identifying as a Spitfire. Edit: Thanks for the likes everyone, hope you are all well.

[@catified2081]

I already did! LoL

[@ianstewartorr8455]

Can I be called hurricane

[@johnstewart8849]

which bathroom ya gonna lower your landing gear in?

[@catherinemcandrew117]

Prick

[@steriskyline4470]

@@catherinemcandrew117 cry harder snowflake

[@russellhueners8499]

Wow, nicely done, smooth as silk, P51 cadillac of the skys, Spitfire in a whole nother catagory, it's those damn wings, in a class by themselfs.

[@TheTruckDoesntRun]

Pure, gorgeous perfection!

[@charlieross-BRM]

You captured the complete sound of the engine beautifully. My father was proud his entire life for the intense period machining Merlin engine parts at Rolls Royce in the war years, possibly before then too. By 1951 he left Scotland to work in the aircraft industry in Canada (A.V. Roe).

[@serenityflies1462]

Praise God for this wonderful generation, who fought and died, that we might live in freedom! Respect and love forever!! ✌✌❤❤❤

[@christophernewman5027]

I agree with your comment 100%. Such a shame, however, that successive governments seem hell-bent on giving that freedom away.

[@KnightsofComputation]

Unfortunately freedom now means leave the front door wide open for anyone to walk in unvetted

[@SuperDad58458]

Probably the best beat up ive seen for Yonk's. Fly out. Tight as turn, And back over the field and at that level , Bloomin Marvelous.

[@steveboor8614]

The fellas took off with what was given to them. Just like wake island. ❤❤❤❤ Semper Fidelis. USMC.

[@nicksykes4575]

I read an account some time ago (I wish I could find it again), that Spitfire pilots in the siege of Malta at one point were so low on ammunition, that they were taking off with empty guns to try and break up German and Italian bombing raids.

[@josefsilhavy]

The best sound from aircraft engine ever.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

josefsilhavy Those PACKARD built in AMERICA do sing their song.......F R E E E E D O M !!!!!!

[@micstica]

Super marine spit fire. I love the name, I love the plane and I love the sound of that RR engine. Oddly enough the sound of the british air raid sirens feel so familiar.

[@stephenloxton43]

And I salute all American airmen for their heroism and skill. Bless you 🙏

[@calinubro]

Such a beautiful plane!

[@oliverjameshall2288]

Such an iconic sound.

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Beautiful.

[@nolanbowen8800]

What would have happened if Reginald Mitchell hadn't have started on the Spitfire in time for the Battle of Britain? I wouldn't take anything from the Hurricane but the world needed both aircraft, the Browning machineguns, and those pilots from England and other nations to turn back the Luftwaffe. There is a movie called the First of the few about Mitchell. It was very historic.

[@trumpetguy13]

Got a little tense there at 1:00 when the other aircraft touched down in the flight path😅😅. Someone fire that JTAC lol 😂😂

[@ralpharmsby8040]

Very dangerous - who was in control of the airspace? Almost a disaster.

[@dhymers]

Glad somebody else noticed this, very skilled pilot but a bit of a cocky move which could have gone very wrong with the cross traffic 😬

[@cosicave5179]

Simply wonderful

[@peterstanley7020]

Awesome. Covered in goose bumps.

[@colinphelan5381]

sends shivers down my spine

[@d17a2dude]

Wow, that's cool, but as a former atc, that seemed rather close to the ac that just landed 😮

[@Boweevel]

Loved the strafing run

[@Ant008]

Truly beautiful

[@quietjohn5523]

Flies like a dream. What a bird!

[@roysmith4716]

Simply marvellous.

[@danielcliment8251]

the sound of the spitfire is amazing....

[@quacksmack7449]

Goddamn :) That was incredible. Thank you for posting that Martin W !!!!

[@thestig3601]

You just can't get any better pleasure than hearing & seeing a Supermarine Spitfire's engine purr It NEVER ROARS ALWAYS purrs like a big Tiger 🐯🐅 😁😁😁

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

thestig You mean that made in AMERICA PACKARD built Merlin ?????

[@grahamlamond3179]

Nice video, but why has no one commented on the fact that the separation of the plane landing in front of the Spitfire was only around 5 seconds? Is this acceptable?

[@tedvicarri6153]

A thing of beauty ❤️

[@nickruckdl]

No sound as evocative as the Merlin engine ....beautiful

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

nickrukdl Especially when it is a MADE IN AMERICA PACKARD built Merlin !!!!! FYI !!

[@jeffreystone941]

Poetry in motion! What an incredible machine.

[@guaporeturns9472]

Love the later Spitfires with the bubble canopy and the deep chord rudder.

[@nicholasdavies6264]

What a beauty !

[@akroguy]

hitting replay at 1:00 numerous times. That sound NEVER gets old.

[@nickthx1138]

Dangerouus but spectacular!

[@jjt1093]

GOOSEBUMPS!

[@count69]

Birdsong? A Spitfire Merlin engine revving overhead? All that's missing is the sound of leather on willow.

[@jboland1192]

Built Castle Bromwich in 1945......so more likely a Griffon engine

[@hdublo]

@@jboland1192 RW386 is a late Mk.XVIe with a US-built Packard-Merlin 266.

[@hdublo]

@@daviddou1408 🤣🤣

[@racheljennings8548]

@@daviddou1408 Cricket bat

[@hdublo]

@Hoa Tattis No, I mean Packard-Merlin... It may no longer have the US-built engine but that's what it would have had originally.

[@derekdee9592]

Superb & that unmistakable Merlin roar ! 👍

[@richmarsh5029]

My all time greatest military aircraft..

[@PaulDavies-od4ou]

The best of Britain. Spitfire roaring and glinting in the sun while the sweet melody of the skylarks singing. If this doesnt make you patriotic tyen you havent got a pulse!

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

PaulDavies Sorry but that MkXVI $hitfire had an AMERICAN built PACKARD Merlin in it !!!!! 1of 1,040 built !!!!! DUUUUHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

[@richardcooke5792]

Horrendous and captivating at the same time. No room for the many 'what ifs' that could have happened.

[@angusmair1910]

Bet the guy landing the little yellow aeroplane was pleased.

[@markaylott1780]

I LOVE THE SPITFIRE 🥰😍

[@BoggWeasel]

If ever a piece of machinery was meant to be in sky it was a the Spitfire, the most graceful plane I have ever seen whose only home is the air

[@pappy017]

absolutely gorgeous!!

[@GeoffParsons1469]

One of the reasons that I'm writing this in English and not German.

[@angowT]

The Hurricane being the other.

[@John-ob7dh]

Jawohl

[@dickiemcvitie1752]

@@angowT The Hurricane got more kills during the Battle of Britain, but as it was newer, the Spitfire got the fame.

[@angowT]

@@dickiemcvitie1752 yep, it used to annoy my Dad who flew Hurricanes. He used to say that when he went up in a Hurricane, he knew he'd come back, unlike some of his pals in Spitfire squadrons.

[@-M0LE]

I doubt they would have forced the English to change language and I doubt they would ave anyways

[@scottc543]

Okay, that was beautiful!

[@davidwarrick272]

Spitfires are works of art. They also gave the Luftwaffe nightmares. Hats off to the boys of 1940. .

[@RayHaffenden]

Born in 1945 in the flight path for Biggin Hill, Merlin engines and Glocester Meteors were the soundtrack of my early years!

[@goonermick7786]

Ohh my god that sound it’s wonderful 😃

[@philipberry6477]

Spectacular in sound, sight and irresponsibility.

[@johncheetham4607]

That's how it's supposed to be 😎🤣😂😅

[@5alex7]

What is your aerobatics experience to say so ??

[@richardcooke5792]

He doesn't need aerobatics experience. Just a knowledge of what happens when a Merlin coughs at minimum airspeed and minimum height (over an active runway).

[@johnbradshaw7525]

Its a shame that RJ Mitchell didn't see what his beautiful Spitfire did for us British.

[@lindalahdo2519]

Maybe helaas is from the dimension Who we can not see!!!!!!

[@jacktattis]

He just broke so many safety rules I bet his licence was taken away

[@darrylkershaw6907]

Just Brilliant!!

[@2bigbufords]

makes you smile

[@pavelmirtl540]

Nádherný stroj,děkujeme.

[@markhill9275]

Aboslutely pound for pound the best aircraft ever built!

[@robleary3353]

Nothing like the sound of a Merlin going 'flat chat!'. Soo evocative!. Nice one! Nuff said. 🙂

[@peteyspaletas2023]

He's got class!😉👍

[@The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

Oh that was SWEET!

[@douglasstreet7304]

AWESOMELY AWESOME !!!

[@mcedd54]

For a warbird enthusiast it doesn't get much better than that.

[@briansilver6196]

We all love the spitfire but that was a bit dangarous there was another plane landing ,they were about 5 seconds from a collision

[@StevenJohnson-jv1iw]

Fantastic camera work! well done

[@andrewd7586]

Frigging awesome!!!😱😎🇦🇺 Lest We Forget...😔

[@genechronister7085]

Beautiful bird