Spitfire Mk.1a, N3200 - 19 Squadron, RAF Duxford - May 1940

[@lynnmorton7544]

I had no idea that there was an airworthy Mk1 Spitfire out there. This is very good news indeed

[@HighFlight]

I have even better news. In the UK alone there are 7 Mk.1/1a Spitfires on the civil aviation register. 3 of those are airworthy - This one, G-AIST/P7308/AR213,G-CGUK/X4650. The 4 that are currently not airworthy are likely to become airworthy in due course. There is another ex UK Mk.1a airworthy in Europe that is also currently for sale - P9374. There are also a number of Mk.1's in museums, including at the RAF Museum and IWM Duxford.

[@YannDelcan]

If there should be one only aircraft remaining in the world, it would be N3200

[@woooster17]

Had the pleasure of sitting in N3200 & Hurricane BE505 a few weeks ago. Such a stunning restoration of an early Mk1

[@johncrispin2118]

Lovely display lovely aircraft, Thank you. Thankyou also to all the brave lads who used them 81 years ago, a debt we cannot repay other than to present these working historical artefacts to modern generations. I cannot ever get over the idea watching this Spit and other early variants that the aircraft only needs a pilot to get it off the ground and back down again. The rest it seems to want to do itself. Of all the great warbirds of that ghastly 20th century conflict. It seems to have an abstract life removed from that, in its flying characteristics of ‘wanting to fly.’

[@HighFlight]

John - Thank you. I agree with what you say. Sorry that I missed your comment when it was posted!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

A really wonderful display, I notice that there was no black smoke when inverted, I assume this was rebuilt using an "orifice" modification, even the gabbling Tannoy could not distract n this one! Stay safe! Chris B.

[@Gaizhun]

I'd always thought smoke was emitted only when negative g is applied - of course, these days pilots do their best to minimise negative g during their displays.

[@azim_azcuber7263]

Yes infact you can see that in the show the pilot is doing positive g, even if the aircraft is upside down as long as you turning and pulling the stick the gravity force is not a negative one but instead positive one

[@knightflightvideo]

Great video and sound of that Spitfire Mk.1a !! 👌 Think this is probably the oldest flying Spit in the world. 😊👍

[@HighFlight]

Thanks Olli. I think it has some very old parts from the original aircraft, but most of the structure is new, as it had been buried on a beach for about 70 years. It's still a beauty though! 😊

[@knightflightvideo]

@@HighFlight Yes it is! 😊

[@spaghetti_lord6340]

Lovely sound and recording! Music to my ears. Keep up the good videos on your channel! I am Going to the Battle of Britain Airshow at Duxford in September! Can't wait!

[@HighFlight]

Thankyou. I will and I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. I plan to cover the Battle of Britain Airshow too. Looking at the participation list so far, it's bound to be a classic, presumably with more to be added. 'See' you there! 👍😊

[@spaghetti_lord6340]

@@HighFlight UPDATE! My brother just got me and my family tickets! Super excited!

[@HighFlight]

@@spaghetti_lord6340 What a great brother. You'll love it. If you're going by car you'll also need a separate car park ticket at £5 (I expect you have that anyway?). I think that your airshow tickets will also include a 'flight line walk' before the flying starts. Now all that we need to do is to arrange some nice sky!👍😊

[@spaghetti_lord6340]

@@HighFlightYes, he is amazing and also yes he bought the car park ticket. Very excited

[@spaghetti_lord6340]

Could you tell me where at Duxford you are as you seem to get stunning views from there!

[@HighFlight]

This was filmed from the very western end of the runway close to the Land Warfare Hall. It's known as the 'Tank Bank'. It's been closed for airshows since 2016, but they seem to have re-opened it at least for flying days and on ordinary days this year. I don't know if it will be open for the Battle of Britain airshow though?

[@mannythelimodriver6003]

Why does that Spit sound like it has a supercharger in it?

[@HighFlight]

If you mean the 'whistling' noise, I believe that it's caused by the non-standard, oversized rear-view mirror fairing on top of the windscreen. This is likely to be from the original aircraft. RAF pilots at the time added mirrors to their aircraft as they were not fitted as standard. So most that were used were adapted from car rear view mirrors.

[@mannythelimodriver6003]

@@HighFlight thanks for the explanation

[@HighFlight]

@@mannythelimodriver6003 My pleasure. It was discussed on a pilots aviation forum some time ago.

[@FireflyActual]

Speaking of superchargers, all Spits have one, whether they're powered by a Merlin or a Griffon. It's just that the centrifugal compressor is inaudible against the roar of the exhaust.

[@TheSuziesue]

Why does n3200 have that jet sound

[@HighFlight]

Apologies for my late reply. The whistling sound that you can hear is caused by the non standard rear view mirror that's fitted to the top of the front cockpit glazing and frame. Early Spitfires were not fitted with rear view mirrors in the factory, so pilots had car mirrors adapted and fitted instead. Later they became standard and were better aerodynamically designed.

[@TheSuziesue]

I am not biggest fan of that mirror sound. it drowns out the the sound of the Merlin engine

[@AWACS_Eagle_Eye]

@@HighFlight Really? I thought it was the wind passing through the gun barrels in the wings. Something about how the barrel is shaped, I think.

[@philipberry6477]

Nice recording ruined by idling helicopter in background.