Spitfire startup & Flight

Classic stuff

[@bobt6031]

One flew over myself and my brother we were about 7 yrs old he flew towards us quite low we waved at him he waggled his wings at us then as he flew over us he barrel rolled waggled his wings again and flew on that was over 50yrs ago and I will never forget it it was magical .

[@sheephelmet]

Nearly 70 years od and still the most beautiful thing to take to the air with the most stirring soundtrack. Long may the Spitfire live.

[@qasimmir9455]

The best Spitfire video I've seen, a major factor is that excellent starting procedure.

[@rawnukles]

Qasim Mir yep thats the best spitfire video I've seen too. Surprised I havn't come across it before

[@matthewhackett1710]

But, can you imagine doing all that when a bell rings frantically, and someone is screaming "SCRAMBLE!!!!! - we will let you know what for and where to go if you survive getting airborne. Tally ho!"

[@joshmcdonald5520]

@@matthewhackett1710 Quite a few things in that sequence would be prechecked and streamlined. For instance, the walkaround and visual control surfaces check would be completed when a pilot came on duty and maintained at regular intervals. The Carburetor would already be primed and ready by the crew chief. Rudder Bias and nose trim would already been set, likely by a crew chief. Spitfire crews were a coiled spring ready for action. The pilot is only as good as his aircrew, and the crew chiefs were very particular about caring for their children...

[@amirsyarifudin5287]

@@rawnukles ~

[@mycide]

Those Merlin engines... the Spitfires sound and the looks, it's perfection.

[@covidius9511]

What about Griffons?

[@marciomaiajr]

Engineers: how beautiful do you want this engine to sound? RR: Yes.

[@Blue-pw8uo]

Ikr

[@crimi.photos]

i can’t believe i never saw this gem of a video until now

[@mcpaplus]

Beautiful bird, an engine sound like no other, and the young men that flew them, heroes every one.

[@furbs9999]

Quite possibly the most beautiful machine ever made.

[@carlosalcazar8651]

Absolutely pure elegance and beauty, that merlin motor sounds incredible... Amazing

[@capnordest]

Perfection beautifully explained in 9 minutes and 25 seconds. Could never tire of listening to that engine!

[@legit.peasant]

Wow! I remember watching this video documentary when I was a kid! Never seen it since, but this was ALWAYS the best bit for me... thank you for finding this and putting it on KZbin =)

[@wesleycardinal8869]

We lived for a year in Kent, and I remember one magical summer day sitting outside a pub, near Biggin Hill, watching and listening to the sound of one of these carving through the blue English sky as we ate our ploughmans lunch. We went later that year to the airshow at Biggin Hill and saw a couple of Spitfires and Hurricanes as well as the Lancaster fly over and over, but that summers day I remember.

[@jjt1093]

I had this back in the day when it was on VHS Best spit documentary in my view

[@myZisfantastic]

No bridge in the neighborhood, too bad! Could have been "a piece of cake"! The great Neil Williams at the controls, awesome! Cheers

[@mothmagic1]

The bridge scene in "A Piece Of Cake was flown by the late, great Ray Hanna.

[@TPath3]

Beautifully done, especially the startup - sequence !

[@AdrianJayeOnline]

totally agreed

[@ats-3693]

You can't fully appreciate the beautiful throaty roar of the Merlin V12 until you have heard/seen a Spitfire flying low level manoeuvres, I wouldn't really call myself an aircraft enthusiast but the Spitfire will always be my favourite airplane, what a beast.

[@kakadz89]

This movie is just excellent! I'm getting shivers because of the sound and views in this movie. Just like when I saw this plane two times live, last year. I love the Spitfire!

[@cmans79tr7]

3:03 slow cranking sounds a little like my parent's 6 volt '52 Buick starting in the Winter back in the good ol' days.

[@normsweet1710]

Well done and film assembled , I’d never seen all the intracates the pilot goes through to ensure a safe flight. Nicely done, I thank each of you for the education 🙂

[@timbog2102]

MH434 is still in use at Duxford if anyone is interested - great plane and distinguished career! Apart from 74 missions and downing 5 enemy fighters, she was used in over 10 TV/Film roles including Midsummer Murders!! Take a look at Classic Wings if you want to get Close up and personal - you won't be dissapointed (i'm one of the vollunteers who helps out there!)

[@kiereluurs1243]

Phew, half an hour flight for £2750, or 50 minutes for £4850? That's steep.

[@Gaizhun]

@@kiereluurs1243 A two seat spitfire costs in the region of £1 million per year for regular maintenance/overhaul. It'd cost at least £3 million to buy one. Can you see why they're so expensive to fly in now? 😂

[@thanosleeds]

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen.

[@michaellefebvre8292]

thanks for that it s for me the most beautiful plane this plane is just awesome

[@gtrman9706]

So beautiful !

[@RG1001]

when i was little my mother used to sing to me to put me to sleep, whenever i hear the merlin engine i am reminded of my mother singing to me. hell of a conditioned response but one i do enjoy.

[@guardianobserver6593]

I lost my mother a few weeks ago. It's a devastating experience.

[@prowelderbill]

Everyone is forgetting the Zero and it's gracefull contribution. It was one very formidable attack air plane enough to strike fear in most pilots trying to guard against its attack.

[@fritzkatz]

=fragile POS

[@nurmister]

That start-up check is so charming.

[@nicolasmezzalira5888]

might show this video to my grandfather to refresh his memory

[@vipertwenty249]

I had the privilage of sitting in the cockpit of this aircraft back in 1981. For me, being a small chap, it was very roomy with plenty of elbow room. It was at Booker Airpark by High Wycombe at the time.

[@Dafelixxx]

nothing and I mean absolutely nothing beats the sound of that mighty Merlin...more than music to my ears

[@jamesfeuilherade3664]

Interesting with the pilot door, it has an intermediate latch setting, which will leave it slightly open. This is handy to "lock" the canopy open, to ensure it doesn't ride up the canopy rails and slam closed in a take off accident. Does make closing the canopy a bit more fiddly after take off, so not typically done. With the heavier bubble canopy, a consideration, although it was crank handle operated, so not so prone to sliding forward. Still a great video, with the late great Neil Williams flying.

[@MrRichardnorwood]

Iconic British perfection in design, performance (hence virtually no ME109's left!) and sound , also sat in MH434 when I was about 8 and still remains close to my heart 30 years later.....

[@jamesfeuilherade3664]

Yes although old, still a great video, with the great Neil Williams. The in cockpit shots are the closest to the pilots actual eye position that I've ever seen.

[@greatbritishscarface7464]

If Ed ever wants to fly a Spitfire, he is gonna have to watch this. :)

[@fritzkatz]

Over 8 years and no one mentioned that @8:13 the undercarriage is already extended, yet @8:20 the pilot selects "down"? Editing snafu in amusing contrast with the flawless piloting and maintenance. Always respect and remember: you can't have minutes of the former without hours of the latter !

[@hawker1138]

That's the flaps down lever. Gear down at under 160 IAS, flaps down at under 140 IAS.

[@fritzkatz]

@@hawker1138 R U certain? Flaps are usually selected in increments: 20° 30° etc not all up, all down.

[@migueltrombettonipipinich1719]

The best video ever!!! Spitfire is the best aircraft of the ww2!!!

[@chrishyde1216]

Great video, with excellent shots of start up, in air and from the cockpit. Great if this could be re-filmed with modern wide-screen HD cameras.

[@RickJones222]

What a beautiful airplane. Nice video.

[@spitfire4sergi]

To any warbird enthusiast out there, I don’t care how old you are: GET A GAMING PC, DCS, AND A VR HEADSET. I’m not going to lie to you, you’ll cry when you first sit in a Spitfire. There’s literally nothing closer to sitting in/ flying a real one.

[@stevewheatley243]

I've always loved the sound of a Merlin. It's almost musical.

[@VidarLund-k5q]

The famous Mk. IX MH 434. It's somewhat older sister, the MH 350, is on display in the Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø, Norway. It belonged to the 332 (Norwegian) squadron.

[@sofalugger]

To think of all the young airmen that gave their lives.....

[@beaufighter245]

Indeed, total respect to them. Sad that this post has 22 dislikes. How for goodness sakes!

[@lambdacalculus8316]

In DCS, a spitfire is a plane you can confidently fly into combat. But the take-off and landing are very challenging.

[@T_Tanko]

This makes me want to play Il-2 - awesome video

[@gglen2141]

Little hidden gem, this video.

[@dazt103]

Thanks for posting this fantastic vid !:) Its been sooo long since I last saw this.

[@ChrizRockster]

I always thought the trim would have to be adjusted on the rudder before take-off - glad to find my thoughts were correct.

[@NielsMF]

Great video thank you for uploading

[@andysim232]

wonderful aircraft, its so organic, its like something mother nature would have created. It just might be one of the most beautiful machines ever created by humans.

[@fritzkatz]

"might"?

[@jimcowley330]

The sound of the Merlin engine was herd alot over Eastleigh Hampshire where I was born of course Eastleigh is famous. because that's where the first spitfire took off on its maiden flight ✈️

[@paulchappell9606]

as one of my favourite music artists said in their song spitfire (public service Broad casting) you can't help but get a kick at the sound of a spitfire, how bloody true, what a Beautiful plane but deadly all the same.

[@DrCrabfingers]

The Merlin engines..just the best sound. The Spit is the most beautiful plane ever built in my opinion...very closely followed by the Sukhoi 27. The 27 is the modern equivalent I guess...stunningly beautiful design and totally fit for purpose.

[@DrCrabfingers]

The SU27 has obviously now been superceded but you get my drift...

[@marcoortiz4579]

One of the best planes ever...

[@techmantra4521]

That is an eargasm and an eyegasm.

[@claudiocarbone2225]

Amazing video for an iconic amazing fighter!

[@peterelmer9114]

That sound ; pure magic 👌🏻

[@Stickman2030]

What a rush! Nothing like that motor sound.

[@xjboy550]

A dam fine documentary ! I used to have a copy but sadly no more !

[@leiker06]

oh, no doubt it is a sleek looking plane. good craftsmanship. same goes for the 109. good engineering by both.

[@HSTMDad]

Still wearing her BoB makeup - spurious squadron markings and cannon barrels removed! Someone else mentioned the late Neil Williams - great pilot - saw him fly Shuttleworth's Mk V - memorable!

[@slicer819]

Neil Williams and the Spitfire was a marriage made in heaven...I saw him display both MH434 and AR501 at Old Warden, just aerial poetry. And to have enjoyed that AND Ray Hanna wringing out MH434 is a privilege beyond price. Great video...oh to see it in 4K......

[@neil2905]

jesus christ what a beautiful plane

[@craigpennington1251]

A true beauty.

[@treyno1991]

Either way I'm sure we can agree both are a seriously cool fighters!

[@jasonga]

Incredible, but lets not forget the Hurricane!!!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Thank you very much! Greets from the Netherlands, T.

[@billthorn8802]

Awesome piece!

[@marcduchesnay5536]

Le plus beau des avions !

[@jimsmith1856]

The sound of victory.

[@usmctanks1]

There are now more Spitfires airworthy than at any time since the end of WW2 (Yeah) and there is now the ability to build one with only the original data plate.

[@nurmister]

That's so great to hear!

[@Mattebubben]

@BigLisaFan the 109 F4 and G2 Also Looks perfect they are all Smoth

[@darthrevan2063]

Such a cool plane.

[@scAlpha7]

Indeed. A Fantastic video of and Amzing aircraft

[@eduardomendes2557]

Beautiful aircraft, i like.... Brazilian

[@24bellers20]

Second landing was the best one.😊

[@BeliVolk]

Now that is a great video! Great thx for sharing! S!

[@frankleonard6570]

great old bird! beautifull!

[@spitfire690]

lol gotcha, being a rebel eh? I like the 109 too, it looks and even sounds sinister...it was a formidable opponent! But you have to admit, the Spitfire is a beautiful aircraft ;)

[@troppapolvere]

Really beautiful machine. Do you know which kind of plane filmed the external video sequences, flying close to the Spitfire? Thanks!

[@PeterFabian]

Hispano 20s were being installed since the late Mk IIs. This is a IX, it definitely had cannons.

[@MrGetonyourbike]

brilliant vid thanks for posting here to youtube

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Someone is have way to much fun here and I don't blame them.

[@peterblake4837]

Until Charlie Church took to agricultural flght, we often saw one or more Spitfires doing low-level flights over my house in Hants. All gone now.

[@gamalielneto3647]

simply gorgeous

[@AdrianJayeOnline]

THIS WAS A TOTALLY FUCIN AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE VIDEO

[@70sheaven]

Used to be flown regularly by her owner the late great Ray Hanna

[@kevinburns5762]

And what a pilot he was

[@gilbertoacevedo7525]

What a beauty...

[@Jupesh-d9m]

Once upon a time it was a a tiger in the air 🐯😍

[@KuroHebi]

It's a shame this plane isn't a two-seater so that I could have a joyride with a pilot flying it and me sitting in the back just taking it all in. Guess I'll have to learn how to fly a Spitfire myself.

[@spitfire690]

I almost forgot to mention, I'd be more than happy to give you any info you need if you'd like!

[@DazDaMan]

Yes, they did, but the cannons were removed from this aircraft after its service with the Dutch.

[@roderickval]

Awesome Video. In minute 2:41 he says "Prop constant speed Control Forward" And he moves the Red lever which is the Mixture Control, The prop pitch is the black one on the right. Ive seen Pilots Hit both starter & Boost Coil then move the mixture forward for ignition. Here looks like the Mixture is forward prior to hitting start. Which one is correct? Or Both work?

[@mline250]

Possibly mixture rich for priming

[@jondoe8816]

Maybe planes are like cars / motorcycles. You get to know how to start your vehicle

[@iancharlton678]

MH434 - exquisite - THE Spitfire....🇬🇧 Wonder who was the lucky pilot..? Assume it was Ray Hanna.... up there still with Mark, somewhere above the clouds...🙂 Echo of my youth.....

[@ruyb001]

Amazing this vídeo.

[@keithphilbin3054]

Great plane and excellent video ! (bit of a dodgy landing at the end, though)

[@baselhammond3317]

I know 434 is a Mk.IX, but doesn't it look so wonderful without the guns sticking out spoiling the outline.

[@rollsroycegriffon2375]

I know this video is part of a full length documentary, and It's available on KZbin. Can anyone give me the link to it? It seems like I can't search of that video anymore. Thank you.

[@jondoe8816]

I wonder in a war time scramble if all these are done before take .. I can understand haw so many was shot up on takeoff

[@spitfire690]

lol gotcha ;) so you're gonna be a rebel eh? I like the 109 too, it looks and even sounds sinister and was for certain a formidable opponent! But you have to admit, the Spitfire is a beautiful aircraft :P

[@erikbilling8160]

The Late Great Neil Williams flying the Spitfire

[@robo19681963]

Very good detail of the start-up. This was from a documentary (I think BBC) in the 80's. Does anyone know what the series was called? This was from the Spitfire episode. There was a very good Lancaster episode which I want to find.

[@woooster17]

This is early footage of MH434, later to become more famous when flown by the late great Ray Hanna & the OFMC. Here she is fitted without her 20mm Hispano canons, whereas today she has them. MH434 has recently returned from a trip to Malta under the pilot/guardianship of Paul Bonhomme. A wonderful sight.. & of course, sound!

[@francisbacon6850]

Thank You!