Spitfire veteran flies again.

WW2 Spitfire pilot Jim Robinson is given the opportunity to fly in a Spitfire once again.
A quick edit of some of the days footage

[@Warbirdnz]

I am sad to say that Jim passed away last week aged 97. Rest in Peace and blue skies sir.

[@rogerwhittle2078]

Stuart Russell. Sadness then, but little grief? Age 97 and he got a flight in a Spitfire age 91 or so. I hope he got to feel the controls briefly? There is a two seat Spitfire based at Bentwaters in Suffolk, owned and flown by a woman, Carolyn Grace. Some years ago, she flew one of the last surviving ATA women and had earlier asked her if (at nearly ninety) she would like to take the controls. The lady declined saying she was far too old to do that, however, once in the air, Mrs Grace pretended she had dropped something and needed to retrieve it. She asked the lady if she would just "hold the aeroplane steady for a moment" which she did. It became clear the lady was properly flying the Spitfire, not just hanging on for dear life and over the course of a few minutes, got her to do turns, climbs and descents, which she did with all the old stick and rudder skills she hadn't used in 70 years. She later said the Spitfire was always so easy to fly, because you just had to think about what you wanted it to do "and it did it." That lady too died a few years ago and one can be sad, but one cannot grieve for such a hero.

[@droomba50]

Pilots don't die, they soar higher.

[@egnbigdave]

Flying West I hope there's a place, way up in the sky, Where pilots can go, when they have to die. A place where a guy can buy a cold beer For a friend and a comrade, whose memory is dear; A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread , Nor a management type would ere be caught dead; Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke, Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke; The kind of a place where a lady could go And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know. There must be a place where old pilots go, When their wings become heavy, when their airspeed gets low, Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young, And songs about flying and dying are sung, Where you'd see all the fellows who'd ‘flown west’ before, And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door. Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad, And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!" And there, through the mist, you'd spot an old guy You had not seen in years, though he taught you to fly. He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear; And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here. For this is the place where true flyers come, When the battles are over, and the wars have been won. They've come here at last, to be safe and alone From the government clerks and the management clone, Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise, Where all hours are happy, and these good ole boys Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest! This is heaven, my son. You've passed your last test!" ----- Captain Michael J. Larkin TWA(Ret)

[@gerrywatson261]

Thank you for defending the free world all those years ago! R.I.P. Jim.

[@1985_Honda_CRX_Si]

Rip

[@kamikazeyamamoto4545]

This made me smile. It's great to see Kiwi pilots being acknowledged and honored like this. Thank you for your service Sir. I wish my late father had had this kind of opportunity - he was a highly decorated WW2 Vet and served with a B-24 Liberator unit (15th AF). He also trained with actor Jimmy Stewart stateside before shipping out overseas (Stewart went to England with the 8th AF, while my dad went to Italy). Thanks Dad. I miss you and love you very much. (salute to you both)

[@GroovesNZ]

One last dance, Old friend

[@adventure6553]

i like this comment

[@margarettaylor5855]

Your comment made me cry, the empathy x

[@paulm5197]

We all owe a tremendous debt to people like Mr. Robinson. As Churchill said, never have so many owed so much to so few. The RAF kept Britain alive and gave us a launching point for the invasion of Europe and the defeat of the evil Nazi empire. Thank you, sir!

[@mop714]

Amongst the rest ... Army, Navy, SAS, Land Army, Home Guard. Both my mother and father were in WW2. My father was a fitter engineer RAF, repairing spitfires and other planes. My mother was in the Land Army, "Ratcatcher", and they met at a dance on my father`s demob leave. My mother`s previous boyfriend, got killed in the Navy on Suicide squad (Navy North Sea/Baltic Sea) and happen to be my father`s cousin (once remove). Small world ..

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

Agreed. The Battle of Britain was the first major defeat for the axis, and one of the first turning points in the western front.

[@av8tore71]

RIP Mr. Robinson you are a true hero that will never be forgotten

[@freeholdtacticalmed]

Watching him strap in…That man is a part of that machine.

[@Questknight12]

Legends among us, and with balls of solid steel.

[@frankirvine316]

Great to see A generation that is fading ,and very close group aviators👍

[@phtevlin]

One look at this gentleman, and you can see the young man that flew that craft so many years ago. My father served in the Pacific with the Army Air Corp (1942-1945), nearly died doing so. Thank you, gentlemen/women for all you did for humanity.

[@R760-E2]

Wonderful to see MH 367. When first completed in Florida, it had the desert camo paint, but with US markings. It was painted to represent a reverse lend-lease MkV flown by a guy named Levine. It's a very nice T-IX.

[@peterg2yt]

One of The Few... A true hero. I feel I owed him an immense debt of gratitude. Sad to hear that he has finally left us. Lovely to see this. Thanks for posting.

[@chandrashekarmb3806]

Jim sir is An Extraordinary Pilot indeed .... .

[@ShevillMathers]

Wonderful to see these old Spitfire pilots recognised in this way, I salute them all. Ex RAF MEDICAL BRANCH, Served in Germany mid 50’s, so heard many stories from the other side. Now living ‘down under ‘ 🇦🇺👍🍻

[@1chish]

The Greatest Generation. And sadly leaving us one by one. Fly high and proud FO Robinson Sir. RIP These were the guys who came to my country's aid in 1939 and especially in 1940 when everyone else stood back or had surrendered. True friends, true allies and family. Per Ardua Ad Astra

[@MarsFKA]

The look on his face, before and after. What a trip down Memory Lane for him.

[@keithlemon457]

A generation that we'll never see the likes of again. PER ARDUA AD ASTRA !

[@mosads2986]

MAY GOD BLESS THOSE COURAGEOUS HONORABLE 🎖 MEN & FIGHTER PILOTS & PILOTS ...

[@raymondeaton5692]

These old guys were great. God Bless them all. Very few are left.

[@jimclarke1108]

He is one of the reasons we are all here today, enjoying life

[@jimreilly917]

As a student of history, former USAF...the Spitfire and it's RAF pilots, including this lion and it's POLISH squadron...we're absolutely badass in defense of the UK. Doing it again in the war on terror. 🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@kinenebosco7060]

Am Ugandan born in sixties but my late grand father Bisatu took part in the ww2 Am glad some of veterans are still as Fit as that !!!

[@boytechnichian]

Nice to see an original pilot engaging in a bit of technical talk about his plane, usually in these videos they just sort of go "ooh this is lovely brings it all back"

[@keithlemon457]

The purr of that Merlin at 6:24 - music to your ears !

[@njh-er1uc]

WE OWE OUR FREEDOM TO THE MANY FOLK LIKE JIM, HUMBLE MAN WHO PUT HIS LIFE ON THE LINE FOR OTHERS, GOD BLESS AND REST IN PEACE

[@slimchancetoo]

This is the Spitfire that belly landed some years ago -- nice to see it back in the air again.

[@vicecapo8767]

That was spitfire 944 pru (photo recon unit) blue flown by a yank in 1 of the eagle squadrons

[@MarsFKA]

@@vicecapo8767 This is the belly-land that slimchancetoo was referring to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrCoH6IgqinabM

[@lukem7952]

Pilot: "I must ask you don't go below 1500 feet" Vet: " what if I stall the engine and the wing goes down." Crazy guy still got it. Much love.

[@Jose-it2xx]

To our British partners, I salut you all for honoring our great heroes. Both past and present. God Bless you all and God Bless our heroes.

[@sandraculter869]

So wonderful to see this beautiful plane fly! The plane that helped win the Battle of Britain!

[@benmiz9742]

Champion man, champion plane, they were the greatest generation no doubt about it.

[@hectorkeezy1499]

They are " The few that is owed so much, by so many", Good on them all.

[@robleary3353]

Wonderful!. Nice one. RIP Jim, thanks.......

[@ssirfbrorsan]

Love the way you take care of each others. Condoles Jim

[@brettlloyd5764]

The spitfire is one of the best WW2 planes, very aerodynamic design and powered by a great rolls Royce Merlin engine

[@itzajdmting]

A pleasure to watch. Made me laugh when Jim remarked that he was observing the pilots ability to stay co-ordinated hahaha.... Once a pilot......

[@bmused55]

Clear Skies and safe landings Mr Robinson. Stand down, your duty is done. Thank you for your service and rest eternal in the halls of heroes with whom you served.

[@thepianoman1010]

Hats off to you Jim ... thanks for your service! *High Flight* Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air . . . Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew - And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. (John Gillespie Magee Jr. RCAF WWII)

[@angusrory5185]

What a legend!

[@kirishima2370]

4:30 - that smile is priceless

[@SyntaxErrorXoXo]

He is really healthy for his age. I want to be like him when I get older, but I think I'll just be fat and useless

[@bah0met1]

Too bad they don't have English classes at the gym.

[@leonch305]

Pew pew pew

[@FirstnameLastname-ic9tp]

Leon Chatterton Merica

[@leonch305]

W.D Gaster Yum yum

[@armybeef68]

As I get older I've come to realize that fat doesn't get along with happy.

[@guillermocorrea4616]

Qué felicidad el hombre !!! Lo rejuveneció 20 años la experiencia.

[@thomasromano9321]

A great man to fly the spitfire. Hats off. It was kill or be killed to survive in a fighter plane.

[@patrickd6450]

Great story and a wonderful plane.

[@storm1sandy764]

This whole generation is the greatest.

[@oscarbruhn553]

Storm1 Sandy exactly!

[@rosspearson7682]

Hi could someone please tell me if this flight is available for anyone and if so how much. thanks so much cheers.

[@Warbirdnz]

www.warbird.co.nz/index.htm

[@HeyBigChriss]

Are you talking about then or now??

[@storm1sandy764]

This vid is about the WWII generation.

[@leomi6360]

doesn't matter in wich side of the war they were... they were heroes, in the air, inthe sea in the land..

[@davidmarshall1259]

true, they were all warriors, no matter what side they fought on.

[@JohnyG29]

but lets all be eternally thankfull the nazis lost.

[@joseftrumpeldor6240]

Leo, are you calling the Nazis and Imperial Japanese "heroes"??

[@haych5491]

@@joseftrumpeldor6240 The German Army is not the same as Nazis, most of the Army was there before any Nazi leadership, so the majority were just soldiers fighting on their side. I say this being English, they were heroes in their own right. Hitler and his willing executioners were villains

[@jaybaker8938]

@@evanwilliams1130 Antisemitism does NOT look good on you Evan. Stay nuanciated. 👍

[@janeburton2557]

Really enjoyed this video post! Thanks! 🙏

[@truebluebears76]

You sir are a hero , If it wasn't for you and other heroes ' of Ww2 we would be stuffed .

[@ronnyfurst5511]

wow i really like to see this! an old badass man in an old badass airplane....thank you for your service! You have my biggest respect!

[@1985_Honda_CRX_Si]

I personally don't like the "double bubble" cockpit but it's still a beautiful airplane

[@coolyajets8638]

Just made me smile

[@clouddancer7624]

I also must add my happiness for this brave gentleman who flew in the 50, to help give us the freedoms we have today. I must also add a BIG MISTAKE I saw on the video, that I did not see in the comments. There was, what looked like a Cessna 172 already on final, when the Spitfire maneuvered right in front of it to land. The distance between the two aircraft, could not have been more than 200', and both at the same altitude. The only saving grace I can imagine would be, if there had been parallel runways, and both were on final on each runway. I am not familiar with British air fields, but I would imagine there were NOT parallel runways, and the other civilian aircraft was told to go around, and if so, it was a bit late. If this had happened in the US, there would have been hell to pay, and someone's license would have been relieved from their wallet! Who am I? I'm an FAA Private Pilot from 1978. Still fly today, and have owned 2 different full sized aircraft. I know the FAA rules and Regulations, and was appalled to see this close call, on such a momental occasion, AND in front of the cameras!

[@Warbirdnz]

Thanks for your comments... and regarding the apparent cutting in front of the Cessna, it was mainly due to a combination of the camera angle and lack of depth of field because of the zoom setting that made it look like it did. There are two parallel runways at Ardmore (NZAR - Auckland, New Zealand), one tarseal and closer to the camera that the Spitfire was using, and a grass runway being used by the Cessna. There are also a lot of flight schools based there so go arounds are quite common. Well spotted though and I appreciate your concern.

[@casualobserver2305]

We’re not fit to carry their luggage. Super cool to see this.

[@NormanJaquemotRebel]

That smile! It's worth a million pounds.

[@peterjones6733]

Thank you So. Much. for Not adding background music. Wonderful video!

[@migueltrombettonipipinich1719]

Thank you!!!! Good job!!!!!!!

[@emuleworld]

Onore e Rispetto per questi Piloti, non si potrà mai finire di ringraziare.......

[@ronrandolf8024]

Loved this!

[@Missed_Apex_GT]

Wonderful

[@raouldippie1944]

saw this exact plane at the Masterton airshow

[@MarsFKA]

It also comes down to Omaka for the Classic Fighters Omaka air shows. We get to see *three* Spitfires at CFO, but only at CFO because, for insurance reasons, the Omaka Mark XIV does not fly anywhere else in the country.

[@AW-ld8yq]

There were many Polish piolets and they were not much appreciated... RIP for all brave men in ww 2

[@emc2677]

It's really emotinal dude. That old man could fly alone since 1940s, but now... :/ Shaking hands and weak legs.

[@mikkoviitapohja6969]

I can't understand where these guys founded their courage? I would scare only flying that thing and there were shitload of enemies who tried to shot you down that is so insane.

[@timgwinn791]

That’s Grate I wish more people would do that for the veterans Just about all the war war 2 are gone now God Bless them all ! 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️

[@RahulNaikvijay]

that sounds got me goosebumps think about the enemy underneath them those who were the target

[@thegreatdominion949]

Please tell the veteran's story filling in such details as the following. What squadron(s) did he serve with, where, when etc.? How many hours/ops did he do on the Spit? What mark(s) of Spitfire did he fly? Did he fly other aircraft operationally during the war? Did he have victories and if so, how many and what type? Was he ever shot down? What was his rank at the end of the war? This information would add so much to the video. Thanks.

[@rednaughtstudios]

Here you go. www.theiet.org/membership/member-news/obituaries/obituary-news/winsbury-james-jim-robinson-fiet-1921-2020/

[@Gunnernacho118]

"parachutes where never as heavy as this" this isnt a parachute these are actually seat coushins. . . . "this is a worrying development"

[@MarsFKA]

It's a parachute. They strapped me into a similar one when I flew in the Yak-3 last year. fighterflights.co.nz

[@gustavthemagician]

@@MarsFKA That, my friend, is British humour. He is joking. A fighter-pilot in wartime couldn't care less about the weight of a chute as long as it worked. What he really means, in a joking way, is something like: 'A cushion? And nobody is shooting at you either? You young guys are getting soft.' The pilot is a high-ranking veteran who outranks the old fellow. He is just told he is a softie by a man who was there when things were real.

[@MarsFKA]

@@gustavthemagician Thank you for explaining British humour to me and enlarging on what he was really saying. I get it now...

[@waynefoster624]

I think he's going to dogfight the Drone flying around

[@jeremybear573]

Warrior! !

[@lessillex7153]

Spitfire. La légende! ;-)

[@timothysmith8300]

fair play to all the ww2 veterans wanted to fly again they deserve to ģo for it again. well done

[@MrPepper312]

The greatest generation. Also was that the Mr Douglas DC-3 in the background ?

[@Warbirdnz]

Certainly is.

[@ryleyw3684]

awesome, dhow old was he

[@fredrikpersson3435]

There two heroes.

[@barney4451]

y love you old fighter!!

[@danieleagostinis5346]

Bellissimo commovente Grande!

[@RaulBailey]

The landing gear on the Spitfire in the video appears to be different from Spits I've seen in pictures from WWII. Appears to be 90 degrees in relation to the ground and the plane.

[@FirstnameLastname-ic9tp]

RaulBaileyable you know your planes too eh? well you are right. yhose are not traditional gears. now for plane talk. I think the b29 SF should still be used. It is a great plane and holds a place in peoples hearts around the world

[@mosads2986]

A SPECIAL SALUTE TO HONORABLE STUART RUSSELL

[@bokewilhelm1452]

der lightning p 38 war allen überlegen-diese jagdmaschinen holten mich des öfteren vom farrad herunter in den graben.

[@awlwayzl8]

Another fantastic Australian aircraft with real Aussie characters. However, if the Spit had failed to start, or crashed on takeoff, it would have been a Kiwi Spit, flown by Kiwis

[@margaretjohnston952]

awesome 😁❤

[@josephouellette6077]

To think, all of us in the free world owe these men everything, those "few" men who won the Battle of Britain were the only barrier between civility, decency and Nazism. I thank everyone of them, the survivors and the glorious dead as well, they're all victorious.

[@devonguy02]

Amazing guys and ladies who stopped nazism, facism in it's tracks !

[@bokewilhelm1452]

habe sie und die me 109 im museum gesehn-mein gott waren die klein.

[@intelprointelpro4452]

Bravo, respect 👍👍👍💞💞💞

[@atropiaveteran]

Why did the pilot have his canopy opened? Or would he have closed it as he taxied?

[@leonch305]

In ww2 they tended to keep it open because it would be far quicker to get out when you plane was burning down. They thought that it would be an easier death to die via a shot to the head than be burnt alive and this was because the fuel tank was right behind where the pilot sat

[@atropiaveteran]

Leon Chatterton makes sense.

[@musicbruv]

Fuel tank was in front of the pilot.

[@leonch305]

***** so it is apologies

[@musicbruv]

I would think the pilot gets a better view when taxiing with the canopy open.

[@tempestmkiv]

Did they cut the Cessna off while turning final or was that just the camera angle?

[@Warbirdnz]

From memory it was the camera angle.

[@nikoralewis]

Or likely the Spit was on 21 Seal, and the Cessna on 21 Grass

[@leonardomartino3923]

are all these veterans not allowed on the pilot seat???

[@number7oneone]

I wonder if they could have gave that veteran more crap before flying?

[@threepot5874]

Andy Arlington agree.he could've probably flown rings around him in his early days?

[@tomjoad1363]

I always wonder what make them wanna fly again. If I were a vet, I would never talk about this era and try to forget the most as I could. This must have been a nightmare period in his lifetime.

[@davidmarshall1259]

top Lad.

[@benjaminkusobenjaminkuso3777]

Heros

[@thelightthatshinesbright5625]

Spitfires have 2 cockpits?

[@PowerThirteen]

Themightycaptain some were modified privately after the war. Look up the “Grace Spitfire”. :)

[@panzerdragon1121]

17 Mseshersmhidt pilots disliked this. (I've misspelled it, haven't I?)

[@galdramadur1]

Oberstleutnant Egon Meyer shot down 51 Spitfires. The most of them in Bf 109.

[@kianskelton6724]

So was this shot in NZ and what is a spitfire doing here?

[@etaylor495]

Triggered racist feminist vegan New Zealand fought in the second world war.

[@blowingfree6928]

Triggered etc etc - A Spitfire could be in any country where people enjoy aircraft. It does not have to remain in its country of birth or even a country that fought in the 2nd WW (not sure what that has to do with it). The same goes for any aircraft. The ME109 has no connection to (for example) NZ or America but there are probably examples in those countries (certainly the US). A connection does not matter. All that matters is that people enjoy them and that there is a market; it's a commodity in an international business, where planes are swapped and sold all the time. So a Spitfire does not need a reason to be in NZ (or timbuktoo), or a connection, it just has to be enjoyed and wanted.

[@JohnyG29]

My fucking Chromebook broke Spitfires fought all over the world - including Australia, India, Burma.

[@MarsFKA]

There are *three* Spitfires in New Zealand and they are all doing very well, thank you.

[@fnordhorn]

I see this is a Modifed Spit as it got 2 seats. Dont remember any spits having 2 seats

[@barrierodliffe4155]

Post war some Spitfire Mk VIII and IX were converted to two seat trainers.

[@JohnyG29]

You dont know a lot about the Spifire then.

[@actionflixhub1253]

Sounds Australian? So there fly the spitfires to then?

[@Warbirdnz]

New Zealand

[@flynnjacobs1662]

is this Australia? just asking fro his accent

[@Warbirdnz]

Addictive Gamer New Zealand

[@flynnjacobs1662]

wow thanks for the quick response gotta sub

[@flynnjacobs1662]

well I live in south Australia jut not used to new Zealand!

[@johnward1173]

Kiwi Bro

[@vegasspaceprogram6623]

@@Warbirdnz oh hey I live in New Zealand, but I'm in the North island and most warbirds are In the south so probly not near me

[@fredsalfa]

He could have flown it if he wanted to dont know why he didnt. Just make some simple manouvers.

[@KaiservonKrieger]

Hahaha grandpa still has his Panzer III 50mm Gun with us in the garage

[@fury4539]

So sad that plane crashed.

[@MarsFKA]

It was repaired and is flying again.

[@kjoseph8323]

He's in the rear seat. Did he even fly the plane? Just asking. Hope he flew it for at least a while.

[@MarsFKA]

This aircraft has dual controls. It was modified as a trainer and the instructor sat in the back.

[@mgxgaming122]

I think thats a Seafire because Spitfires were only one seaters, right?

[@Warbirdnz]

MGX Gaming no, it's a genuine Spitfire.... "ZK WDQ (civilian registration) or MH 367 (Royal Air Force designation) was constructed in its original form at the Castle Bromwich factory in July 1943. It was a Mark IX with a Merlin 61 engine. The aircraft saw Wartime Service initially with No 65 Squadron RAF with a first operational sortie on 15 Aug 1943. Its last combat sortie was on 18 April 1945. MH 367 was scrapped in 1948 to be rebuilt in the USA using components of several aircraft to fly again in November 2006. The aircraft first flew in New Zealand in May 2008. It is presented in the livery of Squadron leader Colin Gray, New Zealand’s highest scoring WW II ace. WDQ is one of a few genuine two seat Spitfire’s worldwide and Warbird Adventure Rides is proud to offer rides in this iconic World War II aircraft." www.warbird.co.nz/

[@barrierodliffe4155]

All two seat Spitfires were post war conversions of Mk VIII or MK IX Spitfires. Seafires were single seat.

[@mgxgaming122]

Barrie Rodliffe then I must be thinking of the sea fury

[@barrierodliffe4155]

The Sea Fury was a single seat fighter too, there was a two seat version for training.

[@JohnyG29]

MGX Gaming You're probably thinking of the Fairey Fulmar or Firefly, which were 2 seat naval aeroplanes.