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Spitfire NH341 Restoration Update #19

We will be posting the monthly Restoration Updates of the Aero Legends Spitfire NH341 which is being restored and converted to a dual cockpit T9 version by the experts at Historic Flying Ltd (HFL), Duxford.

Spitfire NH341 was built at Castle Bromwich as a Spitfire Low Level Fighter (LFIXE) and delivered to 8 MU on the 28th April 1944. It was sent to Miles Aircraft for modifications to be fitted before delivery to 411 (Grizzly Bear) squadron RCAF on 22nd June 1944. This was the only squadron NH341 served with and was flown by several pilots the most notable use of NH341 was in the hands of Flt Lt Hugh Charles Trainor who gained his third kill in 48 hours on 29th June 1944 when he downed an ME109 five miles West of Caen whilst flying her. Flt Lt Trainor destroyed another BF109 on the evening of 30th June 1944 over Thury Hurcourt, again in NH341. Flt Lt Trainor gained ace status later flying another Spitfire when he destroyed two more BF109s in a single flight on the 4th July, this was after NH341 had been lost on the 2nd July whilst being flown by another pilot who escaped unscathed after tangling with FW190s South East of Caen.

The substantial remains were placed on display at the Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie at Bayeux during 1996. It was later displayed at the Juno Beach Museum at Courseulles-sur-Mer during 2003 where it was described as being ML295. Inspection of the aircraft however shows that a substantial amount of the parts originated from NH341 with only a few parts from another Spitfire.

Aero Legends acquired NH341 in 2011.

Spitfire NH341 Restoration will be posted on our blog monthly.

Continue reading “Spitfire NH341 Restoration Update #19”

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Fly In A Spitfire 2017

goactionstations.co.uk and aerolegends.co.uk have launched a stunning new Fly In A Spitfire 2017 experience.

For those who book the 2017 experience in 2016 the extensive package starts at just £2500. It includes a flight in the Mk IX Spitfire NH341 and and two invitations to the maiden flight – due at the end of this Spitfire 80th Anniversary year. Also included with the named tickets in the Gift pack, are re-prints of the original Spitfire Pilot Notes, an NH341 History Book, a 1940’s Spitfire Greetings card and Members Badge. The whole experience is designed to make the perfect Spitfire flying gift.

NH341 Code DB-E flew with the the famous pilots of RCAF 411 Squadron and had two kills over Normandy in June 1944. NH341 was the warbird of fighter ace Flt Lt Hugh ‘Charlie’ Trainor and other Grizzly Bear pilots.

The Aero Legends Spitfire NH341 Code DB-E is being restored and converted to a dual cockpit T9 version by the experts at Historic Flying Ltd (HFL), Duxford. Follow the restoration of our Mk IX Spitfire NH341 on our Aero Legends restoration blog

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Spitfire 80th Anniversary Weekend

On Saturday 5 March 2016 Aero Legends will be marking eighty years since the first flight of the Spitfire. The Spitfire 80th Anniversary Weekend of celebration at Sywell Aerodrome is to commemorate this momentous day in modern aviation history when a prototype Supermarine Spitfire first took to the skies on 5th March 1936.

In February 1936, the Spitfire prototype K5054 had its first engine runs at the Supermarine Aviation Works, Woolston, Southampton before it was dismantled and transported to Eastleigh airfield, where its was reassembled. On the afternoon of 5th March 1936 the prototype Type 300 Spitfire, bearing the serial number K5054 flew for the first time, piloted by Vickers chief test pilot, Capt. J. ‘Mutt’ Summers. Upon landing ‘Mutt’ was famously quoted as saying “I don’t want anything touched”. No major problems were identified and, although many months of testing and alterations lay ahead, the Spitfire had made a successful first flight.

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Aero Legends acquire Action Stations and deliver the best Vintage Flight With A Spitfire experience possible

Aero Legends Ltd has now acquired the Go Action Stations brand and launches the UK’s first vintage RAF fly alongside a Spitfire experience. The first Aero Legends/Action Stations combined event took place on the 26th September 2015.

Passengers waiting to fly alongside a Spitfire were pleasantly surprised to be flying in an ex-RAF and BBMF de Havilland Devon vintage aircraft of the same era as the Spitfire. The Devon’s large panoramic windows enabled the best photographic opportunities ever seen on a fly alongside experience. The commercial passenger version of the Devon, named the Dove, was Britain’s first successful post-war civil aircraft. Operating the de Havilland Devon and the Spitfire from the historic WWII Airfield known as RAF Lashenden (now known as Headcorn Aerodrome) provided the perfect backdrop for this event.

Passengers flew in authentic Battle of Britain airspace over some iconic land marks which included, Leeds Castle, Dover Castle, the Battle of Britain Memorial and the White Cliffs of Dover Coastline.

Action Stations and Aero Legends are now taking bookings for their 2016 Vintage Fly With A Spitfire events.