Spitfire MK XVI - First Engine Run in 17 Years!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
  • --EXTRA CLIP-- See the Spitfire start up and do a taxi run in this other clip on Kermit's channel ...
    • Spitfire MK XVI - Star...
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    Our Spitfire MK XVI rolled out of the hangar for its first engine run in 17 years!
    I had been flying it after we opened Fantasy of Flight, but there was like an AD on the landing gear bolts and we grounded it. It took several years to get the proper bolts but by then we'd moved on to other things and it just sat.
    Well we've finally gotten back on it, and here's the first engine run we've done on her in 17 years. At first it didn't want to start. The mixture control is not marked on the throttle quadrant and I may have flooded it . . . so we came back later for another try, and we got it running. Here's the clip.
    We still have a bit of work to finish painting the newly covered tail feathers and hooking them all up. Also, Andy's been dealing with some leaky undercarriage legs and it seems we have a leak in the air system as the brake pressure didn't come up as fast as it should. Hopefully, we'll get all that sorted out and we'll be able to get it flying soon.
    KERMIT WEEKS
    Want more of the Spitfire? Watch this clip next...
    • Spitfire MK XVI - Star...
    See more Kermit Weeks clips on his channel...
    / kermitweeksblogvideo

ความคิดเห็น • 2.3K

  • @edgarnoriega217
    @edgarnoriega217 8 ปีที่แล้ว +316

    I am glad that there are people out there dedicated on keeping these birds flying thanks to those people!

  • @NealB123
    @NealB123 5 ปีที่แล้ว +702

    The sound of a Merlin engine is one of the most beautiful sounds ever devised by man.

    • @Stranglerxx77
      @Stranglerxx77 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Neal B Yes it's a beautiful sound indeed the mighty MERLIN V 12

    • @mop714
      @mop714 5 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      My father (fitter engineer)was in the RAF WW2 and he use to repair Merlin Spitfires in North & South Africa. A mild mannered man who never boasted about his abilities. He also repaired Flying Scotsman, Mallard etc over 43 years. He also repaired Hercules, Cyclones, Wasp, Dakota ... a talented man ... And I am biased. Died of asbestosis (industrial disease).

    • @Stranglerxx77
      @Stranglerxx77 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Amateur Flyer What's a rampant rabbit sound. ?? I guess it's something totally sexually oriented Lol

    • @mop714
      @mop714 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ihateuserids Before my father`s time, and too much of a gentlemen. Amateur comment.

    • @torqueofthedevil8145
      @torqueofthedevil8145 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      You've clearly never owned a Toyota Corolla 1.6

  • @Kxre_
    @Kxre_ 2 ปีที่แล้ว +69

    Stuff like this is exactly why I wanna become a Aerospace Engineer. Glad to see this beauty being restored to it’s former glory!

    • @radu6281
      @radu6281 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah bro but becoming an aerospace engineer won’t make you fly one of these. Time changes

    • @MRKOOGAHMangsri
      @MRKOOGAHMangsri 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      😊​@@radu6281

  • @michaelking6128
    @michaelking6128 7 ปีที่แล้ว +203

    Why must there be so many negative comments when all everyone has to do is be grateful that there is beautiful aircraft like these to watch and admire because of so many dedicated people who love to restore them which we can all admire. So for all those critics just say nothing if you haven't anything constructive and positive to say.

    • @jacktattis1190
      @jacktattis1190 6 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Michael: Because too many Americans are jealous of what Britain made

    • @jacktattis1190
      @jacktattis1190 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Michael: Because The shit Yanks on here are fighting a losing battle The P51 has been proven Not to have been the best, the fastest, with the most kills It was good and made a difference but after DDay the Spitfire and Tempest were there and Range was no longer an issue

    • @bluefox9436
      @bluefox9436 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      The North American P 51 was one of the best WW2 planes - and why? - yes because of the british merlin engine in it, what was by the way nearly the same engine as the one in the late Spitfires

    • @bluefox9436
      @bluefox9436 6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @soaringtractor Uiii and who developed the engine? Yes the B R I T I S H and if the americans want to use the engine, they have to produce It, also I don't like the language you use to talk to me so: better think before you write something and if you don't believe me just look at the Internet or a book (and I think you don't know what "build on licence" means) also they would never had developed the Packard without the original merlin engine, pay a bit more respect for this legend of engine

    • @ianballinger7644
      @ianballinger7644 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @soaringtractor Why did'nt you Yanks stick with the shit Allison engine for the P51 instead of taking credit for BRITISH technology

  • @mafmaf6417
    @mafmaf6417 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The most beautiful aircraft ever designed. The Mosquito being a close second.

  • @peterclapson6785
    @peterclapson6785 8 ปีที่แล้ว +58

    Been luckily enough to have sat in this Spitfire on my 60th birthday !
    Thank you Andy and Fantasy of flight

  • @techmantra4521
    @techmantra4521 9 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    Such a special plane. You get a real sense of what the heroes went through with these machines. They have a personality of their own.

  • @johnedwards1685
    @johnedwards1685 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    In 1966 my family moved to East London for a few years. One day in the playground at school in Stratford we heard a huge sound of aircraft coming. Overhead came an orange-painted twin engined bomber followed by a great gaggle of single-engined fighters, and they were very low and very loud. To us kids (I was seven or eight years old) they were obviously all Spitfires but it may have been all the aircraft involved in that day’s filming, Spitfires, Hurricanes, Buchons [Bf109E]. It was part of the film production for the movie “Battle of Britain”. Sorry to be vague about the aircraft recognition but I was busy galloping round and round with my arms in the air shrieking “SPITFIRES!” and of course well over fifty years ago.

    • @supmansaccount5360
      @supmansaccount5360 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jeez man, you were very lucky to experience those beauties.

  • @altheliterate
    @altheliterate 6 ปีที่แล้ว +204

    "So I was flying my Spitfire" Every man in the bar slinks away....

    • @vikitheviki
      @vikitheviki 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      A spitfire pilot, a US marine and a spetznas walks into a bar..

    • @andrewthomson
      @andrewthomson 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      ...and the girl he's chatting up says "I don't like Pontiacs"

    • @FaeraOthronus
      @FaeraOthronus 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      We have a picture of my great grandpa next to a spitfire in England, he flew over D Day

    • @toddc6682
      @toddc6682 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The bar is unaffordable nowadays.

    • @nickbarnes7109
      @nickbarnes7109 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@FaeraOthronus Reading your comment today 06/06/2024 80th anniversary of D-Day. Respect!

  • @perryjohnson8213
    @perryjohnson8213 7 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    Watching vids like this renews my love for Aviation and makes me appreciate my job as a pilot. Nicely done!

  • @NickyG-NZ
    @NickyG-NZ 8 ปีที่แล้ว +124

    That roar. That purr! This will forever be one of my favorite sounds. just amazing.

    • @rhys6698
      @rhys6698 8 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      cant disagree but the avro vulcan takes the cake

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 7 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      OOOOOOHHHHHH THat US made PACKARD Merlin !!!!!!!!
      Made under licence from ROLLS ROYCE, in BRITAIN!!!!!!
      OOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!

    • @JohnSmith-pd1fz
      @JohnSmith-pd1fz 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What a very sad SAD SAAAD little nonentity you are mister soaring tractor.. Sad in that all you have to do in your entire life is denigrate the works of others who you know next to nothing about, ridicule a country which is a million times more affluent and influential than your own and make yourself look and even bigger clown than your really are in the process. In addition your proclaimed expert opinions so far as aviation, engineering, history and the British People are concerned serve only to reinforce and enlarge the already massive chip you have on your shoulder. Good luck to you and your fevered rantings! Long may they continue! Each time you put finger to keyboard you simply demonstrate your envy and hatred for all things British and your blind insular ignorance of the British People.
      I eagerly await further howls and squeals, exclamation marks and dohs from you. Perhaps you'd like to tell us all exactly how you and your fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts and sundry other cretins singlehandedly won world war two without ever leaving some unknown backwater in Nowhere usa, thereby saving the "ASSES" of the British People in the process? Yes yes! Please do tell.

    • @JohnSmith-pd1fz
      @JohnSmith-pd1fz 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      And this from a country who firmly believe they invented aviation and thereby world history all on their own. Your truth, mister tractor, is I fear, somewhat different to to everyone else's. But there you go, Keep on believing it and you'll die a very happy little nonentity, won't you? Probably quite soon.
      Oh by the way - I do hope you are looking forward to the anniversary of Pearl Harbour. That WAS another of those wars you won, wasn't it?

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sillylittlewillyfartingtractor wouldn't recognise the truth if it stood in front of him and looked him in his one eye.
      That's enough for the fartinghandjob today - I'm going to have some lunch. Maybe I'll have something like the very nice pub lunch I had near Trafalgar Square on my first visit to London. A thoroughly *British* pub lunch...
      By the way, has anyone asked the fartingtractor what he thinks about a British Prince becoming engaged to an *American* woman?
      Let's see if we can get an answer out of him that doesn't involve him sounding like he's having his usual stroke when he says such nice things about Britain and everything British.

  • @coleanderson8035
    @coleanderson8035 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    The most beautiful sound that man has created....and by far the most iconic ww2 aircraft......arguably the most important aircraft that changed the tide of the war it's amazing that some of these old birds can still run and be flight worthy to this day. A jewel that will never rot away in history. Such a beautiful aircraft and such a beautiful engine sound great job for restoring this true aircraft

    • @ralphcrisp2896
      @ralphcrisp2896 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Agreed. Virtually everything the United States came up with was borrowed from England. For example, the P-51 Mustang has many of the same design features as the Spitfire. The B-17's engines are based on the Merlin engine. Merlin, King Arthur's magician....Now that's classy!

  • @markfrancis5528
    @markfrancis5528 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I live in the UK and when we have one or two of these girls do a fly past it makes me cry like a baby. This is the sound of freedom 🇬🇧

  • @drewt4451
    @drewt4451 3 ปีที่แล้ว +189

    Imagine this, but being flown by an inexperienced teenager to protect our country and fight in a world at war.

    • @iblamekxgan
      @iblamekxgan ปีที่แล้ว +1

      this gave me goosebumps just by reading

    • @filipbitala2624
      @filipbitala2624 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Pretty sure the mk.16 was used at the end of the war, when the “inexperienced teenagers” werent needed

    • @Ben_not_10
      @Ben_not_10 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Even during the Battle of Britain most of the pilots where in their mid to late 20s. Now aerial gunners and other crewman on larger aircraft might have been teenagers but not pilots of fighter aircraft

    • @toddc6682
      @toddc6682 ปีที่แล้ว

      It was Germany that had to use old men & teenagers in the end.

    • @Cummo1963
      @Cummo1963 ปีที่แล้ว

      Average age of RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain was just 20. Average age of those killed 22. There are plenty of documentaries about RAF pilots detailing their exploits and deaths at ages 20 and 21. At 25, you were considered old and usually of higher rank. It hits homes when you have kids yourself around this age. During BofB, some replacement pilots had only 6 to 7 hours on Spitfires. Amazing@@Ben_not_10

  • @alanbush4192
    @alanbush4192 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    it sounded like it wasn't going to fire up and you start to think check the fuel check the ignition system and then WAMO she's away it a great feeling to hear an engine fire up for the first time after major surgery

  • @VassilliHD
    @VassilliHD 9 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Dear Kermit, have you ever heard the saying "They hate you because they ain't you?" You have no idea how insanely jealous I am of you right now. To see these majestic birds, let alone be able to fly them? You sir are living the dream. Thank you for keeping the spirit of aviation alive.

    • @wmfife1
      @wmfife1 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah but VassilliHD once you own an airplane you become painfully aware of the cost... from hangar rental due month after month to annuals and insurance, constant maintenance issues then there are the ever-rising fuel prices and those pesky AD's... You know the FAA. And this from someone with a 65 HP Taylorcraft. No Kermie can have his collection and all the headaches that come with it. I'm ok to just watch.

  • @VNNZTC
    @VNNZTC 9 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Wonderful, I had the pleasure seeing a Spitfire doing a solo flight early in the morning before an Airshow in New Plymouth, New Zealand once and will never forget the thrill as the engine started and it took off, actually seemed to leap into the air...bloody fantastic guys...well done...

  • @paulcreed8151
    @paulcreed8151 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I met Kermit Weeks about 20 years ago, he owns Fantasy of Flight in Florida. If you get the chance go there go. He spent 30 minutes talking to me and during that time I realised what an amazing man he is. In short he wanted to assist the younger generations to recognise the terrible things that happened in war in the past and how if we forget this it will happen again and again. Top man.

  • @tomrohan8480
    @tomrohan8480 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hats off to its battery to take that much load during the startup.. dint see any APU connected so i guess its the battery powering the cranking the whole time..

  • @slikster86
    @slikster86 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    This might have been filmed over 4 years ago but I still urged it with all I could muster. Fantastic job fella’s...

  • @Mike-01234
    @Mike-01234 8 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    That sound of the Merlin engine and the wind from the prop must have been so cool to feel that big engine come to life after all those years.

  • @lelandlewis7207
    @lelandlewis7207 6 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    The loud jingle at the end scared the crap outta my cat. lol
    Love the sound of a piston engine. I like watching old Unlimited Hydroplane races with 8 or 10 screaming Merlins and Allisons at 180 MPH in the straights or a video of a piston plane diving or roaring by at 100 feet. Gives me chills and goosebumps.

  • @hackledrummer1543
    @hackledrummer1543 6 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    All I could think about when watching these guys trying to get this beautiful, awesome, magnificent, Spitfire to fire up... was how similar their experience is... to me trying to get my shitty old lawn mower started!!! Talk about opposite ends of a spectrum!

    • @nickbarnes7109
      @nickbarnes7109 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Haha, i was thinking the same only about my little petrol generator!!

  • @fizzynix1
    @fizzynix1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That man on the right flank - You can tell he is a genius. He knew what it needed to fire up and didn't bat an eye lid when it did - GENIUS ! 5:50 salute - awesome

  • @robertpalmer3882
    @robertpalmer3882 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    When I was very young, Spitfires, sometimes about twenty, would fly over my home near Hornchurch, Essex. The sound was, and still is, unforgettable. Bob Palmer

    • @ferdgreenblatt6011
      @ferdgreenblatt6011 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      When I was a child, USN aircraft from Quonset Point NAS buzzed our Rhode Island village. I was supposed to have been a Spitfire pilot.But the baby scheduler made me a few years late.Eventually, I did manage to serve as a USAF corpsman on British soil at Burderop Park, near Swindon. My flying career has been limited to 150s and 152s.

    • @rosiehawtrey
      @rosiehawtrey 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      That'd probably be 12 group aircraft, depending on when you mean.

  • @tcminor
    @tcminor 9 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    I was lucky as a younger man to attend the Cleveland Air Races, Bob Hoover was doing displays shows, This particular year he had come back from a European tour with an Spit he got on loan from someone, forget the particulars so he was touring around with spit, his mustang as well as an Aero Commander. It was so cool to get to see and hear that beautiful airplane as Bob Hoover put it through its paces.... Then he took his Mustang up later in the show... was quite a day.

    • @galopgalop4486
      @galopgalop4486 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      tcminor the whistling guns of the p-51 and the gentle purr of the rolls Royce Merlin

    • @spitfireaace
      @spitfireaace 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I met Bob Hoover for an autograph in 1975 at the Abbotsford Airshow he was flying a P-51. I had him sign my program. I wish I still had it but my mom threw it away ... as mom's usually do. Love you mom but that sucked.

    • @apuuvah
      @apuuvah 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wish I could've been there...

  • @monslayernone8898
    @monslayernone8898 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    What a beautiful sound............My grandfather was a Royal Air Force Spitfire pilot in the war.Told me as a young boy, before a mission, he would put his hand on dash of plane say "Bring me home Merlin" and Merlin did.You just brought memories of my Grandfather home.

  • @RCScaleAirplanes
    @RCScaleAirplanes 8 ปีที่แล้ว +196

    *_WooooW_*. Needs a huge battery to get the engine running. Great job !

    • @JZ-vg6ke
      @JZ-vg6ke 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yes indeed

    • @korieharris4086
      @korieharris4086 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Imagine the starter

    • @jurajokasa834
      @jurajokasa834 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Starter isnt any bigger or stronger than any other relatives on relative engines ...they just used gearing ratio to have less need of power

    • @korieharris4086
      @korieharris4086 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I didn't imagine it would be different than "relatives on relative engines" I didn't imply it was any different than another aircraft of it's kind, just simply curious of its size in relation to your average car starter Mr troll

    • @jurajokasa834
      @jurajokasa834 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@korieharris4086 it has 4 regular vehicle sized batteries ;) starter is in size of the semi truck vehicle

  • @colinmiles1052
    @colinmiles1052 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As one previous subscriber said - no battery cart - bloody amazing startup! Bloke over seeing must have gone deaf by now - no ear defenders! Awesome!

  • @Otryvik
    @Otryvik 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    All Spitfire prototypes are do beatiful😍

  • @stevewilson1600
    @stevewilson1600 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Watching this makes me proud to be a Rolls Royce engineer and have made parts for Merlins, I was a Gear Turner and made for Eagles and Condors.

    • @robarnold4104
      @robarnold4104 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was working at EMA in the 70's, Cliff Rogers used to fly the RR spitfire out for air shows etc, I got to help out getting her ready for him, great guy and brilliant pilot, always gave us a good fly past on departure, so long ago but happy times.

  • @davechapman490
    @davechapman490 7 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Absolutely AWESOME aircraft!
    That engine sound, even at idle, is iconic and gets my heart racing. I would give my left testicle to fly this aircraft! Any takers?

  • @ahmadtheaviationlover1937
    @ahmadtheaviationlover1937 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    It’s amazing that for decades of inactivity the spitfire once again heralds into action! God bless the genius minds of ww2 aeronautical engineers who made such a beautiful aircraft

  • @magicmonkeyist
    @magicmonkeyist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a beautiful machine she is.

  • @xxFormula1989xx
    @xxFormula1989xx 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I hate to even admit how much time I spend watching your videos on my days off. Thank you for sharing!

  • @edsmith4995
    @edsmith4995 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That was the once the sound of victory over British and European skies! Not forgetting North Africa and Asia too. Spitfire's lived up to their name, awesome upload!

  • @tomaszkusnierkiewicz4398
    @tomaszkusnierkiewicz4398 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    The best engine sound ever... RR Merlin is a symphony!

  • @volcommadness
    @volcommadness 6 ปีที่แล้ว +116

    So many insecure men trying to bash him because of his hair. He may have a ponytail but he’s cooler than you and your entire family. Has a insane aircraft collection as well. This Merlin is his!

    • @NathanChisholm041
      @NathanChisholm041 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Having a plane does not make someone cooler you dickhead!

    • @NathanChisholm041
      @NathanChisholm041 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @TominBachRestoring a plane is worthy foresure, but if you think that makes you cooler than the rest of us then your a fucking dickhead!! I'm sure you know all about that....

    •  4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@NathanChisholm041 Yes, it actually really does - especially one of these ones.

    • @EggNuggets
      @EggNuggets 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Nath C how can you think your on the same level as a man that has a ponytail, a fucking spitfire and probably quite a hefty sum of quids. I can smell jealousy

    • @darrenjames4022
      @darrenjames4022 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      If men like him keep history alive, he could look like my mother in-law and I’d still respect him...

  • @carlatamanczyk3891
    @carlatamanczyk3891 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I for one love and appreciate all of you out there for taking the time and resources in preserving these great machines.

  • @LemmMax-fj5vs
    @LemmMax-fj5vs ปีที่แล้ว +1

    17. Climbing up❤❤❤😂🎉 fantastic

  • @margaretroselle8610
    @margaretroselle8610 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Brilliant!What a beautiful plane the Spitfire is and it’s sounding great! Love that it’s called Winston Churchill!

  • @ludslawrenzeogog
    @ludslawrenzeogog 8 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    From the sound of a whining baby to a big roaring bear.

  • @UKTomsk
    @UKTomsk 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Superb, being British, that sound makes you feel all warm inside :)

  • @carnivore10
    @carnivore10 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Im in Canada but visited your place about 10 yrs ago, the day i came a silver Mustang buzzed the field i think you said he was a buddy of yours up to see the car races. You flew a brown cub type plane and talked about how slow it could fly...great visit..thank you once again!

  • @drstevenrey
    @drstevenrey 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Sorry for the late response, I use 17, yes, seventeen Primer actions. It always starts with about 1 and a half rotations. The Merlin 266 needs a lot of fuel in the intake box. Actually, it's best to flood the darn thing until it just slightly drips from the box. That will be just enough. I do around 130 hour a year in Spitfires, not just my Mk XVI but also IX's and V's and occasionally a Mk I.

    • @Graters1989
      @Graters1989 ปีที่แล้ว

      I loved reading this I have 50s motorbikes and you drown them til fuel runs out the float tickler on the carb and they start first kick.
      Seems to have been an efficient way to get cold start reliability just drown it and it’ll fire straight away.

  • @vtrmcs
    @vtrmcs 8 ปีที่แล้ว +299

    A true big boys toy.

    • @TommyGamerV12
      @TommyGamerV12 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That's right

    • @DougHanchard
      @DougHanchard 8 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Not really. Pilots with less than 50 flight hours of basic aircraft and another 5 to 10 hours of flight training in type (i.e. Hurricane or Spitfire) went into battle.
      What takes brains and smarts is taking care of an airplane properly.
      Having a proper pre-start up procedure planned and prepared. (clearly things guys just 'winged it'.)
      There's just so many things I wince at during this start procedure that makes me want to kick this billionaire in the balls. Ugh. Oh well, what can you do. He's got the money and that's the way it is.

    • @DougHanchard
      @DougHanchard 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      +Brisdad53 Repeating what I already said isn't saying much.

    • @smokingspitfire1197
      @smokingspitfire1197 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Brisdad53 quite the contrary, a bit of an urban legend that is, RAF pilots had huge amounts of training, on the tiger moth and following their solos on those in a Miles Magister or a T-6 Texan/Harvard depending on what was available, they would then move to operational squadrons when deemed ready, if not they would be "dipped" meaning, kicked off the course. They actually had closer to 200-300 hours. Similar to Fleet Air Arm training

    • @ridersinthescrub9405
      @ridersinthescrub9405 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      im not sure that was the case, as after the debacle in france, a lot of raw recruits were arriving with less than suitable "type" hours in their log books. after the BOB, the training programs were boosted as the pressure was off. once on a squadron, significant training was undertaken before ops were flown. it was only for a short period of the war as they worked to bolster pilot numbers after the BEF got a flogging and the Luftwaffe began its campaign.

  • @novichead
    @novichead 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I love that sound! I bet you were happy to hear her roar. Thanks for sharing!

  • @swingmanic
    @swingmanic 8 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    My mum was helping to build these during the war at Castle Bromwich..She could still read a micrometer years afterwards...The bloody Germans used to strafe the workers coming out of the factory gates, having worked a night shift.
    I do miss my Warbird meetings at Duxford and living near the BBMF at Coningsby.

    • @scottsheating8349
      @scottsheating8349 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      What dose strafe mean?

    • @swingmanic
      @swingmanic 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      German Stuka aircraft used to shoot the workers as they came out of gates of the factories. - It's called "strafing"

    • @scottsheating8349
      @scottsheating8349 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      +swingmanic thanks for the explanation.

    • @JulesD92
      @JulesD92 8 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Awesome story.. but at the end even the us Germans were just soldiers eh ?
      thats their job.

    • @josephweaver8985
      @josephweaver8985 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      And to think. People say there was never a holocaust, well, tell that to the men who liberated the camps, the innocent civilians in London, and the Soldiers at Malmedy, and no I have no interest in the leveling of Germany by allied bombs, perhaps if the Germans would have kept to the treaties they signed, maybe WWll would not have happened, but Adolph could not get over the first world war, as a corporal, he ended up defeating his own Army 20 some years later. Disgusting, the loss of life this man was behind.

  • @idleonlooker1078
    @idleonlooker1078 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The MkXVIE with tear drop canopy and shortened rear fuselage, is to me the coolest and meanest of Spitfires!! What a privilege and joy it'd be to own one. I hope Kermit never forgets that and will be mindful of his custodianship. 👍

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Spitfire owners and pilots are usually very mindful of what they own and fly.

  • @TheStrategy-BR
    @TheStrategy-BR 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The Battle of Dunkirk (French: Bataille de Dunkerque) was a battle during World War II that lasted from 25 May to 4 June 1940. A huge British and French force was encircled

  • @winchuni22
    @winchuni22 9 ปีที่แล้ว +170

    I'm wearing really high quality ear phone and it sounds amazing! So much bass!

    • @winchuni22
      @winchuni22 9 ปีที่แล้ว

      ***** www.johnlewis.com/bowers-wilkins-p5-series-2-on-ear-headphones-black/p1701150?sku=233936333&kpid=233936333&s_kenid=43b2e004-3e97-14c9-c247-00005f9bae3b&s_kwcid=402x347241&tmad=c&tmcampid=73

    • @edwardharris9810
      @edwardharris9810 9 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      +winchuni22 Same here

    • @edwardharris9810
      @edwardharris9810 9 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ***** Jesus $900 for headphones (I'm English so that's £630 in our money) when I said I was listening with good headphones I meant I was using a £160 pair of Technics headphones, which are good enough quality for me, there's no way I'd spend £630 ($900) on headphones. I would like to know what a set of £630 ($900) headphones sound like though! right now I'm on a train to London and am using a pair of £40 ($60) Skullcandy headphones and these sound ok, hence why I would love to hear what a £630 ($900) headphones sound like!!

    • @winchuni22
      @winchuni22 9 ปีที่แล้ว

      Drugs ProjectReality Nonsense. B&W are a class product. I've worked there and know exactly how they operate and their quality control etc.

    • @advancerv12
      @advancerv12 9 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      +winchuni22 listening with a Kplipsch reference r6i i got for 60 bucks.. sounds awesome.

  • @d.s.conleyjr.5218
    @d.s.conleyjr.5218 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I love to hear roar of an old Merlin come to life. Just beautiful!

  • @gaden0114
    @gaden0114 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Twelve RR cylinders and great history are awakened and playing in beautiful harmony. Great respect and gratitude for this perfect piece of flying iron, and the men who twisted them around in air combats against the Nazists.

  • @keithlemon457
    @keithlemon457 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    'Probably' the best piston aero engine ever made. Merlins just purr. Sends cold shivers down your spine. Simply awesome !

    • @keithlemon457
      @keithlemon457 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      But the P-51 only became the world beater it was when the Merlin engine was fitted. The early models with the Alisson engine were a disaster. As for the P-38 have you ever read and front line reports from the pilots and ground crew . Pilots said they were dreadful to fly as the handling at speed and altitude was dire and ground crew reported they were terrible to maintain. Their 'legend' is far better than reality.

    • @keithlemon457
      @keithlemon457 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Some GuyThat's true ! But in Europe they were not universally liked so I've read. When Squadrons changed from P-38s to P-51s the pilots reported they could not believe the difference in performance and it made them realise just how bad the P-38s were. Personally I've no axe to grind with the P-38, it was an impressive looking plane and when it was designed and first flew I'm sure it was an improvement over what had been around before. I'm only basing my comments here on what I've read that came from the USAAF pilots and ground crew based in England.

  • @shankarbalan3813
    @shankarbalan3813 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Seriously what a powerful battery it needs to crank like that! But once it gets purring! What a sound!

  • @michaelstarwars66
    @michaelstarwars66 8 ปีที่แล้ว +197

    the sound of victory

  • @bonchance9241
    @bonchance9241 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Beautiful aircraft
    thankyou for letting us see her

  • @davidkreutzkamp6602
    @davidkreutzkamp6602 10 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    congrats to Kermit and the crew at Fantasy of Flight. Great to hear that merlin after 17 years I'm sure. We waited 4 years to hear the sound of a DH Goblin on our vampire and that seemed like forever ;)

  • @robertwalker9366
    @robertwalker9366 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Saved are country...thank you raf...and all who joined the raf from far and wide
    ......who fought for freedom ....

  • @paulsirescu1778
    @paulsirescu1778 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    gorgeos sound, ty for sharing it with us

  • @Thunderstixx77
    @Thunderstixx77 8 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Listen to that Merlin engine !!!
    The engine that won WWII pretty much on its own. Used in all kinds of planes the Merlin was a true epic design of the genius of the people of Rolls Royce.

    • @barryervin8536
      @barryervin8536 8 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The engine that won WWll pretty much on it's own? I think the Russians and the US might disagree with that. Not to mention the Typhoon and Tempest and Beaufighter, and all the Wildcats, Hellcats, Corsairs, etc., used by the British.

    • @daleburrell6273
      @daleburrell6273 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      +Barry Ervin It is fair to say that merlin engine won the battle of Britain...if the battle of Britain had been lost, WWII might very well have been lost-!

    • @barrierodliffe4155
      @barrierodliffe4155 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Barry.
      USA had 3 groups using Spitfires in 1943, the Spitfire can be credited along with the Hurricane for the Battle of Britain, Malta was won when they used Spitfires. Air superiority was won by Spitfires over North Africa, the Spitfire was used for air superiority for Sicily and Italy as well as most other major actions.
      The Merlin was also used to improve the P 51, it was in the Mosquito and Lancaster. the Typhoon was mainly used for ground attack, the Tempest only from 1944, the Beaugfiighter was very good and like the Spitfire and Mosquito used by the USAAF. Wildcat, Hellcat and Corsair did not fight the Luftwaffe.
      The three most important planes of the war were powered by the Rolls Royce Merlin.
      USSR used Spitfires too but they never paid for them or anything else. The RAF even went to Russia an flew Spitfires there.

    • @craigweigle4482
      @craigweigle4482 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Barrie Rodliffe my

    • @annoyingbstard9407
      @annoyingbstard9407 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Soaringtractor/deermayer's just upset because his family were interned nazi sympathies during the war. Ironic that a US traitor should be so partisan!

  • @patb5266
    @patb5266 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Amazing video guys, thanks! Found myself saying "come on" as I watched, very positive vibe from everyone :)

  • @K6III450MHZ
    @K6III450MHZ 9 ปีที่แล้ว +1184

    Must have one hell of a battery to turn that prop during start up.

    • @alexabadi7458
      @alexabadi7458 8 ปีที่แล้ว +70

      +K6III450MHZ may be connected directly to generator/power line

    • @wmfife1
      @wmfife1 8 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yes was going to say what? No APU?

    • @Danspy501st
      @Danspy501st 8 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Well some of these planes need to be pulled to start. In other words, a man need to turn the propeller to start the engine. I dont think the Spitfire had it, or any plane from WW2 if I do recall it, but planes like a bi-plane from WW1 might need a hand to start the engine

    • @ostlandr
      @ostlandr 8 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      I've also seen a lot of the Radial engines being turned over by hand to distribute the oil before start.

    • @wmfife1
      @wmfife1 8 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      That's often true with the bigger radials as oil accumulation in the lower cylinders is unavoidable after the engine has been sitting even a few hours.
      Generally the largest engines where actual hand-propping is advisable are in the range of 400-450 hp. I personally watched a big burly guy start a Waco biplane with a Wright R-975 this way at Blakesburg. But I don't think I would try that myself. He looked like a tuck driver or wrestler, around 250 to 300 lbs maybe. Bet he could bench press his weight. Definitely not for everyone.

  • @unwing3437
    @unwing3437 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    8 years later and wondering if we will ever get a Kermie Cam video of the spitfire? Whatever happened to the Kermie Cam videos? Haven't seen a new one in a long time.

  • @johnbutterworth1369
    @johnbutterworth1369 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I wonder how long is permissible on the starter motor? She purrs like a kitten. Fresh compression.

  • @rbwood1978ify
    @rbwood1978ify 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Still to this day they’re probably the most beautiful bird ever flown.

  • @EtienneVerhellen
    @EtienneVerhellen 10 ปีที่แล้ว +90

    Spitfire Mk.XVIe painted as GE°D, plane flown by Belgian Pilot
    SqnLdr Raymond 'Cheval' Lallemant
    of 349 (Belgian) Sqn..., summer 1945.
    Watching the video, you really want it to start ...
    And it finally does @ 3:20 ... What a JOY !

    • @boucherpatrice3642
      @boucherpatrice3642 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ok

    • @jacktattis1190
      @jacktattis1190 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Etienne: Yes and well done, don't upset the Septics and tell them that 13 nations flew the Spitfire in WW2 including the USA

    • @johnmitchell991
      @johnmitchell991 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is priceless

    • @priyap5251
      @priyap5251 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Airplans flings

    • @ianballinger7644
      @ianballinger7644 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @soaringtractor A far better plane than your yankee shit Mustangs and their wonderful ALLISON engines.......what a bloody joke they were.......so you had to put BRITISH designed Merlins in them to make them perform.........What's your excuse for that one HUH. ???

  • @Kookoocachu
    @Kookoocachu 9 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    Thank you so much for sharing this!

  • @lanesaarloos281
    @lanesaarloos281 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    As a kid lived half mile from a small airfield owned by F86 Korean war fighter pilot Bud Fountain. Had some Stearman 17s hyped up for ag work ,and other 'toys' Also had a P-51 there they fired up occasionally,taking off and climbing at high power settings then return minutes later whizzing by in a blur in the opposite direction..then repeat.
    Bud Fountain gave me first plane ride in his '29 Great Lakes at age 13.

  • @Riverboat374
    @Riverboat374 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The sound of that engine is so damn thrilling! I got to hear an Me-109 do a low pass over an airfield in Germany. Same thrill.

  • @gibson617ajg
    @gibson617ajg 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Come on, own up.
    Who watched this and said 'come on baby, come on' as that prop was turning over?
    Who doesn't love the sound of a Merlin? It's literally the sound of Victory.

    • @terryirvine7090
      @terryirvine7090 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was, hahaha! I was saying C'mon nearly, c'mon!
      I'm not into planes, but its a nice piece of engineering from a great time and era!

    • @Fordnan
      @Fordnan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yep. My wife got very suspicious, and came expecting to find me with Johnson in hand.

  • @mu2freighter
    @mu2freighter 9 ปีที่แล้ว +330

    Nicely done, that Merlin sounded mighty happy to be running again!

    • @davecrupel2817
      @davecrupel2817 7 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Glenn Horowitz 5:21 sounds like the old pistons got the heating exercise they needed haha

    • @375GTB
      @375GTB 6 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Griffon!

    • @michaelmagdaraog892
      @michaelmagdaraog892 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Glenn Horowitz k

    • @michaelmagdaraog892
      @michaelmagdaraog892 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      37

    • @acopspi1436
      @acopspi1436 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      375GTB It's a Merlin. The MkXVI was pretty much a MkIX but used a Packard-built Merlin 266 instead of the equivalent Rolls-Royce Merlin 60. Later variants (like this one) had a cut down rear fuselage and teardrop canopies. The Griffons came into service with the MkXII. You can tell them apart as they had 5-bladed props and used longer spinners.

  • @TheTolz0
    @TheTolz0 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Im a yank and I love our fighter history.....but my god what a beautiful plane!!!!

    • @cameronmcallister7606
      @cameronmcallister7606 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      A tad late, but American planes were bloody good too, buitl more for the Pacific, and long distance over water, whilst we had the leisure of building ours to only be mid-range. You boys did bloody good.

  • @toastbusters7797
    @toastbusters7797 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That's one hell of a sound to match one hell of a plane. I'd give an arm and a leg to fly one of these beautiful machines.

  • @spitfire4206
    @spitfire4206 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    sound of freedom

  • @philgreen6084
    @philgreen6084 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    For me without being biased. Still hands down, the most beautiful plane ever built.

  • @bernardanderson7569
    @bernardanderson7569 6 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Great to hear the sound of the Freedom of the Spitfire "" wow

  • @lex1945
    @lex1945 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Most beautiful and best sounding fighter of WWII

  • @Big_Dog-5
    @Big_Dog-5 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The wine of a engine trying to start just grinds my gears. Its so exhausting to watch and hear😂

  • @peterbrown3608
    @peterbrown3608 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This sound alone is why we have an obsession with the internal combustion engine, lovely sound.

  • @sharpsdoublerifle1439
    @sharpsdoublerifle1439 8 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Reminds me of my old 1950 B35 bonanza, when hot it was a bastards to start, you had three hands going at the same time....manual fuel pump, starter, mixture and throttle at once...

  • @arnulfob3454
    @arnulfob3454 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Worlds first hotrod.

  • @DavidTurnell
    @DavidTurnell 8 ปีที่แล้ว +154

    To me it´s still the best looking plane ever made (followed by the F16)

    • @SageManeja
      @SageManeja 8 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      to me the hurricane is also very beautiful, and so are the japanese planes
      the american aircraft in the other hand look like a big mass of metal.. really ugly shape, but effective i guess

    • @theairbornepotato6771
      @theairbornepotato6771 8 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Tell me the P-61 is ugly. I dare you.

    • @DavidTurnell
      @DavidTurnell 8 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      The P-61 has a big ass and big tits. Very nice until it gets to 20, then becomes a gorilla/whale mutant.

    • @SageManeja
      @SageManeja 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      F4U is that obese girlfriend you get as a teenager because you thought it was "good enough"

    • @mecallahan1
      @mecallahan1 8 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      The Spitfire is proof of that old saying, "If it looks right, it will fly right".
      Sleek graceful and deadly all at the same time. But to call the Corsair
      an obese girlfriend, you go too far sir. That would be the P-47 lol.

  • @pikeywyatt
    @pikeywyatt 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Where i live in S.E .UK.there are quit a lot of old planes that fly over the cottage i live in .The last flight of the Vulcan .Twyce a PBY. Concord.THE battle of britain team (at least 3 times) and sometimes the pilots wave back .THIS is not in my imagination. But now at 71 and bad hearing ,i can not get out to the garden quick enough to see them.and i always forget the camera, so thanks for letting see your magic plaines.. 2 day's ago 3 chinooks went over,magic..keeps an old man and his dog very happy..

  • @jeffadkins5812
    @jeffadkins5812 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    3:24. That’s some pride there. Much love from America. I want to cry.

  • @06retd22
    @06retd22 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Best engine sound in all aviation

    • @geoffreyboyling615
      @geoffreyboyling615 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      And a close second is 'The Vulcan Howl'.

    • @sonjagebauer2322
      @sonjagebauer2322 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ok, the sound is beautiful, no discussion about that. BUT ... it is definately not the best engine sound in all aviation. Did you ever hear the 18 Cylinder P&W Engine in the Corsair F4U? THAT is the best engine sound ever! Nothing, really nothing can compare with that. 😍😍😍

  • @donaldblake1378
    @donaldblake1378 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The plane that saved the British Empire. . . and maybe the world. Awesome work guys.

  • @Quadrenaro
    @Quadrenaro 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Auto play brought me here while doing dishes, I head 0:50 and thought a had a dying dog in my back yard.

  • @cameronmcallister7606
    @cameronmcallister7606 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Imagine being around 80 years ago, you've barely got out of your flight training on a somewhat rushed course, and you get the engine started, just to hear this baby purr her way to life. Must have been a hell of a feeling.

    • @DeputatKaktus
      @DeputatKaktus 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cameron McAllister Probably a mixture of sheer excitement and gut-wrenching terror, because you knew that in a couple of minutes you’d be going head to head with seasoned Luftwaffe veterans. Being the young lad that you were you’d probably make light of it on the outside and crack a joke or two, but secretly were quite apprehensive. After all, there was a very real chance that by days end you would be either dead or bobbing up and down in the waters of the English Channel. Regardless, you were still eager to get your chance to kick Fritz in the arse.

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      During the Battle of Britain, many of the new pilots posted to front line squadrons had less that ten hours training on the fighters that they were going to fly in combat. Many of them did not survive their first operation.

  • @mmitra4669
    @mmitra4669 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The best part was the great bird being lovingly pushed into the hanger! Great job guys keep them running

  • @K.Straughan
    @K.Straughan 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Such a beautiful aircraft!

  • @f-xdemers2825
    @f-xdemers2825 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    If that engine had not been fired in 17 years, assistants would be standing close with a fire extinguishers. Still, nice kite.

    • @colebishoff1533
      @colebishoff1533 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Even if its true, you dont just pull the plane out of the garage and fire it up. Especially after so much time. There are pre flights, not to mention regular engine maintenance ie. Replacing fluids etc... And 17 years is not long. It could very well be the case...

  • @Rondu01
    @Rondu01 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I'm like that movie "Flight of the Phoenix." Come on, come on, start damnit! Finally!

  • @cccfifi
    @cccfifi 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    beautiful aircraft beautiful sound thanks for this moment

  • @NealB123
    @NealB123 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful bird. I had forgotten how tiny Spitfires are. Salute to the heroes of the RAF.

    • @MAXTORM61
      @MAXTORM61 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cómo suena el Rolls Royce.

    • @MAXTORM61
      @MAXTORM61 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Creo que me derribaron en uno, en el Norte de Francia.

  • @haydenoneil4975
    @haydenoneil4975 9 ปีที่แล้ว +35

    Can't Beat that Merlin sound :)

    • @briancollins1579
      @briancollins1579 9 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      +Hayden O'Neil except with an Allison sound...

    • @winchuni22
      @winchuni22 9 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      +Brian Collins No way mate, come on.

    • @briancollins1579
      @briancollins1579 9 ปีที่แล้ว

      winchuni22
      the Merlin sound is kind of wheezy and prissy...the Allison has a nice deep growl to it...

    • @1339LARS
      @1339LARS 9 ปีที่แล้ว

      +Brian Collins Doo, it´s the same engine Packard/Rolls !

    • @briancollins1579
      @briancollins1579 9 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      *****
      no it is not...the Allison was very different...

  • @yar9716
    @yar9716 9 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What a beauty.

  • @SgtSteel1
    @SgtSteel1 8 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    You can hear it huffing and puffing and sniffing for air, almost like it really wants to breathe properly, but it can't until it's cleared it's sinuses (kind of thing) edit: but it then bursts into life and OMFG what a sound :D

  • @Brough1111
    @Brough1111 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Have a fire truck standing by that is a piece of priceless art and treasure.

  • @QaiKo1
    @QaiKo1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Music to my ears

    • @wraith_1367
      @wraith_1367 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nice profile picture my brother