Spitfire crashes in field while practising for VE day event

[Xray]

Not sure if this has been posted already, fortunately no casualties, and aircraft appears to be not extensively damaged.

The 82-year-old World War II fighter aircraft made the emergency landing in a farmer's crop field in West Hythe, Kent, at around 7pm yesterday.

Fire crews, paramedics, and police rushed to the crash site, with photos showing the historic Spitfire resting among the crops as emergency crews secured the area.

Miraculously, the pilot and passenger managed to walk away unhurt from the disaster.

However, the propellers at the front of the aircraft were visibly damaged in the crash.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/34788973/ ... -day-kent/

[FuryFB11]

For the record, it was conducting a passenger flight along with T.9 TE308.

[JohnB]

In the UK paper I read, the operators went out of their way to deny the VE Day practice claim.
Understandable if there was a paying passenger aboard.
The CAA frowns on passengers during displays, and presumably, during practice.

[Xray]

True, too early to assume he was "practicing" for anything, and the answer could be yes, and no.
Likely he was not practicing any aerobatic maneuvers, but could have been going over the route he was set to fly on May 8th, which might be considered practice by the authorities.
I wonder if the passenger was a paying customer ?

Would be interested to hear anything else on this incident, please keep us posted anyone in the UK following this.

[ZRX61]

There was another Spit that tipped on it's nose a day or two before this.

[quemerford]

There was another Spit that tipped on its nose a day or two before this.

That one was a semi-scale replica, at Henstridge, UK and looks to be a straightforward/easy-ish repair. No injuries.

[Hooligan2]

True, too early to assume he was "practicing" for anything, and the answer could be yes, and no.
Likely he was not practicing any aerobatic maneuvers, but could have been going over the route he was set to fly on May 8th, which might be considered practice by the authorities.
I wonder if the passenger was a paying customer ?

Would be interested to hear anything else on this incident, please keep us posted anyone in the UK following this.

As FuryFB11 points out, it was a normal passenger flight out of Biggin Hill, one of several it made during the day, absolutely nothing to do with practising VE Day anniversary celebrations. Two Spits doing a pairs trip to Beachy Head, then east along the coast, very likely to Capel-le-Ferne to view the Battle of Britain memorial, then back to Biggin Hill into a lovely setting sun. The problem occured over Romney Marsh, out of range of the nearest airport, Lydd, and probably not enough height to reach either of two nearby strips - probably too short anyway. Great outcome from a tricky situation. The aircraft was back on its undercarriage yesterday and ready for dismantling.

[Lynn Allen]

TE308, that was Bill Greenwoods Spit, correct? We used to go into Aspen and see it parked out on the ramp.

[Hooligan2]

TE308, that was Bill Greenwoods Spit, correct? We used to go into Aspen and see it parked out on the ramp.

Correct, now back in the UK as G-AWGB. I guess Bill ran out of time or funds to complete the rebuild after the landing collision at Galveston and sold it on in 2018, must have been one of the longest Spitfire ownerships - 25 years! Shame it ended for him the way it did.

[DH82EH]

I met Bill at Oshkosh in 1984. That was very early in his ownership. I even remember seeing the advertisement for the Spitfire in "Trade a plane".
It was so unfortunate that he was involved in that collision.
I recall reading the report. The briefing was that the Hurricane land on one half of the runway and Spitfire on the other half.
Rollout until the end as the bombers were landing behind.
The Hurricane suffered a stuck brake and crossed the centreline.

[C VEICH]

I guess Bill ran out of time or funds to complete the rebuild after the landing collision at Galveston and sold it on in 2018, must have been one of the longest Spitfire ownerships - 25 years!

Bill owned it from late 1983 until some time in 2018-2019 so more than 35 years actually.

[Hooligan2]

I guess Bill ran out of time or funds to complete the rebuild after the landing collision at Galveston and sold it on in 2018, must have been one of the longest Spitfire ownerships - 25 years!

Bill owned it from late 1983 until some time in 2018-2019 so more than 35 years actually.

Quite correct sir! Maths was never my strong point...