TimAPNY wrote:
had heard (for what little that is worth) that the CWH was out of the fighter business. Thus no more Hurricanes, Corsairs or Spitfires.
Their Fairey Firefly, which is airworthy, is a 'fighter'. Maybe you are thinking single seaters - however the Firefly is flown solo (I believe) for displays.
Steve T wrote:
1. Lizzie. Not flown yet for two principal reasons, as I understand it: MoT paperwork issues (which is probably what you mean by "legal issues"), and the paucity of current Lysander pilots--the Lizzie has unique flying characteristics, not a type you can hop into right out of a Texan.
Hi Steve,
I can provide a number of pilot's accounts and a couple of current contacts (I'm sure the CWH can do the latter themselves, of course) on the pilot issue.
For those that aren't as familiar with the Lysander, it's a completely unique type with slat operated flaps - the pilot controls them only by the angle of attack and airspeed. Also there's a fully moving tailplane for trim. Set it wrong on take-off or go-around and you'll crash - for certain. Not many people know that Harald Penrose, the original test pilot of the type in the 30s, was most reluctant to release it into service as it was - and a number of RAF crews were killed in the early days. It's not a dangerous aircraft as such, but there are some things which are very unusual, and if not allowed for are certainly fatal. It will also embarrass a pilot on the landing approach with a 'stair' descent if he doesn't get the speed right. Oh, and the Mercury engine requires a different management technique to American radials. As Steve says, it's not to be jumped into from the otherwise excellent trainer the Texan.
Regards,
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