RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

Message
Author
User avatar
Ex-Ascot
Test Pilot
Test Pilot
Posts: 13096
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:16 am
Location: Botswana but sometimes Greece
Gender:
Age: 68

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#41 Post by Ex-Ascot » Mon Aug 12, 2019 5:41 am

Done that route many times with the HS748 (Andover). We would position for tours State side. On one occasion HRH PP wanted to get away from 'er indoors for a few days. He asked how were getting to Canada to pick him up. He said he would come all the way with us. Put him down as crew. Gave us greater flexibility if we had to ferry flapless or summat. Didn't. We used to file for Sondrestrom then look at the actual for Narsarsuaq when approaching Greenland and dive in there for fuel if it was clear to shorten the route.
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#42 Post by CharlieOneSix » Mon Aug 12, 2019 3:02 pm

They've caught me out - I checked the TAF/METAR of the next planned destination of Broughton Island and thought they would be grounded for today. However they were airborne from Kangerlussuaq at 1350Z. Not sure where they are headed but looks like CYFB Iqaluit Airport. The weather there looks good:

CYFB IQALUIT
METAR CYFB 121400Z 17004KT 140V210 30SM BKN250 10/06 A2993 RMK CI6 SLP138=
TAF CYFB 121138Z 1212/1312 VRB03KT P6SM FEW030 BECMG 1218/1220 18007KT BECMG 1303/1305 35005KT RMK NXT FCST BY 121800Z=

They have changed their flight tracker to Spidertracks - much better!
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#43 Post by CharlieOneSix » Mon Aug 12, 2019 4:15 pm

Landed Iqaluit at 1613Z.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
Stoneboat
Capt
Capt
Posts: 1947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:09 pm
Location: 50-13.5N/66-16.0W
Gender:
Age: 77

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#44 Post by Stoneboat » Tue Aug 13, 2019 10:41 pm

Landed Iqaluit at 1613Z.
They overnighted in Iqaluit last night. Does anyone know the routing after there? Logic says Kuujjuaq (Fort Chimo CYVP) then here, CYZV, then onward. Unless they decide to strike off across the north via Salluit (CYZG) then via La Grande and Val D'or. Either way there is a lot of inhospitable terrain between them and civilization.

I used to see Mira Slovak occasionally when he was ferrying those Fournier R-4 powered gliders across from Europe. He told me the bit he disliked the most was between here and Kuujjuaq. That's 600 miles of nothing, two airports one at Schefferville and the other at Wabush. In winter it can go to -45 and in the summer the bugs will get you after a couple of days without protection.

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#45 Post by CharlieOneSix » Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:24 pm

Looks like another night at Iqaluit due to poor destination weather.

Try this for the routing: https://www.silverspitfire.com/about/flight-tracker/
Hope that link works - it’s been a bit iffy with 404 messages. Scroll down for routing details.

CYVP next then CYWK. CYZV doesn’t feature I’m afraid.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
Stoneboat
Capt
Capt
Posts: 1947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:09 pm
Location: 50-13.5N/66-16.0W
Gender:
Age: 77

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#46 Post by Stoneboat » Wed Aug 14, 2019 12:26 am

Looks like another night at Iqaluit due to poor destination weather.
Yeah, both us and WK have had heavy rain showers all day. Tomorrow's forecast is for better weather. I'll check out the link, hope it works. There was a Chronos Aviation PC-12 parked beside it in FB, I wonder if they will fly formation with him southbound. The PC pilot is the son of a good friend. If he's flying formation with a Spit Max'll be awash in beer every time he hits an airport bar. :D

Edit to add:

Link works great. I see they're flying YWK - YYY - YOW, instead of YWK - YZV - YQB -YOW. males sense, omits one stop.
Two weeks ago some guy in a Cirrus departed YWK for YQB via YBC. He was about 40 miles NW of here when he began to experience engine problems and eventually lost power and went into the bush. The Cirrus had an onboard parachute so he deployed it. SAR picked him up in two hours.

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#47 Post by CharlieOneSix » Wed Aug 14, 2019 7:29 am

Stoneboat wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 12:26 am
........There was a Chronos Aviation PC-12 parked beside it in FB, I wonder if they will fly formation with him southbound. The PC pilot is the son of a good friend. If he's flying formation with a Spit Max'll be awash in beer every time he hits an airport bar. :D
The PC-12 OY-THP has been alongside the Spitfire for the whole trip so far.

There's a new page on the expedition website which has some good photos and updates on progress: Expedition Update
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
Stoneboat
Capt
Capt
Posts: 1947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:09 pm
Location: 50-13.5N/66-16.0W
Gender:
Age: 77

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#48 Post by Stoneboat » Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:14 pm

Looks like another weather delay. Frobe is marginal VFR and Kuujjuaq and Schefferville are both down. Supposed to begin clearing out around noon local, and good VFR by 14:00.

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#49 Post by CharlieOneSix » Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:20 pm

Yes, not good. I saw that he taxied down to the holding point and then taxied back again to the hardstanding.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
Stoneboat
Capt
Capt
Posts: 1947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:09 pm
Location: 50-13.5N/66-16.0W
Gender:
Age: 77

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#50 Post by Stoneboat » Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:56 am

Weather's no screaming hell for tomorrow out of Iqaluit. 5 degrees on the ground, there's gotta be ice in that stuff. It's a pity, the weather's severe clear down this way.
I posted earlier that that was a Chronos PC-12 on the ramp with the Spit. It's not Chronos, but another black PC-12, the one that is accompanying the Spit. Reason I thought it was Chronos is because the Chronos PC-12 pilot had posted the pic on FB. :ymblushing:

METAR CYFB 150100Z VRB02KT 10SM FEW004 SCT008 OVC011 05/04 A3001 RMK ST2ST2SC4 SLP166=

METAR CYFB 150000Z 13003KT 10SM VCSH FEW004 BKN011 OVC015 05/04 A3001 RMK ST2SC3SC3 SLP166=

METAR CYFB 142300Z 16006KT 10SM SCT004 OVC011 05/04 A3000 RMK ST3SC5 SLP164=

TAF CYFB 142338Z 1500/1524 16006KT P6SM SCT004 OVC012 TEMPO 1500/1502
3SM BR BKN004 OVC008
FM150200 13006KT P6SM SCT004 OVC008 TEMPO 1502/1506 3SM BR SCT002
OVC004
FM150600 13008KT 3/4SM -DZ BR OVC002 TEMPO 1506/1512 P6SM NSW
OVC006
FM151200 14008KT 3/4SM -RA BR OVC004 TEMPO 1512/1521 3SM -RA BR
OVC008
FM152100 15008KT 2SM BR OVC008 TEMPO 1521/1524 3/4SM -DZ BR
OVC002

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#51 Post by CharlieOneSix » Thu Aug 15, 2019 6:16 pm

Looks like tomorrow will be better. This is the relevant part of the Iqaluit (UTC -4) veery loong TAF for tomorrow: BECMG 1616/1618 SCT012 BKN060. At this early stage the TAFS down route to Kuujjuaq and Wabush look as though they might be suitable.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#52 Post by CharlieOneSix » Thu Aug 15, 2019 9:31 pm

Well the fog must have cleared. The Spitfire was airborne from Iqaluit at 2025z - up at 7000ft presumably for Kuujjuaq.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
Stoneboat
Capt
Capt
Posts: 1947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:09 pm
Location: 50-13.5N/66-16.0W
Gender:
Age: 77

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#53 Post by Stoneboat » Thu Aug 15, 2019 10:31 pm

Kuujjuaq is reporting light rain...

METAR CYVP 152200Z 17006KT 12SM -RA BKN045 OVC055 13/10 A2978 RMK SC6SC2 SLP087 DENSITY ALT 200FT=
METAR CYVP 152100Z 16009KT 12SM -SHRA BKN050 BKN070 OVC120 14/08 A2979 RMK SC6AC1AC1 CVCTV CLD EMBD SLP090 DENSITY ALT 300FT=

...But Schefferville and Wabush are wide open.

METAR CYKL 152200Z AUTO 25012G18KT 9SM FEW070 16/07 A2995 RMK SLP156 DENSITY ALT 2100FT=

METAR CYWK 152200Z 22006KT 15SM BKN065 17/07 A3001 RMK SC6 SLP173 DENSITY ALT 2400FT=

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#54 Post by CharlieOneSix » Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:21 pm

Airborne from Iqaluit to CYWK Wabush at 1458z.

EDIT: Hmm - looks as though he has hit some weather - some circling going on and then he punched up from about 2000ft to 13,000ft......12,000ft now at 1557z...

Latest Wabush Metar looks okay:
CYWK 161500Z 27008KT 15SM SCT048 BKN210 18/07 A3002 RMK CU4CI2 SLP176 DENSITY ALT 2600FT=

...and now he's back down to 5000ft and on track again...
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#55 Post by CharlieOneSix » Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:31 pm

Landed at - or diverted to - CYKL Schefferville at 1628z. No info as to his declared destination.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#56 Post by CharlieOneSix » Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:41 pm

Departed CYKL Schefferville at 1908z. Landed at Chibougamau Airport CYMT at 2127z. Neither of these were on the original schedule of airports to be visited.

EDIT: Wow, they are really trying to make up for all the days of weather delays. Airborne from Chibougamau at 2220z - looks as though they are on track for CYOW Ottawa Gatineau.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
Stoneboat
Capt
Capt
Posts: 1947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:09 pm
Location: 50-13.5N/66-16.0W
Gender:
Age: 77

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#57 Post by Stoneboat » Sat Aug 17, 2019 2:33 am

That's actually a more direct routing between KL and OW, the original routing is a dogleg off to the left. I think that's a good call going to Gatineau (YND). It's a more general aviation friendly place, and that is also where Vintage Wings of Canada is based. I believe they have a Spit in their collection.

Tall Bird
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 2083
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2015 3:05 pm
Location: Under the blossom
Gender:

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#58 Post by Tall Bird » Sat Aug 17, 2019 8:10 am

Pity they missed the Red Arrows at Gatineau/Ottawa a few days ago. Could've been an interesting display. :D



User avatar
CharlieOneSix
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 5005
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: NE Scotland
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#59 Post by CharlieOneSix » Sat Aug 17, 2019 3:47 pm

The plan had been for the Spitfire to be at Gatineau for four nights starting 12 August but they were delayed by weather. The PC12 and Spitfire pilot, Ian Smith, is ex-Red Arrows. Now that would have been a sight - Red Arrows in formation with the Silver Spitfire leading a la Concorde formation many years ago. Maybe that was the plan.....?
.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org

User avatar
Stoneboat
Capt
Capt
Posts: 1947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:09 pm
Location: 50-13.5N/66-16.0W
Gender:
Age: 77

Re: RTW in a Spitfire Mk IX (solo, yes really)

#60 Post by Stoneboat » Sat Aug 17, 2019 6:25 pm

C16/TB, I think appearing with the Red Arrows must have been part of the original plan. I was talking to a member of Vintage Wings this am, and he mentioned it was a pity the Spit had been unable to perform with them, what with the pilot being an ex-member of the Arrows and all. It was undergoing a 25-hour inspection this morning in the Vintage Wings hangar.

Post Reply