Spitfire over Kent today

[CAPP0]

There's a Spit been flying around here this morning, (West Malling area but not the old airfield), he's been past about 4 times now with a 20-30 min gap in between. Wonder what he's up to. Sounds glorious, as ever!

[CAPP0]

Still flying back & forth, looks to be following broadly the same route all the time, approximately east - west. Not sure of his speed or exactly how long it is between passes, so I don't know where he's turning, but I do live under a fairly straight line between Biggin Hill & Manston. The Merlin sounded slightly "less-than" on the last pass; hope not!

[Eric Mc]

Less than what?

[Mr_B]

One came directly over my place in Greenhithe at exactly 10.30am. It was heading for Biggin Hill, so guess it may have been one of those based there ?

[CAPP0]

Eric Mc said:

Less than what?

Less than 100%/Perfect/good. A fairly common saying in my circles.

With it having directly overflown me several times today, on the last pass that I heard and saw, the engine sounded different, and not in a good way. That's all I can say, I know nothing of the technicalities, but I have a mechanically-sympathetic ear.

[steve2]

saw it overhead at 5.15 in Bredhurst tonight

[Eric Mc]

CAPP0 said:

Less than 100%/Perfect/good. A fairly common saying in my circles.

With it having directly overflown me several times today, on the last pass that I heard and saw, the engine sounded different, and not in a good way. That's all I can say, I know nothing of the technicalities, but I have a mechanically-sympathetic ear.

Hmmm - I'd hope that it wasn't in trouble.

When throttled back, Merlins and Griffons have a habit of popping and banging so it could have been just that.