Last Sunday, I was given the immense privelige of being able to photograph a truly unique aircraft - the Supermarine Spitfire. This particular aircraft, RW382, is a Spitfire F Mk IX, converted from a low-back Mk XVI during the 1990s.
For my first ever air-to-air photoshoot, being thrown in at the deep end with a Spitfire was actually quite a daunting prospect. Exciting, but extremely nerve-wracking once I realised just how serious the shoot would be.
Upon arriving at the IWM Duxford aerodrome, the weather wasn't ideal. The skies were relatively clear, but there were crosswinds gusting up to 14kt...then 20, 25, 27! It didn't look like there was much potential for us to go flying! The Spitfire was actually supposed to be flying on Saturday, but the wind and rain meant this had to be postponed until Sunday.
The aircraft I were supposed to be photographing included a privately-owned deHavilland Chipmunk, and a Taylorcraft Auster. A simple shoot, which I was looking forward to for my first air-to-air. It wasn't until I arrived at Duxford that it was mentioned we'd be taking the Spit up instead. The Chipmunk couldn't depart its home airfield, again due to wind, and I wasn't sure what the situation with the Auster was. Still, I'm not complaining!
George, the owner of RW382, made the decision to take her up for a short run around the airfield circuit, to test the weather conditions and evaluate the possibility of flying. We gathered around for a brief, everything was prepared, and RW382 was escorted out of her hangar onto the apron, ready for George to take her into the skies. Pre-flight checks were carried out; batteries, lights, hydraulics, engine primed, fuel pump on...and ignition! The Rolls-Royce Merlin 66 fired into life! Following a short splutter was the most magnificent sound you could imagine, the tame purring of a Spitfire engine at idle. Being stood not too far from the tail, I could feel the rush of air flying past my face as the propellor spun into action. She was ready for the skies, I could feel it.
George taxied out across the airfield, completing various checks along the way, and held short of the runway to carry out the run-up sequence. After gaining approval from the tower, RW382 rolled calmly onto the runway and lined up. From this distance, almost silence...then the throttle was opened! The engine roared, the propellor danced, and the Spitfire started to dash along the runway. With a simple pull back on the stick, she graciously left the Earth's surface, and with that, she was airborne!
We watched from ground level as George took the Spitfire around the circuit, completing various display maneuvers along the way which was a real treat. After what felt like only a couple of minutes later, the Spitfire was back on final approach preparing to land. The moment of truth - is the wind calm enough for the landing to go smoothly? All fingers were crossed, and breath was held...then as if flying in perfect conditions, she touched down perfectly without so much as a wobble.
George shut down the Merlin, and jumped out of the Spitfire. The decision was made that James, our other Spitfire pilot, would be the pilot for our photoship aircraft, and George would fly RW382 in close formation with us. Brilliant news, the Spitfire was going up again!
Whilst waiting for conditions to improve again, myself and Bastian were given the chance to experience flying in the larger Dragon Rapide, courtesy of Classic Wings. This was my first time flying in such a timeless aircraft, and the first time I'd actually been flying in a number of months. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when George described the Rapide as a "true gentleman's aircraft", I assure you he was 100% correct. With classic lines, charm & charisma, this was a stunning example of aircraft engineering and class. A short flight around the circuit and back, it was a brillilant experience.
Upon landing, I was given the message "get ready, the Spitfire is going to be airborne by 14:00". No time to waste, I thought! I made sure everything was ready; cameras, lenses, spare batteries. Now all that was left was jumping in the Cessna, and getting in the sky before the Spitfire.
We completed our checks, and took off - within a matter of minutes, we'd circled back over the airfield and I could now see RW382 a couple of thousand feet below us, rolling down the runway. This is it. George soon gained altitude and we were flying mere feet from a Spitfire, staring us down from the Right Echelon position. Get snapping! My camera was giving it all it had, I didn't want to waste any of the precious time I had in the air with the Spitfire so close.
Moving now to Left Echelon, I had a bit of trouble shooting towards our Port side, with the side of the aircraft getting in the way. Nevertheless, I contorted myself into some rather unusual positions to turn behind and photograph the Spit, pulling a leg muscle in the process - worth it though!
Time passed, and we were flying over Duxford like something out of the Battle of Britain film. Almost 2,000 photos later, George and the Spitfire broke formation, and headed back to base. Although the Spitfire broke off first, our Cessna allowed us to land before George, who soon followed. We watched him land, and I reveiewed some of my photos. I don't think I've ever had a grin so wide in my life! Some of these were fantastic shots, and this is just viewing them in-camera - I couldn't wait to get back and view them on the big screen in Lightroom.
Once the photoshoot sortie was over, we debriefed whilst James hopped into the Spitfire to prepare himself for a flight. The weather had calmed down, and he was to take RW382 up for a 20 minute sortie before sunset.
Upon starting again, there was excess fuel in the engine which ignited with the most spectacular display of flames when the engine kicked in - this is possibly my favourite photo of the day!
Following James' return to the airfield, we towed the Spitfire back into her hangar, behind the Piper Cub we moved earlier in the day. There were a few smaller tasks left to do, such as cleaning off any hydraulic fluid or oil from the underside, and making sure that all the equipment used was returned, ready to be called upon again for another day.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and a brilliant day from start to finish. Many thanks to Bastian, George & James for arranging the sortie and allowing us to fly with this beautiful machine!
