Around the world in a Silver Spitfire

In the 100th anniversary year of Britain’s Royal Air Force, two aviators have spent four months circumnavigating the globe in a mirror-polished aluminium WWII Spitfire


Service: Flew 51 combat missions during war


ROUTE

Aug 5/Dec 5, Start/Finish: Goodwood Airport, UK


PACIFIC OCEAN
U.S.
CANADA
GREENLAND
ATLANTIC OCEAN
ITALY
NETHERLANDS
GERMANY
GREECE
EGYPT
UAE
THAILAND
INDIA
RUSSIA
VIETNAM
TAIWAN
JAPAN

EQUATOR

Intertropical Convergence Zone: Spitfire must avoid this unstable weather area

Distance travelled: 40,000km (approx.)


TEAM

Silver Spitfire

Two pilots alternate shifts flying aircraft

Altitude: Low to be visible from ground, occasionally rising to 7,600m
 
Pilatus PC-12 support plane Carries two documentary film-makers, engineer and spare parts. Second Spitfire pilot rests on board


SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE

Wooden propeller: Four blades (3.27m diameter)

Air intake

Rolls-Royce Merlin engine: 27-litre V12 – 1,350 BHP

Cockpit: 1943 original with new radio, navigation unit and iPad

Tailwheel: Steers aircraft when taxiing on ground

Vertical stabiliser: Fabric skin painted silver


Sources: silverspitfire.com, Hodinkee 
Pictures: John M. Dibbs, silverspitfire.com 
© GRAPHIC NEWS