SLOPING OFF...
...the Newsletter of Christchurch and District Model Flying Club for...June 2025
WARBIRD DAY AT COMPTON ABBAS
The Editor’s Birthday treat, May 18 2025
My son Jon and I drove up to Compton Abbas for a special treat on the day before my birthday, provided by my wife Wendy. It was a Warbird Day and we were treated to flights by the two Spitfires “Lady Luck” and “Elizabeth” taking paying passengers for trips, three De Havilland beauties, a Tiger Moth, Gypsy Moth and a DH Canada Chipmunk and a North American Texan.
The Spitfire text is taken from the Aero Legends website
MJ444 “Lady Luck” boasts a fascinating wartime history. She served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 403, 443, and 411 Squadrons, alongside her sister aircraft, Spitfire NH341 €˜Elizabeth”. While with 403 Squadron, pilots like Flying Officer Mac Reeves and Flying Officer Stephen Butte DFC flew her under the command of the legendary Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson.
Sadly, her operational career ended on January 13, 1945, when flak near St. Vith brought her down during a mission with 443 Squadron. However, her story didn’t end there. After an incredible restoration that included her conversion to a two-seat configuration by Aircraft Restoration Company, she soared again on June 6 2024, marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
NH341 was delivered to 411 RCAF Squadron’s airfield at B4 Beny sur Mer near the Normandy coast shortly after D Day (6th June 1944) on 12th June 1944, flying its first sortie on 14th June. NH341 made 27 operational combat flights over the post D Day battlefields in the hands of 9 pilots. F/L Trainor scored two air victories in NH341 against ME109s on the 29th and 30th June.
The fuselage of NH341 arrived at Historic Flying Ltd, based at The Imperial War Museum Duxford in July 2015. The restoration of this historic aircraft has been completed in a two seat MK IXT configuration to allow Aero Legends customers to experience flying in a Spitfire. The colour scheme and equipment are designed to mirror as closely as possible NH341 flying with the Canadian pilots of 411 Squadron.
The T-6 Texan was built in 1957 to FA Haiti and flew there until 1982 when it was sold to an American pilot in Miami. It came to England in 1989 and is currently owned by Warbird Experiences...I think.
De Havilland DH60 Gypsy Moth G-AAWO. She displayed a number of times, giving pleasure flights to awestruck passengers
De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, delivered to the RAF, also flew under French ownership before returning to the UK, currently flying with Aero Legends Leasing. Aaah, de Havilland, as “Uncle Roger” used to say in Flight magazine.
This is DHC-1Chipmunk, WB 703.Iit flew a couple of times during the day. A perfect 1950s RAF trainer colour scheme