The deadline for Christmas orders has been extended to the 15th of December.
Head over to the merchandise page and make sure you get your orders in on time to avoid disappointment!
James Wheeler
Carolyn has recently been confirmed as appearing at Duxford's September air show on both the 5th and 6th of September 2009.
James Wheeler
Today was a landmark in the history of The Grace Spitfire ML407 being 65 years since she was taken on charge delivered by Jackie Moggridge to Flying Officer Johnnie Houlton DFC 485 New Zealand Squadron.
I was so pleased to have a short notice booking for ML407 and be flying her today for 45 minutes down to near Denham and return to Duxford on probably one of the best flying days I have flown in for some months.
Carolyn Grace
Hi all, this news post is a quick update for you all to let you know that Carolyn has had a late booking to display at Duxford on the 17th of May!
James Wheeler
This morning the Member's Area password has changed, the new password can be found in your supportership renewal letter. The username has remained the same but don't forget it is case sensitive!
If you have any difficulties at all accessing the Member's Area please do not hesitate to contact me at webmaster@ml407.co.uk and I will be more than happy to help you.
So, if you haven't done so since the 3rd of March, head into the Member's Area and check out the new look and new features available!
James Wheeler
I am pleased to say I have sent out nearly all the renewal letters and cards. Thank you to all those who have so kindly renewed their support for The Grace Spitfire you are a vital part of the Team which keeps ML407 flying. I have to now do a check run to sweep up any I have missed out on!
Along with them was the bookings for 2009 which will also be put onto the display bookings section of the website shortly (and also below this article). It will be updated when new bookings come in. The reason for the delay in sending out the renewal letters- acknowledging your renewal made in November December - and the renewal card is due to my wanting to minimise on costs and combine as much as I can in one letter. The bookings are rarely confirmed until end February due to the Military participation committee issuing what they will provide to the Airshow organisers - then the Airshow organisers decide on civilian (ie us) participation.
With the renewal I also sent out the tickets for the Gathering on the 13th June. There are still places available for this event due to the large venue. You do have to be a Supporter to attend but you can still become a Supporter now and still be in time to obtain tickets for this popular occasion.
Carolyn Grace
For the benefit of all the web users, please see below the list of public displays that ML407 and Carolyn will be attending this year as confirmed at 22nd Feb 2009. Further bookings will be announced in the June newsletter (these are also listed in the calendar on the message board):
James Wheeler, ML407 Webmaster
I am very pleased indeed to announce that on Tuesday 13th January I test flew The Grace Spitfire following the winter detailed successful maintenance programme. There were no 'snags' and all required checks completed in the second flight that day in which I did a navigation exercise to check the compass (it is the original wartime P11 compass) and give the engine a good steady run. High power checks were done - flying at all power settings.
It is a great credit to Steve, Richard and Gerbs that ML407 is ready promptly. We had our first booking on the 14th and 15th January and have three more in February - more information to follow when I receive a public booking.
I strongly recommend that you purchase the February issue of Top Gear Magazine out in the shops in about a weeks time - you will be impressed.
Carolyn Grace
We wish you all a very Happy New Year and it is an even happier new year for The Grace Spitfire - we are very pleased to announce that HSBC Insurance Brokers are continuing their most generous sponsorship of the insurance programme for ML407 in 2009. They very kindly informed me during the festive season and I am delighted to pass this wonderful news on to you all at this time.
The sponsorship by HSBC Insurance Brokers means that we will be able to keep The Grace Spitfire in her element - the sky - where for the past 65 years she has exhibited her true form and beauty, where her history lives on as we honour the past generations who have enabled the present and future generations to live in a free world.
Carolyn Grace
At last 'phase 1' of the new look website has been released! After much hard work and double checking the site has now been given the nod by Carolyn, so here it is!
If you find any sections on the site which don't work correctly please drop me an email at webmaster@ml407.co.uk and I will look at fixing them. I have tried to test the new site in as many browsers as is practical so hopefully it will be ok for most. If you don't wish to email me you can post remarks about any issues you may have on the message board.
Currently only the public section of the site is overhauled. 'Phase 2' is to push this new look into the member's area as well. This will be my next task and now I have laid the foundations the work should take less time to complete.
I hope you all like it!
James
The Grace Spitfire Supporters will have had a 'heads up' from the Newsletter and indeed the message board about ML407 appearing in one of the Top Gear programmes. Well it is the finale in the current series and it will be shown this coming Sunday 27th July at 20.00.
I do not know what the final format will be like but sure to be good viewing as this is one of my few favourite programmes I have to say, and to be involved with it was a real honour.
Hope you like it - let me know.
Carolyn
I am extremely pleased to be posting these pictures, taken today around 14:00 at Old Warden, of ML407 taking to the air once again with Carolyn Grace at the controls. I am sure you will all agree that this is a most pleasing sight!
James Wheeler
By the evening of 7th June the team at HSBC Insurance Brokers had already secured the approval of Underwriters to put the framework in place for repairs to begin on ML407. By Sunday 8th June I received confirmation that all essential personnel involved with the insurance claim process had been briefed and we were given the green light to commence the necessary work.
At 14.30 hrs today Friday 13th June The Grace Spitfire was declared serviceable following nearly 6 days of intensive work by Steve Kingman, Richard Grace and Pete Jeffery together with Michael Barnett of Skycraft who assembled our spare propeller.
This remarkable achievement has been attained as a result of the outstanding professional support of HSBC Insurance Brokers and our insurance Underwriters, who enabled our team to effect the necessary repairs safe in the knowledge that they were supported without encumbrance.
I plan to fly ML407 out of Old Warden tomorrow afternoon back to our maintenance facilities.
We are delighted to be able to supply some images of ML407, taken today by Darren Harbar:
Carolyn Grace
Today, on the 7th of June 2008 at the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden, the Grace Spitfire suffered a minor taxiing incident. The pilot, Carolyn Grace, was not injured and is absolutely fine.
Whilst taxiing out to display, the Spitfire unexpectedly crossed a patch of soft ground causing it to nose over at low speed. The propellor blades broke upon contact with the ground, and the engine will be tested for shock loading.
The aircraft has been recovered to the hangar and will be inspected by the engineering team.
The aircraft should be serviceable again soon, further updates will be posted.
See below the details of this wonderful event at the Shuttleworth collection on the evening of 7th of June. See their website for information by clicking here.
Join us for a special evening recreating the era of the 1940's hangar dance followed by a delicious authentic wartime supper. Then, more dancing, let's jive and jitterbug!!
Please come dressed in period costume if you wish to - there will be a prize for the best dressed couple! Go on have a go.
Dance the night away with Paul Roberts and the "Swingers" also featuring the stunning "Kas", our delightful Forces sweetheart.
Ticket prices £25 per adult in advance only. 10% discount for 10 or more persons.
Arrive 8pm for 8.30pm start Music finishes at midnight, the function ends at 1am
Period costume is encouraged, this is not a black tie event. A lounge suit is acceptable.
Ideal for re-unions, groups and makes an ideal birthday or anniversary treat.
A great evening of entertainment - not to be missed!
Secure your tickets NOW! and get in the mood.
Call our special ticket hotline 01767 627933
Carolyn Grace
On Sunday the 8th June you can attend the Bentwaters Cold War Museum Open Day at which I will be displaying The Grace Spitfire ML407 and Richard Grace and company will be displaying The Dukes Of Cassutt formula One racing aircraft. The details are on their website www.bcwm.org.uk.
The museum will be holding a special open day on Sunday June 8th 2008 from 10 am until 4 pm.
With something for everyone to enjoy including-
Carolyn Grace
On Friday 25th April The Grace Spitfire was greeted at Bentwaters Airfield (in Suffolk) by Rendlesham Primary school who have designed their own school emblem with a Spitfire on it (some 18 months ago) now they were standing with a real Spitfire. It was a most moving experience to have the young children so fascinated to be close and take in the aura of The Grace Spitfire and all it represents.
It was an enchanting day and most welcoming to us. We have set up our maintenance organisation at Bentwaters due to the limitations placed on the hangarage of aircaraft and maintenance at Duxford. One of the Duxford policies is that you may not run a commercial operation on site. Because it is a working museum and the aeroplanes based there are historic a commerical maintenance organisation would not meet with Duxford's impressive conservation ethos.
Bentwaters was built during the Second World War as a British base. It was taken over by the Americans and continued to expand to be a significant Cold War Station which is wonderfully reflected in their own Cold War Museum www.bentwaters-as.org.uk.
Carolyn Grace
For the benefit of all the web users, please see below the list of public displays that ML407 and Carolyn will be attending this year (these are also listed in the calendar on the message board):
James Wheeler, ML407 Webmaster