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BBMF Create Fundraising Stir at Kemble

There are few things that turn the usual calm, collected, laid back, cool demeanour of pilots to something akin to just set jelly. Engine failures, fire in the air and a lack of coffee in the crew room are a few that spring to mind, but there is one thing that no matter where you are, if you hear it, provokes the same reaction - "MERLIN"!! This was the case at Kemble on Sat 26th May 2007.

About a week beforehand, I had a phone call from Mandy Pantall, fundraiser for fly2help, saying that there was to be a small but unique fundraising event at Kemble and that I could get myself up close and personal with a Spitfire in return for a small donation to the Foundation... the added bonus was that this wasn't just any Spitfire (if there is such a thing?)... this was a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire! Well, I thought about it for a nanosecond and accepted. I had other plans with a friend for the weekend and to see the Spitfire would be letting him down, but he soon understood when I explained that I had the chance of sitting in one of the most beautifully engineered aircraft ever built and at the same time supporting a charity that does so much good.

I managed to time my arrival at Kemble just as the Spitfire IX was taxiing in, you just can't mistake that staccato idle of the Merlin! As ever, when a Spit arrives at an airfield, it generates attention and a small crowd had already gathered at the fence line, men and women of all ages admiring and dreaming. Most of the people that were there on Saturday were there by invite from Mandy in support of fly2help, but for the few that had flown in or were just there for a coffee at AV8, their day was dramatically enhanced by the Spit arriving.

Mandy welcomed those who had arrived and donated towards the Foundation and then proceeded to organise us into small groups. Over the afternoon these groups were escorted air-side for a 15 minute close up tour of the aircraft and a chance to ask the pilot the questions they'd always wanted answered! To top it off, each in turn, we took pride of place in the cockpit! I wonder whether anyone who sat in that day didn't have a few seconds of imagining themselves at altitude over the white cliffs of Dover in the midst of a victory roll after shooting down a 109!! Must just be me then...!!

To highlight the pull of the Spitfire, Mandy had to ask me to be ad hoc security as people that hadn't donated were jumping the fence and getting in on the action. One guy I stopped said "Sorry, it's just like a magnet, I couldn't help myself!". The majority of the people there would have donated money just to admire it's beauty from AV8... and some did - it is a Spit after all!! People were definitely of the persuasion "It's not often you get the chance".

As ever, good things have to end, and so it was on Saturday. But, this was an ending to remember!! Smithy strapped himself into the Spit and when the 4 blades of the prop started turning, there was a rush of people to the fence to get the best view. Once again, the staccato idle of the Merlin bringing wry smiles to the faces of the crowd. Smithy taxied out and did his power checks, manoeuvring the Spit into position on the runway and after a few seconds, opening the throttle and releasing the horses... I don't think that there is a sight better at any airshow than a Spit in the air and no matter how many times I see one, it gives the same reaction of hairs on the back of the neck standing up.

What an afternoon! I think everyone who attended enjoyed it immensely and was well worth the money we were asked to donate. Mandy did a fantastic job organising the event and I believe she raised a substantial amount of money for fly2help. I would like to say that when you talk to Mandy, her enthusiasm for the charity is contagious and they are extremely fortunate to have someone who gives her all. Her enthusiasm for flying and especially for Spitfires is also contagious, although she says I'm worse!...

** Photographs "BBMF Spitfire MK356" and "Steven & Timmy"
   © Graham Kehily - graham@bathphoto.com

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