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Silver Spitfire

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Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight: Pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones have made aviation history after completing the first-ever round-the-world flight in a Spitfire. Boultbee Brooks and Jones landed just in time for Christmas to a rapturous welcome at Goodwood on the 5th of December, exactly four months after they set off on their epic expedition.

GOODWOOD, WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 5: Pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones have made aviation history after completing the first ever round-the-world flight in a Spitfire. Boultbee Brooks and Jones landed just in time for Christmas to a rapturous welcome at Goodwood on the 5th of December, four months after they set off on their epic expedition. (Photo by Christopher Busch for IWC).

Honoured to have been a main partner and official timekeeper of the “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” expedition, IWC Schaffhausen wanted to celebrate the crew’s phenomenal achievement and arranged an intimate homecoming party at the airfield. Friends and family of the pilots, IWC management, and the entire support crew were all in attendance as the Spitfire landed. IWC brand ambassador David Coulthard also put in an appearance to welcome the daring duo back to the UK.

“It’s so wonderful to be back on home soil,” said Boultbee Brooks, co-founder of the Boultbee Flight Academy. “It’s been an incredible adventure and such a privilege to share our stunning Silver Spitfire with the rest of the world. Of course, there have been challenges along the way, but at every stop, we have received such incredible support from people on the ground. Everyone has greeted us and our aircraft with open arms.”

On its route around the world, the record-breaking flight, the Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight covered a total of almost 43,000 kilometres and visited over 20 countries. After leaving Goodwood back in August, the 76 year-old restored aircraft journeyed across the icy expanse of Greenland, glided over the majesty of New York, before crossing the United States to reach Las Vegas and the California sun.

From there, the Spitfire flew north to Canada and Alaska, before heading westward into Russia. In Japan, the team had to dodge a typhoon before slowly making their way across Asia, from the humidity of Myanmar to the vibrant colours of India. After a brief rest in Abu Dhabi, the pilots made their way home to Europe, visiting Italy and the Netherlands, before finally landing back in the UK.

After taxiing from the Goodwood runway, the Spitfire pulled up in front of a hangar where it was greeted by a sea of smiling faces and congratulatory banners, all celebrating the historic feat.

“What a welcome!” said Chief Pilot Jones. “After such a whirlwind of a trip, it feels quite surreal to be back at Goodwood with our mission accomplished. The scenery, the places we’ve visited, the people we have met, have been truly life-changing. From flying past the Statue of Liberty to coasting over the frozen plains of Russia and the jungles of Asia, we have been lucky enough to see the earth in all its beauty, all whilst sitting in the most gorgeous Spitfire. It’s been an unforgettable experience.”

“Right from the very start of this adventure – when it was just an idea scribbled on some paper – IWC wanted to be involved. Following the expedition’s highs and lows has been remarkable and it has been fascinating to watch their journey progress. We are thrilled the crew has been able to accomplish exactly what they set out do and it has been such an honour, as a company, to play a part in making aviation history.” – Christoph Grainer-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

As they journeyed through the different time zones, Boultbee Brooks and Jones wore the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition “The Longest Flight” (Ref. IW395501). Featuring a bezel which can be turned to set the time to a different zone, this special timepiece was the official watch of the expedition.

BOULTBEE FLIGHT ACADEMY

Boultbee Flight Academy is the world’s first Spitfire training school and approved Spitfire flight provider and is owned by British pilots Matt Jones and Steve Boultbee Brooks. Boultbee Flight Academy offers Spitfire experience flights and a ground-breaking Spitfire flight simulator to non-pilots and Spitfire training to certified pilots. Boultbee Flight Academy offers flights and experiences around the UK in an ever-expanding number of locations. Its headquarters is based at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex; its proximity to the white cliffs of Beachy Head and the Needles means the Spitfire flying experience is conducted around one of the most iconic landscapes on the south coast of the United Kingdom. Matt Jones and Steve Boultbee Brooks have partnered with IWC Schaffhausen to bring to fruition their dream of flying an original Spitfire around the world in “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight”.

Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight Welcome Home Gallery

GOODWOOD, WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 5: James Holland attending the homecoming celebrations of the “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” expedition in Goodwood four months after pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones set off on their epic expedition, completing the first ever round-the-world flight in a Spitfire. (Photo by Christopher Busch for IWC).

GOODWOOD, WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 5: IWC brand ambassador David Coulthard attending the homecoming celebrations of the “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” expedition in Goodwood four months after pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones set off on their epic expedition, completing the first ever round-the-world flight in a Spitfire. (Photo by Christopher Busch for IWC).

“Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” expedition arrives back Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight: Pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones have made aviation history after completing…

#IWC #IWC SILVER SPITFIRE #lifestyle #Silver Spitfire #steve boultbee #The longest flight

Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight, Bordbuch-Update

Die Silver Spitfire startete nach zwei Jahren Vorbereitung am 4. August zu ihrer abenteuerlichen Weltumrundung. The Longest Flight mit einer restaurierten Spitfire – die perfekte Verbindung von zuverlässiger Mechanik, der Welt von Flugpionieren und dem Thema Fliegeruhren, das bei diesem Projekt von IWC in einer gelungenen Symbiose unterstützt wird.

Wir wollen Ihnen, liebe Leser, hier in unserem

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H IWC ΓΙΟΡΤΑΖΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΑΠΟΓΕΙΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ SILVER SPITFIRE Η IWC Schaffhausen και η Boultbee Flight Academy σε συνεργασία με την Aviation Adventures Ltd. γιόρτασαν την επίσημη έναρξη της αποστολής “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” στο Goodwood.

#IWC #Silver Spitfire

IWC Schaffhausen and Boultbee Flight Academy are delighted to announce that the restoration of the “Silver Spitfire” is complete. The unique surface of polished aluminium highlights the iconic silhouette of the British aircraft in a way never seen before. The “Silver Spitfire”, with the new G-IRTY registration, has been taking off for flight tests this month, before embarking on an unprecedented flight around the world in August.

The ambitious goal of “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” is to circumnavigate the world in a Spitfire. IWC is supporting Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones with their expedition as official time keeper and main partner. Never before in the history of aviation has the legendary British aircraft embarked on such a long and arduous journey. The two British pilots, and founders of Boultbee Flight Academy, will fly the propeller-driven aeroplane around the world, covering a distance of over 43,000 kilometres and visiting some 30 countries on their way.

The original Supermarine Spitfire MX.IX, with the historic registration MJ.271, was built in Castle Bromwich back in 1943. Around 15 specialised engineers from Duxford’s Aircraft Restoration Company have worked tirelessly over the past two years, and at long last, the complex restoration programme is complete.

“The final result is simply breathtaking. Thanks to the shiny surface of polished aluminium, the beautiful silhouette of this iconic aircraft – with the unmistakable elliptical wings – is visible in its purest form. I am looking forward to the test flights and the start of this unique adventure” – Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

A LABOUR OF LOVE

The restoration was a Herculean task for everyone involved. A Spitfire is made up of tens of thousands of distinct parts. More than 20,000 rivets, for example, had to be individually inspected, cleaned and, if necessary, replaced. The goal of everyone involved was to keep the Spitfire MX.IX in its original condition, as far as possible, and procuring the different spare parts proved to be a real challenge.

To begin with, the aircraft had no instrument panel and no flying instruments, and large parts of the hydraulic system, the undercarriage legs and the propeller were no longer in their original condition. All these additional components had to be procured and fitted at great expense.

The fuselage and wings of the aircraft were polished in a multi-stage process, using various compounds and pads. Importantly, this intricate process managed to preserve a unique patina, which had been caused by exhaust fumes tarnishing the Spitfire’s fuselage, during its many years of active service.

TECHNICAL UPDATES USING ORIGINAL COMPONENTS

Beneath its sleek exterior, the “Silver Spitfire” also received several internal system upgrades to prepare it for its daring mission. Among other things, the engineers installed additional fail-safe radio systems, fuel pumps, and vacuum pumps. These back-up systems will ensure that the pilots, the aircraft and the mission are not jeopardised, if any component fails during the flight.

Also, because the “Silver Spitfire” has a total of eight fuel tanks instead of two, various new pipes, valves and pumps had to be fitted. In addition, the powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin 70 engine, with an output of over 1700 hp, was given a thorough overhaul and is now ready for another 500 flying hours.

“Luckily, we were able to reuse as many original parts as possible, which has allowed us to retain the unique character of this strikingly beautiful aircraft. The “Silver Spitfire” is, without a doubt, one of the most original airworthy Spitfires in the world,” notes Gerry Jones, Chief Engineer at Boultbee Flight Academy.

Just a few days ago flight testing began and, over the next weeks, the crew will familiarise themselves with the aircraft and its flight behaviour, eradicating any teething troubles. The start of the expedition is scheduled for the 5thAugust from Goodwood Aerodrome.

#IWCheritage playlist (subtitles available in 13 languages):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZsr7PlRNuw&list=PLatsy8T2hs5rDF5QiEJdAA5tUThiXfCMo

360° cockpit tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxYJynJejiU

BOULTBEE FLIGHT ACADEMY

Boultbee Flight Academy is the world’s first Spitfire training school and approved Spitfire flight provider and is owned by British pilots Matt Jones and Steve Boultbee-Brooks. Boultbee Flight Academy offer Spitfire experience flights and a ground-breaking Spitfire flight simulator to non-pilots and Spitfire training to certified pilots. Boultbee Flight Academy offers flights and experiences around the UK in an ever expanding number of locations. Their headquarters is based at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex, its proximity to the white cliffs of Beachy Head and the Needles mean the Spitfire flying experience can be conducted around one of the most iconic landscapes on the south coast of the United Kingdom. Matt Jones and Steve Boultbee-Brooks have partnered with IWC Schaffhausen to bring to fruition their dream of flying an original Spitfire around the world in “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight”.

Silver Spitfire

“Silver Spitfire” – Restauration of iconic aircraft complete IWC Schaffhausen and Boultbee Flight Academy are delighted to announce that the restoration of the “Silver Spitfire” is complete.

#IWC #lifestyle #news #Silver Spitfire

'SILVER SPITFIRE': ΟΛΟΚΛΗΡΩΘΗΚΕ Η ΑΝΑΠΑΛΑΙΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΕΜΒΛΗΜΑΤΙΚΟΥ ΑΕΡΟΣΚΑΦΟΥΣ

‘SILVER SPITFIRE’: ΟΛΟΚΛΗΡΩΘΗΚΕ Η ΑΝΑΠΑΛΑΙΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΕΜΒΛΗΜΑΤΙΚΟΥ ΑΕΡΟΣΚΑΦΟΥΣ

Η IWC Schaffhausen και η Boultbee Flight Academy βρίσκονται στην ευχάριστη θέση να ανακοινώσουν ότι η αναπαλαίωση του «Silver Spitfire» έχει ολοκληρωθεί. Η μοναδική επίστρωση από γυαλιστερό αλουμίνιο τονίζει την εμβληματική σιλουέτα του Βρετανικού αεροσκάφους με έναν εντελώς καινούργιο τρόπο. Το «Silver Spitfire» , με G–IRTY registration, άρχισε τις δοκιμαστικές του πτήσεις αυτόν τον μήνα, ενώ…

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Die Silver Spitfire und der Countdown zu „The Longest Flight“: Die Faszination der abenteuerlichen Weltumrundung

Die Silver Spitfire und „The Longest Flight“: Die Faszination einer abenteuerlichen Weltumrundung

Mit der Siver Spitfire wollen Steve Brooks und Matt Jones Aviatik-Geschichte schreiben: Im Sommer 2019 werden die beiden britischen Piloten mit der Flugzeug-Ikone über 43‘000 Kilometer zurücklegen und 26 Länder anfliegen.

Eine Reichweite von 750 Kilometern hat die Spitfire, das extrem wendige und leistungsstarke britische Jagdflugzeug, von dem Supermarine Vickerszwischen 1936 und 1948 über 20‘300…

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After taxiing from the Goodwood runway, the Spitfire pulled up in front of a hangar where it was greeted by a sea of smiling faces and congratulatory banners, all celebrating the historic feat.

BOULTBEE FLIGHT ACADEMY

Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight Welcome Home Gallery

“Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” expedition arrives back Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight: Pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones have made aviation history after completing…

#IWC #IWC SILVER SPITFIRE #lifestyle #Silver Spitfire #steve boultbee #The longest flight

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