R A F Norton Spitfire

[mikep57]

Remember at RAF Waddington in 53 when we occasionally had Vampires in, if one had a false start with no ignition two of us had to sit on the tail and tip it up so that the unburnt fuel could run out onto the concrete before trying to start again. The engine exhaust was low down and if it was started on tarmac and not concrete it would tear blazing lumps of tarmac all over the place.

[buck]

Remember at RAF Waddington in 53 when we occasionally had Vampires in, if one had a false start with no ignition two of us had to sit on the tail and tip it up so that the unburnt fuel could run out onto the concrete before trying to start again. The engine exhaust was low down and if it was started on tarmac and not concrete it would tear blazing lumps of tarmac all over the place.

we had the same problem in the navy with the Attacker. When Supermarine evolved the Spiteful from the Seafire 47, the navy didn't want any more prop jobs using petroleum on Carriers, Supermarine came up with a jet version using the Spiteful wings and empennage. However they also retained the tailwheel. They destroyed every runway they encountered, and would have done the same to the flight decks, until Admiralty refused to allow them on board. Talking about Vampires, a Vampire was the first jet ever to land on an RN carrier, wheels up on purpose, and the deck coated with a film of rubber. DeHavilland twim boom jets would serve with the fleet for years, firstly with Sea Venoms, then Sea Vixens, until replaced by McDonnell F4 Phantoms.