This spitfire recently flew into Buttonville Municipal Airport.I was just unloading and she came right up the apron towards me...luckily I had a camera in my bag!Seen here is the pilot (from Ottawa) refuelling before leaving. He did a couple of T&G's and what a treat that was for all of us!The Spit takes off like a jet!! The aircraft apparently is all genuine - I wish I could tell you more - so enjoy the pix!

Nice treat, huh?Without even having to ask, I know it sounded good also.I love that popping sound when those engines light off.http://myweb.cableone.net/joesumralliii/hook.gif

Terry,I am so jealous of you! What a treat to get that close to a Spit!I saw a Rolls Royce Merlin engine sitting on the back of a truck sitting at traffic-lights a few years ago - man that's a big engine! And what a noise they make! Lovely :-)Iain Spowart,Scotland.Webmaster and photographer,Scottish Rockettes Dance SquadOfficial Web-Sitehttp://avsim.iainspowart.com/rockettes.jpghttp://www.scottishrockettes.comhttp://www.claymorescheerleaders.comhttp://www.iainspowart.com

Iain,Eye laddy 'twas a rare treat, so it was......Unfortunately, I had to pick someone up so I couldnt wait around for him to take off :( but at least I saw him do a touch and go before coming in to refuel (gave the tower boys a treat!).....As far as being jealous - doh - I AM THE ONE THATS JEALOUS!YOU GOT THOSE BONNEY WEE "ROCKETTES" !!!Scotland forever! :-LOL(PS I live in Canada nr Toronto but come from Manchester ;))

Here's some information on that Spitfire and its owner/pilot, Michael Potter, one of the richest men in Canada.Potter is founder of the computer company Cognos and has an estimated net worth of $458 million.He bought the Spitfire a few years ago for $1.8 million from a collector in California. He also owns and flies a DeHavilland Beaver, a 1930s era Beech Staggerwing and a Falcon executive jet.We see the Spitfire around Ottawa on occasion. He did a low flypast on Battle of Britain Sunday ceremonies at the Canadian Aviation Museum this year and a few years ago he flew it to an airshow in Florida.The Spitfire was built in 1945 and never saw combat but was flown for six years in the 40s and 50s by Sir James Robb, commander-in-chief of Allied air forces in WesternEurope.I don't know him, but any millionaire who collects and flies planes like those seem OK in my books.CheersBlair

Blair,Thanks for that amazing bit of sleuth work :)Actually anyone who can gass-up a Spitfire as though he were at a PetroCanada station has got to be a millionaire!Merry Christmas