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  1. #1

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    Inspirational fly by

    Sometimearound 1987 while I was busy building my RV4, I took a day off from bucking rivets to climb Mt. Grays and Torreys Peak, about thirty miles west of Denver. Both peaks could be bagged as we say in one climb since they are adjoined by a saddle that you traversed and get two 14teenersthat day.

    My climbing buddy was very interested in my RV4 project and I gave a running account on my progress and how eager I was to get her completed so I could enjoy viewing our beautiful mountains from another vantage point. Just as we started up the saddle toTorreys Peak I thought I could hear that unmistakable sound of a Merlin engine approaching our perch just below 14000ft. Sure enough, out of the east approaching the saddle we were climbing, the beautiful sight of a twin cockpit Spitfire roared past us and slightly below the peaks elevation. The profile of that airplane against the backdrop of Grays Peak as it streaked by is a picture indelibly etched in my mind.

    That sight was the boost needed to get back to my project which was completed in 33 months of intense effort on days when I was not away from home. Not long after completion,I flew my RV4 through that saddle on a weekend and while a Lyc 0-320 comes nowhere near the sound and fury of the Merlin, it was satisfying to see the climbers take a break and wave approvingly as we passed overhead.
    Several years later I saw that Spitfire at an air show in Aspen Colorado but never had a chance to tell the pilot of his inspiration to complete my project and keep it on a fast track. Since that time, I’ve had nearly thirty years of flying our mountains and soaring over peaks that in my younger days I may have climbed.
    I want to take this opportunity and say thanks for the fly by and how much fun it was to see that bird in such a majestic background. “Miss Fusion” sends her best also.
    Cheers, Hans
    Last edited by saber25; 09-22-2017 at 09:47 AM.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by saber25 View Post
    [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=#000000]Sometimearound 1987 while I was busy building my RV4, I took a day off from bucking rivets to climb Mt. Grays and Torreys Peak....Just as we started up the saddle toTorreys Peak I thought I could hear that unmistakable sound of a Merlin engine approaching our perch just below 14000ft. Sure enough, out of the east approaching the saddle we were climbing, the beautiful sight of a twin cockpit Spitfire roared past us and slightly below the peaks elevation. The profile of that airplane against the backdrop of Grays Peak as it streaked by is a picture indelibly etched in my mind.
    [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=#000000]That sight was the boost needed to get back to my project which was completed in 33 months....
    [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]Several years later I saw that Spitfire at an air show in Aspen Colorado but never had a chance to tell the pilot of his inspiration to complete my project and keep it on a fast track.
    [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=#000000]I want to take this opportunit and say thanks for the fly by and how much fun it was to see that bird in such a majestic background.
    I think you've created some serendipity here. You may have that opportunity right now to tell that Spitfire pilot how much of an inspiration he was to you completing your RV4.

    You see I think that pilot you speak of spends an awful lot of time on this Forum. Why do I think this? Well, you mention a number of facts in your story that match the profile of this pilot. He's lives in Colorado, Aspen I think and he happens to own a very rare 2 place trainer Spitfire.

    His name is Bill Greenwood and you will find him on this Forum being very prolific in his contributions. On behalf of many Forum members here, I encourage you(emplore you) to connect with him and get him to talk/write about his Spit. You see, he'd rather post non-aviation topics here so you'd be doing us all a big favour by getting him to abide by and comply with the Forum rules. Thanks very much from many of us here.
    Last edited by Floatsflyer; 09-22-2017 at 03:32 PM.

  3. #3

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    I had hoped this story would awaken the spirit of that day and he could retell his side of that flight. Hopefully Mr Greenwood can fill us in on his thoughts and keep a pleasant memory alive.

    Thanks beforehand.

    Cheers Hans

  4. #4
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    I hope he does, we'd all like to hear it. But you're going to have to poke him to do it. PLEASE!

  5. #5

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    Bill is all over this forum and I'm surprised he has not answered my call. I'm 70 years young and remember that climb and fly by as if it happened last week. The Spitfire is indisputably one of the most beautiful airplanes ever designed and if I had one I'd be happy to share any stories of interest especially flying our mountains.

    Gotta go now and wax the rest of my Pitts S1S and fly the RV4 before the promised weather sets in this afternoon.

    Cheers, Hans

  6. #6
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    There is some deep seated reason he doesn't like to talk about his Spit. Keep pushing!!

    Your experience and memory is very personal, one that had a visceral and profound impact on you. I hope it finally dawns on him that the two of you shared the exact same place and time in space together a long time ago without actually knowing each other. To coin an old favourite phrase of mine--that's far out! Hopefully he'll come to understand this was a very special moment and respond with his own memory.

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