ex-IAC Spitfire flies again!

[Silver]

Former IAC Spitfire 161 took to the air again on 13 Jan 2005 after a lenghty restoration - looking great in her original AC colour scheme !

Well done to all involved in her restoration !!

(picture won't post here for some reason. see www.keypublishing.co.uk - 'Historic Aviation' forum for many pics)

[DamienB]

This is the link you're after...

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

Damien has uploaded a lovely picture of 161 to the gallery, click on the link below to see it:

http://www.irishairpics.com/database/photo/1005319/


Regards,

Frank.

[The SeaWolf]

Just out of interest how many Spitfires did the IAC actually operate at once does anyone know? Fabulous looking plane, went all misty-eyed and patriotic there for a moment looking at the photos.

[FiannaFail]

Welcome on board DamienB. Great pics of the spitfire!!  Hope you can stay awhile and enjoy the interesting threads.  Tell us about yourself and your contact to issues relating to our Corps.
Welcome,
FiannaFail   '>

[John K]

Hi Sea Wolf, according to my sources (Wings over Ireland) the Irish Air Corps operated 12 seafires from '47 to '55 s/nos 146 to 157 and 6 Tr.IX s/nos 158-163 from '51 to '61. 162 was kept as an apprentice instructional airframe until '68 (before my time! I joined in '76) Hope this helps, 'course the Hurricanes were nicer!

[Frank]

Click on the link below for a list of all the aircraft operated by the Air Corps, all the info you're looking for is there:

http://www.irishairpics.com/aircorp....reg.php


Regards,

Frank.

[Guinness]

Absolutely great pic's.
Where is this bird based and is there a chance that it'll vissit airshows around Europe?

Guinness

BTW : welcome aboard DamienB

[DamienB]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Guinness - it's Duxford-based; no idea about airshow appearances. As a 'new' item it may well be on the circuit this year.

FiannaFail - no connection with IAC, I'm afraid. I'm originally from Derry but live in the UK and have done so for years. Been interested in aviation as long as I can remember (product of a childhood in Gib watching RAF Buccaneers beating up the airport), and been taking photos for about 12 years.

[Fouga]

eother way damien your very welcome!

[Imshi-Yallah]

So much for the PC-9s short lived reign as the IACs most combat effective flying aircraft

[FiannaFail]

Welcome to a true Derryman Damien. Know and love the city a lot.  Grandparents owned the Kelly & Son Menwear Shop on Folyle Street but that was blown up by Martin McGuninness' supporters in the early 70's, putting a load of Catholic workers  on the dole!!  Used to enjoy watching the RAF Shackelton Bombers flying out of Ballykelly Aerodrome and flying over Portstewart Strand in the mid 1960s - very impressive.  Also in the late 1950s I would have regularly seen RAF Spitfires flying up and down Lough Folye opposite Moville.And of course the American Navy base on the Waterside until the earl '70s.  The place was a hive of activity!
I don't know whether you get back to the Maiden City much now but it has really come on big time. We should meet up there some time.
As they say in stroke city "How about ya!"
FiannaFail
 :'>

[Head]

At least 161 is not as noisey as that DC-9 this morning, holy moly.
What a great way to start the day....jet engines blasting. Magic!  '>

[SHERRY]

Were,nt some of those Spitfires "confiscated" from the RAF when they strayed into the republic ?

BTW I am an exer from the 42nd apprentice class (1978-1985)
GP flight veteran ......... any other 42nd clowns out there?

[Irish251]

The Air Corps Spitfires and Seafires were all purchased post-war from Vickers-Supermarine.  Some of the Hurricanes they operated during WW2 were RAF ones which had landed in Ireland, I think.