Leuchars Airshow treat for aviation collector
When a former Fife man returns to his home county next month, he will be treating thousands of people to the sight and sound of two iconic aircraft.
Airshow treat — a Spitfire.
- By Cheryl Peebles
- Published in the Courier : 28.08.10
- Published online : 29.08.10 @ 10.12am
Angus Spencer-Nairn is taking two planes which served during the second world war to RAF Leuchars Airshow.
The Spitfire and Hurricane, owned by Historic Aircraft Collection which he co-founded, will fly together in Scotland for the first time at the show on September 11.
The display flight will form part of the annual airshow's celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Angus, a chartered accountant and qualified pilot, is a member of the well-known Spencer-Nairn family of Fife.
Brought up in the region, he left to train in accountancy in Edinburgh and now lives in Jersey.
He told the Courier he was determined to bring the aircraft, which are among four operated by HAC, to the region.
He said, "We talk to all the airshow operators in Britain every year when we are putting our schedules together.
"I particularly encouraged the airshow organisers at Leuchars to have us there.
"I thought it would be nice for the two aircraft to go to Fife and for people there to see the aircraft, particularly with the Spencer-Nairn connection."
Damage
HAC's Spitfire Mk V entered active service in 1942 but sustained damage less than year later.
After repair it never returned to service as newer versions of the aircraft had been introduced, and it became a gate guardian at a number of RAF bases.
Their Hurricane Mk XII was built in 1942 and flown by the Canadian air force.
Angus said, "It's important that as many people as possible get the opportunity to see them.
"The pilots who flew Spitfires and Hurricanes in the 1940s were the cream of the RAF. They were the 'few,' the ones who defended the skies above Britain.
"It's important to remember how much we owe to these pilots.
Invasion
"When we are looking at these aircraft, we are looking at the aircraft that helped save the country from invasion in 1940.
"People do enjoy seeing and hearing them; their noise is very special."
The planes will be flown at Leuchars by flight lieutenants Charlie Brown and Dave Harvey.
Angus has flown the Spitfire but gave up flying 10 years ago.
He said, "It's an amazing experience flying aircraft of that nature."
He added, "It was an incredibly powerful, fast and versatile aircraft only to be flown by the best pilots the RAF had."
Angus set up HAC with fellow pilot and aeronautical engineer Guy Black when the pair decided to start acquiring and restoring old aircraft.
They also operate a Nimrod II and a Fieseler Storch and reckon their planes are seen by over one million people each year at airshows.
Angus will be making his first visit to Leuchars Airshow a family affair, taking with him his son, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
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