173-1. Spitfire T.IX - PT462 - ARCo Duxford Flight Experience - Antony Spurrell - 65th Birthday (4K)

Filming this gent (Antony Spurrell) on his actual 65th Birthday taking a celebration Spitfire fight experience was pure chance, as I was only there to film my mate Gary Lilley taking a similar celebration Spitfire fight on his actual 65th Birthday (see Video 173-2). I therefore thought I would film his flight as a practice session for using my equipment. I soon found out with having to walk right around my Tripod, its legs were a trip hazard problem, as was the impossibility of filming directly overhead.

The last time I filmed an airshow at Duxford (BofB Show 2024) I found I needed to install a Remote Control device on the Tripod’s Panning Arm for Start/Stop with Zoom & Focus. Now procured, this little device has been a boon to using the Camera.

After filming, Antony’s son Matthew (who had arranged this flight) approached me to see if I had taken any photos of his Dad. I basically replied, I’d done much better than that, I’d filmed most of it on a professional movie camera. I’m not yet fully proficient at using it but getting better.

I apologise for not tracking the aircraft on the ground in some places. Basically, the plane was so small at the far side of the airfield, I couldn’t really see it & guessed wrongly where it was.

VIDEO SCENES CONTENT :
00:00 Title & Credits etc
00:40 1. Fueling & Engine Lubrication
07:24 2. Boarding the aircraft & the Flight out
20:28 3. Flight return, Landing & Family
35:15 Addendum – Photo Album

Event provided by :
• These Experience Flights are provided by Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo)’s flight experience department, Aerial Collective – Duxford. Their contact details are below in the Useful Links.

Event date :
• 2025-05-28.

Starring :
• Aircraft - Supermarine - Spitfire T.IX - No. PT462 (G-CTIX) - Repainted to celebrate the 85th Anniversary (in 2025) of the Battle of Britain to represent Spitfire Mk.1a No. P9386 as flown by Squadron Leander Brian Lane of 19 Squadron out of RAF Duxford. It was unusual by having a yellow Spinner & one Undercarriage Leg black & the other white or silver per photographic evidence.
• Birthday Boy - Antony Spurrell himself.
• Pilot - Mike Collett.

Also Featuring :
• Antony's Son - Matthew Spurrell.
• Other Spurrell Family Members.
• A few ARCo Ground Crew.
• Lorry - Volvo - FL10 - Refueling Bowser.
• Aircraft - De Havilland - DH82A Tiger Moth II - No.PG657.

Venue / Location :
• IWM Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England.

Useful Links :
• Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) - https://www.aircraftrestorationcompan...
• Aerial Collective - Duxford - https://www.aerialcollective.co.uk/
• Imperial War Museum (IWM) – Duxford - https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-dux...
• Spitfire P9386 history - https://www.akg-images.co.uk/search/A...
• Spitfire PT462 history - https://www.aerialcollective.co.uk/sp...

Filming :
• Camera – Sony - XDCAM PXW-Z280V Professional 4K Camcorder.
• Microphone – Rode - NTG1 – with Rycote Softie Dead Cat (I think I was using one ?).
• Tripod – Manfrotto – 535 Carbon fibre - with Sachtler - Fluid Head 0407 FSB 6 – plus a Remote Control.

Video creation :
• Software – Microsoft HD Movie Maker PRO.
• Background music :
o Title Credits & Addendum - Pond5 - 092211568-beneath-clouds-cinematic-music.WAV file by Darren Ambridge
https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-mu...
o Addendum Take off & Flypast - Pond5 – 128508103-fly-past.WAV file by Nigel Wears https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-mu...