THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com  created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

THE LONG FURLONG CONNECTION WITH THE SWANDEAN SPITFIRE 

Copyright Valerie Martin 2004

The late Tony Hammond (a one time resident of Findon) set me a puzzle in the autumn of 2004, when he asked —

Tony was well known for sending me cryptic messages and I knew he would reveal all before very long.    He was a man of many talents and way back he appeared in Joan Allen's book "Glittering Prospects" at a period in his life when he did metal detecting.  He was working full time as a free lance in the metal detecting business which gave him many  opportunities to go treasure hunting (as it was called in those days).   He was labelled quite a professional at his new found trade but this was thought up by the publicity men and, unfortunately, many people thought it implied that he made a living out of unearthing treasure all day long!   His hobby did, however, get him to appear on the programme Jim'll Fix It on the television.

It was only a couple of hours before I heard from Tony again....

Can anyone confirm this?  Yes they can.....

The amazing fact is that there are more Spitfires flying today than there have been since the early 1950s.

I am now going to relate an absolutely amazing story of a Spitfire XVI that was parked not far from Findon.   It is the same as the model that also appeared on the cinema screen in the opening scene of "Breaking the Sound Barrier" in 1952, and in "Reach for the Sky" two years later.  

Here is the chronological history (as far as I have been able to discover to date) of the Spitfire that once stood in the small field on the east side of the Swandean garage and was most likely seen by many Findonians in its day.   The field was known as the Spitfire Field long after the aircraft had gone.

1945.  At the close of the Second World War, Supermarine Spitfire L.F Mark XV1, Serial No. SL721, sent to the R.A.F. No. 6MU (Maintenance Unit).   The date was 29th August 1945.  It was tucked away in the Oxfordshire aircraft storage unit until it was delivered to Fighter Command Communications Squadron at R.A.F. Bovindon, Hertfordshire on 10th October 1946.

1946.   Air Chief Marshall Sir James Milne Robb.  Our now reduced-weight SL721 was delivered to the Metropolitan Communications Squadron at Northolt (soon to be re-numbered 31 Squadron). 

Most British Air Marshals are allowed their own private air transport and in 1946 it was presented to Air Chief Marshall Sir James. Milne Robb, Commandeer in Chief Air Forces Western Europe to be his personal aircraft.  His initials JMR were stencilled on both sides of the fuselage.  It was also painted a special shade of light blue.

The SL721 was sent to a Maintenance Unit when he was transferred.

1949.  Sir James took another active command in 1949 and sought out his Spitfire, which was still in the Maintenance Unit.  The aircraft was one of the most distinctive Spitfires flying in England, with its one-off paint scheme and personal markings of its pilot.  SL721 was used by him until 1951, when it was again sent to a maintenance unit.

1951. At a handing over ceremony in October 1951 Sir James flew SL721 for the last time to the Central Flying School at R.A.F. Little Rissington where he had held numerous previous senior posts.  He was aware at that point that many of the Second World War Spitfires were being unceremoniously scrapped and being a forward looking chap, he implored that his machine should be preserved for posterity. 

1953.  After two years the Central Flying School finally gave in to continued Air Ministry pressure and added SL721 to the list of 'Non Effective Stock'.  It was finally delivered it to RAF No 33 Maintenance Unit at R.A.F. Lyneham, Wiltshire for storage awaiting ultimate disposal.

A series of rather bizarre events followed which ultimately resulted in this very self same aircraft (unmodified and still undertaking exhibition flights), appearing over the sunny skies of California some fifty years on. 

1954.  Michael Wilcock of Swandean Garage.   In September 1954  F. Michael Wilcock, the Managing Director of the Swandean Garage near Findon came on the scene.   His company specialised in Rolls Royce and Bentley cars.   Michael had a burning boyhood passion to own a Spitfire.     He knew an ex-RAF pilot who was friendly with a  girl in the Air Ministry Disposals Section in Whitehall, London.   By some means now unknown she was able to get a special sanction cleared with the Air Ministry for the release of a non-flying Spitfire to be sold privately for the scrap price of £140.  

Thus, Michael realised his ambition of becoming the proud owner of a Spitfire..  The Air Frame on the SL 721 at that time registered only 218 hours and the engine 54 hours.

The Spitfire was dismantled in November 1954 and re-assembled on a pad in front of his Swandean Garage  and became the only Spitfire to be civilian owned and the engine was run regularly. The fate of the other twenty obsolete Spitfires deposited in the hangar at Lyneham made SL721 even more special and unique.

Sir James (by this time retired) was simply amazed to discover that his personal Spitfire had not been scrapped after all.

The fact that the Swandean Garage Company were sponsoring a new 140 mph racing car powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin engine known as the Spitfire Special at this time was purely coincidental. 

Michael soon became aware of the tremendous world wide appeal created by the World War II relic on his forecourt.  The possible damage from the weather was his greatest concern.   Special paint and preservative (and even "shrink wrapping" the entire fuselage) were successfully undertaken.  He decided that only complete  shelter for the grounded bird could prevent the ravages of time and weather.   This brought him to loaning the Spitfire to Lord Montagu's Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the hope of accomplishing his.

I wish all ten-year olds had bothered to take photographs as you did, Dick !

In 1956, fighter ace, Sir James M. Robb visited nearby Worthing to see his old wartime Spitfire displayed outside the Swandean Garage.   He climbed on the wing and examined the aircraft, which bore five stars.... the mark of an Air Chief Marshal..... signifying his rank when he flew the machine.

1958.   R.A.F. Thorney Island.  The Spitfire was still parked on the garage forecourt.  As soon as the RAF became aware that SL721 was available on permanent loan, they persuaded Michael to have the Spitfire dismantled and trucked to Thorney Island where it was the main exhibit at their Battle of Britain Day in September 1958.  

After a complete overhaul by R.A.F. engineers, Michael was still rather reluctant for the machine to take to the air again.  This did not prevent him from running the engine on the ground for the public (just as he had done on similar occasions outside his  Swandean Garage!)   True to form, it is said that the engine ran as smooth as silk.

1959.  Motor Museum at Beaulieu.  On 6th October 1959  the R.A.F.  delivered SL721 to Beaulieu where it was mounted in pride of place for all to see in the Rose Garden.  It sat there for the next seven years (still without a roof over it) and became known as the Rose Garden Spitfire.

1965.   M. D. (Monty) Thackray.   Inevitably as time marched on, Michael received an offer even he could not refuse.   This was in July 1965 and came from  M. D. (Monty) Thackray), a vintage car collector.   A direct part exchange followed between the two friends — the SL721 for an 8 Litre Bentley once owned by Michael's father — (one of a limited edition of 100).   

Michael was by now the Managing Director of the Jersey Motor Museum in The Channel Islands and his father's Bentley became the jewel in the crown there.  Both machines involved in the unusual exchange were valued at £2,000. and it was negotiated that the Spitfire should be allowed to remain on display at Beaulieu for a further six months.

Monty Thackray then suffered a heart attack and sold SL721 to the Marquis of Headfort for £3,000.   Monty (seeing large £ signs beckoning from over the pond) then bought the Spitfire back again for £4,000 — and offered it for sale in the States! 

1967.  William (Bill) D. Ross) of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.  The proud purchaser on this occasion was William (Bill) D. Ross from Chicago, Illinois and he crated the  SL721 all the way to Atlanta in Georgia.    

So on that sorry note, I will leave the local history of the magnificent aircraft once parked on a local garage forecourt.

Continue if you would like to read about the The Windlesham Motor Bomb.

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.