Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2007 | Page 28

life

INTERVIEW

Chance of a
lifetime flight

The History of PT462
Originally built for the R.A.F in 1944 at
the famous Castle Bromwich works near
Birmingham, PT462 started life as a single
seat H.F Mk IX. It was delivered to 39 MU
on 21st July 1944 being dispatched by
sea on 9th August to the Mediterranean
Allied Air Force based in Italy. It was known
to have served with 253 Squadron coded
as SW-A and is thought to have been
used by 4 Squadron South African Air
Force in the Mediterranean area as well.
In 1947 it was transferred to the new

Photo: Owner/Pilot Anthony Hodgson and assistant Phil

Left: Charles Brading
takes his first ever
flight in a Spitfire.

Charles Brading likes Spitfires. He
likes them so much, says his wife
Linda, he recognises their sound
and has frequently jumped out of
bed, grabbed some binoculars and
charged to the window, peering into
a darkening sky. “There’s a spitfire
out there somewhere!” he says.
Charles, of Vics Stores, Nettlestone
has just arrived at the Specialist Flying
School in Sandown, and is about to
go up in the aircraft he adores.
“I can’t wait, I hardly slept!” he
says. Although he’s been interested
in the planes all his life he has
never flown in one. “Look at it,” he

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coos. “A 1944 aircraft, and it’s as
good as when it was first made.”
He’s been told there are two
sick-bags in the plane, but he’s
confident he’s not going to feel
queasy. “I’m looking forward to the
whole experience”, he says.
Linda spends the next thirty or so
minutes watching the little plane
perform its fabulous dance routine in
the sky. When Charles emerges, he is
shaking through sheer exhilaration.
“It was fantastic, pure joy, everything
I expected and more!” he says. Pilot
and aircraft owner Anthony Hodgson,
who brought the Spitfire over from
North Wales, had asked Charles if there

was anything in particular he wanted to
try, but Charles gave him a free hand.
“We did a double barrel roll, and when
we were upside down Anthony said ‘put
your head back’, and for 25 seconds
you could see the coast behind you.
Then we went into a dive to get up to
250 knots, and climbed up into the
sky, just like you see in the films!
“After that we climbed and climbed
and climbed, and did another barrel
roll. Anthony asked ‘How d’you feel?’
Then he did a loop the loop!”
During the flight Charles was offered
the chance to take control, which he
did for a few minutes. But he knew
he’d get the best experience if he left

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