"What the spectators will see is your Greek Spitfire leading the parade..!". With these words, British pilot Dan Griffith describes a top aerial crossing that is expected to fascinate the public of Thessaloniki today. For the first time in history, Greece's rebuilt Supermarine Spitfire MJ755 fighter will fly in formation with a modern F-16 fighter of 335 "Tiger" Squadron - the oldest PA Squadron formed when Greece was occupied by the Germans in October of 1941 at Akir Airport in Palestine. The two fighters will perform a joint transit in the opening moments of the military parade on October 28, 2021.
Yesterday at noon, after taking off from Tatoi at 12:30, the pilot "met" over the Kassandra peninsula a Greek F-16 of this Squadron. MJ755 then performed a test pass with the "duo" jet flying next to it in tight formation, as will be done at the October 28 military parade with the British pilot declaring to APE MPE that "the view from above of Thessaloniki is wonderful" with the "wonderful waterfront of the city" to be "impressive".
Mr. Griffith will fly the reborn - after the initiative of Mr. Peter Livanos and the "IKAROS" Foundation - aircraft with a 68-year history for the last time. Within the next few days, it is expected to be completed, with the execution of solo flights, the additional training of the experienced Greek pilots of the PA. After special training in the United Kingdom and in Spitfires, they are the ones who will now fly the historic fighter.
A historic flight over Thessaloniki
“It's always great to see an aircraft return home! To see the Spitfire flying over the skies of your country is a dream come true. It is equally wonderful for me personally to be here, as I know that when I come I will meet all the Greeks, your country, I will... taste your wonderful food! So the profit is double for me", answers the experienced pilot describing his feelings.
For the top pilot who has been in the cockpit of dozens of different aircraft, that of the British fighter has a special place in his heart. “I've been flying Spitfires for a while… a long time, about 30 years (!) and it's a pleasure to fly your own aircraft, the MJ755. Aircraft handling is my specialty and I often fly old, vintage aircraft, so I know this specific aircraft particularly well over the years", he commented, while praising the specific fighter of the B'PP, the Greek MJ755.
"It's always great to fly a Spitfire, this one actually flies very nicely, it's a very smooth flight, it's just been restored, and it's in top condition, and the engine runs very nicely," added Mr Griffith.
In fact, aware of the timing of this year's October 28 events in Thessaloniki, he states that he knows that this year of the 200th anniversary of the declaration of the Greek Revolution of 1821 is "...a historical event of major importance for the Greeks" and notes that " the addition (s.s to the celebrations) of this particular Spitfire will also add all the other glorious Greek "history chapters" from WWII to this year's celebrations. An aerial presence that, according to the British pilot, "binds" these celebrations since the flight will be an "event of national pride" for Greece.
A last word for the Greeks? "Come, enjoy it, and be very proud to have this aircraft in your skies again...!", is the message coming from the lips of the British pilot to the Greek public.
Veteran in cockpits
There is a special class of pilots who, since the first years of the world's aviation development after WWII, have undertaken to do something exciting and particularly dangerous:to "test" aircraft, military and civilian so that they can be used by all other pilots. This elite group of pilots also includes Dan Griffith who will fly the unique MJ755 in the skies of Thessaloniki.
Daniel Griffith was born in 1963. From the age of eighteen in the British RAF he studied at London University Aeronautical Engineering, starting his flight training in 1984. He earned his wings in Hawk Mk1 aircraft and after his training period found himself in the legendary British Harrier aircraft. An operational officer at No 1 Squadron at RAF Wittering and No 4 at RAF Gutersloh in Germany, he completed 1,200 flying hours in the famous Harrier before becoming an air combat leader and unit maintenance test pilot.
He also trained in the US and during his training flew 43 different aircraft types including F-15, F-16, F-18, F-4, A-10, A-7, C-5 Galaxy, B- 52, Mustang and many more.He became the first British pilot to fly a purpose designed, thrust vectoring, highly maneuverable high AoA aircraft. After his demobilization, among other things as a consultant to organizations such as the demanding British Military Research and worked on the 4th Generation Eurofighter fighter. As far as historic aircraft are concerned, the experienced pilot has done demonstration flights with most models beyond the Spitfire, legendary aircraft "...such as the Hurricane, Avenger, Hunter, Canberra, Sopwith &Fokker Triplanes, Meteor and others".
