Interview Seven: John Beattie - Seafire

A fully restored and airworthy Supermarine Seafire F. XV, owned by Dr. Wes Stricker of Missouri.  AirVenture 2010.
A fully restored and airworthy Supermarine Seafire F. XV, owned by Dr. Wes Stricker of Missouri. AirVenture 2010.

For anyone who enjoys a good English accent, this interview is a real treat.  John Beattie has had quite the career flying in the Royal Navy, and in several other venues.  When the Seafire restoration project was nearing completion, he was contacted about test flying the aircraft.

In his interview, he describes his flying exploits in the Navy, as an airline pilot, a helicopter pilot, and as a pilot flying historical aircraft.  John also describes his excitement and enjoyment he derived from being the first to fly this aircraft since it last flew in 1950.

John Beattie - Seafire Restoration
John Slemp

A wonderful short video was also created that outlined the project.  Enjoy!

All in all, if you ever have the chance to see this aircraft up close, take it.  You'll be seeing living history that has been artfully restored...a tough combination to beat!

Created as part of the Reaching High exhibition, now currently showing at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, until 30 November, 2013.

John Slemp

John’s 30 year career has seen him create images for a wide variety of advertising, corporate, and editorial clients worldwide.

After almost 11 years in the US Army, John attended Atlanta’s Portfolio Center, and later assisted established commercial photographers for five years.

Oscar winners, Olympic champions, astronauts, musicians, artists, pilots, veterans and regular people have all been captured by John’s lenses.

An experienced, innovative, and award winning commercial photographer, he deftly brings studio techniques to location work.

John is increasingly involved in showcasing his work through galleries and museums, and is currently writing a book about WWII “bomber jackets.”

Past clients include: The Company of Others and Innis Maggiore ad agencies, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Epps Aviation, Goodyear Aviation Tires, EAA’s Sport Aviation magazine, General Aviation News, Smithsonian Air & Space magazine, Jet Support Services International, Avfuel, The Lindbergh Foundation, and Women in Aviation International.

A long-time member of the American Society of Media Photographers, John served 5 years on the national board, and twice as the Atlanta/SE chapter president.

http://www.johnslemp.com
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Interview Eight: A-10 Pilot Col. Jill Long, USAF

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Interview Six: Bob "Punchy" Powell & the P-51 Mustang