British Spitfire pilot Carolyn Grace (70), who learnt to fly the Spitfire following the death of her husband Nick in a car crash in 1988, was killed in a car accident on the 2nd of December.
Her daughter-in-law Daisy Grace made the sad announcement in the Grace Spitfire Group on the social media platform, Facebook.
Daisy said: “It is with great sadness that we must announce that Carolyn Grace has been killed in a car accident on Friday the 2nd of December 2022. This is a traumatic, and unexpected, loss to all of us and at this time we would like to request that you respect the family’s privacy.”
Nick Grace spent five years rebuilding the two-seat Spitfire ML407 and following his death, Carolyn said there had to be another Grace in the cockpit so learnt to fly.
She flew her first solo in the aircraft in 1990 and then obtained display authorisation to display the aircraft at airshows.
Nick and Carolyn are back together again, in the wonderful love of God.
My wife and I used to enjoy watching her fly the Spitfire way up above our house in Suffolk: it brought back memories of the Spitfires of WW II.
Fly now with the angels, Carolyn.
Stephen.
What a lovely thing to say. thank you for your comment.
The Directors, Members and Volunteers, of the Wight Aviation Museum at Sandown Airport on the Isle of Wight, were shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death of Carolyn, yesterday, and wish to express their sincere condolences to her family and close friends. She will be greatly missed in the world of aviation and particularly as a well known Spitfire pilot.
I had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn when she gave a talk at the Goulburn Library and later at Biggin Hill in 2007 for a story which I wrote for Aero Australia magazine. Kindest condolences to Richard and Daisy and friends.
very much missed over Suffolk, since leaving Bentwaters, RIP Carolyn.
My sincere condolences to Carolyn’s family on their sad loss. I had the great pleasure and good fortune to fly in ML 407 in 2010 on a perfect day at Bentwaters, hosted by Carolyn.
The Directors, Members and Volunteers, of the Wight Aviation Museum at Sandown Airport on the Isle of Wight, were shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death of Carolyn, yesterday, and wish to express their sincere condolences to her family and close friends. She will be greatly missed in the world of aviation and particularly as a well known Spitfire pilot.
To the Grace family our thoughts are with you all. I flew at Duxford with Paul Bonhomme with Carolyn in charge, March 2004. A great time, my father flew there during the war so important for me. Peter Pool
May I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to Carolyn’s family ?I would also like to join the throng of Suffolk householders who enjoyed the majesty of Carolyn and her beautiful Spitfire flying over ? Several years ago , a dear friend took my family and I to Romney in Kent to include the airshow . We decided to visit Lydd airfield where it was a hive of activity . I recognised Carolyn as she walked past only 2ft away from me . I appreciated that she was busy so declined to meet her . What an opportunity missed . I still feel privileged , though ! Pete
Very sorry to hear of the loss of Carolyn, a fantastic pilot, watched her once at Duxford display, took my breath away, so much skill and talent lost,Deepest sympathy, to the family, very sorry
I had the great priviledge to have a long conversation with Carolyn and Ken Wallis at the Farnborough Air show. My condolences to all her family and friends.
Tony and I run the Carolyn Grace marque at Duxford for 10 years, we had the pleasure of meeting so many of her fans and admirers, most air show days we set up a meet and greet Carolyn, where you could get a autograph and maybe a photo taken with the great lady herself, Carolyn loved to meet her admirers and friends. We will always remember her with such love, to have spent so much time with her, after Airshows when we would discuss the air show and her flying, some times a duet with Anna Walker or with another great display pilot Ray Hanna, again a charming person, very shy he found it difficult to understand why people wanted to meet him, he sadly lost his son Mark in a Spanish Airshow 1999.
It’s so unbelievable to know that Carolyne’s husband Nick also died in a very similar car crash. We remember both with so much love. To have known Carolyne is one of our precious memories that we hold dear. Rest in peace our special friend.