As part of the ‘Sally-B’ ground crew I just wanted to post a word of thanks to Cpl Andy BALE of BBMF for giving up his valuable time to escort myself and my colleague Andy Jackson around the inside of the Lancaster at Lydd airshow on Saturday 1 Sept. I know that a regular visitor to this site is a member of BBMF, so maybe you can pass this message on to Cpl BALE?:rolleyes:
As a warbird ‘nut’ and amatuer Dam Busters historian it has always been a deeply held desire for me to see first hand inside the Lancaster, but have never quite made it for one reason or another. All that changed last Saturday when Cpl BALE willingly gave some time to give us the chance to look around. He allowed my colleague & I to see anything we wanted to see, and did not rush us in any way. He was helpful, courteous and answered all of our questions, no matter how stupid or basic they were.
Thank you Andy for your time & patience and the opportunity for me to achieve an ambition and make my dearest wish come true (short of flying in the Lancaster of course!). I know my colleague Andy really appreciated the visit too. I now have an better understanding and admiration for those crews of Bomber Command who took to the skies nightly in these aircraft.
Thanks again, Andy, you cannot begin to realise how much your efforts meant to me. 🙂 Sorry this is a bit belated but work will keep interfering with my plans!:mad:
Regards,
Keith
By: wessex boy - 7th September 2007 at 14:34
Saw the Beautiful sight of the Lancaster beating up Wyton last night on my way home, I wish I had my camera as it was very evocative heading off over Warboys to Upwood at low level into the bright Orange Sunset!:)
By: Arabella-Cox - 7th September 2007 at 09:53
Hi Richard!
You cheeky B****r!…:eek: you know full well I have always had the figure of a slightly slower Egyptian racing snake, and the grace of a sloth! Andy J did get lost inside the Lanc at one point, but we found him stood behind the elsan toilet!:diablo:
Annie & I are just off to DX for the weekends’ festivities, will pass your regards on to all (well, almost all)!
TTFN,
Keith
By: Lindy's Lad - 7th September 2007 at 00:16
Did you like the new non slip floor? I removed the old stuff……
By: richb - 6th September 2007 at 23:56
Keith
You and Andy finally made it inside then!! – Bet Andy J still thought it was big!!
I had a looksy in the Lanc when the ‘BBMF Boys’ put on the splendid flypast forum open evening a couple of years ago – I expect after her Major she is in even better shape now – looked splended before!
I look forward to seeing her new paint next year!
ps : when did you have the six pack?? – I thought you concentrated on getting a well developed one pack !!;)
By: Arabella-Cox - 6th September 2007 at 22:56
Thanks Fluffy, much appreciated. Robant..it sure is cramped..I used to have a six-pack figure, but the plastic rings broke some time ago, so it was a tight fit at times, but I made sure I got there one way or the other!
You could hold a barn dance in Sally-B by comparison, but it was worth every tight-fitting moment!:D
Regards all,
Keith
By: Lindy's Lad - 6th September 2007 at 22:55
It’s surprisingly cramped inside, isn’t it? At least it is if your a bit wide around the midriff, like me! I couldn’t quite get into the cockpit over the wings root box (my brain has decided it isn’t going to tell me what that’s called).
the rear spar is bad enough, but try going over the front spar when the battery table is removed along with the batteries, and the forward cover is removed exposing the lovely wingnut on the cable conduit which is strategically placed to cause mischief…:eek:
By: RobAnt - 6th September 2007 at 22:39
It’s surprisingly cramped inside, isn’t it? At least it is if you’re a bit wide around the midriff, like me! I couldn’t quite get into the cockpit over the wings root box (my brain has decided it isn’t going to tell me what that’s called).
By: Fluffy - 6th September 2007 at 20:27
I will pass on your thanks tomorrow
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September 6, 2007 at 5:45 pm