The subsequent three years of display flying were dogged by airshow operators who offered so little appearance money that she needed constant financing – just like XH558 does now. One organiser even argued for a fee lower than the cost of just insurance – even then she could burn £1000 of fuel in a 7.5min display – thank goodness I’m not buying her fuel now!

Just a quick note to say thanks for operating her while you did, I always wondered how she kept going with such high operating costs and so on. Her stripey-bellied displays are fondly remembered.