Highlights of 2004 – an odyssey

Such a great year – going to Shuttleworth for the first time was significant for me.

Actually being able to recognise some of the forum members too. Everyone who came to Cosford early in the year (13 Mar) in particular. Plus Nick (MOTF) & Janie at Kemble.

A few are in this picture – I believe Andrew-O is the guy with the camera in his hand the bottom right hand corner!

Then there was the Seahawk at Yeovilton. Everything at Duxford’s Legends – best photos of the year I think.

Biggest peeve is still the absolutely awful c*ck up at Cosford. Arrive at 8.50, in by 12 “$*:’8,@ ?9”

Highlights of 2004

My highlights for 2004 was, firstly, over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, I was privileged to be invited to Veelboeken in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany by James Cutler of Mentorn TV, to see the results of research that I had supplied to them with regard to Vic Murphy and his 130 (Punjab) squadron Spitfire XIV AP-J RN203 for the German part of “Fighter Dig – Live”. 🙂 Then in late November I visited 350 Squadron, Belgian Air Component, at their base at Florennes where I was given a guided tour of the squadrons facilities. One of the pilots took us into a room where they examined their missions on computer, literally everything is filmed/taped during flights – like flight simulation games – a split screen showed on the left the map of the area and little planes on it – the right screen showed the individual actions of all the pilots. Taken from various perspectives including being inside the cockpit, you just selected who you wanted to be/see using a mouse. Fascinating. Then he took us to see the films of his mission the previous day where he had dropped live bombs for the first time at a range off of Holland, and also fired his cannon.Then our second host returned hot from Switzerland where he had been dogfighting against Swiss Air Force Hornets that very day – and to watch a dogfight amongst the mountains through his HUD was awe inspiring. Especially as on the right of the screen it showed the sea level height and his actual height. And of course sea level doesn’t really exist in Switzerland, so they were very close to the mountains!! 🙂 Then we (Serge Bonge – http://home.pi.be/~braf/350Sqn/index.htm, Marc Artiges and myself) were taken to a QRA bay where we sat in an F-16 (FA-71), before going to examine a few others on the flight line – a quick trip to almost the end of the main runway to watch 4 take off (we were standing on ex-Luftwaffe concrete hardstanding whilst doing this), then we were taken to the flight simulator where I “flew” two missions – I was like a kid in a sweet shop !! 🙂 Whilst over there I also had the privilege of meeting Leopold Heimes who is the sole surviving Belgian to have flown (as an Observer) in the Battle of Britain, before remustering as a pilot. He was one of the founders of 350 (Belgian) squadron and is 87, and also “Cheval” Lallemant the Belgian Typhoon ace – he is 85 – whilst at the Brussels air museum I had bought a book (in French) about 2nd Tactical Air Force and his photo is in it. It is now inscribed with a personal message. 🙂 I was also given his book “Rendezvous with 6 June 1944” – and everyone there autographed it for me. I already hold his book “Rendezvous with Destiny” – again autographed. 🙂 I also visited the BAHA (Belgian Aviation History Association) collections at Erembodegem and Geraardsbergen. 🙂 Trips to the former B.64 Schaffen/Diest and Y.32 Ophoven were also fitted in – two ALG’s that Dad served during the winter of ’44/’45. And both trips were the result of contacts and friendships made during my research into 125 Wing, 83 Group and its squadrons 1943-1945. (Serge, I couldn’t have done it without you, thanks) – cheers – Allan

“Hi
two hours from KC to Breckenridge, a look around Ezell Aviation then another hour to Midland.
Inside, noisy, exciting but not as cramped as expected.
More room than the Continental 737 I flew back to the East Coast on!
MOTF is correct, I did have a little doze, well it was a warm sunny afternoon and the rhythm of the 3350 just sent me off.
(A couple of pints the night before probably helped too).
A great aircraft though.
I also had a flight in the L-39 and the T-6–which I liked a lot.
Cheers
Andy”

Thanks Andy in beds, sounds you like had fun 🙂

Highlights for me have been:

Learning to fly
First flight in an open cockpit aircraft
Formation aeros as a passenger in one of a pair of Mustangs.

For me, the highlights have been:

1. Joining this forum, learning from it and meeting some other members.
2. Attending the airshow at La Ferte and Lelystad! Those where stunning shows which I hope to attend again next year.
3. Succeeding to bring a spitfire to the WAW event in Belgium.
4. First flights (or returns) of RNHF Sea Fury, TFC Hawk, Flugg Werke FW190, a DB Buchon in Germany, …

I also want to thank all the members for the help they have given me in my many quests for knowledge, … I hope next year will be as exciting as 2004 has been. 🙂

Regards,
J.V.

The place was full of Forum people DAZ 😀 Some with Badges and names, Becka, well she was covered in Spitfires!! Next time you go, Bring that Wee Cardigan , your sure to be spotted 😉 Anna 😀 😀 :diablo: :diablo:

I’ll stick that cardigan where the sun doesn’t shine one of these days…

Being at my first Legends – that Spitfire tailchase had the girlfriend going nuts!

My downpoints were not being able to meet any other forum peeps, except Harry van der Meer, at the same event! :rolleyes:

The place was full of Forum people DAZ 😀 Some with Badges and names, Becka, well she was covered in Spitfires!! Next time you go, Bring that Wee Cardigan , your sure to be spotted 😉 Anna 😀 😀 :diablo: :diablo:

Being at my first Legends – that Spitfire tailchase had the girlfriend going nuts!

My downpoints were not being able to meet any other forum peeps, except Harry van der Meer, at the same event! :rolleyes:

Far to many to mention 😉 Meeting Nakajima for a Tuna Sandwich at Duxford was very memorable,Trying to track down a Zero to take home!! 😮 😀 😀 :diablo: Anna :diablo:

Andy in beds, what was the Sea Fury flight like ?

Hi
two hours from KC to Breckenridge, a look around Ezell Aviation then another hour to Midland.
Inside, noisy, exciting but not as cramped as expected.
More room than the Continental 737 I flew back to the East Coast on!
MOTF is correct, I did have a little doze, well it was a warm sunny afternoon and the rhythm of the 3350 just sent me off.
(A couple of pints the night before probably helped too).
A great aircraft though.
I also had a flight in the L-39 and the T-6–which I liked a lot.
Cheers
Andy

Andy in beds, what was the Sea Fury flight like ?

My highlight has to be to see the RNHF Sea Fury fly on September 16th, having been waiting since 1997 to see it fly.

duxfordhawk – PM inbound 🙂

Andy in beds, the only person I have ever known to FALL ASLEEP whist in an airborne Sea Fury.

You must really be chilled out mate 😉

Hi all
well what can I say about 2004?
I started the year recovering from a bout of not so good health and realising that it would be a year where I needed to completely change my ways and well it’s now almost finished.–In between I’ve had a truly fantastic year.
This forum and the people on it has done me more good than they’ll ever know (or should know).
Here’s a list
Robbo
Mike J
Melv
Andrew O
Nick (MOTF)
Damien
Anna
Janie
Steve
James and Bev
Neil (Ex of the Guzzi)
Snapper
Mark 12
Met 24 (Martin)
Hairyplane and the Norfolk person who shares his life.
Danohagan and the UKAR boys

Oh, and we mustn’t forget the foreign contingent.
Setter–glad you had a great trip, please come again.
Mark Morris and Denise–keep reporting from Colorado.
Col Rohr and the WIX boys.
Well that covers just about everyone with two obvious exceptions.

They are, Steve ‘Patty’ Patterson who shared his toys with me in October and made a trip to America a once in a lifetime trip.
and last but most, most important.
Mrs AiB, Vanessa, who is long suffering in the name of aviation, ships, books, models and lots of other stuff too and who always surprises me and has done so again recently by enrolling here as Hurricane Bird.

Thank you all.
And although this will once again open the floodgates of p*sstaking from a number of you I’m posting these one last time, as I love them.
Midland, Texas, Oct 1st, sometime after lunch.
Cheers
Andy
PS Sorry if I forgot anyone.

My highlights of 2004 are
1) Spitfire tailchase at Duxford Legends
2) Dragon Rapides at Legends
3) Dornier Do24 and Catalina together at Biggin
4) Ray Hanna’s display on the Friday and Sunday at Biggin

I also recomend next year you all get yourselves to Sandown on the Isle of wight for the Airshow, Its such a magical place to see a display for many reasons and i am glad after the success of the D_Day event they have chose to make it a regular event, Lets support it i say.

John

Merry Christmas mate, it was a pleasure to meet you too (even if Melvin wouldnt stop talking!)

My highlights for the year.

Andy Sephton in the Dep at the Shuttleworth Pageant in September (it just wouldnt stop flying !!!)

Flying into my first airshow courtesy of Taifun and his band of merry men (nutters the lot of em), various short hops in things historic, many thanks to the owners/pilots who gave me the opportunity, you know who you are.

Paying my respects at Pearl Harbour in September.

Finally but not least meeting up and making friends with a bunch of nutters on this forum. its been a wonderful year and wouldnt have been the same without you.

Merry Christmas one and all, I’m off to stuff a Turkey (fnarr fnarr)

[QUOTE=setter]Somehow I managed 17 different countries over the past 15 months and nearly always with aircraft not far away- was I dreaming? /QUOTE]

I reckon – where did you find a year like that? Mine are never as long 😉

That aside, sounds like you had a great year – I’m tres impressed with what you’ve been posting from Oz lately – especially what’s going on at Wangaratta – a place I’d never thought I’d want to go to, but a gnome can change his mind too 😎

All the best for ’05 JP, Don