Hi
Our Singapore airlines 747 attacked Brisbane airport last night but despite the pilots best efforts we didn’t crash and I am home safe and sound.
There will be a detailed trip debrief soon when I get my head sorted as well as it can be.
I would however like to thank all the people I met on my trip for the fantastic and sincere way they “adopted ‘ me on the trip – I made a great load of friends that are now with me for life and I hope we will be able to return the favour here at any time they happen by Aus.
Particular thanks go to Tim , Mike j , James , Robbo, Andy, Peter, Smudge Pete R and Melvin for hosting me but there were dozens of others that I will mention in my trip report.
I would also like to particularly mention the utter B!$######%^ who put together the fuel system on my hire car and gave me all that mechanical experiance two days running putting the fuel system back together just when I needed it!!!
Some logistical stats
27 pints of beer
12 Cod and Chips
15 Full english Breakfasts
5786 miles
37 aviation site visits
4234 photos
5.7 hours of video
got lost 6 times
went to the very top of Scotland and down as far as Yeovalton.
We should all be very proud of our forums they bring us all together in the best possible way and I didn’t have a single argument once – I must be losing my touch- Thanks Guys and Girls. The best time of my life – I will never forget you all and the times we had.
I think in closing (till the trip report) I will post a photo of one of the true giants of the aviation world I was able to meet on my tour in a typical pose – this person is all jokes aside one of the nicest and madest people I met and is truely what our interest should be all about – he is nearing the end of a restoration odessy that is a true labor of love – Melve I salute you and you are Mad
Regards
John P
By: ALBERT ROSS - 19th October 2004 at 15:06
Our in-flight meal for today will be chicken….
…I think he’s getting goosed actually! 😮
By: Andy in Beds - 19th October 2004 at 14:51
I din’t choose world weary Molesworth as an avatar by accident.
Spelling, attitude, dress sense, face like a squashed tomato, it’s uncanny!
Me or you?? 🙂 🙂 🙂
By: JDK - 19th October 2004 at 14:48
I din’t choose world weary Molesworth as an avatar by accident.
Spelling, attitude, dress sense, face like a squashed tomato, it’s uncanny!
By: Andy in Beds - 19th October 2004 at 14:44
I fail utterly to be surprised at the stupidity of humanity anymore… ~sigh~
James are you becoming a cynic like me??
Come on down, there’s plenty of room here in ‘Cynics Corner’.
I’m proud of you my boy.
Andy 🙂 🙂 🙂
By: JDK - 19th October 2004 at 14:42
I fail utterly to be surprised at the stupidity of humanity anymore… ~sigh~
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 19th October 2004 at 10:55
And if your engine starts to go around, you’ve got other problems! 😀
You’d be surpised just hoa many people ask “Is this a rotary?”
Melv
By: JDK - 19th October 2004 at 10:44
And if your engine starts to go around, you’ve got other problems! 😀
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 19th October 2004 at 10:37
Hi Melvyn
remember the shuttleworth Pup cowlings fell off and you don’t want that happening !.Regards
John P
I’m using bigger nails.
Melv
By: setter - 19th October 2004 at 07:39
Hi Melvyn
No worries – It was an honour to meet you and the Rearwin – I wouldn’t bother with the cowlings – just more stuff to weigh it down – it looks fine – remember the shuttleworth Pup cowlings fell off and you don’t want that happening !.
Regards
John P
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 19th October 2004 at 00:22
Melvyn
Bad bad Rearwin man – naughty naughty – I am currently cooking chicken wings in fits of laughter just at the thought of you and the pitot cover. Thanks for some great memories and a great time – you should be very proud of the A/C it is stunning a credit to you!! I have just posted a pension claim form for the Rearwin and some nice tablets for you.
Regards
John P
Thanks John and thanks for the kind words. Amongst all the fannying about it is appreciated. The cowlings are being fitted this week and I fixd the tacho today. We ran it last Thursday when my nephews were down and I shuold be rigging this week. A few panels and fairings and tch’t loads of paperwork (I love getting round the censor software!) and it should be ready.
I have to buy a new stepladder though otherwise Paty won’t be able to get in . . .
Melv
By: Jimmy Page - 18th October 2004 at 17:31
Ah ha …… Thanks
And thanks Andy in Beds
Merlin70 this link is for you….
By: merlin70 - 18th October 2004 at 14:11
John
Glad you got back safe and sound. Look forward to the JP in UK post tour report.
regards
tc
ps who is Jimmy Page?
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th October 2004 at 13:59
5786 miles, and not one speed camera… 😉
Nice to have met you John, glad you had a good trip back.
By: Mark9 - 18th October 2004 at 13:51
Glad you had a great time, nice to have meet you 😉 Anna 😀
By: Andrew-O - 18th October 2004 at 13:48
Good to meet you at Duxford and in London.
Nice to get some first hand news about the Boomerang and Beaufort projects in Australia !
See you next time you’re over here.
By: turbo_NZ - 18th October 2004 at 11:33
Yeah, who are you, John
and when are you comin’ to NZ with your Crazy friend from Maine ?
TNZ
By: setter - 18th October 2004 at 11:11
For Jimmy Page
Hi Jimmy
I am an overweight. ugly Australian 50 year old Aircraft nut with an interest in Warbirds and older civil aircraft. I flew Army types and have been interested in aircraft since I was 9. I flew in the Military and have been a senior executive in government departments for 30 years.
I hope this helps – My favourite types are Sea/furys, Mosquitos, Boomerangs and Beauforts as well as Australian P40s and I love our restoration efforts downunder.
Regards
John P
By: setter - 18th October 2004 at 11:03
Melvyn
Bad bad Rearwin man – naughty naughty – I am currently cooking chicken wings in fits of laughter just at the thought of you and the pitot cover. Thanks for some great memories and a great time – you should be very proud of the A/C it is stunning a credit to you!! I have just posted a pension claim form for the Rearwin and some nice tablets for you.
Regards
John P
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 18th October 2004 at 10:48
looking at that picture gives me an idea on how you could raise the insurance money
surely it is a reason for the insurance company to increase the premium 😀
I couldn’t swallow any more increases
By: dodrums - 18th October 2004 at 10:45
pity we couldn’t meet up when you were in Scotland, we could have made the beer count a realistic figure 🙂
next time
Ken
looking at that picture gives me an idea on how you could raise the insurance money
surely it is a reason for the insurance company to increase the premium 😀
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October 18, 2004 at 3:27 am