Well, it’s almost over – only a few more hours of wall-to-wall politics before we go to the polls and everyone can safely again read a newspaper or watch television without the fear of seeing another politician promise the earth or slag off the opposition.
Now we know where the various parties stand on the main issues, but what about us – those preoccupied with the future of our aviation heritage – what have these political groups promised us and who will receive your vote?
Well, firstly – none of the parties have as far as I’m aware have mentioned our heritage – aviation or otherwise. So, what would you promise if you were heading for No.10?
Me, personally, I would introduce tax-breaks for those who restore historical buildings (listed or unlisted, military or civilian) – it usually being more expensive to renovate an existing structure than starting afresh. I would also make it easier for 20th century military structures to be listed and/or protected.
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere in this forum I would earmark around £20m per annum to be spent on our aviation heritage, which includes spending money on our national and regional archives – making them more accessible, while guaranteeing their future survival.
I would also recommend that a new RAF Transport Command Museum be built – to house the last of the few. I would also promote a policy of “Mystères for saucepans”, in which we can finally rid ourselves of those foreign types that clog up the system – airframes which take up valuable funds and man power to preserve, while British designed and built airframes rot.
I would also create and fund (annually) an USAAF Memorial Flight – consisting of Sally B, a P51D and P47D, which would work in the same manner as the BBMF, which itself would be given added protection against any future defence cuts. I would also introduce Battle of Britain Day (A national holiday) and promote ways to promote our aviation heritage.
By: Mark12 - 5th May 2005 at 10:26
‘Woolly Pulley’
Believe me, the RAF uniform hasn’t changed that much, the old round neck blue woolly jumpers are now back in stock! The Supply Section hasn’t changed much either except for the supply computer. “It’s no use pointing at it sir, the computer says there are none in stock!”
I see an RAF issue 1940 white jumper made close to £300 on ebay yesterday.
Amazingly moth free.
Expensive business this re-enactment
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6528528198&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
Mark
By: Toddington Ted - 5th May 2005 at 06:36
Believe me, the RAF uniform hasn’t changed that much, the old round neck blue woolly jumpers are now back in stock! The Supply Section hasn’t changed much either except for the supply computer. “It’s no use pointing at it sir, the computer says there are none in stock!”
By: Corsair166b - 4th May 2005 at 23:16
Snapper wins…besides, other aforementioned candidates forgot the FILM SLR crowd completely…an absurd omission in my opinion…we’re people too…
Mark
By: Snapper - 4th May 2005 at 21:51
Vote for me. The RAF will be re-equiped with WW2 fighters. And uniforms.
By: merlin70 - 4th May 2005 at 21:01
I would:
ban step ladders (Sorry AndrewO) and tannoys and windbreaks from being placed within 50 meters of a crowd line at airshows.
Allow Americans to vote that they pay for a USAAF memorial flight using mioney laundered through USAFE accounts.
Return all taxes and insurances paid by warbird operators if they attend Legends
Introduce a law requiring all large ISO containers to have little windows in the ends and sides with internal lighting adequate for taking photos of warbirds in storage or transit.
Allow display organisers to carry out their own risk assessment, and present a safety case for whatever parameters they deem appropriate for their event such that they set the positin of display line and flight envelope.
Give free refreshments to DSLR photographers and their own fence space at all airshows.
Vote for me, you know you want to.
By: Toddington Ted - 4th May 2005 at 20:55
Aviation Heritage
You may well end up having plenty of aviation heritage (well military anyway)to choose from soon, as certainly the UK military seems to shrink with every passing day! The issue of Defence does not appear to interest the politicians at the moment and, given the divisive nature of the recent and ongoing operations in the Middle East, when it does interest people it tends to do so in a negative way. Whoever takes control after tomorrow in the UK will not really care about what most of us on this forum care about I regret to say because it doesn’t win enough votes. (Note to self:must try to be more positive and less cynical).
By: Corsair166b - 4th May 2005 at 19:43
Hmmm…both have good policies…who to vote for, Phil or Damien? Course, I’m American, so I can’t anyway……and neither of you two put in the required two years on the Presidential campaign trail that we Yanks get so sick of every time an election rolls around over here, so neither of you could be PRESIDENT…
Guess it’s up to the rest of the forumites….Gentlemen?
Mark
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May 4, 2005 at 5:49 pm