When I was a little lad and had a Saturday job at my local flying club, I was whisked down to St.Merryn in a Cessna 172 and taken to a somewhat rundown hangar on the edge of the airfield.

Thinking it contain a Rallye or something similar, I was rather astonished to find sat in the middle on its undercarriage and almost touching the roof, was the Firefly mentioned above and around it, as far as I remember two Irish Air Force Provosts, a Stampe and in the corner on rebuild, the Spitfire.

Wow, this wasnt something that you expected in Cornwall and I remember Nick Grace asking me if I knew what it was and back came the stammered reply ‘a Firefly’. I was given a tour of the hangar and even a price was made for a 20 minute ride in the Spitfire.

So from that day on, it was cutting neighbours grass, painting walls etc etc, until I had the money. By then the Spitfire moved to Goodwood and as I was too young to drive and Dad wasnt that keen to take me, I spent the money on my first stereo which lasted me more than 20 minutes, much to the disgust of my parents – ‘call that music?’ – think Dad wishes he had taken me to Goodwood!!

Martin

Martin……I was waving like mad…………you didn’t see me??
You can see the the tree felling just to the right of the approach, around my bungalow.

Was on my way to Perranporth and took a number of photos, but that was the closest we got as traffic was departing to the South and so we had to remain clear.

Perhaps another time? 🙂

Best wishes,

Martin

Unfortunately now won’t be arriving by Broussard but still a slim chance of Auster… if not i’ll get my way there somehow

The reason why Mr Langham isn’t coming with us in the Broussard is due to the fact that the P1’s youngest son has had a rather nasty accident recently and as he is in hospital in Bristol (having been transferred from Barnstaple), family matters come way way before any airshow and therefore it has been decided that none of us will attend.

Best wishes to all that go. Have a wonderful time!!

Martin

Think it was the Dumpy ‘World’s Air Forces’ for me. A little orange book with izal quality paper. I must have had this from about 6 years old, until about 10 when I discovered how scissors worked and only cut out the pictures that interested me and then threw the rest away (since have another copy).

One photo that I’ve noticed in a scrapbook today was from that very book and was of five RNZAF aircraft in formation – Dakota, Devon, Mustang, Avenger and Harvard. Having been lucky enough to have sampled all five types, the RNZAF Museum at Wigram still have the negatives and so a print of this shot adorns the wall of my study.

As to my interest in Harvards, believe that this came from a copy of a weekly magazine called ‘Speed and Power’ that was issued in the mid 70s and had a feature on Reno Racers and in particular as I remember the T-6 class.

Oh Happy days!!

Best wishes,

Martin

Just off to Eggesford and then forward to Middle Wallop. Looking forward to what looks like a wonderful weekend (that is, if you like Austers!).

See you all there.

Martin

I havent been to an airshow for over 10 years and so this year am going to Waddington…but just had a look at the website and thought in my opinion that the flying list was a little on the light side. I agree with the comments made here, it seems such a shame that RAF participation is a little sparse when its meant to be one of the top shows and that there seem to be a lot of aircraft in the static – a number of which I believe have been seen before. But then again, I’m coming in one of those!!

I’m looking forward to the weekend and hopefully it will renew an interest in airshows and it wont be 10 years before my next one.

Martin

I thought it was very good, thoroughly enjoyed myself and the company of forumites T6Flyer, Spitfireman and HFL.

😀

.

It was something of a weekend of two halves. The intention yesterday was to visit in ‘662, but I was ‘volunteered to fly in the Broussard, and so due to the lovely weather that we were subject to, we only got some ten miles from base before we had to sadly return home.

Today, it dawned a little better (not a lot, as a certain magician says) and so I was deposited at Dunkeswell this morning to arrive in Auster 9 prototype WZ662 – the only aeroplane to make it in yesterday – to Upottery. We were duly joined by the Broussard in which I had to cadge a lift home in, after the Auster left without me.

In all a very interesting day. A big thank you must go to the organisers for such a well presented day and the number of people that took an interest in our two aeroplanes.

Must say a big thank you to Lee Howard, who texted me yesterday constantly with the weather details (shades of Yeovilton last year, cept the weather then was a far lot better) and today to XM682, Spitfireman and replica guru Dave Hobson for keeping me entertained throughout the day. The latter almost talked me into a fibreglass Harvard. Having seen proof of his work now, I am very impressed. Better start saving up my pocket money!!

Best wishes to all,

Martin