Is that Gannet still flying in the USA? Just imagine the puzzlement on the crowds faces if a Shack and a Gannet flew over in formation!

Adrian

Arent Kennet meant to be taking delivery of the ex Anoka Gannet, or have I got my wires crossed?

Martin

Me…me…me….I have to admit I like Harvards and thats an understatement.

Since I was a little kid and thats a while ago now, its virtually been this classic and nothing else. Got a room at home full of Harvard stuff (and yes it is bigger than 1 foot squared!).

I know that they arent as prolific as they have been in the past, but there are still a few around in this country. Just completed its rebuild by MAP at Rochester is IIB G-CTKL and at Shoreham with the paint virtually dripping off the airframe is G-TEXN (the old BHTH). Gary Numan’s AZSC is now based at Goodwood with the Aeroclub there.

Happy Landings,

Martin

Really foggy in the far southwest…..tried to get to Kemble only to find ten miles out that the airfield was closed and therefore we ended up at the delightful Garston Farm, near RAF Colerne. On the way back to Devon, the fog started at Bath and finished just south of Taunton.

Why is it on lovely days like this, you never take a camera with you. G-AMMS alongside in its red colours stood out against the solid white countryside, whilst a joining Autocar blended into the clouds!! Perhaps next time!

Happy Landings,

Martin

First kit I ever had was the BAC1-11. My Mum put it together for me one rainy afternoon when I was about 7 (think was the first and last airliner kit I’v had). First model I built myself was the Me262 (horrible light blue plastic) and then it was everything….Series 1 in the little bubble packs, the Dogfight Double collections (Spitfire and Me110, Mosquito and 262, Mig-15 and Mirage III) and many many more.

Once saved up all my pocket money for the Hercules (think was £2.10) and only built the Bloodhound Missile and Landrover as the kit had two left hand fuselage sides and didnt have the patience to send off for a right one.

Then took up flying the real thing and lost all interest. Am now starting to build the odd one and now trying to start a collection off of some of the types I’ve managed to fly in. Can’t take in now the cost of it all. Bought the new T-6G Texan (which is the old Heller one reboxed) and that cost me £6.99. In the old days, that was 22p.

I remember the day when you could…..

Best wishes,

Martin

Well said, my sentiments entirely

And mine too 🙂

Martin

As far as I’m concerned he can paint it with polka dots, he’s earned the right.

I agree. I had a friend who rebuilt a Harvard to flying condition and didnt want to paint it in the usual green, brown and yellows colours, but instead painted it in mock US Navy markings and he thought the same as we have here. It was flying and that was and is the main thing. (Don’t think I would have a pink polka dot one though)

But, I recently went with some of my friends to a fly-in and upon leaving our aeroplane, some gentleman showed great displeasure in that our Beagle Terrier could not be painted in RAF markings as it was a civil conversion and not the AOP6 or T7 that is originally was. It was a Terrier and that was final. You cant win can you?

Best wishes,

Martin

I’ve always had a spot soft for the Balliol (must have had a weird childhood, but then I like Harvards) and from what I can gather the one being rebuilt by the Boulton Paul Association is not a replica, but one recreated from two cockpit sections that were obtained in the late 1980s from the Pennine Aviation Museum. (This of course is totally off the top of my head, as dont have the net at home and only use it at work or either down my parents house, when I collect my washing!!!).

Martin

Might have been Culmhead which is in the general area. Dunkeswell, Smeathearpe (Upottery) and Culmhead are all about five miles from each other and all retain their runways. The plot thickens……

Martin