Just remember, it’s not always the Groundcrew’s fault. It’s just as likely to be an aircrew error as any other explanation.

It seems to me , although I may be wrong, that there usually seems to be an attempt to blame the groundcrew, regardless of any other circumstances.

Before any body has a go at me, I have experience of working with ejection seats, whilst serving in the RAF between 1977 and 1994, and have seen instances where both AIRCREW and GROUNDCREW errors have caused problems.

Cabbage

If you’re on about favourite War Films, my top two, by a very long way are:-

12-o-clock High

The Cruel Sea

I know the second one has no aviation content, but both films, for me certainly, seemed to capture the more personal side of WW2. Both Gregory Peck, and Jack Hawkins were outstanding in my mind.

Cabbage

It’s a Yamaha XJ6-F Diversion, the 2014 model, Andy. Thanks for asking.
A nice sports-tourer machine, more in keeping with my advancing years.

Cabbage

Going back to “WHAT MADE YOU SMILE TODAY”, I at long last collected my new motorbike from the dealers.
Delays in delivery from distributers have meant a 3 week wait, but it was worth it.
Full marks to the Dealers for keeping me informed, and letting me use one of their demonstrator bikes, while I was waiting.

Cabbage

Hi Kev,
OOPS replied to your previous topic on Birmingham Air Raid, before reading this one.

Cabbage

If it is a post WW2 bomb tail, have a look around the front (open) end of the unit. If my memory serves me right, there may well be at least 4 threaded holes that would have had allen key headed bolts (for want of a better word). These were screwed in to locate the tail unit over a flange on the rear of the bomb body that contained the explosive, or concrete, depending on if it was a live bomb, or a dummy.

Regards, Cabbage

I have two relevant books in my collection.

“TEST PILOT” by BRIAN JOHNSON. (the book based on the TV series about the Empire Test Pilots School)

“TEST PILOTS” by DON MIDDLETON. the story of British Test Flying 1903 – 1984.

The 1st book reminds me of that excellent series of programes, that sadly don’t seem to have ever been repeated since first broadcast.

Regards, Cabbage

“Plugging doesn’t come much tougher than this!” – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-23724010 :highly_amused:

That will be XV168, formally Brough’s Gate Guard. I worked on her many times, on 208 Squadron. She spent most of the time as the Tanker Aircraft for the Squadron.
Happy memories.

Cabbage