Single Yak heading east over Leighton Buzzard at 10.45am. Dark blue / grey colour scheme.

yak 50 or 52?

Very possibly! I see it flying around here most weekends so maybe it is based at Old Warden? I’ll get my binoculars ready for next weekend.

Spitfire going along M1 motorway northbound through Leicestershire today (Sunday 7th June) on the back of a small low loader. I am no expert but as it was standing on its undercarriage, with the wings loaded alongside, could it be a plastic / fibreglass replica?

Unsure of Mark, later WW2 camo, MK9??

Interestingly this weeks Autosport has a feature about a racing Bentley – Napier which uses a Lion engine. I can remember the exact power output but the driver did say that takes about 5 laps of slding around on power to shread £300 tyres!

Also, iirc he stated that the engine originated from one of Campbells boats. Its a good, interesting read if anyone wants to pick up a copy.

My first visit was as a teenager in 1975. I remember my dad having to apply in writing before you could visit. After travelling across to DX in his (t)rusty Viva, we were given a guided tour of the site.

I remember most of the aircraft in the photos being there as well as the Sunderland which had only recently been delivered and sat outside one of the hangars.

The place had a very different feel about it then and going into the hangars was a bit like going into Aladdins cave!

My Dad took lots of 35mm slides with his good old Zenit camera and one day I must get them scanned as no doubt time hasnt been kind to them.

I seem to recall several instances of Merlin engines (and sometimes the aircraft themselves!) being used as wind machines by various film companies.

A large building company located near me has (had?) a Griffon which it used to generate wind for ‘proving’ building structures. I have seen it once, from a distance, and iirc it was mounted on a 4 wheel trailer. it must sound mighty impressive when its fired up!

He did have permission for one flight to ferry the aircraft from Cranfield to DX.

Great photo, where is it from?

Its good to know that the story was true, thanks for confirming as its been on my mind everytime OHB is mentioned on here. I must one day some some old 35mm slides of my day there in 1975, it was about the time that the Sunderland first arrived as it was in pieces outside one of the hangars.

Yep there is a Mannock Road in Wellingborough – named in 1939 (according to YOUR book Mr S!! :diablo:)

Mannock is also commemorated at Doddington Road Cemetary, The War Memorial at Broad Green and there is a plaque on his former lodging in Mill Road, his picture also hangs in the local library and council chamber, plus there is now a plaque at Sywell.

He’s well commemorated locally.

Interestingly the first air VC ALSO lived in Northamptonshire

William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse VC RFC

“2nd Lieutenant William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse, Special Reserve, Royal Flying Corps.

For most conspicuous bravery on 26th April, 1915, in flying to Courtrai and dropping bombs on the railway line near that station. On starting the return journey he was mortally wounded, but succeeded in flying for 35 miles to his destination, at a very low altitude, and reported the successful accomplishment of his object. He has since died of his wounds.”

(London Gazette – 22 May 1915)

This was the first VC awarded to a member of Britain’s air services

Thats interesting as Mannock Way, on my housing estate, is located near Moorhouse Way. For some reason I’ve struggled to find anything out about Moorhouse, thats very useful information! Any idea who Insall could be?