Dunno. I spent all day hanging around the Vector Fine-arts stand chatting to Tiffy pilots, Chris Thomas, and some others; chatting to (and snapping) Battle of Britain pilots and Dambuster people; chatting to Sparky and getting a peek at various bits and bobs. Thanks again Sparky, I owe you!
I caught the end of the Breitling Fighters, and saw the Harrier. Being a Lowestoft inhabitant I couldn’t help my evil twisted self – when the announcer stated that they complete the display routine 50 times a year, I stated that they flew it 50 times a year, but completed it only 49. But hey, thats just me.
Quotes:
“We did things in the Spit that it was never designed for. You do, when you have a 109 on your tail and you want to get on his tail”. (Name to follow – BoB pilot)
“He thinks that the Tempest was the best fighter (Referring to Jimmy Kyle DFM). It wasn’t, the Spitfire was…..The Spitfire could outfly the Mustang” Stapme
“I’ve just been watching that aerobatic chap. (something along the lines of being crazy from memory) He’s too low” Stapme again
“Every time somebodies handed me a print to sign today, Pinkie’s already signed it!” Kit North-Lewis – referring to Lawrence ‘Pinkie’ Stark, 609’s last wartime CO
“Stapme’s moustache isn’t as good as Pinkies – Pinkie has the best moustache of all” – A nice chap called Robert (I think)
“Sorry, do you mind if I have a look through this? I’ve not seen it before” Kit North-Lewis with my Tiffy Profile Publication (Many of my Tiffy stash were looked through by them! I have a good stash)
“So what are you doing next?” – BoB pilot to me.
“Having lunch” – Me, confused!
“Where did you get the print?” Barry Weekley
“A friend gave it to me” Me
“I painted it” BW
“Really? Could I ask you to sign it please?” Me
“I already have” BW
“****! I’ve spent six months trying to work out which bloody Tiffy pilot that was!” Me
“I had 3 ex-pilots with hearing diffficulties, with road noise, and they kept saying ‘Eh?’ all the way! I wish I’d been able to record it!” Chris Thomas
I must say, I had perhaps my most enjoyable day ever up there. Weather was great, I had a Duxford media pass for the first time (never bothered before) I basked in hero worship, and had a closer-than-normal look at some TFC stuff.
Pictures come tomorrow, they are downloading now. If anyone is interested, I am VERY pleased with the use of my new EOS 10D – but have to get Sigma to rechip my wide and long lenses – worked fine until I got there…Bugger.
And special thanks to TFC for showing me some stuff further away from the walkways.
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