RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

I don’t think anyone here is calling for the hangar for these (except maybe sticking a Lanc on a pole like an ice – lolly). My feeling hasn’t changed. I want to see them fly. I want to see them fast and low, I want to see them showing their lines etc too in slow passes, and I want to hear them. An aeroplane is something that flies – not something that sits on the ground (wheelie – bins do that) – they are ex – aeroplanes.

But I don’t need to see the Breitling fighter team (who I get a buzz out of watching, feel amazed at, and really enjoy) doing close formation aerobatics. It isn’t about the risk for me, it’s about more than that. A Spitfire is not an Extra 300. A herd of Mustangs is not the Red Arrows. Ok, so we have world class pilots – really excellent pilots and teams who have only been entrusted to fly these birds because of their skills – who can do these stunts (which is what they are, after all) with less chance of f – ing up than the rest of us would have, and half these airframes, like already stated, are virtually new anyway through the amount of parts replaced. No. It’s about what we would prefer to see. And I want to see something roaring along fast and low, in pairs or more, making a shitload of noise, making my neckhairs bristle, my heart pound (AND IT DOES, I SWEAR TO GOD!). I find aerobatics unneccasary – is a Spit not exciting unless it does a barrel roll? Is a Kittyhawk not impressive unless it can loop – the – loop? I can appreciate the Red Arrows, but can’t be bothered to watch them unless they are in front of my eyes. I’m sorry, I want the sight and sound of a fighter flying like a fighter, not doing the equivalent of a circus elephant in a bloody tutu doing ballet to impress. Let me see something wonderful as it is, and should be – without turning it into a freak-show.

And if some get bent, then that’s how it is, and has to be. But there is more chance of a pilot walking away if he isn’t inverted at 6 feet above a concrete runway, and less chance of him hitting the dirt anyway. Cobber Kain was pretty good at loops and rolls once. I wonder what he would think of it all.

RE: Funny ( or not that funny) pics

No pix – but an email that arrived last night:

“There are a whole load of cannon shells embedded in the grass runway at Duxford. Peter Raw was coming in to land, and when he selected Flaps, the cannons started blazing. Gave him a hell of a shock. Someone had connected the wiring incorrectly.”

And yes, you guessed it. Peter Raw was with 609 (West Riding)Squadron.

A friend told me about an erk who fired off a bunch of 60lb RP’s at one of the 2nd TAF airfields in Holland one time. Took out a house I think he said. This chap was with 245 Sqn we think – he was RAF Regt AA gunner. He recognised some of the scenes in John Golleys book when I lent it to him.

RE: Isn’t it about time Sally B was repainted.

I’d like to see a new scheme. BUT, it takes money, and they don’t seem to have plenty at the moment. I’d be happy to take a few days off work to help repaint it – it’d be an honour – but there’s more to it than that I imagine. First, strip the old paint. How, and how long? (and is it beneficial to leave it on, with regards protection against corrosion?). Secondly, you don’t want muppets like me, who know zero about painting aircraft, trampling around with brushes / guns, so you need a professional. Then find a scheme, then take it out of the airshow scene for x amount of time, etc etc.

It would be nice, but somehow I think funds won’t allow it just yet.

(Perehaps it is time they put her on a pole.)

RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

Chill Kev, he’s just stating a point more bluntly than neccesary, and pulling the twin-finned tail of Lancman. Personally, that is quote of 2003 to date!

I appreciate the BBMF display. It isn’t exciting, but it is impressive. Especially when the Lanc turns 50ft above your head when you are on top of a department store in Lowestoft at the air display. (had to get some change for the till, honest). Now, I am no bomber fan as such, I like a single engined monoplane with guns. BUT I can appreciate that bird. For me, the best display at Legends in 2002 was Janie and Big Beautiful Doll. They beat everything and topped out. No question. But did they pull risky stuff? Did they go aerobatic? From my memory (I may or may not have been mainlining at the time) they did not. They just went fast, low, and close enough. And the airborne pix I got of Janie beat any at Legends ever.

RE: Alternative to electricity

Hamsters in wheels. Using friction for energy instead of electricity. It was tried in sweden 3 years ago – 7 hamsters ran a 350MHZ computer with 128 mb RAM. It was fine for 40 minutes, then they had to swap the hamsters (need 4 sets changed at this interval to keep it going all the time).

RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

I must say that high speed multiples, like seen at Legends, are just chindropping. BUT, I would like also to have some low and slow, close passes, say each side and top / bottom views of aircraft – I see stuff as the photographer I am, but you get to see the whole aircraft, plus savour the sound. Say they did that for each aircraft, then the fast stuff – maybe cut some of the more hairy aerobatics (I personally don’t enjoy them as much as just the plain old zooming about, but thats a personal thing). Then maybe a Balbo to finish.

RE: Uninteresting!!!

ROTF!

RE: What’s the gem for Flying Legends then?

I never will see where the skyraiders fit. Ok, so they have a prop and a piston engine, but I really do wish they would use the fuel on something else. Like a Dakota – I’ve never seen one fly at Duxford, except when its bringing people in. I hope we see the Tempest before it leaves. Some Harvards would fit too.

Like I said before, what about the people who attend, some real legends each year. I remember seeing Johnny Johnson, and many others, going up the flightline. THAT is what its about, as much as anything else. And yes, it is difficult to organise something on that scale. thats why it costs £16.50 to get in. To pay for the work and resources involved. Is that expensive? Not to me. That is something I can never begrudge. Legends is a major highpoint of my year. I work saturdays as a wedding photographer in addition to my day job. I will forego the £500 (average) profit of a wedding for Legends, because it is so great. But, there are things that piss me off, things that I wish for, and as a paying attendee, isn’t that something that should be expressed? I am not criticising, I applaud the efforst of TFC et al, and all kids under 15 free? THAT is something fantastic in this age.

Besides, this year WILL be great. It always is.