As as grubby spotter it time for my 1/2’p worth. Was a member from late 80’s to early 90’s but gave up once members had to pay to get in to the rally and membership got up to silly prices. Been to every rally since 1983.
Once again this year, as others have said, was same old, same old. Not what it had been billed to be. Ok the weather was poor, again, but still not a patch on Cranfields of the late 90’s(Conne, daks, Bristol Freighter, An2’s etc). It has got far too narrow in its content. Homebuilts now are very nice aircraft to fly but boring to look at. One Europa and Vans looks like the next. In the days of Luton Minors, Furys, Nippers, Evans etc you could see that somebody actually built it not just put tougher a big airfix kit.
For me the trade show is not waht it should be about. We should go back to the days when the trade area was largely made up of part finished aircraft show by their owners. Also if you want the general public to come and look about learning to fly etc why not go back to charging seperate prices for airside(say £20) and exhibition only(£10?)? On the flyin front it seems to be the attitude of just expecting aircraft to turn up because its the PFA rally. How about actually inviting groups from abroad? How about the KZ club, the Belgian Stampes, tiger, etc that turn up at Aerofair of the Spanish club from cautro Venitos? Air Britian have done it for their flyins and it has been sucessfull.
Personally the 6 An2’s and the other 30 odd foriegn aircraft at Fowlmere this weekend for Legends were far more interesting than the PFA rally !

Found these old negatives in the attic taken by my grandfather and scanned them in. I have only limited information on these so anything would be gratefully received.

Handley Page W.10 (G-EBMM) possibly at Belfast Airport pre-1945 with three other bi-planes about to land. Owned by Imperial Airlines, there were only three types of these aircraft built. The W8 (four built, G-EBBG/H and I, with G-EBIX , the W9 (one only was G-EBLE) and the W10 (Four built G-EBMM/R/S/and EBMT).

Shorts Sunderland at Sydenham Aerodrome around 1950-55 at an airshow.

G-EBMM Handley Page W10 registered 11/25,delivered 5/3/26 named City of Melbourne. Sold to National Aviation Displays (Alan Cobham) 11/33 and named Youth of New Zealand . Converted to tanker and W/O Aston Clinton, Bucks 22/9/34. It was converted into a tanker to refuel the record attempt by Courier G-ABXN and refuled sucessfully over the channell. After the tanks were removed it was flown to to Whitley but on the way the tailplane bracing bolt failed causing a mid air break up with loss of all on board.

Nice photos Mark. sadly I didn’t get over until around 4 and missed the ever illusive Saab 😡 , did manage a few snaprs in the last few days as they have been on eastiles.
LBARULES Farnborough is very hit and miss. Today there were about 20 movements between 1430 and 1630, some days there will be 5. When rthey are on eastailes is the best.

Just booked some holiday around Paris Airshow and wondering what Airfields are worth visiting around Paris.

Anybody been to any of these , are they big small, any interesting aircraft vintage / ultralights etc.

Toussus Le Noble (been here in 1980s but cannot remember it)
Beynes
Chaveney
Les Mureaux
La Ferte Alais (Museum)
Melun
Lognes
Chelles
Enghien

Does any of these take us little ones for Airshow visitors.

Let us know anything ,any thoughts or where you going to over Paris Weekend

Ta

Tossus- almsot no vintage aircraft among the 200+ based in 20+ hangars. Not been since 2001, was aT28 there then and a few Stampes, a preserved Magister. Lots of show visitors at the weekend
Lognes- again not been since 2001, were a few based Yak 52’s and a Jungmann, Broussard, attracts visitors from all over europe for the show public days.
Chelles: just a few jodels and tin, not many based, grass strip
La Ferte Alais , museum only open sundays, well worth the visit.

Of the other local fields, again 2001
Meaux- a couple of stampes, plus micros and tin
Persan- lots of micros but also Mirage 5 on the gate, 2 T6 and a Stearman, 2 Broussard’s
Pointiose-just tin and visiting bizjets
Entampes- museum aircraft had moved out as the ww2 hangars had been condemed, just tin.
StCyr-not been for ages but nothing exciting

You will get airside at all of these except the biz side at Pointiose. Makes a frereshing change from this country 😡 .

Austers were also operated on floats in the Falklands by FIGAS in the 50’s

VP-FAA/G-AJCH coverted to floats in the UK after an accident in the FI 4/49, fist tested 6/51 wfu 4/56
VP-FAB/G-AJCI tested at Beaumaris, Anglsey 8/49 prior to shipment initaially for Antartic Servey use but then used by FIGAS wfu 8/53 due corrosion

All from ‘Falklands the air war’ sadly nothing on how the Austers handled in such a poor weather enviroment.

100% Kemble, Delta Jets hangars in the background.

Some of us can’t read and look at photos at the same time :rolleyes: . Still great photos. Might have to go to the row on Sunday for a few?