Brought up on all things aviation – father and uncles ex-RAF, grandad an RFC ack-emma, me in cadets. But I hadn’t taken much notice of aviation for about 15 years until I happened to pass Newark air museum and pop in. That revived my interest: main impression was thinking of how life was much harder for the average person in “the old days” but all the technology was so much more soulful than it is now and most people were striving for a better tomorrow for everyone.

I had the impression that the Caen Typhoon was a replica. I can’t be sure though and have not yet seen it. If it is a replica, it is sad that the former D-Day museum remains seem to be “MIA”. Especially when it was sold for such a (relatively) small amount. So how much Typhoon is left in the world? The Hendon one, a couple of cockpit sections and assorted bits in other museums or private hands. Is that it?

Pathfinder’s team should keep digging the site – maybe there’s a Preston Green turret down there.

I have read 2nd hand report of an MG (calibre unspecified) sometimes being mounted to fire out of the bomb-bay of unspecified RAF bombers. Not sure how such an arrangement would have worked (did it mean leaving the doors part-open?) or if it would have been more trouble than it was worth (who would have manned it and how good would the visibility have been?).

I camped at Sandwood Bay 10 years ago and saw no sign of the Spitfire, sadly. There was a complete lorry wheel and tyre though. Not sure how that got there as reputedly it is Britain’s most isolated beach. Worth a visit.

From what was said on this site and WIX, the story seems to be that the wreck was slid down an embankment then covered with earth from some building works at the factory. I would be chuffed to see it raised no matter what state of the wreck, but am not sure if this is practical (due to subsequent buliding over the site) even if funds were available.

I like both Duxford and Hendon. However, having visited the Mosquito Museum and East Kirby on quiet afternoons, I found them much more moving and they said more to me about the wartime production of aircraft (Mos Museum) and the flying of those aircraft (Kirby) than either of the bigger museums. As far as I know they have achieved this through private funding, use of unpaid volunteers and much sacrfice by the owners – very impressive.