It takes more courage to stand down and face the crass remarks you know will follow, than to carry on to save face and risk a major mishap.

Probably the most relevant comment here.

He ‘s taken the Last train to Clarkesville. A lot better group than many rated them.

Watched a documentary on Discovery channel (I think!) last night about Donald Campbell. The part which covered his land speed record attempts in Australia included an interview where he was explaining the reasons for delay etc. The interviewer looked like a young Dave Allen (as in the comedian) – could this have been so? (I know that DA had his own chat show for a while) … I should have watched more closely…

More than possible…from wikipeadia..

While on tour in Australia in 1963, he quickly proved successful and accepted an offer to headline a television talk show with Channel 9, Tonight with Dave Allen, which was very popular. However, only six months after his television début he was banned from the Australian airwaves when, during a live broadcast, he told his show’s producer — who had been pressing him to go to a commercial break — to “go away and masturbate” so that he could continue an entertaining interview with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. The ban was dropped quietly when Allen’s popularity continued unabated.

I have to say that i personally think that the IWM need to refurbish Spitfire R6915. She really is looking very tired and almost appears to be ready to come apart at the seams. What a travesty for a Battle of Britain veteran that flew 57 sorties in the Battle with 13 different pilots with 5 confirmed kills and 6 damaged . I would definitely restore her to the 609 squadron livery that she wore in 1940, but the IWM already have a Spitfire I in that Squadron markings so there is little hope of that!.

I am generally against hanging aircraft but at least its kept the Spit with its original paint.To repaint her would be vandalism.Not too many aircraft left with their original WW2 paint.

Go on,tell her its an investment and it will keep the pidgeons away.

Spitfire central instrument panel.nos.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-RAF-SPITFIRE-INSTRUMENT-PANEL-/220955696013?pt=UK_CPV_Aviation_SM&hash=item3371fc5b8d

A similar thing on ebay is called shill bidding,if I remember correctly a chap got prosecuted and found guilty, this off the wall bidding sounds very dubious and similar.

A piece in the Mail..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2102005/The-forgotten-hero-U-S-air-force-officer-killed-Europe-World-War-II.html