Enjoy the day John, I am looking forward to my first visit of the year on the 4th of May!

Regards

Eric

Some interesting thoughts here, sadly more than one airframe or part their off has gone to the great bone yard in the sky through lack of interest / care. I remember coming across a T11 Vampire Cockpit section in an army camp some years ago, it had sadly fallen victim to an ATC unit who had been responsible for it being vandalised, sad really because the reduction to cockpit section had been beautifully done.

In the current environment how do we preserve what’s left, we have property developers and lets be honest elements of the government who seem intent on turning the country into one big building development (I wonder how those who wish to see flying stop at Kemble would like it if they find the airfield replaced by a damn great shopping development or worse still housing estates. The narrow minded pigmies who campaign against Kemble and the like never seem to realise that the alternative may be a lot worse. —- Ha, ha, ha!)

Sorry folks getting a bit off track there, but then aviation preservation is more than just keeping airframes in one piece.

Preserving our aviation heritage, how do we do it?

1> Have a government that is concerned in something more than the bottom line.
2> Make it a bit easier for the smaller museums to preserve the current crop of airframes that are getting to the end of their service life. Privately funded museums in general cannot afford to get into bidding wars. At the moment examples of the newer aircraft will go to the national museums, probably for free or at worst for £1, everyone else will be left out in the cold!
3> Revitalize organisations like the ‘BAPC’ and help shape the educational process to get the young interested in aviation, in all its forms!
4> Use the best technologies we have, to help preserve what we have, for as long as we can! We can do no more.

Here ends the lesson!

WF

How common was it for the squadron badge to appear in the fin flash and when did it cease to be done

I have seen photos of 601 Squadron and have several from 607 Squadron

Attached image was taken at RAF McMerry in 1941 and is from the album of late Squadron Leader PJT Stephenson and is supplied with permission of his daughter

I can’t comment regarding how common a practice it was, certainly 72 Squadron Spitfires carried the Blue Bird emblem during 1939. The squadron was still displaying the emblem on tail of their Wessex helicopters many years later when the Squadron disbanded at RAF Aldergrove.

Cheers

WF

Looks very nice indeed – though at the risk of being shot down in flames, I did really like the IAC scheme. Made a nice change from the norm.

Could not agree more, it does look nice in its new markings, however I would have liked to see her fly in IAC markings for a bit longer.

I also agree that any owner can paint his or her aircraft whatever colour they like, they pay the bills!

WF

During that period in the 50’s the British aviation industry had some marvellous concepts, sadly a combination of difficulties was conspiring against the industry! We can all name a few of them, however my favourite three must be:

1> The awful financial situation that Britain had been left in at the end of the 2nd World War.
2> The paragon of accurate crystal ball gazing known as the ‘Sand’s Report’.
3> The yet to be Labour government who went out of there way to bury what Sand’s had left!

I am sure that many of you can fill in the details. 😡 😡 😡

WF

…..& long may she continue to grace the skies of South Oxfordshire.

Colin

Here, Here Colin!

Blue Skies

WF

R4118

For anyone who fails to remember what this beautiful aeroplane looks like!