19 Sqn became the first operational Spitfire Sqn, I would think Duxford might push this one!

WF

Thought provoking!

A Happy Christmas to all our servicemen, wherever they may be serving and may they come home safely to their loved ones!

Glad to see everyone using the Airports proper name, perhaps it is a sign of my age, but I dislike re-naming long standing airports after pop stars, footballers and the like!

WF

I attended the Flying Legends Airshow 2007 at Duxford this year and
like many others pre ordered at a special rate of £10.00 the DVD to
be sent to me once it had been produced following the weekend. –
It is now November and have not received it – I have been in touch
with Duxford IWM and Duke Videos direct without any real results.

Very curious to know what has happen to the hundreds of
folks who along with me reported to a Marquee behind the control Tower at Duxford during the weekend, handed over £10.00 and filled in address
forms following hearing an announcment by the Commentators on on the
weekend of the show . Can any one help ??

Richard,

Like you I ordered this DVD at Legends, I am glad to say that the item arrived in todays post!

Regards to All

Eric

Ah but, had the Spitfire & possibly the Hurricane been fitted with the Griffon in 1940 the Battle of France may have been desisive for the allies & the losses to the Luftwaffe so great that the Battle of Britain might not have happened!!!

We can play what if games from now until doomsday, the game does not prove anything. what if we had ‘B2’ bombers in 1939, see what I mean?

Eric

Problem is these days is that the “Great British Public” don’t give a frig about the armed forces these days — allowing the government to do what they want with them. Iraq hasn’t helped (perhaps that should be “negative media reporting on Iraq”). You hear it constantly on radio phone ins about soldier’s pay or lack of equipment other than from those who have some kind of attachment. It’s all “well they signed on the dotted line, they knew what they were getting into, they don’t have to join up.” Most people I have ever known without any connection to the military, look down on them. Pretty sad state of affairs really.

Could not agree more Mick, as one whose nephew disappears off to hotter climates from time to time it annoys me to see the outdated equipment they are issued with!

Mind you looking back to the start of World War II, the British armed forces were not that much better off.

They are still damned good at what they do!

WF

Last week one of Netherlands best know aviator, Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. ore best know as Soldier of Orange, died aged 90.
He flew with the RAF in the patffinder force flying mossie’s, he flew several missions to Berlin.

Sadly another of a generation called upon to do heroic things has gone, may he rest in peace, we must remember him and all his conrades!

To the Hero’s