Great to see these in civvie schemes, for some reason I cannot totally fathom I get very nostalgic with warbirds in colourful civvy schemes. Perhaps it might be because all I had in the sixties was a Brownie 127 camera and could only afford a few monochrome films. So when older pics are shared here they remind me of scenes i could not record…like the Spitfires of Cogea at Raversijde in Belgium circa 1965.

The location concerned has been opened to the public for aviation and military vehicles events every year for many years. So I dont think it is likely that any internet exposure makes it a target.

Two other early sources of HGW were the RAF Mountain Rescue location sheets for Valley and Kinloss,these were to help the teams be aware of existing wrecks when called out to search.

I have a few puzzles to solve in Scotland regarding HGWs and this year will make some new flights in the C 172 over the mountains with my camera and then study the results at home on the PC screen. My first target is to look around a part of the Cairngorms where I was told a helicopter pilot saw a H shaped tail unit in a gully. On the same flight I will make close up views of the known locations where medium to large remains exist such as the Canberra.

A minor puzzle…why do so many refer to the base as Saint Athans ? Was it just wishful thinking ! Athens, sun, excitement back then .

Being for many years a training base as well as engineering HQ the shock was great for those posted in for short courses. Marching to the mess, then marching to the classrooms aaargh.

A book published in 2011 “Bridge of Spies by Giles Whittell” gives a lot of detail about the U2 handling and tricky would be an understatement. It also explains the lead up to the shoot down of Gary Powers U2, his detention and how the exchange took place in Berlin 1962.

I have a few stills of this superb aircraft moored on Lake Windermere, a visit sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, a few days later I was the duty runway caravan controller at RAF Linton on Ouse when we were treated to an approach and overshoot by the Sunderland, no camera with me …drat.

Thanks Darryl for adding your input to that air to air session, the results of the 2 Mosquitoes over the English countryside has long been a favourite of mine.

A larger than average postcard was published by After the Battle magazine.

Air to air is a challenge that I always want more of but there are few owners in North Scotland who have any interest in pre booked formations.