I can’t help thinking that given the multitude of apparently insurmountable spares issues, the best place for the Beaufighter would be as a static with the IWM. It would fill quite a sizeable gap in the latter’s collection while looking much less forlorn than it now does, and clearing up a great chunk of hangar space for TFC.

I’m afraid TT that IWM wouldn’t have the funds to purchase the Beau, they can’t even inflate the Lancaster oleos…

More oddness from TVOC.

No, it has not resumed. And it’s unlikely in TFC’s ownership.

I suspect for many reasons Black Knight. It’s a bit cluttered for a start. Then there are small artefacts (read easily pinched), and some things which are very fragile and people, it seems, can’t help but to touch!! Nope, you can see LOTS of RAF Museum artefacts at Hendon and Cosford, it perhaps ought to stay that way!

Snoopy, I think Joe was using the pipe smoking as a metaphor for how Bader was being talked about.

I really do hope that the Varsity graces our skies again.

An RAF celebration

I’m currently overseas with work and a serviceable lander enabled us to go to the Battle of Britain dinner provided by the civilian catering staff. There was beef Wellington, chicken, bacon and banana fritters, apple pie, bread and butter pudding….it was all ranks, and very good (if informal) fun. We were permitted a beer with our meal, and the mess was decorated with placemats (in reality A4 print offs) of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Messerschmitts. Flags of the allied countries in WWII that flew in the Battle hung as bunting from the wall. In short it was impressive. We ALL made it to the event, which was continued after the meal with the Battle of Britain film on the big screen (projector!). All the lads kept asking me all the questions and all was going well until 1hr 50mins when the Ops Officer decided to turn it off for the silent hours. After a bit of grumbling and most having gone to bed, my FS went up to him and said, ” What are you doing?”. His finger started to point to the orders, when said FS mentioned very firmly, “It’s Battle of Britain night, turn it back on!” We got to see the end of our film. The Ops bloke is fairly young and has a huge chip on his shoulder that seems to be counterbalanced by the other one on his other shoulder!! To even consider turning it off though (there was a small dedicated audience, and a football match on the TV) without having the guts to mention it beforehand was very weak of him, and a sad indication of what little the 15th September means in our society (and RAF community) today. A fantastic night only marred with a small hiccup. I hope you celebrated the day with a little something special.

Circus 6

Sadly, I’ve not been to the Shuttleworth for years. I used to go regularly with my Dad in the 70’s and 80’s and I went once in 2007. I will introduce my wife and daughter to airshows with this one, as avaition was a big hobby before it became my career. I’ll keep everything crossed for conditions that will allow the Boxkite to fly, the Comet to be serviceable and the sun to shine….

C6.