Yes, it’s sad isn’t it? There’s no legislation for the wearing of them, but most believe that the Health and Safety Executive insist on it. Most wearers are victims of poor understanding. Needless to say that some organisations now insist that they are worn. I suppose it’s the shallow belief that they are ‘safe’.

Hey Inkworm,

What about the glorious XFY-1?!?!

I’d buy the nearby former RAF Manby, (a snip at £3.5M) and a Sea Fury T20. Then develop the airfield back into a bomber unit as per 1945 using genuine structures from Lincolnshire where possible. I’d invite owners of all warbirds in the UK to come and have their aircraft hangared there for a more modest sum than they currently pay. I’d open a museum for £5 a head entry fee. The museum staff would be former Armed Forces personnel and the unit would ‘work’ in terms of administration, messing and engineering. There would be no place for static aircraft, but everything from the dawn of aviation to the classic era covered in terms of airworthy aircraft. Imagine covered walkways through the hangars. Engineers in smart well fitting uniformed coveralls, helpful, well informed and kindly museum guides in smart jackets, and NO DAYGLO!

C6

Would be nice if the Lincs Lancaster association or even flypast could run a poll on suggested paint schemes to see what the masses would like to see.

Ha! That’d take forever to collate and then you’d get some chimp wanting to put it in grand slam markings or 617 era marks. “Off with the upper turret then, boys”, would be the cry from Fluffy. (And then my second favourite perch would be gone!)

Let BBMF paint their Lancaster in what colours they want. The decisions and suggestions are carefully considered and they tend to have a good handle of upcoming anniversaries etc.

As for the accuracy of the paint, again leave it to Fluffy. He wasn’t around in 1942 but he sure as hell knows whats accurate drawing wise. And remember PA474 spends most of its time away from the suns rays and the rain so therefore the paint won’t react the same as it did ‘back in the day’.

C6

I applaud the Sanders for putting the correct engine in the Sea Fury, but a T20 should have a fixed tailwheel. So is it a bitsa? Regardless, it looks great.

None. Worked at BBMF as an engineer.

They use Arco’s Harvard (the Portugese marked one) and do 10 hours (IF I remember correctly).

C6