I’d be suprised if it became an active airfield again, there is a model A/C club that uses the site, and they had to apply for a certificate of lawfullness to carry on flying their models; Maldon council aren’t keen (as most councils aren’t) on having a new airfield open, and there has been no flying from this site since ww1.

It was used as accomodation during ww2, and one of the hangars was bombed (probably in error) and a wounded Hurricane landed there;the biggest problem is that the site is bisected with footpaths,and as such it is hard to see how a decent size strip could be reinstated, without “fear of public safety” there is an airstrip about half a mile away, but this appears unused now.

When I viewed the site last year I took some photos of the buildings, they are in pretty poor condition, but very well made, most of the roofs are close boarded in a herringbone pattern, and at least one of them is home to barn owls.

There is also a weight restriction on the access road, (7.5t). making it difficult to service the site, and a tennant in the bungalow with protected tenancy (for life) with rights of succession.

Thats good news; I tendered for lot 2 at the time, and had the distinction of being the lowest bid of the lot!

Lets not forget the the Poles were fighting for the freedom of Poland, and for the freedom to return to Poland; as in part so were we.

So what does a full size model teach that a large plastic kit cannot?

I wouldn’t want to see a Spitfire or Hurricane at our Museum, as it is not appropriate.

On a personal level – and it is just that, I am not a fan of such replicas; they have nothing to teach the future generation, except for the manner in which it was interpreted by the builder.

I’ll clarify that sweeping statement….! What I am saying is that I’m not a fan of replicas that deviate from the original manner of construction in any way. The original artefacts we leave behind are as important a way of learning history as any document.

Bruce

I would be possible to display a composite replica in such a way that various parts of the airframe were open for inspection, the cockpit for example could be made exact, whilst the innards of the wings not.

This would allow people to sit in it, and get a real feel for what it was like; have you ever noticed how claustrophobic they are when you get the hood shut?

Other “interesting” parts such as the engine could be displayed cowlings off, the guns as well, but as Bruce hints at, it would have to be displayed as a replica or mockup,in order that the public don’t feel conned, and then it would probably loose its appeal, as a “genuine Spitfire”.

I for one am at a loss as to why someone would put such a huge effort into building one, and then detour so far away from the original design, that you have a steel box frame inside, giving yourself a huge problem with weight and rigidity, the former exacerbated by the latter.

Well I have to admit I still enjoy Memphis Belle; you could take the view that overall it is no less accurate than BoB, the latter, whilst sticking to the actual events, still includes ficticious characters and a condensed storyline (which admittedly is all a film of 2-3 hours length can offer), and ofcourse the mkIX Spitfire wasn’t available in 1940.

I’m sure everything that happened in the film actually happened to someone, there were so many B17’s flying, over here, that it must have; maybe even that crew, just not all on the last mission!

Does it need ‘members’ as such, can it not be run like this forum?
Anyone can help from all around the world, it’s in cyberspace.

Even this forum has members, its just a term to describe the participants (as I’m sure you know).

No, it doesn’t have to be an active club (as was the intention), but you have to ask the question, do we need another forum?, and what will it be called, International cockpit(s)? as to use the word “club”, implies something beyond the virtual world.

I have to say, that the one thing that would annoy the hell out of me, is trying to maintain a gallery, with the current owners credited, with such a high turnover of cockpits; I realise that I’m as guilty as anyone on that subject, or I have been in the past.

Another thought, is that if it was centered around just one event, and that event were to come to an end, what would become of the, er, um, club ?

As already said, that’s because it was settled by Bretons/Britons* from Great Britain – which is called Great Britain/Grande Bretagne to distinguish it from the other Bretagne.

“Who were Welsh-cum-Cornish fleeing the Angles, Saxons, & Jutes, so we can’t really claim they had anything to do with England.

Although clearly they would all be allowed to play for England , after all there have been far more controversial appointments ……