James I am listening, the moderator said that this is not the place for a discusson on our motoring heritage, and he is right, much as I’d love to argue with you and all the other experts, I do feel abliged to keep within the historic aviation frame work; really I should have known better, but was swept along on a strong nationalistic wave.

With regard to the Japanese restriction on imports post war I thought that was common knowledge; all I need to do is remember which book to quote …

The japanese started out making copies (no honestly) of the likes of BSA a10’s thats how far they were ahead, and their early bikes were crap ; having had loads, I can confirm that the big multis were very heavy, and that together with poor frames, and the legendary Japanese dunrop tyres,the handling was abismal;the fact that they didn’t leak as much oil as British pre unit (you know what a pre unit is, obviously) isn’t a particularily good yard stick to measure the quality of engineering ; I’m told the packard merlin was more oil tight than a British one, but it wasn’t any better, and they never designed it.

People bought the Japanese bikes because of their styling, the bright metalic colours, and reliability that solid state ignition could offer, and ofcourse the price.

With regard to the British motor car, I think to pick one car i.e the MG and hold that up for scrutiny against the might of the American car industry is a bit lame; how about crossflow Rileys circa 1929, Bentleys, jaguars,Astons the Mini; anyone remember that classic piece of motorport they always show on the tv with 2 minis racing a Ford Mustang, yes the mustang was quicker on the straights but on the corners…apparently thats why they have crossroads in the US rather than roundabouts.

James, has it never occurred to you, that some of us patriotic enough to stay in this country, might not be that impressed by the way it is evolving, but rather than join the “rats leaving a sinking ship”, would seek to change its direction.

The British govt has systematically destroyed either by direct action,or apathy, manufacturing, and farming in the UK; ask yourself ,why are there so many japanese car manufactures in the UK? because as a UK firm they get around import tarrifs, how can it be cheaper to bring milk from france by road to the UK ,than to buy from the farm down the road?, it isn’t, but the supermarkets don’t like the idea that British farmers have a monopoly (because the super markets want that), and what are the British govt doing? ,nothing.

I’m sure that Brooklands museum do a great job with limited resources etc, but that didn’t help the control tower at Henlow.

It was under threat from demolition (although still used at that time) and I was negotiating to remove it, when Julian Temple(?) from Brooklands museum stepped in with big plans, and in the interests of the greater good, I bowed out accordingly.

Subsequently I learn that a crack team of “surveyors”from the museum, decided that it couldn’t be done, and it was destroyed, without me getting a second chance to save something that I had first option on.

C’mon, romance has nothing to do with it, like the things or not, one has to be preserved.
As for Bren carriers, one saved my old man in 1944 while attempting to cross the Nijmuiden bridge.
I also thought that Matildas stopped Rommels advance in 1940 but were let down by lack of support from the French.

Pete, the use of the word, was to help illustrate why certain things get preserved, and others don’t; I think you may be right r.e the Matilda, but it wasn’t up against a king tiger at that time! as far as the bren gun carrier is concerned it was something of a double edged sword, as a Spitfire pilot (who was on leave at the time) was killed in one when it turned over ,whilst on manoeuvres with the home guard.

No sign of mr Hodges onions though…

Ben, surely you didn’t misunderstand my sarcasm, it wasn’t by any means aimed at yourself, it was a comment on other peoples “opinions” ; to reiterate whether they (the pillbox’s) were brilliant or absolutely useless, or for that matter somewhere in between, the act of preservation is worthy because, joe public needs to understand that the defence of this country has always been state of the ark, as well as state of the art.

I believe the pilots notes for the Spitfire mention a specific minimum temp, before take off, in order that the guns don’t freeze, as the gun heating obviously comes from the engine; nothing to do with crankshafts I know, but I’m a firm believer in that just because you don’t know the answer, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t contribute something….

My father was in with the Canadians, he was 21; who fancies being 21 (again) and doing that?