Pete TrumanA few years ago now, I know, but I recall finding a few untouched German bunkers in Jersey in the 60’s, complete in every way, right down to bedding on the bunks, they even had bicycles propped against the wall where they had been left in 1945.
A friend of mine discovered a bunker in Geurnsey during the 70’s that was full of ammo and weapons, it was when he came across the mines that he decided to abandon his investigation, perhaps it’s still there, he had to crawl through a hole in a bank of earth that had been piled over it, it may well have been simply filled in again and left as it was, I wonder if he still has that Schmeiser.
Even in the 80’s I recall going to Brittany and at low tide walking out to German bunkers on small islands and finding all sorts of stuff in there.
If anyone has the nerve, there are a chain of linked bunkers on a particular beach in Norfolk, I’ve been so far down them, but you do tend to wonder whether their inevitable collapse will occur when you’re inside, it’s not worth taking the risk, tempting though it may be.
Pete TrumanI also remember being told about RAF Phantoms alledgedly operating out of Chile by a certain former Phantom pilot at Dx who is no longer with us…..
At last another slant on this story, I thought I was the only one to hear about it.
I was told of this by my sister in laws brother in law, who was training to be a Harrier pilot at the time of the conflict.
According to him, the Phantoms were crated up somehow and sent by sea to Chile, the Chileans being concerned that if Argentina were succesful, then they would be next for a bit of land grabbing.
He also claimed that the theory was that if things got a bit untenable in the Falklands, that a few Phantoms over Argentina would make them think again.
Sounds a bit dubious to me, but thats what I was told, to hear a similar story related by who I assume to be MH makes you wonder.
I’ve had a look at the present day status of the Argentine Navy, they have some impressive destroyers, but no carrier anymore, I didn’t realise that they were the only South American country to send ships in support of the 1991 Gulf War.
All this moral pontification about the sinking of the Belgrano is ridiculous, it was a large warship at sea with 2 modern and dangerous destroyers escorting it, obviously not very succesfully. The rules of engagement, whatever that means, were obviously bound to be broken by either side given the right opportunity.
War is war, you can’t afford to p### about, I gather that the Argentines were happy to chuck ordnance out of the back of Hercules on to support ships well outside the Exclusion Zone and scored an own goal by landing one on a neutral ship.
I find it interesting how much fervour results in any thread on here about the Falklands War, the last all British war I suppose, is that the reason, for it’s ‘popularity’ with regard to analysis and the like, the last bit of Empire fighting we are likely to see.
Can’t we apply the same tactics to that scumbag in Zimbabwe, is Bulawayo in range of cruise.
Pete TrumanI think even a pair of Tornado F3s would ‘shoot to ribbons’ anything and everything the Argentines could put into the air and even the threat of a nuclear sub would be enough to keep their Navy in port.
Still, Argentina is a big country and the way our defence spending is going… :rolleyes:
Interesting, I’ve just been Googling the Argentine air assets, it looks very lacking, far worse than 82, you could be right, their Mig 29’s are classed as aerobatic and stored, whatever that means. As for the navy threat, I havent even bothered to look, I’m sure a lurking Nuke sub armed with cruise would put anyone off causing trouble.
Pete TrumanWhy not apply the ‘What if’ to the present.
Supposing another ‘self glorification’ Junta got into power in Argentina, the Malvinas question still hurts over there. My sons best mate at Uni is Argentinian, studying to be a doctor, a member of the countries elite, a lovely lad, but I’ve been warned off talking about the war to him, mind you, I’ve found subtle ways of doing this.
As the islands are defended by 4 F-3’s that from comments in previous threads can’t fight their way out of a paper bag, and were swamped by Argentine fighters, what next.
I don’t know how many troops we have over there and I’m sure that could give an amazing account of themselves, but even they could be overrun.
So what next, do we have a nuke sub on permanent standby armed with cruise missiles. Is that our subversive detterent, cruise wasn’t an option in 1982, it makes a hell of a difference now, is that what is keeping them at bay I wonder, try anything and El Presidente’s house could end up in someones back pocket, along with El Presidente, and the rest of his pals.
Pete TrumanI have read with interest the WW 2 tales related by Jules, i hope he feels well enough to make Duxford. With a potential 3 airworthy B17’s to drool over, the scene would not be complete without a vet like him to view the aircraft, possibly even fly in one, and certainly i hope to comment maybe briefly on the PA system on his service memories!. I have no contact details for him, for those who do and may wish to pass this on. I would be honoured to fund his trip across the pond and associated accomodation requirements. Its not a spur of the moment offer, but a real wish to give a man like him the pleasure once again of seeing his former mounts and to share in the excitement and spectacle that only Legends offers. The clock is ticking, its people like Jules who secured the freedom we enjoy today, their appearance at Flying Legends is part of the “Legend”. We need to assist and get as many of them to the show before we regret not having made the effort. Happy to help, i’am lucky to have time on my side,the Proctor restorations are progressing fine and if it means completing them 3 months later then planned for the pleasure of Jules being with us,so what.
TC, what a fantastic offer, it’s not hard to contact him, I have his personal web site but won’t publish it on here, I’m quite prepared to drive the old boy about and show him a few sites, but I get the impression it might be too much for him.
Pete.
Pete TrumanHave received an E-mail from Jules Horowitz, I’ve been very naughty and haven’t checked my mail for a week, any way this is what it says.
Hi Pete
Very nice of you to check up on me, I’m still around, but getting more decrepit as time marches on. My memory of WW2 flying is still pretty good. If anyone has any questions pertaining to B-17 I will try to answer.
I would love to go over on the Liberty Belle but— noone has invited me, and if I asked I think it would be a little too much for me.
About 12-15 years ago, I had a ride in a restored B-17, the owner gave me about 15mins stick time, it was an unbeleivable experience.
I hope that the airshow at Duxford is a great experience for the attendees.
Best wishes
Jules Horowitz.
What more can you say!!
Pete TrumanThe Yak 12 has quite a history. Originally it was brought into the country on the Lithuanian register as LY-FKD. It then went onto the G-register and ended up being owned by the notorious ‘flying vet’ Maurice Kirk for a while.
The present owner put it onto the Hungarian register because he also operates a Yak 18T on the same register. Because of licensing issues with the CAA, most, if not all, of the 18Ts went onto the Hungarian register a few years ago, as the type had a full JAA certification in that country. To have done the same here would have cost thousands.
The two aircraft were based at Dunsfold, but recently moved to NW because the GA hangar there has been taken over by a fulfilment company.
It was definately the Yak 18 that I saw at Earls Colne, looked as if it had been there a while too, the grass had grown round the wheels.
Pete TrumanIf 3 Raptors are flying over for Fairford, is it likely that they will arrive at and be serviced at Lakenheath.
If so, would they possibly take part in any exercises, as, presumably some of them will be based there eventually.
I was lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time when the first F-117’s arrived at Lakenheath for an exercise, that was sight, surely the F-22’s won’t just fly to RIAT then depart after the show.
Pete TrumanAs July 4th is a friday, can I assume that there will be a shortage of staff that day in various companies around this area.
The Glacier Girl flight last year was extremely well covered, you have to worry about any vintage aircraft carrying out such a trip, lets hope we have the same coverage and all goes well, at least they have 4 engines.
Pete TrumanNot particularly large, it is a Yak 12M.
With my Hungarian family connection, I’m always interested in seeing anything Hungary orientated over here.
Where exactly has this Yak 12m come from and what is it doing over here.
I recall seeing a Hungarian registered large tricycle undercarriage Yak thingy parked up at Earls Colne a year or so ago, it wasn’t there a few months ago on my last visit.
The only other Hungarian aircraft I’ve seen here were the sensational Mig 21 tactical display team at Fairford a few years ago carrying out the most hair raising and noisy dog fighting display I’ve ever seen, and the Mig 29 display at Cottesmore Riat, I believe he won ‘Best in Show’.
If anyone else is interested in Hungarian artifacts, I’m awash with them, they are so desperate to get away from their Communist past that everything is sent over to me, my favourite item is a WW2 Officers cap, Wermacht style, it was an honour to receive that as it represented the last line of defence against the hated Red Army. I’d love to know it’s history.
Sorry to digress, this Yak 3 looks magnificent, if it does indeed appear at Legends, what else is available to accompany it, what happened to the French Yak 11 conversion that was sitting forlornly in the half hangar at DX. There’s the Yak at Headcorn, but what else is about, apart from those modern efforts of course, even though I have a bit of a liking for them, they aren’t the same after all.
Pete TrumanLiving near Hucknall Airfield in the 50’s and 60’s with it’s wierd and wonderful aircraft, plus having an older brother obsessed with the early Airfix kits and a father with a tandem that used to take us to the then large number of local airshows.
I was nominated as the junior school official aircraft spotter in the 50’s, unfortunately some of the stuff coming out of Hucknall was not in the books, the Tyne Ambassador for a start.
I remember being hoicked into the playground to identify a C-119, the teachers thought they’d got me on that one, no chance.
The most awsome sighting at the time was a B-36, you couldn’t mistake that one either.
Pete TrumanWhat about “why aye man” by Mark Knopfler
Nah, The Queen would need elocution lessons to understand that one, along with the rest of the country.
Nice thought though.
Like it or not, our National Anthem is a tradition, it isn’t likely to be changed, nor should it.
Comments are made about changing it for something else, particularly ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, but whats the point, they are all pompous songs after all, thats what it’s all about, accept it and be happy!!
Leave it be for the moment, we still hang on to our traditions now, I feel it could change drastically in the future, how soon that could come about is anyones guess, lets just revel in Trooping the Colour and all the rest of our traditions before PC and alternative cultures take over.
Pete TrumanWhat about “why aye man” by Mark Knopfler
Nah, The Queen would need elocution lessons to understand that one, along with the rest of the country.
Nice thought though.
Like it or not, our National Anthem is a tradition, it isn’t likely to be changed, nor should it.
Comments are made about changing it for something else, particularly ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, but whats the point, they are all pompous songs after all, thats what it’s all about, accept it and be happy!!
Leave it be for the moment, we still hang on to our traditions now, I feel it could change drastically in the future, how soon that could come about is anyones guess, lets just revel in Trooping the Colour and all the rest of our traditions before PC and alternative cultures take over.
Pete TrumanNot too sure about either place, Australia can only be inhabited by Ray Mears and his various clones that adore Tony Bennett, and Kent only exists to act as a stacking area for lorries heading for the Channel Tunnel.
To top this, it’s just been announced on the news today that the ‘powers that be’ are going to construct new high speed rail links, presumably on the basis of the French TGV, alongside the existing rail links, ie WCML, ECML, etc etc.
Could be interesting when they get to the urban and city areas that these Victorian designed railway routes run through, the future of employment in this country obviously lies in tunnelling jobs, or maybe it will be high speed concrete guideways with jet propelled buses, wouldn’t fancy sitting on the upstairs front seat of a modified Routemaster though.
Pete TrumanNot too sure about either place, Australia can only be inhabited by Ray Mears and his various clones that adore Tony Bennett, and Kent only exists to act as a stacking area for lorries heading for the Channel Tunnel.
To top this, it’s just been announced on the news today that the ‘powers that be’ are going to construct new high speed rail links, presumably on the basis of the French TGV, alongside the existing rail links, ie WCML, ECML, etc etc.
Could be interesting when they get to the urban and city areas that these Victorian designed railway routes run through, the future of employment in this country obviously lies in tunnelling jobs, or maybe it will be high speed concrete guideways with jet propelled buses, wouldn’t fancy sitting on the upstairs front seat of a modified Routemaster though.
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