Jonnie JohnstonP-38
[QUOTE=curlyboy;1272792]Does anyone know what will be at Legends next year yet?
Well – P-38 duo is quite possible!
Jonnie JohnstonLets see the Vulcan at Legends!
Maybe a Bomber themed show with an AVRO flypast.
Jonnie JohnstonP-39 and the rest
The noise is the from the prop-shaft which negotiates under the floor of the cockpit to a drive system aft of the pilot.
P-63’s make the same sound.
I think the P39 was flown in a spirited way and made up for a comparitively poor sequence of displays on the sunday afternoon.
The cats were short lived following a mis-judgement from the F4F and subsequent summonds to land and the Spitfire sequence was bity – apart enjoying the progressively brillliant display by Lee Proudfoot in 434.
I think he is the one to watch in the next few years!!!
I still think 2000+2001 were the best FL events – from a display sequence point of view.
Its time to refresh the displays and themes. If I had the time I would shake up the order of play.
Jonnie JohnstonJohn Blake + tail chase
I used enjoy John listening to John Blake – he knew his stuff.
Looking at that footage reminded me of a warm-up flight on a friday before the one of the old ‘fighter meet’ shows at north weald. That day the Hannas, Stefan Kolwaski and John Watts did a 4 man tail chase – got the footage somewhere.
Took the hairs of the back of neck and cut the grass while they were at it!
Jonnie JohnstonPush and Pull German style
I think one survives in the US?
Jonnie JohnstonRoller coaster my *ss.
You seem to know my chidlren better than me. My child would be bored to tears by a Mirage 2000. Its a jet and sounds like any other. A merlin engine adds another dimension to a child’s feelings and reactions.
The only one speaking absolute rubbish is your comments. I suggest you ditch your knowledge book and look to the generations ahead.
Principle reason for any aeroplane is to fly, then secondary it purpose to fight, bomb or destroy. If it could not fly it would no be able to do any of the latter!!!!
I am sure people who are far more intelligent and far less sour than you will guess whether an a/c is:
1. Original ie: built by Westland 1941
2. Part original ie: with composite parts from other a/c (most restorations these days)
3. total new build ie:Flug Werk replica.
The point being is people can still witness something in flight, its sound and speed.
Maybe along with the hundreds of different insurance categories, someone can create a category system for levels of authenticity.
By the way, it may interest you to know that many restorers of vintage a/c and machinery have all independently refer to a replica as something produced after the prototype!
By the way not all business plans need to make money!!!!!!!!
I have my day job creating business plans and doing nicely from it.
Jonnie JohnstonPictures from Biggin 7th July
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I still think Biggin makes for a better picture than most UK airfields!
Jonnie JohnstonTwo ship display
Chatting to the Liberty Belle lots today and others from Duxford, it looks like it will be a 2 ship display.
The french meet the US over the UK!
Still it will be a great occasion anyway!
Liberty Belle sure looks amazing – interesting to see all gun positions installed and the slightly dull shade of coated metallic paint to give the airframe some protection.
Jonnie JohnstonParked up at Biggin
I was at Biggin in the 70’s when Ted White first bought what was to become Sally B.
Today I was in the garden sorting out the roses, when my partner pointed up – is that Sally B she cried out – I said its a B17, but its silver – sure enough I shouted Liberty Belle!!!!!
Thank god its come to Biggin – BEST AIRFIELD IN THE WORLD!
Jonnie JohnstonNice calandar Darren.
Is this something you have done. Nice front photo.
I think there is room in the market for more calandars!
Jonnie JohnstonBEST ADVICE FOR AN AIRSHOW
If you can -load family and their bikes in the car. Drive to a suitable location 3 miles away from Duxford. Ditch the car and cycle in.
Cycling is the best way to get around and there is a place to leave bikes at Duxford. If in doubt, once you have got in, go back to the guards room at the staff entrance and they will guide you to a suitable bike parking area.
You will feel totally proud of the exercise and freedom and the kids (if you have them) will enjoy it to.
Jonnie JohnstonYet another debate on restoration
At the end of the day aeroplanes were intended to fly and people should be able to see aircraft of the last 100 years FLY.
With enough money, tooling, engineers, blueprints and guts you can recreate absolutely anything. Infact many people I talk to are keen to get into the tooling business because its this area that could help grow the industry when original engines run out.
Don’t forget every orginal aircraft mass produced was a replica of its prototype and it should not make any difference whether it was built by Focke Wulf or Flug Werk. The simple fact is the more we rebuild and make a/c airworthy or recreat something from scratch, the more opportunity our ‘far-removed’ and poorly guided younger generation will have of seeing what went on in during the 20th century.
When you look at a spitfire or tempest in a museum, unless you love aeroplanes anyway, most kids would not appreciate them. Go to an airshow and make them stand at the end of the runway – and see their reaction when a Spit flys over their head at 20 feet and they hear their engine growl. The immediately apprecriate them more.
We have enough examples of orginal airframes in museums worldwide to not worry or care about a new build ‘Lancaster’ or ‘Sunderland Flying boat.’ No one in the right mind would not refuse attending the test flight of a brand new vintage build – like a Hampden, Battle or Halifax would they? All those who are against new builds – would still go and watch!
Someone with alot of money will carry on Flug Werk’s vision.
The only thing is We will all loose out long term – when the oil reserves run dry – these majestic machines will all collect dust then.
If I had money and choice I would produce a small line of Spitfires and other rarer fighter types. I know some who have these plans and have the funds to fullfill this dream.
Its been successfully done in the maritime world – especially with historic boats that ended up at the bottom of the ocean.
Speaking of oceans – whats happened about the huge dumping ground of naval types of the coast of australia – get those old planes out from the water and get them in the air. Barracuda would be good to see!
Worry less about what you cannot do and focus on what you can!
I would take anyone on on this debate!
Jonnie JohnstonIncrease in visitors
The increase has alot to do with the number of hard-core enthusiasts who travel further afield to a show – as many local smaller shows have since disappeared. I spoke with one family who left at 5am from the other side of Yeovil to get to Biggin!!!
An increase in fuel costs (despite the aviation industry being quite resilient to any economic slowdown) and greater number of retailers hit hard does not bode well for show organisers. If people don’t buy space for a stall, then the organisers have less budget for a good show and many have disappeared because of it. Plus (and quite rightfully) many vintage types charge more for appearances, so again putting a show on is jolly hard work.
Secondly air traffic is almost twice as busy than it was 10 years ago and many smaller airfields have too many restrictions to carry on each year. Not to mention the growing desire from locals to ban all airshows for fear of accidents.
Jock and his team at Biggin are absolutely fantastic people. Their commitment to the show is truely outstanding and they deserve 200,000 next year – might have to move the crowdline foward again – thats no bad thing.
Maybe they should should put pilots/press and hospitality over by the control tower – I am sure they did one year because I got my best Biggin photos with the sun on my back!!!!
Here is to Biggin – the best show by far.
3 B17’s at Legends is also pretty cool!
Jonnie JohnstonSeems a bit odd that no-one was there to look after the P2?
I mean usually they have a low loader to get it back to a secured area.
Lets hope the damage is minimal and the old girl is back in the air soon.
Jonnie JohnstonNot to be an ass, but me personally coming from another country, you British does not know how lucky you are when it comes to airshows and all the different a/c types usually attending these shows. So even though the traffic may be a little bit bad on a Sunday afternoon and some of the vintage aircrafts didn’t appear, you should try having one or no airshow a year and see what that’s like. Maybe you will be a little bit more happy with what you get, traffic, parking and no Vulcan included. :rolleyes::D
Rather than reflecting on how lucky we are to have a show – its far better to focus on the waste of kit sitting around and not attending a show. Good examples of crowd pullers: –
Switzerland have a Connie – I have seen it once at a show in the UK! Last at Biggin in 98.
TFC Hawk – yet to appear at Biggin
Gladiator – not been at Biggin for years!
Spitfire gathering – last at Biggin – September show in 2000
Why should we be manipulated to attending one show where we can see these types – Biggin is the longest standing privately run airshow in the UK and we need to make more of the content in the show!
I agree with someone else on the forum – who suggested ‘unexpected fly ins’ rather than hyping over the Vulcan – which was obvious to all NOT READY.
Where did the Vulcan budget get spent on or was is saved on the bottem line!!!?????
Try moving to the UK if you want to see more UK shows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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