Where did the information stating the type of explosive come from? Was it official or more sensationalism from the journos? It is not official SOP to divulge such information so soon after such an incident.
PETN needs a detonator, not matches to explode.
So, to another theory – was this a set up by security services to have a device which would fail, but create enough fear among pax and be suitably fed by the press to ensure additional funds, and the inevitable knee jerking as has happened, to give the security industry more powers and cash, just a thought. Or, was our man so keen to get in to the US he didn’t forsee the consequences of his actions, again knowing the ‘device’ would not explode. Remember his line of study in London and Allah knows what in The Yemen.

After following the thread drift, I found it quite an interesting exchange of views over what was considered at the time ‘the Aircraft’ for the R. A. F. Quite a number of the contributors come over as being, if not anti-British aero- industry then very pro-U.S.

However, I found some naivety regarding the political views and the costs of the aircraft referred to. Namely, every U. S. model was always offered to the British government ‘as an absolute bargain’. If this was quoting from an M.P. it shows the ‘political speak’ i.e. lies coming over. Remember, at this time B.O.A.C. was in government hands, so they were very aware of the American pricing system, i.e. ‘Buy our airplane, you can have it next week. See how low the cost is and how attractive the payment terms are.’ I won’t get in to development costs here. At no time has any British manufacturer been able to offer terms to equal those of the U.S., either financing or delivery. The U.S. make their money (profits), on sale of spares. This is well known to the commercial world and I imagine in various government circles for military purchases, if only after the contract has been signed.

One person claims many contracts coming in within budget, weapons maybe, I cannot recall one aircraft doing this, but I am prepared to stand corrected. No aircraft has ever been built to its original proposal as times have meant extra functions or equipment being required during development. Hence price has to increase, I would not blame any company refusing to build to a fixed price under these circumstances.

A couple of you have mentioned ‘MRCA’ before it became Tornado. Does anyone recall the Luftwaffe’s interpretation of this – ‘Military Requirements Come Afterwards’. ‘In other words after the politicians have finished, we get what is left over.’ Not an unfamiliar situation, I think in the R.A.F. with aircraft being adapted for roles they were not designed for. ‘But, you have to realise money is tight, etc. etc.’

F/A 18RN – your mention of Russia’s finest, I was given to believe after Vickers gave assistance to get the Il-62 in to the air, they deliberately led the KGB astray with the Tu-144. Hence, its poor performance. Probably just another aero-story, but as Chox keeps reminding us, ‘it makes for more interesting reading.’

Lest we forget

It is a sad moment when anybody dies from whatever cause, but I question the hysteria created by the world’s press over a pop-star.

Steve Rowell notes an MJ big fan at the White House. Congress holds a moment of silence for an entertainer. The world goes wild with grief.

How about a ‘moment of silence’ for all the troops who have died and are still dying in Afghanistan and Iraq in order we are able to have our freedom to live our comfortable lives. Have not these men and women given that much more?

Why go airside?

Pauldyson,
To answer your question, it has already been done. If I remember correctly in Rome some years ago. I forget the group involved, but they ran amok shooting indiscriminately in the main hall. I cannot imagine the police being able to use their weapons in a crowded terminal for fear of hitting moving pax, so their hands are somewhat tied to respond.

As regards other contributions to this thread – Shamrock – we could all take banned items through, or at least try to. It is remarks like yours which encourage journos to try it on and then boast about it. IMHO, if that man was a real professional, he would do his deed and then go to the authorities to show the weaknesses in the system, not boast to the world how great he is. Thereby encouraging those who wish to cause harm to copycat his method. It could just be because of his kind I have greater restrictions placed on me when operating through AMS.

Earth movement

Something this ‘wonder’ council does not appear to have taken into account is natural movement of the earth. I live in Limburg and have found bits of spent munitions from WWll which have come to the surface over the years. I can imagine the instant panic if this Mosquito breaks through the surface one day.
I used to work at Schiphol Airport and remember when excavation was being done for a new hangar. If I recall correctly, several uxbs were found. The clearance included on-site detonations, which required all personnel being sent away for some time whilst the Bomb Disposal Team did the business. Made a lot of people in the other hangars think when they dropped tools.
Also, with regard to the break down of old munitions. Some years ago I met a Royal Navy mine disposal officer, who told me he had been called to a mine snagged in a fisherman’s net. It had been placed by the Germans during the war and some forty years later, the six month life battery showed itself to be at peak capacity. So much for natural decaying.
I wouldn’t be very happy living in the houses shown in the picture and we can all guess who those residents will be voting for at the next local elections.
Good luck with the campaign BW Roger
JamesA

Signwriters can’t spell ??????????

In addition to the foregoing observations, I noticed the name has two ‘t’ s.
Perhaps that is how the Aussies spell it but, I would have thought with their English ancestery they would have stuck to one.

Gentlemen and Ladies,
The taste of Marmite can be likened to Guinness and Branston Pickle. None can be defined in words. You have to taste first and you either like it or you must keep tasting until you have developed the tase buds, then you will tell everybody there ids nothing that can hold a candle to it.
Back to my next test batch of Liffey water.