Could they be mixing up the BBMF with the FAA Historic Flight?

From the British point of view, the only ones that were used in combat operations are, as Moggy says, very few.

The He115s that escaped from Norway were the most famous, and some Storch in North Africa

Don’t all the Viking/Valetta/Varsity family have geodetic construction underneath the metal skinned wings?

What happened to the lower fuselage recovered from a beach on the Western Isles a few years back?

And there is the story of the ‘bog monster’ “Somewhere in Yorkshire”!!

Well, why not find out? It’s a basic principle, discussed in most undergraduate archaeology textbooks. As a reference, I mentioned the Sutton Hoo burrials. The first excavation was in 1930 – the latter ones more recent, and some interesting issues of the site’s history.

But then what is taught is the accepted ethic – not neccessarily the correct one! If no-one ever challenged a view, we wouldn’t progress.

Interesting. I’ve seen the Potez on many occasion when travelling into/out of Sumburgh. Glad it’s been saved.

At least one ‘spotter’ identified it to me as a ‘French Jetstream’…..

Yep. This from ‘Air Classics’ in June 2003.

Mark

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MESSERSCHMITT MEMORABILIA

Enjoyed your article on the Me 262 Project and the sidebar on the Bf 109 at Paine Field during 1942. I am enclosing a postcard sent to my father from my uncle during May 1942. Apparently, the aircraft was on display in St. Louis as part of a war bond drive and appears to be the same fighter in your photo. Also, the photo states there were over 5000 signatures on the aircraft from Americans who donated to the drive.

Wayne Nees

1423 Coachlight

De Soto, MO

63020

Editor’s Note: Mr. Nees is correct, it is the same Messerschmitt. The aircraft apparently made numerous stops across the United States during the war bond drive. As a point of interest, the plane (Messerschmitt 109E-6 WNr 1190) eventually found its way to Canada where it went to the Canadian Civil Defense College. In the 1960s, it could be found in sad shape in an auto junkyard in Ontario. In 1966, the Messerschmitt was purchased by Peter Foote and moved to Hurn, England, where it remained in storage until recently being obtained by the Royal Air Force Museum where it is now proudly on display at Hendon, England.

Ooops! Editor getting his history a bit mixed up!

In my opinion, a USAF version of the T-45C, would be the best option.

Mmm, de-navalise the T-45 – I wonder what that would look like!!

IIRC the USAF now only has one supersonic flight per student during it’s advanced training program, so replacing the T-38 would not neccessarily involve a supersonic aircraft.