Lovely, lovely, lovely. What’s model/year etc. is the red convertible with bonnet scoop? (beside the truck, in front of the black one [that yours MrP?], couple of yellow caps in it). Looks a lot like a 1961 California 250GT (as in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – that one was a Modena kit-car).

Thanks for that Frank – by Larsen effect I assume you mean a feedback loop of some sort.

Tell me more Frank

I had a quick look at the link and read the blurb … but leaves questions unanswered.
1. I take it both caller and receiver need to install the software?
2. It can’t be free – everything costs on the ‘net, if not $$$ then slowing down your system, or bringing in spyware or popups etc. What’s the catch?
3. I’ve got a PC with soundcard and speakers and an inbuilt microphone – can I simply use Skype with that stuff? Talk to my PC as it were?

Apologies for the questions, I know/assume you’re not a Skype salesman – but I figure maybe you’re right on top of these three Qs.

Many thanks, Gnome

Not so much a funny as a remarkable sight that made my day. An L4 Birddog at Point Cook RAAF in February this year – took off at something like 30knots into a 30 knot headwind. It was just this beautiful, slow vertical ascent. Absolutely astounding.

Which sounds like a fine idea – much more fun on 2 wheels. Love those old bikes. Do you have a “Duke” Moggy? Moi aussi.
And the aircraft – very nice collection Mr Patterson – in fact a hangar full of very nice things.
Gnome

Matt

As usual I’m going to do my best to be in Melbourne for the F1GP (weekend of 5-6 March 2005 plus the Thu/Fri before) and I’d happily bet there are others on this forum interested in F1! Perhaps a good date might be around then (weekday/s following or preceding).

Bear in mind there’s lots of other attractions around Melbourne too including the RAAF Pt Cook, a DC3/C47 that does pleasure flights, Puffing Billy, etc.

cheers Gnome

Mark

On the assumption that you know more than a little about the F4U – can I ask you this …

I read somewhere that the USN didn’t use the F4U as a carrier aircraft as they had too many landing accidents with them during initial testing. Something about the relatively high landing speed and sudden stall I think. So instead they chose the F6F, and the F4U went to the Marines and became a land-based aircraft.

Is that right?

cheers Don

Spot the entrenched position! 😉 😉

That aside, I understand that the key point that made the P51 superior in the European Theatre was its range. The relative performance differentials between the competing fighters meant that (as Galdri says) if you got your tactics sorted out to maximise your advantages and cope with your deficiencies (like whether to dive away from an opponent depends on what they’re in, etc.) it was neither here nor there in the thick of battle.

Other factors came into it, and everything I’ve read on this suggests that it was the P51’s long range escort capabilities that made such a big difference in terms of air superiority.

cheers, Gnome