You ought to look up! – there’s a Skeeter in the same hangar as the half and half Centurion…….

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dyvroeth/6339304179/

Bit more information here – although some of the reporting is a bit suspect

http://www.ctvvancouverisland.ca/2012/08/port-alberni-says-goodbye-to-worlds-oldest-water-bomber/

http://www.timescolonist.com/travel/After+years+battling+blazes+waterbomber+retires/7126443/story.html

Love the way the grass strip is almost part of the showground – feels as if all they did was remove a hedge to join a couple of fields together to get the requisite length – It’s just like a wartime temporary airfield.

Last year MH bought two P51s – to see them bouncing over the grass tussocks to line up for take off was a completely different experience for those used to manicured strips.

Will be a good vehicle display as well

David

two years ago, many would have laughed if somebody had said the RAFM had substantial parts of a Brigand and representative (note choice of words) Snipe and RE8 airframes as well a DVa. There is also talk of the assets of the Assault Glider Trust joining the fold. The Horsa is also a “representative” airframe but I have heard none of the “it’s only a reproduction/replica” debate associated with that. Surely all these additions to be applauded in terms of telling the rich history of the RAF.

Could question the presence of the DVa but it is invariably the opposition that drives airframe development – particularly in a wartime environment – so you could say that a limited number of “the other guys” demonstrates that need for development and the resultant next step in airframe development.

This recent deal does not stop the possible recreation of a Siskin or Gauntlet for all time -OK it might have delayed it but if there is a will to add such airframes to the collection and the wherewithall to restore/recreate exists either here or abroad then it is still ultimately possible.

I don’t remember so much angst about the release of the RAFM’s Mosquito TIII – in my mind as the RAFMs only “first generation” Mosquito it was more significant that the Farman and Hanriot to the history of the RAF.

Furthermore – and this is a bit off thread – I’d love to see British schemes on the American aircraft of the RAFM – just as Wright Pat has American colours on their Spifire XI, Mosquito and Dragon Rapide.

Hopefully one day he will lie in a named grave

Always thought that a Spitfire with the “Grace” canopy arrangement would look good painted, even temporarily, as the Russian Spitfire IX UTI – which I think pioneered the windscreen/standard canopy/glasshouse/standard canopy arrangement – although the aficionados will probably tell you that the positioning of the cockpits is different

Was It being followed by a missile? 😀

or a Puma with a “Follow Me ” board and a sniper. What happens if they take the pilot out though??