Anyone got a pic of that Israeli F-15 which lost nearly a whole wing after colliding (I think) with an A-4?

Fascinating machine. In the book The Alternate RAAF/RAN (at Work now so can’t check title and author) there are some fascinating scenarios with Australia operating Super Rotodynes in their “little” wars in Southeast Asia. I wonder what it would have looked like in the RAF supporting Harrier ops, or maybe even as a COD type for the Royal Navy; might make an interesting “what if” modelling project for someone, especially as the Airfix kit is not nearly so rare and expensive as a few years ago.

I think I caught just a few seconds of it; someone in a ridiculous inflatable red costume saying something like “You will marvel at my powers. Him at the back marvelled. I saw him marvel. He definitely marvelled”? Must try and catch it next week. But where did they get the Vulcan serial from; is it just coincidence?

I read somewhere that “Trenchard” was seriously considered as a name.

Once upon a time I’d have said Morecambe and Wise without hesitation. Their Christmas specials were just massive in their day. But now when I see them it somehow falls flat, and I feel almost like I’m being unfaithful in not finding it so funny. Still love Arthur Lowe & John Le Mesurier in Dad’s Army though, like when Sgt Wilson goes “I say, would you chaps mind awfully falling-in over there? Thank you so much. Awfully nice…” and Mainwaring takes his glasses off and rubs his eyes in despair. Incidentally, am I correct in thinking John Le Mesurier was married to Hattie Jacques? But for me the all-time enduring double act is Laurel & Hardy; seen it a million time, but I still smile when Stan starts crying and fiddling with his tie.

Thailand, the “Land of Smiles.” Glorious weather, beautiful gracious people, stunning sights, fantastic beaches, mouthwatering food, wonderful culture, ludicrously cheap (at least once you’ve got there) good plane spotting at Bangkok (Don Muang) and nightlife way beyond your wildest dreams. What more could you want?

HP Dart Herald LGW-Beauvais for the 1979 Paris show.
Final passenger carrying flight of the DH Comet from LGW, 1980.
Second to last passenger carrying flight of a BA VC-10 from LGW, 1981.
Bell 206L over Alcatraz, 1981,
Cessna 402 through the Grand Canyon, 1981.
Dragon Rapide pleasure flight at Duxford, 1994.

Cessna 208 Caravan floatplane, Phuket to Phi Phi, 2004. The company, Blue Water, thought I was mad when I told them I just wanted to fly out and come straight back, but when I told them I was an enthusiast who just wanted to fly in a seaplane, they understood; even let me take the controls briefly. Incidentally, the BBJ in the background of the photo belongs to Chelsea FC chairman Roman Abramovich.