The MkV was of course sporting Czech markings, and apparently there were members of the Czech pilot’s family who flew it during the war present at the show, and were shown around the airplane etc. There is a wonderful film about the Czech pilots called ‘Dark Blue World’, which I thoroughly recommend, and a wartime Spitfire pilot once told me that it was the only film he had seen where they actually got the sound of the undercarraige right, as in when the undercarraige is retracted you can actually hear the thud-thud of the wheels in the wheel wells, and he was right, you can clearly hear that in the take-off scenes.

Agree with everything said by Reckless Rat, great day, got there at 9.00am on the dot, massive queues already, and gates had been opened an hour beforehand, just about managed to get a decent spot, then it was chocka. Agree, not enough food and drinks places, queues were horendous at the few there. Best always taking food and drinks with you. Overall, a great day was had.

To me, it appears a bit more popular now. I liked Old Warden because it seemed to me a bit more ‘relaxed’ than other major shows, I could go there during the morning and always find a spot by the flightline, near the tower, to watch the display. Now, its ‘sold out’ from before, you go there at 9.00am when they advertise ‘gates open at’ , and find that they opened the gates an hour earlier, and the flightline is already two-man deep ! I really hate it when they do that. Stick to the advertised time, its only fair. It seems busier when there is something ‘special’ featured, such as last year (or the year before), the final display of the Vulcan, and this show I think its the first post restoration of the Spitfire V which was heavily publicised, even though that rug was pulled from under our feet at the last minute. I also heard from one of the stall traders that this year they have bumped up the fees for them, double or treble, and some will not be setting up stalls. (There’s also Bruntingthorpe later this month to look forward to, another great day ).

Just to add my tupence worth to what Mayhem Marshy said, the kind of human story to exhibits that you mention, isn’t that what they have in the ‘Historic Duxford’ building at Duxford ? I think it’s in front of hanger 2. Video projections, people telling their story etc. As for Historic Dockyard Portsmouth, I’m there often, and it is truely a wonderful place. Its easy to be a regular to the Historic Dockyard as any ticket you buy is valid for unlimited visits for a year. Worth going on the harbour boat tour just to see the new Queen Elizabeth carrier. You buy a ticket for Victory or Mary Rose and the harbour tour is included in either of those and you can do it as often as you like.

AgentK, thanks for answering Alan’s question as it was the same question I was asking. So as I understand it, annual pass gone, replaced by the £35 job, ok I can live with the extra £12, but that will get me in to Belast and Churchill War Rooms when and if I want to go. I can live with that. But , did I read somewhere that this is only for the first year before becoming ‘premium’ rate , or not ? Its all becoming clearer now. Another thing, why no ‘conscetion/over 60’s’ price. EVERYWHERE has over 60’s price, even Duxford and the other IWM sites have it, so why not for this ? I am over 60, and I pay an old foggies price at Duxford if I go to pay at the entrance normally, so why has that now been conviniently not mentioned ?

I have never been a ‘member’ or ‘friend’, but simply had the annual pass, at £23, for Duxford because thats the only place I want to regularly visit. The Duxford annual pass served its purpose perfectly. With all this talk going on about new membership schemes etc, I am in confusion as to the status of the pass, is the annual pass being discontinued and incorporated into this new scheme or not ? I wanted to pop in to Duxford, to renew it, as it has recently expired, and I don’t know what to expect. Also, that letter printed above in #41, ‘IWM membership’ and IWM premium membership’ , whats the difference apart from the price ? The benefits shown are for the ‘premium’ membership or what ?, doesn’t make any sense.

Thats all I have unfortunately. On its own it is good as a deco, or whatever. I am not going to throw it away just because it is on its own. I like it, and am well pleased with it, but comes a time when finance is needed for other things and sacrifices have to be made. A Griffon piston is in consideration also, a Merlin piston is the only one I will hang on to. WL757 is the only one I can associate it to, even if it did go through a few other marriages !

Ah, one yes, six no ! You are going to be lucky to find six together. What do you think is the going rate nowadays for each ?