IMHO to pay £30 to have a tour of a living breathing Spitfre by such a well respected Spitfire pilot would be a priviledge, had I known prior to going there I would have booked one without hesitation.
I don’t remember anyone asking for a “tour” or anyone offering to do a “tour”!
I remember a civil question being asked about “a look in the cockpit” and an extremely rude and arrogant old guy shocking us with the manner in which he chose to speak to us.
Would it have been to much trouble to politely say that it “wasn’t possible”?
The guy was doing nothing, the Spitfire was just sitting there, we were the only people there and we could have walked over, looked in the cockpit and been away again within 30 seconds.
I have seen plenty of Spitfires in my time and had many guided tours of these aircraft by a lot of extremely interesting and friendly people who went out of their way to be helpful and were genuinely pleased that people were showing an interest in their aircraft.
The point has also already been made that you can go a couple of miles down the road to the BBMF and get a guided tour of 4 Spitfires, 2 Hurricanes, a Lancaster and various others for £3.90 – as well as access for photographs, with everyone being well mannered, civil and helpful.
There are ways of speaking to people and unfortunately, having “1000hrs on type” does not give anyone the right to be deliberately rude or arrogant.
Good manners cost nothing!
billyh42
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