Not challenging? With controlled airspace nearby, noise abatement and arrival procedures all around and a very bumpy set of runways when you arrive I would say it isn’t too easy.

Was it BM597 that was painted all over blue for a trip to Malta? If it was, the original camo scheme seems to be bearing up pretty well when I saw it at Duxford last week which suggests the temporary scheme doesn’t do too much damage.

Wasn’t this how Ormond Haydon-Baillie is supposed to have had his accident? The young passenger who was with him in the Mustang allegedly froze on the controls at the bottom of a loop. That was one theory at least.

Thanks for that WebPilot. It was a most interesting review of the air war against the Mau Mau. When I was in Nairobi in the early 70s there was a semi-derelict Vampire (presumably a leftover from these times) parked outside the EAA Engineering hangar. Unfortunately a very large “askari” seemed to be on permanent guard duty when I tried to approach it so I never got the details.

Plus the Kenya Police Air Wing used Tri-Pacers, not that one would mix these up with Ansons.

Thanks for the references. Looks like a classic case of the “Swiss Cheese” accident theory with all the holes lining up. Slight tailwind, gear retraction problems, fuel pump failure, insufficient room to land back on the runway, highway below runway level and so on. Amazing that everybody survived but the Dove was obviously a tough old bird.

Interesting formation yesterday around 1100 heading South near Baldock composed of a Stearman in the lead, followed by 2 Tiger Moths and 2 J-3 Cubs. Possibly out of Old Warden?

Thanks Duxman. I’m really sorry I missed it but you certainly captured some rarities.