That was quick! Thanks for the update. I assume therefore that it was a Nord version of the Me 108?

Graveley used to be on the 1/2 million flying maps as a disused airfield until about 5 years ago when it vanished. I spoke to the nice lady from the CAA at a flying show to say the outline was still quite clear and I had a letter back agreeing and it was reinstated. Looking at this year’s map it’s gone again but doubtless will reappear, albeit as a windfarm. I don’t know what other flyers on the forum think but as I chug gently across the countryside in my aircraft I rarely see any of these eyesores working which seems a bit pointless. Anyway the Lib Dem minister is going to tell us why they are such wonderful machines later on today so that will be a laugh (apart from the poor folk who live near them).

Those shots of the Phantom remind me of the evening when I was chugging back to Nuthampstead in the faithful Airtourer, when I became aware of something off my port wingtip. A quick glance revealed an A-10 keeping station at around 100 kts and pointing past me to the right and guess what, his wingman was on the starboard wingtip. I’ve never been so surprised in my life and I was quite relieved when they peeled off and headed back to Alconbury I assume. Unfortunately this was before I had a phone with a camera on it but I still have the image imprinted on my mind’s eye and I always keep the scan going when I fly.

Here’s a thought for earning some revenue for DAS. Given the excellent restoration on the Viscount how about getting it up to ground running status on say two of the engines. Then get a video system set up in the passenger cabin with the history of the aircraft. Serve lunch, as in the days of yore, and round it off with a swift taxi down 24. I know a 20.000 hr airline captain, who cut his teeth on Viscounts in to Jersey in howling crosswinds, and his wife can still get in to her BKS uniform to act as hostess. Get one of the fuel companies to sponsor the fuel and you could be on to a winner at £50 per seat.

It will be interesting to see if the folk who claim that money was “wasted” on the Vulcan will stump up for the Mosquito. Any guesses at how much they will need to get a flyer in the UK and appearing at Legends or another appropriate airshow? My guess is £6 million after the last airworthiness document is signed.

“Oh hi Dragon Rapide, this is Planemike”. “Thanks Ozplane, must dash, it’s just started raining”. Don’t you just love this forum.
If you don’t know (or care) see DR’s earlier post.

I guess we all have ideas of what we would like to see where after the re-shuffle. Personally I think the Viscount deserves to be under cover after the excellent restoration and the fact it’s the oldest surviving turboprop airliner, so perhaps it could go in Airspace to replace the Hastings (another excellent effort). It would then complete the trio of leading edge British transports i.e Concorde, Comet and Viscount. The Hastings could then replace the Varsity in Hangar 4 and maybe room could be found for the Ambassador in the “restoration” end of Airspace. We live in hope.

TMN, I hope you enjoyed your wander through Ashwell. It’s an interesting village but I would say that as I live there. With regard to your Spitfire, I was working at Duxford yesterday and MH434 left mid-afternoon and hadn’t returned when I left at 1730 so my guess that is the one you saw on it’s way back.