I just caught the end of the clip but I was under the impression it was part of a longer documentary. Any idea when it might be screened?

I generally climb out by sliding back the canopy and stepping on the wing! Also read the article but at a recent CAA Safety evening the message was adopt glide speed, no turn and head for nearest suitable plot.

Moggy, I’m with you on the AAM and so are a lot of “non-aviation” visitors. The helicopter training has been binned but they are used on occasional corporate days.

Unless it’s re-appeared over the Winter, the Showscan “ride” was shut down due, allegedly, to unserviceability problems and a large increase in the hire charge for the films (there was a “space” ride as well). A smaller simulator was on site for a while but that was in the Superhangar so I guess that’s not around any more. The Me 109 /Spitfire dogfight was excellent though and with the “moving” seats gave quite an exciting trip.

Not spectacularly noisy but certainly different was the Javelin on start-up. A sort of demented howl that was unique. The “blue” note that a Hunter could provoke was also in the “interesting” category.

In answer to your query, OFMC appear to be looking after the “French” Spitfire TE 184, although it hasn’t flown since it arrived at Duxford about a year ago. There is also the Harvard. A pale shadow of the Breitling years but that’s good news for your guys. I must say I was very impressed with the range of classic types i saw when I was down there 2 years ago. The ratio per head of population is astonishing. I guess I could be biased as I have a Kiwi-built aircraft (an AESL Airtourer). Great little machine but recently orphaned by our CAA. I hope the NZ CAA can help us out on Type Certification.

And don’t forget “Flight of the Mew Gull”. I believe he still holds the South Africa to England record in it from the 1930’s. The Mew Gull still exists of course and flew in formation with a Spitfire at Duxford at one of the recent shows. Great to have these two icons still around.

Just to clarify how the Casa got to Duxford. It was all set to be “flown” under a helicopter but the French said “pas au-dessous de notre pays” or somesuch and delayed the whole operation for a year. The insurance was sorted for the following year and it duly arrived, blowing a CAP10 over on arrival. I believe the arrangement for the Germans to fly it in was done through the high standing that Mark Hanna had with the German Air Force through his Phantom flying in the RAF. It was due to be made airworthy but I think it went on the back-burner after Mark’s untimely death. Judging by the IWM’s current policy I would guess that it will appear in the actual colours it wore in service and that would be those of the Spanish Air force. However that will be a long way down the line. Do they have any engines for it?