I was at Cosford yesterday and will post some photo’s when I get the chance.

Little progress seems to have been made on the Valiant. The wings were craned off a low loader down at Hangar 1 yesterday and are left by the fuselage. The other parts seem to be in exactly the same place as in Jimincov’s photo’s. It lloks like they’ve taken the opportunity to install new toilet facilities in hangar 1 while they have the room. The Dakota is now in its new colours and rests where the Liberator did, minus the wings outboard of the engines. I’ll post photo’s of the building and the Valiant on this thread and start a new one for my other photo’s. There’s also a couple of shots showing how awkward/impossible it would be to move the Vulcan and Victor to a spot where it could join the Valiant. Might even do a drawing.

Regards,

kev35

Dave Homewood.

I would strongly doubt that the modest Ronnie Barker would approve of you paying tribute to him by criticising two fellow comedians, also deceased.

Ronnie Barker was brilliant, in whatever he did. I have all of ‘Open All Hours’ on DVD and they are a delight, no matter how many times I watch them. Who can ever forget Charley Farley and Piggy Malone?

He will be much missed but then again we only have to look at the DVD’s or watch the satellite/cable channels for his genius to amuse again and again.

Regards,

kev35

Helicopter flights in and out of Walsall please Moggy. There is expected to be one on Wednesday and another on Friday. Possibly using parks and/or school playing fields for landings.

Regards,

kev35

Adrian.

If you come over Junction 13 of the M1 follow the signs for Bedford. You need to be on that road for about seven to eight miles. You will pass a huge warehouse estate with a roundabout which has a statue of birds on it. Keep going until you see the exit marked Shefford. You will see the Cardington sheds to your right just before you reach the exit. Up the slip road, right at the island for Cardington. Down a hill and turn left at the bottom. Turn right at the end past the Church on the left and the Cemetery on the right. (The entrance to the Cemetery has large conifer trees either side. The R101 Tomb is just inside the gate to the right.) Carry on through the village and turn right at the T Junction. There is a huge pub on your left. Follow the lane, there are ditches all along to the left. You will come to a left hand bend with a left turn to Old Warden. It is signed but easy to miss if travelling too fast. Follow the road to the village and there you are.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

kev35

Maternal Grandfather, James Bullock. 1st Bn. South Staffs. Another Old Contemptible. To France, August 1914. Wounded 1st July 1916, on the Somme. Italy 1918.

Paternal Great Grandfather. William Mears. Quartermaster Captain, Royal Marines, 1880’s.

Paternal Grandfather. John Mears. Well, a bit of a pimpernel character. RN as a boy and invalided out. Joined the Cavalry, wounded in India, early 1900’s. Returned to Ireland, deserted, ASC Nov 1914. Wounded Salonika, 1916, while serving an artillery battery on the Doiran Front. Returned to service, France 1918. Served in Germany until 1921.

Uncle James Bullock. KOSB Far East. Wouldn’t speak about it. Once told me if I bought a Japanese car he would die of shame.

Uncle Stanley Mears. Able Seaman RN. Rother, Arethusa on D-Day. Had distinction of waking up drunk on Mortician’s table at US Hospital in Ireland.

Father Kenneth Mears. Civil Defence 1941 -1945.

Great Uncle Arthur Everitt. ASC. Africa and was captured. Escaped three times. MID. France and Germany post D-Day.

Great Uncle Howard Smith. RAMC. World War II.

Another man I am proud to have called Grandfather, even though we are not related. Pte Joseph Eades. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots. Wounded August 1918 and held captive for 20 minutes. First aid delivered by the Germans to the gunshot wound to his mouth and lower jaw saved his life. Previously wounded by shrapnel, 1917.

Regards,

kev35