RE: What are your most favourite aviation museums?

Every museum I have ever visited. They all have something which you bring away with you. I have not visited Hendon for a number of years but last time I went I found it peculiarly devoid of atmosphere. Now, Duxford I find a total contrast. The place reeks of history and the warbird presence all helps bring that to life. The Midland Air Museum at Coventry is good with unusual exhibits. Cosford I love, but that is my local, just 20 minutes away. Was there today actually but just for the shop. I also have many, many happy memories of airshows there and of flying from there with the Air Training Corps. The old Ludham tower museum at Ludham in Norfolk was particularly evocative. Does anyone know what happened to it?

And last but far from least… Thorpe Abbotts. I found this had a particularly emotional effect on me.

So, I think our responses to this question are going to be extremely diverse and all the better for that.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Adoption

Hi, Sadsack.

Don’t really know much about it but my understanding of last weeks mentions on the news centred on Ian Duncan Smith virtually ordering his MP’s to vote against adoption by gay couples and by individuals. A number of his party then voted against his wishes which prompted his hollow, melodramatic ‘unite or die’ speech. This weekend he was forced to apologise to his ‘rebel’ MP’s as this was a vote on a subject of conscience.

As for my view, I would imagine it would be better for a child to be brought up by loving homosexual or lone parents than perhaps to remain under the care of abusive homosexual parents. Each case must be viewed on it’s own merits. As for adoption by lone parents, should this really be a barrier? There are enough single parents out there who do a more than adequate job of bringing up their children.

Regards,

kev35

RE: A surprise on Remembrance Sunday.

Mark.

A worthy suggestion. Here’s a few ideas which might help a bit.
Firstly, write to the Air Historical Branch of the MOD, the address will be listed below. They may be able to give you a shortened version of his service history. There is a personnel branch which I believe is at RAF Innsworth in Gloucestershire who will provide a service history for £25. This is usually only available to family members but you might be able to get round that. Find which local newspaper covered the area where he was from at the time of his death. There may well be an article about his death in their archives. Also check if there is a local history centre who may be able to help.

Another idea may be to write to any Wiseman in the phone book for that area, explain what you’re doing and see what happens. You might just drop lucky. You could also try a search using any of the major genealogy sites (do a google search) as some of them have message boards which might be able to help with the search for Wiseman.

All I can say is go for it and good luck, I wish you success.

That address is:
Air Historical Branch,
Ministry of Defence,
Building 266,
RAF Bentley Priory,
Stanmore,
Middlesex.
HA7 3HH
Tel. 0208 838 7839

Hpoe this helps.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Not in the spirit of FlyPast

Hi, David.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree.

“The fact that some of them decided to attend is entirely up to them and I don’t really see that it’s a matter for public debate.”

They were more than happy for their case to be in the public eye over the last twelve months so I can see why the acceptance of this invitation by some of the group has caused some consternation.

“I remember as a young lad ‘wandering’ around Inverness airport and being captivated by the sight of Skeeter G-SARO which has contributed to my interest in historic aviation.”

A civilian registered aircraft captivating a young boy is a different scenario altogether.

“The have a hobby that they enjoy – they might think I am sad for looking at old aircraft so I am quite happy to live and let live.”

Yes, a hobby that they enjoy. Unfortunately they chose to pursue that hobby in a country which has absolutely no understanding of it. I don’t believe they were guilty of espionage or spying. But I do believe they are guilty of gross stupidity. They knew the hobby was not understood in Greece but their little holiday has cost each of those families an estimated £25,000 to finance their appeal. How often do you go on a holiday, without the rest of your family, that costs you £25,000?

“These people were proved innocent and I think we should all be glad of that.”

That’s not strictly true now, is it? The Spotter who was unable to travel to Greece on health grounds has not had his conviction quashed. Why? This was a political solution engineered by the two Governments. Another point is that they would only be acquitted if they agreed not to seek compensation from the Greek Government.

“Do people really relish the thought of people ‘doing time’ in Greece?”

You know better than that. I just think it is outrageous that knowing the situation in Greece they still went ahead and have now left their families facing financial ruin just for the sake of crossing off a few numbers in a book, don’t you?

Regards,

kev35

RE: For Kabir……………

Dave,

Yes, I thought it was in extremely bad taste, but maybe that’s because I was one of those who got sucked in completely. I almost, thankfully almost, emailed the Indian Embassy in protest!

Regards,

kev35

RE: Which Star Wars character(s), if cooked properly, would taste like chicken?

Hi, Snowman, welcome back.

“I’ll have whatever Obi-Wan is having (he looks like a Vegetarian).”

Not a good advert for being vegetatian, after all, Obi-Wan Kenobe is dead….

Regards,

kev35

RE: Q & A

Q What do pilots use for birth control?
Their personality.

Q How does a blind parachutist know when he’s about to hit the ground?
The lead on his guide dog goes slack.

Sorry,

kev35

RE: CIA tactics in Yemen

“Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Have isx innocent men been killed at random by the CIA?”

Or have six terrorists been prevented from carrying out any further attacks?

You or I, ink do not know. We have to just hope that the American intelligence has it right on this occasion.

Regards,

kev35