Oh how I’d like to see the reactions of Duncan Bannatyne & his cohorts if it were touted on Dragons Den :dev2:
(apologies if I mis-spelt Mr. B’s surname)

I flew as an interested 9 Sqn Techie in 1970 something out of Waddington (I recall the enourmous thunderstorms that covered the east coast of the UK that evening & the serious flooding that ensued so that may pin the date down without resorting to my old log book).
The seat in the coal hole (wedged inbetween the front & rear crews & below both) was just a plank of (black!) plywood, with a slightly padded rear facing backrest, a 4 point harness (or was it just a lap strap?) & ones legs hunched up around your ears by the lack of space was all that stopped you sliding all over the place – especially on take-off (the acceleration & climb angle was awesome!) – frankly it was blinking uncomfortable for even a few minutes & for the last few minutes of the flight I was just waiting in the dark for the controlled crash which jarred my back having no cushions under my bum. The only time I got to look outside was when I wedged myself between the pilots two bang seats (pins in!) & watched the world (& those huge Cu Nimbs) pass by underneath.
Not the best 4+ hour trip in a V-bomber but so glad I did it. Now the trip in a Victor out of Ascension Island was a different story – magnificent!

“Isn’t Old Sarum the oldest surviving airfield still in use dating from 1917?”
Think you’ll find Upavon pre-dates that by 5 years (recently celebrated its centenery)

I saw the Monkees twice on their UK tours, the first at Bristol in 92(?)then later at Wembley, both times the places were packed to the gunnels with folk of all ages, babes to wrinklies & to the last person we were all dancing in the aisles & on our seats (which was a bit dodgy & not for the faint hearted in the Bristol Hippodrome’ circle seats) while singing every word at the top of our voices. Great band, great image &, as far as I am concerned, good clean family guys.
So terribly sad to hear of Dave’s departure, rock them in heaven me old!
R2

Daniel
Do I assume correctly that the Meteor is the dearly beloved VZ467 “Sir Winston” that I used to work on at Brawdy way back in 1974?
Good to see it looking in such pristine condition.
J