Thank you for the compliments on my grip collection gents, it’s taken a while to pull together but worth it in the end:D, a little more info on the ‘banana’ style grips…..

This one was fitted to the DB (development batch) of aircraft and the three P.1B’s making it quite rare as only 23 of these airframes were built, it has a single four way trimmer hat. gun cam and PTT buttons and also autopilot and ‘feel’ switches…..

This ‘ergonomics’ grip was an existing removed from an airframe and modified in house at Warton, it dispensed with the autopilot/feel switches and had in place mock ups of the new locations for autopilot and a two pole trimmer arrangement, this clearly shows the development for the later F.1/F.6 grip that went on to the production aircraft……

Imcidentally these grips according to the data plates are ‘sisters’ on the production run having consecutive numbers.

Nice pair of grips Rocketeer and the P38 yoke look purposeful, keep em coming gents.

Regards,

John.

She’s looking much better now though, sterling work fellas:D

http://www.aarg.com.au/Beaufighter.htm

John.

Peter orme was the pilot in the orange flight suit, not sure who the other two were.

John.

Will it be at le…….:D

John.

Am I the only one confused as to why people are trying to convince themselves that this letter dated 55/54 when it is clearly and unmistaskably dated 85/84:confused:

No matter how hard I look at this letter there is nothing that convinces me it is anything but a fake.

John.

Great photos and what a wonderful experience!

As for Thunder City, there is a big change as they don’t operate commercially anymore. The Lightning report wasn’t very kind to them and because of that they don’t sell rides anymore. The Bucc is now operated as a private aircraft.

Lets not degenorate this thread into a slanging match but there is some fundamentals about yours statement that just does not sit well with me, especially after having read the report.

Firstly the report was not kind to them for good reason, the AAIB are not into ‘witch hunts’ or ‘disproportionate blame’ they deal only in cold hard facts and courses of action to maximise prevention of repeat occurences.

The report was as kind to them as Thunder City made it for themselves in that they are the ones responsible for their actions, simple as.

The private aircraft/commercial argument holds no weight, should the aircraft be operated any differently whether they have paying public aboard or not?, lets not forget that at the time of the accident the aircraft was essentially being operated as a ‘private aircraft’.

And these chaps that got a back seat ride (paying or not) are putting the lives in the hands of people who have been certified to fly an aircraft a safetly as possible, maintained correctly and with fully functioning safety equipment, something which they failed to do resulting, sadly, with the loss of life.

It’s possibly one of the biggest gambles to take, have the ride of a lifetime in your dream aircraft but under the shadow of a very tragic, avoidable accident, close call I say but lets not dissolve the AAIB report and defend Thunder City so quickly.

Regards,

John.

Thanks MJR, a good informative post, every day a learning day;)

John.