That’s the one. It’s probably one of my favourite places in our part of the world.

There’s a hotel in the town that has a lot of the fixtures and fittings from (I think) the “Olympic” liner which is worth a look as well.

Just sat having a pint waiting for my takeaway. No one seemed to notice 3 old planes. A big one with 4 propellers and two small ones. Now I’m properly excited bout taking the small bloke to his first air show tomorrow.

Agreed with all the above. Nice view from the top too. It’s hard to appreciate the building itself as there really is so much stuff in there. Slightly off the remit of the board but if anyone wants a good look round a Martello tower the children’s zoo in Clacton is worth a look.

Carl

Ship of Theseus

I find this whole discussion really interesting and probably not easily resolved. It crops up wherever “old stuff” is involved, my main interest is old motorbikes where the arguments about originality vs usability have many vocal advocates on both sides. Theseus’ paradox is, as far as I can see a very old version of this discussion. A more commonly known example is of Trigger’s broom from “only fools and horses”, used for years with only 17 new heads and 14 new handles.

Personally I do feel that an aircraft as a living, breathing, noisy machine is far closer to the original than any rivet perfect, silent museum piece.

I certainly didn’t mean to suggest that re enactment should only be the preserve of the young and healthy. I also didn’t meant to imply that those who fought in some of history’s major conflicts only represented a very narrow section of society.

Just an unease at some of the appearance of some participants at events that have a historic or wartime theme. Obviously there are re enactors and there are re enactors.

I applaud their commitment, but can’t help thinking many of them look ridiculous. We have an armed forces day event up here in South Shields where a lot of military vehicle types turn up. I can’t help thinkink that their “authentic” uniforms distort the truth a little. It appears that lots of supply vehicles were actually driven by paratroopers and commandos, overwieght 40 something ones at that!

(Oh and I am an overwight 40 something)