“Many of the Spitfire’s seen flying in the skies today are essentially re-machined replica’s.”

Not much original in the wing and fuse pics is there?

Is it my imagination or is there even less on the website today? As I recall, the brewery was not in the UK, but the USA.

I have two questions:-

1. Where can I buy reinforced steel?

2. What is the name of the dog?

And an observation. If I’m taking something old apart, every bolt and screw is soaked in 50/50 acetone/ep90 gear oil for a day prior. I also have a choice of screwdrivers that will actually ‘fit’ the ‘slot’ – quaint, I know, but it’s something my Dad taught me, these poor chaps didn’t have the right sort of Dad.

Lucky b*ggers.

I got 9.30!

I think that 467 is right, I’d convinced myself that I could see the t tail.

Persil bio clothes liquid is a very good paint stripper.

Small parts can be boiled with it diluted 50/50.

Bigger bits – soak rags in it neat, wrap around and then clingfilm it. A week usually does it.

In both cases the paint will slide off. Lazy man’s dream tool.

Also good for cleaning most things, especc brass, which it removes oxidation from.

Friends and I were anchored off Portsmouth on the ‘planned’ day of lifting Mary Rose. A superb frame had been built onto her and another, clever, one was to be lowered onto that for the lift.

They were a bit coy about what actually happened, but we suspected that the lowering was a bit gung ho on an unpleasant day. We knew that damage was done because we saw bits of debris float past us with the tide. On a better day we have blown up the dinghy and retrieved them.

Having visited her about seven years ago, I’d say ‘so what?’. Marvellous exhibition, and the brand new museum looks fabulous. I will go again because I believe that she is now dried out.

Having met Peter Mills at the museum, I can only say that the collection is in good hands. I’m hoping to become a volunteer there ‘when I’m a bit better’.

When I visited, there were far too many of those aeroplanes that fly without wings. I heard that some members wanted a cull of them. My Dad would have agreed. Peter might not.

I didn’t see a ‘business plan’, but being fairly local, I know enough to say that this plan might very well be the right tack.