This is an interesting topic. Just the other day i ‘reviewed’ the 8th’s airfields in east anglia using google earth and was dissapointed to find that there is little evidence left of most of the airfields now. Just ghostly outlines in the form of new vegitation where a runway or hardstand once was. Only a handful still seem to have part of the runways or taxiways left.

That begs the question, should the ‘remains’ of one airbase be saved and used as part of a museum (and i mean the hangers/runways, not just the tower). A bit like what it sounds like the gents at East Kirkby have done?

Graham,

This must have been a painstaking process but one well worth doing! You beat me to this as I always dreamed of writing such a book. Having a life long interest in the Memphis Belle, friend of the late ‘Bob’ Morgan and after having the opportunity to visit the belle when she was in one piece in Memphis and getting to know the MBMA, Brent Perkins and the a/c – inside and out(!) I am very much looking forward to your book and have been (quietly) following the progress of the work from your posts.

As I am sure you will, could you keep the forum updated with that launch at Bassingbourn as I, as am sure others, will be extremely interested.

The only one concern I have at this point is the seemingly large emphasis you have made on how inaccurate other books have been and just hope this is not ‘over-played’ in the book.

I wait in eager anticipation to judge that for myself though! 😀

Thanks again for the work you have done to unearth more of the Memphis Belle legacy and for bringing it to the aviation fraternity once again.

We were there too and witnessed the whole thing. Still shocked over this as I’ve never witnessed an accident at an airshow until now and ive been to a fare few…

Contrary to what has been reported on the BBC i do not believe he was carrying out a dive or a loop at the time. The a/c was passing to the north of the field, left of Lancing College away from the crowd when he banked to the left with a small nose up attitude before dropping suddenly into a vertical dive. This was all during the dogfight display (We caught it all on video and have handed it to the authorities). There was some confusion from the crowd as to where he went before a huge plume of black smoke could be seen and all became horribly clear. The comentator was clearly very upset as was the crowd but after a short time the decision was made to continue the show to a round of applause in honour of the pilot.

The missing man formation by the spits was indeed moving and commendation should be made to the pilots that continued the display…

My thoughts and prayers go out to the relatives of the pilot.
May he rest in peace.

You truely are a ‘Flying Legend’ Mr Hanna.. Thankyou for all the great displays and memories.

Rest In Peace.

Sorry forgot to ask.. Whats the name of that new dvd bluenoser? Thanks!