May have been mentioned before but G-AOPY found its way from Southend to a childrens playground beside the railway line between Basildon and Laindon stations. At a guess it was removed in the 70’s when someone decided that all the old fire engines, steam rollers etc in playgrounds were dangerous and had the lot taken away.

Is this the Invader that was under rebuild in the Helicopter Hire hangar at Southend many years ago?

Thanks for posting the Taylor Titch link. I remember the photo in the local paper of TYO tail high coming down the side of the house but I didn’t realise that it was pushed all the way to the airport.

I can agree with much of what Seafuryfan has said.
For many years I worked full time in the model car trade selling 1/43 scale metal and resin kits. Many of our customers used to bring in their finished models to show us. I saw some superb models which had taken weeks or months to build and I saw others which were not that good BUT it was obvious from the way the finished article was presented to me that each and every one of these people took great pride in their work and was very proud of their finished model. I was never unkind but I did try to offer constructive criticism to those who asked for an opinion and in most cases I found that the builder was already aware of the problems which I pointed out and I was often able to suggest ways to improve the next model giving them a chance to acheive something just a little better the next time.
I also went on a trip with the Guild of Aviation Artists last year and was asked by one of their younger members, who I have known on and off for many years, to give an opinion on his unfinished picture of a P-40. I explained that I didn’t like to criticise as I have no talent at all for drawing and painting. He said that was irrelevant and asked for my opinion anyway so I explained that I thought the rear fuselage was a bit slim just in front of the tailplane. A wander across the museum confirmed my suspicions and he took the picture away to redraw that area. He was happy to have the chance to get it right and I was glad to give what he considered to be constructive criticism.
As others have said it is a matter of using a little tact and taking a balanced view which is something I always try to bear in mind when I post here.
Incidentally I forgot to mention in my previous post that I thought the pilot did a masterly job on the first landing of preventing a groundloop.

On the looks front it does look to me like a slightly caricatured Mosquito BUT it is a great acheivement to build and fly it and the most important thing is that it appears to be giving a lot of pleasure to those involved in the project and long may it continue to do so.

That seems to be the case. PM sent.
Thanks

The Southend 1980’s album must have been visible at some time as 17 visitors have looked at it. If the album has disappeared that probably explains why the photos I tried to post here have gone walk about. Really not sure what has happened here. In my pictures G-APOD carries the name “The Gremlin” on the nose and they have certainly crept in here.
Avion Ancien- Thanks for the offer. I don’t have any time today to sort it all out again but I may take you up on your offer later.