Chris BroadHi Paul,
Just browsing by the forum and saw this post. I’m a bit of a flightsimmer myself and as we speak i am downloading the Sea Fury- looks like a stunner.
Thanks for the link.
I read your post on the other thread, but at the time could not bring myself to reply. I am sure there isn’t much i can say, but my thoughts are with you, your family and the family of Bill Murton.
I don’t know if you have seen this, but a well known flight sim design company Aeroplane Heaven dedicated a freeware release of their newly designed Firefly to the memory of Neil and Bill. You can find the link here:
http://www.ahmembers.com/secure/specials.html
(all you have to do is register as a member first which is free)
Your brother was evidently in his element. And if there can be any consolation, i am sure it is that he passed from this life doing what he enjoyed.
I will always remember the Biggin Hill show this year, when i saw the Firefly for the very first time. I was awestruck. I stood behind it watching as someone prepared the rear cockpit, they said to me, ‘beautiful, isn’t she?’ My reply of course was ‘oh yes!’
I do not know who it was i spoke to, Neil or Bill, but i could see they were ‘at home’ working on the aircraft and enjoying it.
That memory will always stay with me, as a testement to the crew’s dedication.
Once again, my condolences
Chris BroadHi Glenn,
Not terribly desperate, but we’d like to apply it before it flys, which will hopefully be in the next fortnight, fingers crossed!:cool:
While i have the attention of an ‘insider’ 😉 , could you shed light on the whereabouts of said hurricane’s Merlin and also whether she is going to be repainted anytime soon?
Thanks
Chris Broadhere, here
Looking forward to the Sea Fury next year. It is such a shame we never got to see the Firefly with the Sea Fury. Some may have before, though i never had the chance (too young). *sigh* RIP Bill and Neil.
On a positive note, we may see TFC’s P-51C (or not lol!)
Would love to see the shack again (last time i saw one, must have been mildenhall ’91).
Chris Broadnooooooooo
ARRRGH!
This really is not a good year for historic aviation!
Best wishes to the team, glad you are safe and i am sure you did your best to save that very rare bird.
Here’s to the guys at ARC who continue to do sterling work and here’s hoping that the Blenheim will be back in the air as soon as possible.
🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁
Chris Broadhow about…
A great book to read on this subject is Paul Richey’s superb personal account of flying with No.1 Squadron during the Battle of France: ‘Fighter Pilot’.
Anyone who hasn’t read it must as soon as possible. The book is written by Paul directly from his pilots notes and personal diary from that period.
I must have read it 5 times already, but its a book you just cannot put down!
Infact, along the lines of A Piece of Cake, I very much enjoyed the dramatised production by ITV. And would like to read the novel at some point.
Interestingly, i recall Paul Richey had persued extensive copyright action upon Derek Robinson because he used (manipulated) personal accounts from ‘Fighter Pilot’ without crediting or asking for prior consent.
Can’t remember what happened in the end, i think it all turned out right.
I know when i was reading ‘Fighter Pilot’, i did find the similarities to Piece of Cake.
This probably doesnt help much, but, Fighter Pilot is a jolly good read. Its Interesting, Emotional, Descriptive, Rather British and above all True.
Chris BroadWow! it really doesn’t look as small as a 1:72 scale model, i would have guessed it being at least 1:32! Extra compliments due, because i for one know how fiddily this scale can be.
I still have my schoolboy collection of various Airfix/Revell etc kits that i built and painted (with a trad. brush of course!)
I haven’t worked on a plastic kit for a few years now, too involved in flying R/C (and building them!).
I’ve managed to upload some pictures at the Avi8 forum.
spitfire pictures
They are 3 months old now, but they show the Spit structurally complete for the first time.
Hope you like the pics.
Chris BroadAs usual guys, an impeccable response, in time and content!
Thanks ever so much all of you for replying so soon. I will take a trip to the model shop tomorrow and stock up!
Ant- Great pictures mate, excellent finish. Is it a static model? What scale is it?
Mark12- Looks like a book worth having, i will probably bid for that, thanks!
I will try and get some pictures up of my Spit when i can.
Chris BroadAmazing!
– Yak 11 fan!
I don’t think you missed anything out there, shame i missed you, but i am sure you had your hands full (of aeroplanes!);)
This years show was absolutely stunning! It had everthing for all the family. With the trade stands and miniture railway to entertain the ‘youngens’, to the enormous gathering of classic cars, bikes and military vehicles for the nostalgia to, of course the superbly choreographed and well turned out air display.
Highlights of the day for me were (not in order of preference):
– Aerostars Yak display team, These guys are very, very good. Showcasing a welll practiced and very tight aerobatic display consisting of 4x Yak 50’s and one 52. If you havent seen these yet, you are missing out!
– All three solo aerobatics (Diane Britten, Richard Pickens and Will Curtis) were very good as usual. but one which always astounds me is the Alpine Sukhoi from Gold Air displayed very energetically by Will Curtis. He commentates pretty much throughout his routine whilst undergoing insane amounts of plus and minus G!! This guy is the best of the best!
– Of course the Mustang duo (big B and Janie) were spot on, as per usual. An impeccable display, showing just how good pilots they both are, and what beautiful aircraft they fly. Nothing else needs to be said. You simply cannot explain the rush you get seeing Rob Davies beat up his home strip like he has done so many time before, but only once a year for the public – spine tingling!
– And finally a great surprise to see the Gnat and the Hunter display. Two aircraft which i have not seen for a long while. How was that entry?!….
‘there they arrrrrrr…. roooooooaaaarrrrrr!!!!!’ as they both enter stage left at a high rate of knots! The Hunter pulling into a high G vertical, with immediate water vapour….wooohoo!
The pilot also managed to get his first pass of the solo routine to include that peculiar ‘blue noise’ that seems to sound from the Hunter at a certain speed and rpm. Wonderful!
Other great displays included the T-33, flown very well as usual by AM Cliff Spink, good job sir! Always great to see Mark Linney or yourself put it through its paces so gracefully.
And of course the spritely Turbulent team from Headcorn always please the crowd with their barnstorming, limbo dancing, flour bombs and now balloon bursting!
Pete Kynsey in the TFC spitVb certainly put her through her paces with very a nice solo performance and also accompanied by the RACo Hurricane which put on a smooth classic Hurri’ display!
Alas, there is so much more to mention, i fear i will be typing all night! So i will cease there.
I cannot praise this show enough! It seems to get better every year. I really am getting a taste for these smaller airshows, that are quite a personal affair.
To anyone who has not yet attended… What are you waiting for?!! Write, Wings N Things Woodchurch in your diary for early August 2004 now!
Those who did go, what did you think?
😀 😀 😀 😀
Chris Broadmeeting place and time!
Ok guys. All those that are going, we should all meet around Rob Davies Mustang (Big B) at 12noon. How does that sound?
This will give us all a chance to put some names to faces!
If i dont see any of you, have a great day, i know i will!
Chris Broadhere’s an idea…
I feel that this post is rapidly developing into an emotionally driven debate. Although it is good to discuss these issues i feel that if it is to run any longer, we may be become counter-productive.
I think there is one thing we can all do starting from today…
Write out all your opinions and personal proposals for the development of AirSpace and send them off to Duxford. I’m sure if DX get enough of these letters they are bound listen.
Its just an idea!
thanx
Chris BroadSorry if i sounded a bit irrate Moggy, but i was reacting to the plea put forward by the North Weald users website who understandibly, from their point of view are a taking this matter very seriously.
By writing ‘Atkins’ a letter, I just wanted to express my objections to the relevant parties involved in these proposals.
However, i have read your entire post and it does read from a more optimistic angle i agree.
Saying this, it was on the national news last night and it sounded as if the place was doomed. In the credit of the news report, it did put forward a good case for the airfield explaining historical importance and home to biggest outdoor market(lol!). It also showed some nice footage of the ex-Gilmour Mustang… hmmmm.
Anyway, i know we can’t write with an expert opinion on housing etc, but i’m sure we’ll do our best expressing the airfields cultural heritage as a historical aviation site and home to many keen aviators and aircraft.
Here’s hoping it doesn’t turn into the Kings Hill Estate of Harlow.
😡
Chris BroadI think for me it has to be the Vulcan. Brings back happy child hood memories of West Malling. With THAT howl!
Other than that in no particular order…
Hunter – the definative fighter jet
Sabre – the jet mustang!
T-33 – nice curves
Vampire/Venom – just love those twin booms!
Chris BroadI have sent my letter, and i suggest those who also object to this proposal and wish to see North Weald survive, write one immediately and send it!
WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL 1ST AUGUST!
– sorry for shouting, but i for one do not wish to see NW make way for more congested dwellings and endless roads!:mad: 😡
Write now! Save North Weald!
The more voices, the better.
Thank you
Chris Broadi will be there!
Hi guys!
This is my first post on this forum, although i have been reading in for a while.
I am a regular at avi8.com normally and recognise a number of people here.
I will be going to woodchurch this year, its such a personal show. Last year was my first visit, having also experienced Old Hay before, i have started to appreciate the smaller shows a lot more.
Janie? whos Janie? 😉 😀 😀 😀
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