When using the air to ground range at Shallufa in the Suez Canal Zone, it was normal to see local women and children running about collecting the 20mm cases as they fell from our Mosquitos.

This is my logbook entry for 15th Dec 1955. Marks my first visit to Duxford, I told my pilot to turn on to 270 and the clag should clear as we got inland, soon enough found Duxford.

“P. I.’s Mutual 2000 Diverted to Duxford. Weather closed in, 19 aircraft up, and total chaos in ATC. We were left to our own devices. “

Ah……Barrage balloons.
My father having served in the army in WW1 foolishly volunteered for barrage balloons in WW2. He went to Dover and told the story of having 3 balloons shot off his barge in one day. Must have been wonderful fun for the Jerries who must have been able to see them from their airfields.
The secondary school I went to in Canterbury had a balloon in the playground.
I can also remember one that had broken loose drifting up the valley where we lived dragging its cable behind it.
All good fun for boys.

Super pics as usual.

My main memory of MQs is that the front door of the one we had lined up with the living room door. They both had decent gaps under them so that when it was windy the hearth rug flapped so hard there was a danger it would take off

Regardless which edition you have, it is a must read for my generation. Sold down the river sums it up precisely, all bankers and bean counters should be shot on sight.

That is a super shot.
For you roundel experts, note how the white has been overpainted blue on Payne’s wing. Does that tie the date at all?

About 1946-7 my friend and I scraped together the necessary 10 whole shillings (50p for non believers) for a 20 minute flip in an Auster from Lympne. The pilot showed me how to haul the stick about, he was H Kennard (one of the Few)