I last operated out of Sumburgh 4+ years ago. There’s a number of wartime installations in and around the airfield. It’s also worth a walk up the hill opposite with the radio mast – cracking views plus a huge puffin colony. Interesting little viking settlement nearby too.

If anyone is interested i recently acquired a detailed list of crashes and sites around Shetland. Unfortunately I don’t know who the author is – it was discarded in the crew room at work. It would appear to be late 1980’s vintage and is about 20-25 pages of A4. Would willingly share any info of use.

In order:

Cessna 150, Chipmunks (several), PA28 Warrior; PA34 Seneca III/IV; AS202 Bravo; BAe ATP; Cessna 172; BAe Jetstream 41; Embraer 145; Tiger Moth; DHC Dash 8-300.

Most Fun – Chipmunk
Best handling – J41
Most want to fly again – Tiger Moth
Most want to fly ever – Spitfire (surprise, surprise!).
Least enjoyable – any Cessna!

Re: Drama Queens.

This makes my blood boil. 😡 I know Steve admits it may have been an ill-advised choice of words, but there are people who truly do think that way. Why is it that certain people (not all) who take aircraft pictures aka spotters, aka anoraks, feel it is perfectly okay to be anal about their hobby without being tolerant of anyone else’s? I’m willing to bet that the vast majority of Legends attendees thought it was a great touch. Besides which, they were asked to be there.

Often it’s the same sort of people who are so up themselves that to wave back to a passing aircraft taxiing past a viewing area would somehow be considered “uncool” to their hobby, but find nothing wrong in sitting in the rain at 6.30am with their long lenses, thermos, parka and satchel. How “cool” is that? I am not critiscising such behaviour either – I think it’s great that people have a hobby they can be dedicated to. I’m just trying to highlight the eccentricities of every hobby which to an outsider may seem odd or even bizarre, watching football included! This is not aimed at Steve, more the ingnoramuses with the stools, ladders, cranes etc. who don’t stand discreetly at the back but plonk themselves right at the front with absolutely no consideration for anyone else. Padlocking a ladder to a fence – ridiculous! Perhaps a seperate day for true photograph enthusiasts (higher entrance fee)to come with all their gear, and then ban such kit from the “public” days? Don’t think it would work though. Unfortunately I can’t take my real ladder – it left home when I was small. I’ve only got a step-ladder 😉

I am neither a “drama queen” nor an anorak (more a “greatcoat” – WW2 equivalent!) but I am an enthusiast. Stamp collecting would bore me rigid so I don’t do it, but I wouldn’t slag someone else off who does.

Would your life be so ruined by such “set dressing”? Of course, we all like to get great pictures, but come on, live and let live eh?

Now, all hold hands and time for a quick rendition of “I’d like to teach the world to sing….” 😉 :p 😀