Quite right! It is time more attention was paid to the achievements of women such as Anne Burns. You may be interested to know that I am currently writing a book on the history of British women aviators, starting from the time the first British woman became airborne in 1785 through to the present day commercial and military pilots. I’ve traced some of Anne Burns relatives and hope to learn more about her from them.

I’m interested to know what sparked your interest in Anne and if you have any information on any other women pilots whose achievements deserve wider recognition. I currently have a list of more than 100 whom I am researching, which is a Herculean task – particularly as some hid their lights under a bushel.

Best wishes,
Clare Walker

I assume you are also researching Jackie Moggeridge, who died a couple of years ago, who became one of the first female commercial pilots. I understand she use to fly Doves and Dragon Rapides for East Anglian Flying Services/Channel Airways in the 1950’s from the South Coast. She also wrote a book entitled “Woman Pilot” and flew Spitfires during the war.

I agree with the sentiments set out in the letter and I think it is appalling that R. J. Mitchell has not been honoured posthumously. I also think that he was far, far above John Lennon and George Best, in terms of achievements, who already have airports named after them.

However, my own personal view is that airports should retain their geographic names as it is obviously more meaningful to passengers and easier to say. Therefore retain Eastleigh and bring back Speke and Belfast City!

As a compromise perhaps erect statues or name lounges after these people, but please leave the airport name alone.

It would be nice if one of these 6’s will eventually be passed to a museum in the U.K. Duxford?

She spent most of Thursday afternoon flying around and doing circuits and bumps along with 4 Spitfires!

There is a MacD near/in Vienna that has a Vickers Viking in use. Also painted in the red and white.It is one of the machines that were once used in Holland as a restaurant (a long time ago). Haven’t seen pics of it so far, but I know it is there. Bw Roger

That must be one of the ex Autair Vikings that was at The Avio Resto near Soesterbourg in the late 1960’s.

If anybody has a recent picture of it, I would like to see it. It would also be nice to know the condition!

Dakotas tend to be still two a penny, but there are so few Vikings left!

I understand from very good authority that the first flight was actually on the 30th April, 1946.