Yes, the best way is via the village and then a footpath. Otherwise, you would have to cross the field and fences just opposite to the main gate to the hangar side of the field. Farmer would not be pleased! You could see the BHQ from the old tower if you knew where to look.

I have to confess that I went to the cinema three times to see it, once myself, then twice with the kids. The opening sequences have got to be the best in any aviation film ever. Catch 22 comes close, though. As for the gay overtones, I wondered that at the time. A gay colleague has confirmed recently that yes, there certainly were!

I recall visiting the Peak District Botha site in the 1960s and being impressed by its construction. More the product of a shipyard!

I once checked the BD report on the Botha in PRO (NA) and found no sign of the “should be made impossible” quote.

This would be a Crew Procedure Training building, sometimes known as an Airmanship Hall. Quite a few survive around the country on former Instructional Sites. The Bombing Trainer was two-storey and relatively small in comparison. I’m sure someone can come up with much more detail. I seem to remember that Murray Peden’s book A Thousand Shall Fall has a detailed description of a procedure exercise.

The original A-26 Pilot’s Manual says that aerobatics are forbidden on this aircraft, or words to that effect. I haven’t got the book to hand.

All warbird owners and pilots should be required to read Anthony J Mireles three volume set, Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States 1941-1945. A grim and sobering read which should engender a healthy respect for all the things that can go wrong in what, at the time, were almost new aircraft. Especially if you push your luck …

Summaries, some very detailed, of well over 6,000 accidents.

I suspect that this could be Peplow but printed as a mirror image. Then that might be a Shawbury Vamp T11!