I’m just sorry that I couldn’t make it yesterday. I have corresponded with the Wing Commander since the mid-80s (when I was writing an article for a James Bond fan magazine), although I first met him in 1982, and have chatted with him on a number of occasions – usually at James Bond events. I also attended one of his lectures at one of the Wallis Days some years ago. He is always an interesting man to listen to and imagine that his lecture yesterday was no different. A great man.

Oh wow! That sounds fun. I wish I’d had played around your house. Bet you had Action Man as well? 😀

About half-a-dozen at one time – still have two of them somewhere, I suppose they could complement something like a dozen or so James Bond action figures that I also have these days – 007 being my other interest.

I know it’s not ‘photos’ of Biggin Hill but I thought you might be interested in a blast from the past. 1986 Biggin Hill airshow filmed on an old Super 8 cine camera. The qualities not brilliant but the quality of planes flying was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pUVOYRamN0

Which Vulcan was that flying at the end?

Although I didn’t visit Biggin in 86, (according to my photo records) I photographed Vulcans on 5 occasions that year, XH558 4 times an XL426 just once – take your pick, untill someone can be more positive.

Maybe to improve things they could move the enclosures (the gold pass one gets bigger every year) and leave more room for the crowd to get up close and all get a fair look at what they are paying good money to see.

curlyboy

Yes, why should the few have all the room, I’m sure the “non-priveleged” punters would find less of a crush if more room was given to them rather than the priveleged few.

I remember when I first visited Duxford (1977), most of the crowd line was accesible for the punters, whereas now there seems to be less each time – or is it just me getting wider. 😀

Regards grandstands, didn’t Duxford use one a few years ago, in front of the Land Warfare Museum?

Tents and windbreaks shouldn’t be allowed – pretty sure Old Warden bans both. Old Warden also puts bigger vehicles (camper vans etc) to the rear of the arena to allow views of the field for everyone else, perhaps Duxford could try this in areas where they block views, most only seem to be used for putting chairs on top without a thought for anyone elses view.

My photo records show that I took pictures of her in Sept. 84 and July 85 at Duxford wearing D-Day stripes – I’ll see if I can dig them out if that helps.

There are a handful of well organised airshows still out there – Kemble & Flying Legends are two of them. FL just need to get rid of the (often fat) actors pretending to be something they’re not, standing in front of the a/c & ruining the pictures!! 😉

The actors I can put up with (you can always try asking them to move aside – it often works), it’s the fellas in yellow fluorescent jackets that annoy me (usually with “Press” across the back), they manage to get in the way with ease and seem to be deaf. If they truly are “press”, why not let them on the flight line half an hour (even an hour) before us paying punters and clear them out when we’re allowed in.

I can now provide the full details, which I found I did have a work 😉

Below is an extract of the timeframe in question showing when the various schemes were worn by MH434.

B of B scheme for “Piece of Cake” (no codes) – 1988
NS-L BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-X BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-E BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-K BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
Overall Pale Grey scheme for “Poirot” TV series – 05/1988
PRU Blue scheme – 1989
Norwegian PRU Blue scheme – 1989
BoB Green-Brown scheme (no codes) – 1990
CK-D (RAF) for “Perfect Hero” TV series – 1990
CK-D (RBAF) – 1991

If anyone has any more detail around the dates then please let me know

All I can do is quote from my photo records (don’t have access to actual photos at this time)

MH434 “Cake” colours (no codes listed): North Weald 15.5.88; Coventry 30.5.88; Brize Norton 18.6.88; Coventry 6&7.8.88

“Poroit” colours (although I’ve noted them as Miss Marple – at least they’re both Christie)/PRU Blue (didn’t notice the difference at the time 😮 ): Finningley 17.9.88; North Weald 13.5.89; Duxford 11.6.89; Biggin Hill 18.6.89; Swansea 20.8.89; West Maling 28.8.89

RAF colours CD-K: North Weald 12.5.90; Mildenhall 26.5.90; Duxford 8.7.90; Alconbury 12.8.90; West Malling 26&27.8.90; Duxford 16.9.90; Duxford 31.3.91; North Weald 18&19.5.91

RBAF colours CD-K: Biggin Hill 15.6.91; Duxford 14.7.91; Alconbury 4.8.91; Duxford 15.9.91; North Weald 17.5.92

reverting to RAF colours AV-H: Mildenhall 24.8.92

NH238 was photographed in “Cake” colours (again, no codes): Biggin Hill 18.6.89; Boscombe Down 9.6.90; Biggnin Hill 20.6.92

other Spits photographed in “Cake” colours:
PL983: Staverton8.5.88; Biggin Hill 8.6.89; Boscombe Down 9.6.90; Biggin Hill l20.6.92
ML417: Coventry 5,6&7.8.88

But you are fun, entertaining and different.. thats good enough for me ;).

Ditto.

And well done for doing the risk analysis (a pity that others are using your research to their advantage).

I always felt annoyed that the Reds were the only ones allowed this form of entrance, especially when you consider that there are probably many pilots with more years experience (on type) than all the Reds put together.