MMMmmiles

Traitor? Naaaah!

Lots of Miles machines on my wish list but the owners won’t part with them.

The most desirable project is Monarch G-AFLW languishing at White Waltham defying all efforts by nutters such as me to acquire it.

Bob Mitchell’s machines at Cosford have been debated here many times. Like Dr Ian Dalziel who owns the WW Monarch, he doesnt respond to any efforts to obtain his Witney Straight, Monarch or other flying machines, despite the sorry conditions they are stored in.

Anybody had a peek recently and can post the photos here?

A real pity he wont speak to me in view of our shared interest in Miles and Ryan ( there is a PT22 there too, in addition to a Vultee and Cornell I believe, plus others.)

Hairy

John Jordan

A real fan of the lovely Nicky’s delicious scones!

JJ’s name came up a year or so back. He kept his Stearman despite having lost his medical. He arrived solo one day at a certain airfield, to find that ‘the man from the CAA’ was there too. They knew each other well.

The conversation apparently went something like this –

‘Hello John. Your passenger can’t see out. I suggest you get him a cushion.’

I can just imagine that happening these days!!

Hairyplane

Pleasure flying

As a vintage aircraft owner/ operator I get plenty of requests for a ride – over the fence, Email. PM, letter, phone calls – the lot.

However, whilst cost sharing is legal, advertising the fact that you are prepared to do this is an absolute no no. This is completely understandable because you would effectively be operating for hire and reward and thus breaking every rule in the book.

I am sure there are some who need the money and will happily relieve you of some folding if you were to approach them for a ride.

In my experience however, people have no idea what these things cost to operate.

I can just image somebodys reaction if I were to say to them, ‘I can legally accept half the cost. So half an hour in my Magister will cost you £250. Is that OK?’

I think not somehow!

I’ll stick to family and friends – and maybe the odd lucky person who happens to be in the right place at the right time and gets a freebie.

Hairyplane

MMMmmmiles…

I’m here!

Just back from game gawping and R44/ C172 flying in South Africa.

Thanks for the heads up Neil.

The Monarch was rebuilt to static condition and would probably require even more work to restore to flying condition than if it were an unrestored pile of bits or even better – AFLW at White Waltham……

I therefore agree that Woodley is the place for it. At the risk of being shot, the Monarch aint the prettiest of Miles aircraft and lacks Blossom Miles’s curves ( which I understand she flaunted readily in the right direction – pen in hand or not…)

I offered a silly amount of money for the sole Miles M20 (Maggie replacement 1 built only), I mean really silly – enough to cause trustees to gasp and grab the phone.

Well if it did cause gasps I never got to hear of them and my phone still awaits incoming from north of the border.

The M20 was a flyer once owned by my Miles afficianado chum Rex Coates.

Now that would fit in well at OW.

My heart rules my head always in matters Miles. I guess as a static the Monarch is worth a nominal sum.

However, if the M20 became available, thats a different kettle of fish. I still can’t understand why I never even got an acknowledgement.

Any assistance ( PM or otherwise) will be treated confidentially, I am willing to pay bribes and will happily join a midnight raiding party if either get pushed outside. 😉

Hairy.

Name that film

P40 being chased across the desert leaking coolant? Er…Can’t remember the title but do I get a prize for remembering that the pilot was good old clean cut ‘you couldn’t possibly kill this bloke because he is so nice’ Doug McClure? Boy has he starred in some naff movies – Journey to the Centre of the Earth to name but one. I seem to remember that the film in question was naff too?!

Can we get back onto suspenders??

Hairyplane

Suzzies

In the word of Flasheart,

‘I always feel more comfortable in a dress!’

Hairy

Suzzies

Ok guys, we all like suzzies dont we but – well – those big apple gatherer drawers and ‘canvas’ stockings are a bit ‘Norah Batty’ arent they?!’

We are lucky lucky that the full kit looks a lot better than that these days and, from my own perspective I have to say a lot better on……….

Sorry, can’t say but she does live here….

…..Booger……..she’ll kill me now!

Baaaaaaaah!

Hairy

Airline

Worth it if only to see Jack Ruskins ridiculous toupee again!

Hairy