looks like someones having a clearout of spit bits. I dont know how to copy links, so sorry had to do it this way. This ones a trim gauge, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_rdc=1&item=250568421444&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.shop.ebay.com%3A80%2F__%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm39%26_nkw%3D250568421444%2B%26_fvi%3D1&viewitem=

He’s got other stuff to, 37 gal fuel gauge and a 35 gal. could be good for the cockpiteers – or even a flyer.
see yawl later

mick

Be nice if they put it back in its Cold War grey – green scheme. But I guess history is only a few years old now!!! The 1970s bloody hell, did they have powered flight then, ooooh yeah, I was there covered in Conway soot and muck 55 sqn – happy days.

Mick

Vote for the bike – You don’t have to be a celeb to ride a bike!!!!

Mick

How many people are there at Duxford who work on the warbirds based there?

Not enough – and most paid less than your average garage mechanic –

mick

I’d buy RAF Newton, yes it’s in Nottinghamshire, not in the south east, south west or anywhere else down there. It’s about time some aviation heritage was placed up here. There’s more to England and its aviation heritage than Duxford Biggin Hill North Weald etc. And I would also set up an educational facility so those of us who are not as young as we used to be can pass on our experience and trade skills. And a bloody degree isn’t required. Common sense, ability and a willingness to learn is what’s needed.

aeroplane types –

Lancaster
Spitfire
Hurricane
Sea Fury
DC 3
Varsity
Vimy

Mick

Hmm, no, I’m going to lightly disagree here. The paintwork should, largely be left alone, but I think the damage to the radiator and oil cooler fairings should be repaired. There is no need for new metal; just a good tin basher.

As long as the paintwork is stable and will not lead to any deterioration of the underlying material, it should be left alone.

Bruce

Couldn’t agree more. Well said Bruce.

I was with you right up to the glorious September day part.
Do we get such days any more?

Pete

You’ve had a ride in one – ok, it was a taxi back to the hangar 😉

I’ve got an airshows DVD somewhere that has the Mildenhall incident on.

Around that time I think there were a few incidents of the Lancaster having landing problems…there’s a Discovery Channel documentary which has an on-board sequence filmed from the mid upper turret as she was landing and did the same thing, and a subsequent sequence of her going up on jacks and being inspected, and the undercart being sent away for work while the then new OC BBMF (Rick Groombridge) subtly(!) mentions to someone that he’d been told by the powers that be that the BBMF had a priority when it comes to getting things hurried along through official channels. The guy replies something on the lines of yeah, you, the Red Arrows, and everyone else mate!

In the same programme Sqdn Ldr Groombridge says that the Lanc had been off the runway a few times and that he thought that they’d been landing it wrong, and how they’d talked to some of the old boys who said that only the show offs ever tried to 3-point them and that they usually got it wrong.

I also seem to recall comments on here from ex-BBMF people that some of the incidents were as much down to the pilots around the time…Squadron Leaders Patterson and Tomalin both having troubles with her I think. Tomalin never flew her as well as Mike Chatterton- I could usually tell who was flying her at shows before it was announced!

I beg to differ, I flew with Colin Patterson in the Lanc more times than I can remember, and “he could fly it, what’s more he could land it too” I never felt uneasy with him. However, the capt before and the one after never filled me with confidence. Boss Patterson had I don’t know how many hours on Shaks, I know, Shaks don’t have the same torque, gyroscopic trouble I agree but they are both big 4 engine tail wheel aeroplanes. The only other bomber capts with who could handle 474 with confidence were Mike Chat, Chris Booth and Ed Straw. I’m afraid I don’t like watching the new boys. Just my opinion.
Yes I am ex BBMF from the good old day ha ha.
Mother of em all,,,,

Mick (not really my name)