Exactly, Mike, I was going to say the same thing. This is the normal major service which takes place between seasons about ever 8 years. The only difference this time is that it’s being done at Duxford for the first time. They used to be done in house by the RAF at St Athan and Kemble when they still had people with the skills. The last was at Coventry, which I think was the first not done by the RAF themselves. I’m fairly certain it was actually 1978 when the aircraft last missed a season, rather than 79, so even better record!

From today’s DT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12167611/Captain-Eric-Winkle-Brown-obituary.html

Despite what Google may turn up, I’ve heard rumours that the rest of Lancaster DV372 was in store in Croydon into late 50s.

Having had a read (again) of the CAA’s Consultation Document, the questions to ask CAA, in my opinion, would be…….

Are your estimates for the costs recovery evidence based? If so, what was that evidence, is it publicly available and if not, why not?

Have you made a study of the potential impact on the viability of future air shows? If you have, is this study publicly available and if not, why not?

Have you considered the phasing in of the additional costs over a greater period of time? If not, why not?

Has there been any external analysis of the costs of the extra regulatory burden? If not, why not?

Has the CAA considered the unintended consequences of the increase of cost recovery charges? In particular those sectors that benefit from Air Shows such as forces charities? If not, why not?

Has the CAA produced a Regulatory Impact Assessment? If it has, has this been scrutinised by any external organisation? And is it publicly available?

Do CAA consider a price increase at 100% proportionate?

Has the CAA considered recovering the costs, brought about by an increase in its regulatory burden, across its other activities?

Has the CAA considered the safety aspects of an increase in the costs of public entrance to airshows, should even greater numbers decide to watch for free outside of the airfield?

Has the CAA considered the impact on its role as a regulator should there be a massive decrease in the number of airshows each year?

Has the CAA considered the potential job losses from a reduction in the number of airshows each year, resulting from these charge increases? Has there been analysis done of the potential job losses? Has there been an analysis of the impact on the voluntary sector? If not, why not?

Has the Department of Transport and the Minister responsible agreed in principle to these charge increases? Or is this only being presented to the Minister responsible after the consultation?

He is one of those who have turned down a knighthood.

If anything he should be awarded the Order of Merit (OM) which out ranks a knighthood and is the highest award that the Queen can give, but he’s probably too modest for that too.

That’s a shame. The Americans will probably restore it to flight and lose all historical integrity, rather than conserve a WW2 time capsule.