OFMC have always used the pin in the external power socket, which I rarely see on any of the others. Thats the flag hanging down.

Beat me to it Bruce! That is why I thought it was 434 but quite early on (and the fact that you can see the W/T and DTD stencils on the tail that very few Spitfires carried then). It was only JDK telling someone who suggested it was 434 that they ‘would have to try harder’. In my experience that means “no – you are wrong!”.

Privately owned WWII era warbirds generally do not have formal ‘fatigue lifed’ airframes. There are however componenents requiring overhaul at agreed time scehdules such as engines and props.

I preffered her as a Seafire FR47 😉

Originally posted by Dave Homewood
I understand it that gloss paint is often applied nowadays to warbirds because it lasts much longer, so is much more cost efficient for the owner. And it’s easier to maintain of course.

Dave, thats a very old fashioned notion and virtually all operators of WWII warbirds in the UK have now moved to satin finish paint over the last ten years. There was a myth that only gloss paint was durable enough to protect the airframe and that was why BBMF (for example) stuck with this finish for so long until it was realised that satin paint is just as durable, has a more authentic look to it and can be just as easily kept clean. Now even the Lanc is in satin and looking all the better for it.

WWII aircraft were generally of a matt appearance (with exceptions of course) but this really is very difficult to keep clean as its rougher surface texture absorbs oil, exhaust stains and grease and makes keeping the airframe clean virtually impossible. This finish can work for static museum airframes.

I agree to some extent Taifun – but re-read my post, today it is about balance. To use your example, no the invasion stripes should not be in gloss paint but something more sympathetic to the period, matt or satin paint.

The fact remains that these aircraft are no longer fighting machines and faking combat scarring and allowing dirt to build up is not usually considered an option by those with the privelage of being able to decide.

Originally posted by Janie
I also spotted an English Mustang owner, but his aeroplane was nowhere to be seen … possibly hiding?

That was a certain Mr Hammond, hardly recognisable without his trusty steed. What was it called?

Originally posted by chuck yeager

With all the planes that have moved from the fighter collection

The only aircraft to have ‘moved’ out in the last 18 months is Tom Friedkins Spitfire 14 and the Skyraider. In that period we have seen the arrival of the Hurricane so the balance is fairly even. from the TFC website you can see that one or two projects are very close to completion so the opposite may well be the case by July plus whatever ‘surprises’ they spring on us.

I understand the hard runway will be ready by then, the grass is still in use. Dont miss the show.