Great picture of Luqa with the FAA in strength…..reminds me very much of lying on the rocks at Kalafrana watching Vulcans on finals to Luqa. Thanks for posting.

I’m surprised that thread title got through unscathed……

As everyone has said, a really excellent documentary, well put together, not the usual well worn archive films, but appropriate footage, beautiful Spitfire filming, and an intelligent and informative commentary.

I knew the story from reading Constance Babington-Smith’s excellent book about it years ago..she was the PI who identified the first V2 site …http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Babington_Smith..
and RAF Medmenham, (now a hotel and health spa) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danesfield_House) is near a favourite riverside walk of mine.

Is there a museum dedicated to PhotoReconnaisance in the area?

Well Sandman, as you liked those, just a few more memory joggers…as you say, the married quarters were very substantial, and cool, stone houses on the hill above Kalafrana. Ours was the one on the left of the group..our neighbour was Lt Cdr Peter “Lofty” Wreford, CO of 728, and I believe the last RN pilot to land a Swordfish on a carrier. The buses, of course, are never to be forgotten. The disbandment flypast is of 728 FRU Meteors accompanied by 3 Buccaneers and a Sea Vixen from Hermes (I think) which was visiting Malta at the time. I have memories of watching Buccaneers practising toss bombing of Filfla, a small island just off the cliffs near HalFar, that was used as a target.
And a postcard from Birze!

Vickers 0.303, just by your left thigh!

I think I read somewhere that the best way of getting the pilot’s attention in a hurry was to jab him in the right thigh with a handy pair of compasses!

And can’t you just SMELL those pictures!

She’ll be sorely missed on this forum….

Great picture, Mark12.

RIP Susannah

I well remember the occasion when Neil was flying the Bleriot in a circuit during a display, and it became clear that he was gently undershooting the hedge of runway 30 and sinking into the cornfield. No harm done to him, but by the time he returned to the airfield, a spontaneous collection had been made by the crowd,organised via the tower/commentator, towards repairing the Bleriot.

His Falling Leaf manoeuvre in the Tiger Moth was also a rare treat to see.