I use the AFE ones that come in pads of 100(?) but there is a nice one here in PDF format:

http://www.solentflight.com/PDF%20Files/vfrlog.pdf

There are craters all over the Suffolk countryside!! Mainly near the bases but certainly scattered around Knettishall for miles. Whether they are German or from US planes returning and dumping the bomb load before landing, I have no idea.

A small number of Spitfire reflector gunsights, found in the rubbish dump at Duxford along with some smaller bomber turret type sights and and unknown reflector sight marked “US Navy”. Also from the same place, a selection of B/W photographs of various wartime aircraft used by RAF/Royal Navy. Stamped on the back with “Air Ministery” and “Top Secret” and dated 194?. These were the same type of photos that appear in the little blue pilot notes books. I say were because most of the pics were destroyed in an accident and I only have one left now, and thats in poor shape 🙁

The stuff the IWM used to throw away was criminal.

– Si – I hope youre talking about Ade!

Ah, you know him then?? Haven’t seen him for years but we go way back, still got the ear plugs to prove it 😀 King of the Capri V6 Ghia and loud living legend of Duxford.

Alex, send adrian my regards. I flew over Bruntingthorpe a few months ago and wondered if he was down there. Maybe i’ll get to land there later in the year and say hi in person 🙂

With regard the fact that Bridgestone had changed the tyre makeup, this was because Firestone had been involved with the Indy 500 (I think it was that one!) a few weeks back and warned Bridgstone about it, so they had time to make the neccessary adjustments. Michelin were not warned of this, and until the first sessions started were not aware that the track was a problem……

Eh?? All the Michelin teams and Michelin themselves had all the telemetery readings and track data from previous US GP’s. Therefore they would have known EXACTLY the stresses/pressures/temperatures that the tyres were subjected to on every part of the track. They simply didn’t do their homework and cocked it up.

With regard to the chicane issue, surely sending drivers out in 200mph cars into a racing situation on an untested/unfamiliar track layout is extremely dangerous in itself.

Personally, I think the FIA made the right decision in not changing the rules to accomadate Michelins substandard tyres. It was their problem and their doing. Bridgestone got it right so why should their teams be forced to adjust to Michelins error?? If Ferrari turned up with the wrong front wings or something, can you see Ron Dennis & Co changing their cars to match Ferrari’s???

The best thing that they could have done would be to have had the Michelin cars speed limiters set to reduce the speed as they approached the banking therefore taking the strain of the tyres. Ferrari would still have won but at least the sport would still have some credibility in the US.

Sad day for the fans & the sport, but on a lighter note, Michelin shares tumbled 2.5% on the Paris stock market this morning!! Now there’s payback!

I grew up in the village of Steeple Morden so have a lot of interest in the 355th FG and the old airfield. I started building a website dedicated to the group about a year ago. Due to other commitments, work ground to a halt but I hope to start it again sometime this year. My website building skills leave a bit to be desired but there are some pics of the memorial and one or two profiles. If you’re interested…..

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/355thfg/index