My opinion, for what its worth;

Finningley – sorry but no way. Ambitious, expanding airports and classic aircraft don’t seem to mix too well. And if it all goes pearshaped there will only be one loser.

Elvington – I will be the first to admire and appreciate the hard graft and enthusiasm that goes into the upkeep of the Victor and Nimrod at Elvington. But i can’t help thinking that there is a dark cloud constantly hanging over the site and the big jets operations that threatens their long-term survival.
On that score, i would love to be proved wrong!

For me it has to be Bruntingthorpe. The Walton family are, i think, in a better financial position to pay the bills, and are proven supporters and operators of vintage jet aircraft. They also own a site which already has the knack of attracting those who have the time / knowhow /enthusiasm to keep the ground runners – running. And really thats what large aircraft kept outside need in my view to extend there stay of execution: money and commitment… not tourism. If an airframe cannot run, it will decay quicker.
On top of that there is already a well established and successful series of fast taxi days, arguably attended more by the aviation enthusiast rather than Mr and Mrs tourist.

Rob

I’m presuming Stuka? And i’m also presuming Russia?

Rob

Aren’t all the various stores released by the main firing finger trigger, after the type of weapon has been selected on the box?

Learning curve for me also:)

To quote from the PN’s

“the gun-firing trigger is on the forward side of the control column handgrip”

“the bombs/RP release pushbutton is on the control column handgrip”

Hence why i thought ‘M’ was munitions release.

Rob

So just to confirm Alan what we are talking about is the same button on the same stick top but with different purposes, right? Because according to the PN’s the button which is marked ‘M’ but as you say can be left blank too according to type was for the use of bombs, rockets etc. It makes no mention of a ‘mute’ button!

Rob

…but then it’s quieter than a Merlin. Let’s hope no NIMBY’s suddenly arrive in Duxford village and complain about the ‘noise’.

Believe me they already have and do. Take the F1 testing for instance, vital extra income for the airfields continued operation and now only taking place once in a blue moon, but there are those that still like to complain. Indeed one couple who live in the village said it was upsetting their unborn child. Work that one out! :confused:. Maybe they need to talk to the other parents in Duxford and the surrounding villages who have taken their kids in, often free of charge, to watch it and enjoy the spectacle on their doorstep.

Rob

Sorry to go off thread slightly but Adrian have you ever seen any pics of the Wethersfield F-100 that came down onto Babraham Rd, Sawston in the late fifties?

Rob