Hi Cees, check your mail, new pics. Heard the news that in a town close to mine, starting with Oeg, they are going to raise the one on which that nieuwbouwwijk was constructed. They are expecting some fishes there.

BW Roger

Eh? 🙂

Crikey – I can’t believe this thread was started nearly 4 years ago! I still recall typing my postings..tempus fugit’s

DS

Fantastic news! Glad to know my vote counted 😀

DS

The most memorable parts of our recent family trip to IWM Lambeth were the recreations of the WWI trench, and the WWII East End ‘bombed out’ street. Although these were quite ‘low-tech’ compared to what is on offer at Disney etc., the effect on my kids was still quite dramatic.

I gather that the Australian War memorial in Canberra has done an excellant job in re-creating the effect of a bombing mission, which you can experience from outside the Lancaster. Now imagine what it would be like inside (a highly accurate replica – metal, oil and Elsan) with all the special effects systems available today – take off, flak-attack, corkscrewing to avoid a night-fighter, the bomb-run and eventually landing.

These systems are certainly available – not just the back of a lorry jobs you get at the airshows – and would really add to the EK experience. It would have to be done carefully, not wanting to turn the place into another Alton Towers, but as an attraction it might keep the tickets selling for another generation.

DS

Well done guys – keep up the good work.

DS

Grace Spitfire at Hatfield House, Saturday 26th July

The hissing of summer lawns – and amazing Grace

Imagine the scene – 91Regal’s mansion in a sleepy mid-Hertfordshire town, it’s 8 o’clock in the evening. The Lord of the Manor has unravelled his borrowed hosepipe, connected it to next door’s outside tap, and started to irrigate his prized exotic blooms. Deep in reverie, reflecting upon the truth contained in Joni Mitchells perceptive song title ‘The hissing of summer lawns’ when his highly attuned ears pick out a distinctive note from the air. He looks southward, to see in the distance a familiar shape swooping earthwards. It’s a bit late in the day for the BBMF to be out, so he suspects who it might be. Ten minutes or so later familiar shape reappears in distance, flying east. ‘Oh well’ he thinks ‘won’t be able to confirm my suspicion about who that was’. Returns to watering the ornamental flowerbeds around the gazebo, when distinctive noise becomes apparent again, but much louder this time. Rushes through the garage, bumping into the family Bentley and treading on the family Whippet in his haste. In the road outside stands transfixed as Carolyn and ML407 finish their buzz of Panshanger airfield and rocket skyward, throttle back and head for home and dinner. ‘Ah’ he thinks ‘it’s the unexpected treats in life that are often the best’.
The short version – Carolyn was doing a private somewhere near WGC this evening (wedding? birthday?) and beat up Panshanger on her way back to Dux. Amazing, Ms Grace, and thank you.

Hi,

She was displaying at ‘The Battle Proms’, an open air concert held in the grounds of Hatfield House. Her display started at 8pm, having held in circuit to the west for 5-10 minutes beforehand.

She did a really lovely display, well centred on the crowd, who were very appreciative. I got a few photos, but nothing I would insult you all by posting here!

There are a couple more shows in the series, being held elsewhere, and she is displaying for each of them as well. In addition we had Napoleonic re-enactors, the cavalry etc. Massive firework displays and some last night of the proms sing-a-longs. Well worth catching again (even just for the Spit display!)

DS

An interesting question – I would personally like to see a full scale replica first and foremost, as for me the special thing about the Stirling was its sheer size. I cannot imagine ever seeing a flying replica, and would not want to loose original parts in a composite rebuild – unless it were possible to put togther a complete aircraft (such as the Halifax rebuild).

I don’t know if this makes sense to anyone else!

DS

Stirling drawings

Apparently, a fire destroyed the original drawings, but a sheet did appear on ebay a while back, for more money than I cared to part with.

Not withstanding the terrific efforts of the Project, I expect that we will not see a complete Stirling for some time (if at all 🙁 ) – unless Mr Jackson gives up on the idea of a Dambusters remake, and goes for ‘Speed up on Stirlings’ instead :diablo:

Or I win the Lottery 😀

DS