Jeff hawke and Don Bullock were perhaps the most ‘flambouyant’ performers on the display circuit, and perhaps drew more attention, as they often flew the larger machines such as Fortress, Invader and Mitchell. Hawke also flew a full aerobatic routine in Beech 18 G-AYAH at one of the RIAT’s (Greenham), a machine in pretty tired condition.

Following the very public demise of the Invader (1980) the CAA instigated a review headed by Daryll Stinton to reign in the ‘bad boys’ and I think it was from this initiative that Display Authorisations were born. It has arguably been successful since no individual has subsequently established a comparable reputation for hairy flying as the two gentlemen mentioned above. Most observers ‘in the know’ believed they were living on borrowed time. They were.

Down. in the oil seed rape

Crikey! Not a good week for two-seat Spits, what with the unfortunate shunt at Galveston last Sat. 🙁

Just bent metal thankfully.

Fiat G-46 G-BBII over Amersham 18.30, heading SW, home to Booker (High Wycombe)

I would say they both have an equal chance of appearing in the flying display.
Preparations are well underway, and Elvis has nearly finished his check-out.

Personally, if the aeroplane is reasonably moveable, I would be tempted just to get on with it, and keep a low profile, as much as you can when running a jet fighter (?) round a car park!

You can be certain that the planning wallahs will have fifty fits, demand an environmental audit, a noise-impact assessment, a toxic deposits study and everyone for 30 miles will have to wear a hi-viz jacket. Not to mention the £900,000,000 insurance cover. Plus, if you are doing any live weapons firing, that will only make it worse.

The scope for accidents is huge, from ingesting fod, running people over, or even a slip of the throttle, and powering into someone’s house. Better to stick to tied-doen engine runs.

Kieron,

I never knew your father, but from what I have read, he was very well regarded. His legacy in FlyPast is a very valuable one, and has been influential in the aviation preservation arena, and I am sure many people would confirm that their interest was fostered by the publication.

The loss your family suffered must have been immeasurable, and I know from first-hand experience the effects of bereavement on a young child. I hope that you can look back over twenty four years, and feel that some order and peace did eventually come back into your lives. As we come to an age to have children of our own, the need to know/understand our parents become more relevant.

As an aside, is the Mike Twite trophy still in circulation? I think FlyPast had a photo of your mother presenting it to the first winner.

Very best wishes with your search.

It was prepared and initially ferried by Chuck Elsworth (Canadian) I believe, who is something of a PBY guru, seemingly. The details were recounted by him either here or Pprune (no time to seach at mo) . The trip ended prematurely in France with engine trouble, acrimony, accusations, allegations. Basically, empty pram, and air thick with flying teddies.

Chuck went home. PBY did not.