S-21.
Profound apologies if I have ‘dissed’ one of your favourite types. I meant Joker, as in ‘a joker in the pack’, one that stands out, wild card…..oh I dunno!

That air-air shot has a touch of Neptune about it somehow, and as for the IA-30, well it isn’t a Hornet, but it will do until a Hornet comes along. Actually though, it almost has a flavour of Puccara in there as well.

The Joker.

It looks like one of those strips where you can only go out in one direction. The tyre marks indicate some fairly ‘firm’ arrivals!

Trumper, your perspective on this is more pragmatic than many. What ever the final fate of this Vulcan, it does not really matter very much. No, it has not been looked after, and no, most of it probably will not last much longer, but it was destined for the scrapman 20 years ago anyway , and in the meantime, it has been a landmark, and a source of interest and rumination for many enthusiasts- even this very thread has run to 6 pages.

Only the new owner can decide if he has wasted his money. If he had spent £15K on a conservatory for his house, nobody would pass comment, but now, maybe just briefly, he owns a Vulcan bomber, which is more than most people can say. He has been at the centre of much media interest, which, for all we know, he may be enjoying hugely. He has got national coverage for his pub, and is likely to end up with at least the forward fuselage as an ‘attraction’ . He will probably even get a few quid for scrap, if it is reduced to produce on site. There is no requirement for us to pass judgement on the guy, but just wish him well. Whatever the outcome, so long as the Vulcan does not collapse on somebody, it doesn’t really matter.

As is so often the case in aviation, night flying is much easier in the USA, where light aircraft can actually be used for practical purposes.

I was recently able to fly with a friend in his AA5 from Wellington (West Palm Beach) to Naples (Fla) to pick up a passenger. Certainly it all seems so much more peaceful, and it is surprising how much you can see, especially the layout of towns. However, 45 minutes over the Everglades is not so relaxing, with nothing below but blackness, and a load of unseen alligators. If you lose the engine, I suppose you glide down into wind and just take your chances.

The party piece was arriving back at Wellington, dialling up the frequency, clicking ‘transmit’ seven times and lo! , the runway lights come on, even thought the field is unmanned in the middle of the night. Great fun, but I still have no desire for a rating.

Perhaps you could get Red Bull to chuck a few quid your way, and come up with a scheme that would really turn heads ( and stomachs ! ).

I suppose there is a good reason for the rather ample, yellow gentleman to be enjoying a Spitfire ride. Was the two-seater not available?