Melvyn, As a matter of fact, we were both there at the same time for the Firebird auditions, and Duxford as well. Our paths divided when you got the job, whereas I was recomended by Alan W to ‘try to polish up the old gob****e!’
I was told I was on their reserve list, and in the absence of info to the contrary, I believe I still am.

Great account Steve, I think most of us have had moments like that, and hopefully learnt from them. The funny thing about areas of bad weather is the way that they seem to suck you in.

You can often see quite distinctive cells of rain and general nastiness, and though you adjust your track to go past, you suddenly find you are in it, having completely missed the imminently approaching phase. I suppose it is because they are moving too, and the very outer edges are so wispy that they do not stand out from the main body of the cell.

It has been an odd few weeks for us aviators, with a bit of rain almost every day. That said though, the vis has been really good for ages, and I don’t recall any hazy inversions for quite a while. A bit of settled weather would be nice.

Big Jet,

Yes, you are half-right, at least it did have a grass runway, which was shown in the flight guides up until the mid 70’s, but there is no longer anything marked on the ground.

The runway is not particularly long, but during the war, it ran, (on a different alignment) into the field on the other side of the road. In more recent times, quite large a/c have been in, incuding a DC-3 for the filming of ‘Top Secret’ (spoof spy film) and there were a couple o.f DHC Carribou parked up for a while.

No many ‘interesting’ ac now, especially since Brian Lecomber stopped flying out of there, but there is a pretty little Cub G-HEWI, as well as numerous helicopters, and the Cabair school. For a really interesting GA airfield in the London area, White Waltham is the one.

One of the chaps on the RNHF stand told me that their new C.O, John Beattie (sorry, rank unknown- Lt-Cmdr ?) was flying the Skyraider today. Hopefully he finds it less troublesome than Sea Furies. Hope that’s not libellous!

Interesting photo , RLF9 Whats the story?

Where did you get it, and what colours does it wear – seems to be mud, but that may be my monitor ! Are you sure it is still there, tis mighty breezy tonight….

Almost certainly Bovingdon, which was used for both these epics. In the second shot you can see the very broad apron which was also to be seen in the film ‘The War Lover’ , when the B.17 beat up the tower at about 6 feet.

The pilot was John Crewdson, and perhaps it was this style of flying that Don Bullock was trying to emulate, when Sally B first appeared in ’77- he used to take her down to the deck in much the same manner, in a style which was not universally admired.

Continuing the Historic car parallel, a few years ago quite a famous record-breaking car was exhumed from Pendine sands in Wales. I do not know the type, but it was called ‘Babs’ . There had been a fatal crash, and I think the driver was killed by the drive-chain.

It was buried for over 30 years, before being recovered and rebuilt. The fact that it can still be seen, does more to keep alive the memory of the driver than any plaque or reference book, once the trauma of his passing has faded.

When these sad events occur, perhaps it is best if the remains are quietly put into storage, and a decision postponed, and wounds allowed to heal.

In these situations of potential conflict, I wouldn’t even consider the niceties of who may or may not have the right of way. As soon as I see ‘incoming’ I turn to ensure separation, and keep watching until they are past. In almost all cases, they sail past without a quiver, and no indication that they have seen anything.

Given the choice, and suitable terrain, I prefer to stay under 1000 feet, where there is usually less traffic- apart from helicopters, there is not too much military in the south-east.

Low down, you will not have long to pick a field should the engine fail, but in a Cub, most fields will give you a chance.