Having been out all day, I have completely missed the contretemps arising from my ill-chosen phraseology .

Those people whose sensitivities were in some way bruised will be relieved, surprised even, that I did not imply any suggestions of ACTUAL genocide, mass murder or the suppression of any social or political minorities. If that is what you were lead to believe, then the fault is entirely my own, and I should have been more mindful that we live in sensitive times.

I cannot agree that the thread is entirely ruined, though it is true that it so far has zero content regarding the aforementioned relics. In the absence of any other source, it would be helpful if Clint could perhaps offer up at least a brief synopsis of this story and so ”get on with the already completely ruined topic of how a Do217 ended up being thrown down into a cave.”

Griffon Spitfire over Bradley Stoke, Bristol about 20 min ago.

Griffon Spit 18.30 over Chesham heading towards Northolt.

43-2195

I think it might take more than that!!

It was inevitable that egos were going to get caught in the crossfire in all that Burma Bolleaux 🙁

Still a shame though.

The son of comedian Michael Bentine was sadly killed in the crash of a Super Cub, which was lost without trace , and not found for some months

”The aircraft was on a private local flight from Lasham aerodrome. After takeoff it completed a circuit before flying away in a southerly direction. It was two days before it was realised that the aircraft had failed to return from this flight and had not landed elsewhere. The wreckage was eventually discovered in a wood 15nm south of the aerodrome on 31 October 1971. The aircraft had dived into the tops of the trees at a very steep angle and both occupants had been killed instantly.

The report concludes that the pilot, flying low in turbulent conditions and poor visibility , was forced to enter cloud to avoid overhead power cables and that he became unable to control the aircraft in cloud because it lacked blind flying instruments. The report notes that the delays in recognising the aircraft’s disappearance and in discovering the wreckage stemmed from the circumstances that the accident was not heard or seen by anyone and that the aircraft’s movements were not logged at the point of departure. The search and rescue authorities were thus hindered by a lack of reliable information about the activities of the aircraft or the pilot’s intentions. Technical examination of the wreckage revealed a fatigue crack in the cabin heat exchanger but the evidence was insufficient to indicate whether or not toxic fumes were present in the aircraft cabin.

The passenger of this aircraft, who was killed, was Stuart “Gus” Bentine, eldest son of the famous comedian Michael Bentine. Bentine’s subsequent investigation into regulations governing private airfields resulted in his writing a report for the Special Branch of the British police into the use of personal aircraft in smuggling operations. He fictionalised much of the material in his novel Lords of the Levels.

According to some sources, the aircraft crashed into woodland, and was obscured from view by the density of the leaves on the trees. It was only when the aircraft was noticed as not having landed anywhere that a search was initiated, and the falling leaves revealed the crash site. ”

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=18924

This just announced.

Old Buckenham Airfield has announced that it will hold a celebration of the life of aviation legend Wing Commander Ken Wallis following a request by his family. The airfield, of which Ken was member 007, will host a day-long celebration of Wallis’ life on Sunday 29 September.

Formal tributes will be paid by several friends and other commemorations are being planned on the day to best celebrate his extraordinary life.
The airfield is pleased to invite as many people as possible to bring their aircraft and vehicles to the celebration. Those wishing to attend are asked to let the organisers know they are coming. Arrangements will then be made to ensure that a diverse display of machinery, airborne and otherwise, will make the day a suitable tribute to a true legend.
A Celebration of the Life of Ken Wallis will open from 10am on Sunday 29 September 2013, with formal tributes and displays likely to take place from midday until 2pm. Please let the organisers know that you are coming, and if bringing an aircraft or vehicle, all the details. Contact is best made by email: [email]airfield@oldbuck.com[/email].

Now detailed on their website http://www.oldbuck.com/en/events/a-celebration-of-the-life-of-wing-commander-ken-wallis-mbe/

How about a forum fly/drive in, to mark the occasion ?

Still seems to be more than in Burma, how far down was the crate ,,,, sorry, I couldn’t resist it.
Good to see these pieces of history being given due respect.

Percy.

I expect ARC will leave them in fertilizer for a few months, to see what happens 😎

Think of them as Spitfire seeds !

The accolade ‘hero’ is used rather too freely these days, but truly Ken Wallis was that and more, a quite remarkable man.

An active pilot since 1937, accomplished in so many fields, he was an inspiration to many , many people.

What a life.