I had a ride in a Dakota yesterday at Southend – for the first and last time, unless I emigrate outside the EU. It was a great experience and I am very grateful that the Classic Flight exists to allow us to experience such delights.

I have to say, though, that the thinking behind the rules which are forcing it out of passenger carrying service were also in evidence yesterday at Southend. Would you believe that we had to go through full security for a 20 minute joyride? This seemed more than I have experienced in the last few years – we all had to remove our shoes (I can’t recall when I last did that at a UK airport) and had to produce our ID for a second time at the gate. Surely there is meant to be some commonsense in assessing the risk etc? (Oops – I just used “security” and “commonsense” in the same paragraph…)

I too had a Farewell flight at Southend yesterday. It was truly a great experience. All apart from the check in which seemed ridiculous, I could not believe it either and not only did I have to take off my shoes they did a full body frisk aswell, having not been to an airport in years I was somewhat shocked it did not suit the atmosphere of the day, but was worth it in the end!

I saw on another thread that the new P-40 based at La ferte Alais with white tail and the P51 ‘Nooky Booky’ will attend legends aswell.

The two Duxford based T-28 Fennecs went up from Duxford twice today. And although they didnt display they made a couple of low level passes. Lovely sound with 2 together I must say!

Still curious, which 18?

SM845 I think

looked like the spit ftd mk xviii. it flew over Basildon Asda (where i was standing in the yard) at about 1000ft. clear blue skies as well!! i was like a little school kid when it came over!!!

That would make sense as it was out of the hangar at Duxford on wednesday. Glad somebody else saw it!

Maybe it had something to do with this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7391142.stm

Cheers

Paul

A fitting tribute indeed. A mate of mine was actually one of the first people on the scene at the air crash and witnessed the whole thing happen. Very sad.

St Pauls and Duxford

Just returned from St Pauls in London so I saw the Flypast of 3 Typhoons and 2 Chinooks, but I had a full day as I went to Duxford as usual. Golden Apples’ F86 Sabre did a great display with lots of really fast low passes and the weather you couldnt ask for more, especially now the fields around Duxford are bright yellow and green making an excellent backdrop.