Thanks.

Thanks for the heads-up. Lets hope the weather is kind. 🙂

The Sweet Smell of Nostalgia.

I was talking to a retired ex-test pilot over the weekend. He reckoned that you could plonk him in almost any old British a/c, and he could tell you which firm made it from the smell.

People don’t often mention it, but all those old British cars, motorcycles and a/c used to have a lovely smell. Even now, in their dotage, many retain it. New cars now don’t really smell of anything. (Most of them sound the same too. Even the oil-burners sound refined..! Years ago, you could identify an approaching car before you saw it… Certainly, some aero-engines have a very distinctive sound too.) Smells though, are so ephemeral. It’s a funny thing – they transport one back in an instant. Pure magic.

Nostalgia;- It’s not what it used to be….:)

Pure Gold.

These British a/c from the 1930’s are very much the fine wine of historic aviation. Whilst the majority are off salivating over warbirds, a smaller, quieter community lean towards the less frenetic world of very pretty British wooden aeroplanes.
There was a time, back in the 1960’s, when many of the remaining machines were being grounded, mainly with glue problems. Many became static exhibits or were destroyed. Happily, they are now enjoying something of a renaissance, and the next few years will see the emergence of a number of interesting machines.
These aircraft really do come to life when they fly. Some people seem to think that historic aviation is primarily about static a/c and exhibits….and junk. It’s not, and the transformation that these very pretty machines undergo when they fly exemplifies why this is.
I haven’t been to Old Warden for some years, but I’m certainly intending to make up for it this summer. I’m just off to make offerings to the Weather Gods….:)

The most Beautiful Aircraft, – Ever…

Any project to get a Mosquito flying again is really great. What an aircraft! It’s easily arguable that it is the most beautiful aircraft of all time. A wonderful, spine-tingling presence. Well, it was – until they started adding radomes, and coming-up with versions for the Navy with greenhouses attached to the nose.
The B.IV was the definitive version, as per the original concept. It famously proved the concept of ‘Freemans Folly’ and initiated the legend. It was also easily the prettiest by far – unless one has the visual accuity of Fruit Bat and the aesthetic sense of, well, you get the idea…..:)
Like many (Most people..?), I will remain more than a little baffled by the choice of mark…….:p 🙂 :confused: I really don’t think the CAA will be worried if the rebuilt isn’t the identical Mk that the dataplate came from.
Good Luck to them regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing it fly. The UK historic scene hasn’t seemed the same since we lost the BAe example.

..er..

I’m still trying to work out what ‘Inidentified’ means…..:p

It’s Irrellevant.

It’s a non question of course. Many of the a/c have had a lot of work undertaken by non-aviation engineers or not under qualified supervision. No matter how skilled they are, this work would be just an added layer of problems in regard to airworthiness.
Personally, I’m a big advocate of flying aircraft…it’s what they are for after all, but there are other issues as others have alluded to. Really original a/c, especially if they are rare or even unique, should really be kept grounded. It’s a no-brainer. Far better to fly a ‘bitser’ example, as continuing airworthiness gradually leads to most of the airframe being replaced over time. Then again…this happened in service too…! Many a/c had everything swapped, and little if anything is actually ‘original’. 🙂

Bump.

Numpty.

Vandalised & ripped apart by the locals = the same treatment it would recieve returning it to airworthy condition.

That has to be about the most prattish comment I’ve seen on here, which is saying something…