Figures for the Defiant 1 on file at Boscombe Down
were

5,000ft 1,515 ft./min and 294 mph
10,000ft 1,610 ft/min and 312 mph
15,000ft 1,240 ft/min and 305.5 mph
20,000ft 805 ft/min and 295 mph
26,000ft 285 ft/min and 266.5 mph

Eighteen years ago the Shuttleworth Trust sent a team out to Sri Lanka to look at the Balliols with a view to buying one, and adding it to their RAF trainers collection. CA302 in the Museum was not available, but when they looked at CA310 they found it in very bad condition internally, ‘cobbled together’ was a phrase one of the team used. It would have taken an immense restoration effort to get it airworthy, which was the intention, and the price asked was way over the top, so they came home and dropped the idea. Another 18 years outside in the Sri Lankan weather will not have improved either of them.

I have sympathy for my ‘neighbours’ Rich & Max with their smashing Chippie cockpit, they deserved to be more in the thick of things. Perhaps it’s my fault as I did not tell Bill what I was bringing, so he had to make allowances for almost anything, and was surprised by our minimalist Grasshopper/Flexiform. I think he thought I might be bringing the Overstrand (maybe next year).

Here’s an idea, though. Why couldn’t they be moved once the layout became apparent ? I’m sure everyone would have helped them up-sticks, and they could easily have gone next to the shop (In easy reach of the warmth of the cafe). I’m sure Bill would not mind his planned layout being tweaked, but perhaps it should be made clear that this is possible.

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