I believe the display commentator should always say who’s flying, they tend to in the US, and I feel it in some ways it makes you more involved, with the whole display. There was a trend at North Weald and West malling a few years ago to feature the pilots in the programme, but this does not seem to happen so much these days.

The same is true of a friendly wave from the pilot as he taxies past, that sort of thing can go a long way, and in a small way makes the day more enjoyable.

Lastly to know who’s flying makes any future research or archiving that much easier.

Septic.

I believe it is yes… Last known still broken down awaiting re-assembly. Was pictured on a thread on here a while ago…

This photo of Kermit’s Lizzie was taken last September @ Lakeland Florida.

I’m sure it would have been airtested by now, the engine appeared to have been recently run as there was quite a bad oil or hydraulic leak.

Septic.

[QUOTE=Andy in Beds]My questions are: –
1) Can anyone do anything to cast light on the fate of the Antoinette monoplane? Melvyn says that this was a real beast. Can you enlighten me please Melvyn? (I’ve asked some of this before).
2) When the aircraft is landed over the heads of the old couple in the car during the film it looks like it has ailerons on the wings. Did the original aircraft have ailerons or wing warping? It looks wonderful during that sequence incidentally.

The Antoinette originally used wing warping for control, but during the filming the wing was modified and ailerons were attached to the rear spar.

For further Mag Men reading try ‘Delta Papa’ by Derek Piggott, I picked a copy up from the Aviation Bookshop. (Now at Tunbridge Wells).

Septic.

Melvyn,

Does that mean there are still two Billings extant, or is the one owned by ‘Frank’ the Berlin Museum example.

I’m pretty sure the Manning Flanders monoplane (Bleriot Type) was built after Mag Men for Pat Lindsay.

Septic.

IMHO They wouldnt paint it green without good reason.

In these safety conscious times, would it be a type of Anti dazzle colour to protect the pilots from unwanted glare whilst displaying in bright conditions.

(Bright conditions!!!!)

Septic.

Here’s a few more to distract you from Robbo’s bonce!

Septic.

I have a video copied from an old 16mm cine film of the 1963 airshow, which includes such delights as AB910, Beverley, Shackleton, RF101, F100, and a Thunderbolt in SEAC colours! Gawd alone knows where that aircraft originated from.

Regards All,
Keith[/QUOTE]

The Thunderbolt in question was P47 D N5087V/ N347D, it was at the time owned by Republic Aviation. It attended quite a few displays around europe in ’63. A friend of mine has some 8mm cine film of it taken at North Weald.

The aircraft was retired to the USAF Museum at Dayton-OH in 1964. Have you got any photos of it, Keith.

Septic.

I heard it was at for maitenance prior to filmwork with OFMC.

Septic.