I have been a reader of Flypast for a number of years, but I “landed” here after surfing the ‘Net for local air crashes.

Personally, I prefer to build plastic kits myself, but – that’s a pretty impressive collection!

I HAVE succumbed to buying the odd die-cast (I can actually display them downstairs without fear of them getting damaged when the little ba – I mean “darlings” – come to visit). Even so, I’ll need some stronger shelves before long! 😀

Parfitt Drive, Farnsfield, Notts.

There is Parfitt Drive in Farnsfield, Notts not far from where Halifax MZ519 crashed, the a/c was piloted by P/O Reginald Parfitt.

There is a plaque at the junction of Parfitt Drive and Southwell Road.
See here

The Flight Lieutenant

I found this one a few years ago. It never fails to bring a tear to my eyes, especially when I am at certain crash sites in the Peak District, or when I hear that a missing airman has been found:

THE FLIGHT LIEUTENANT

In the marsh the curlews cry

Beneath the empty bowl of sky,

Beneath the sun and flying cloud

Earth my grave and mud my shroud.

For forty years I’ve quietly lain

In the wreckage of my plane.

Baled out, they said, or Lost at Sea

But no-one came in search of me,

A distant ploughman drives his team,

And rushes rattle in the stream:

In summer time the cattle tread

Heavy-footed overhead.

Yet somehow in these bones I know

Man will devise machines that show

Where metal lies, and he will trace

My plane in its last resting place

Then will the lonely waiting cease

And these tired bones will rest at peace.

K.D. Clarke

Duly signed, with pleasure!

I have sent the link to friends and relatives too…

I just attempted to sign the petition on the link included.

I guess Canadians don’t get to sign.

I don’t know if there is a way for Canadians to participate in this effort, but if there is please let me know, Canadians that served with the RAF are just as deserving.

Not meaning to berate any of my British friends, just the system.

Tom H

That really sucks…

Just a suggestion – Try filling in the form as normal, but in the drop-down on the right, select “Expatriate”. It might work… *crosses fingers*

That is just incredible. A masterpiece! 😯 😯

Model engineering has always fascinated me – I’ve always wanted a 5″ gauge steam locomotive, but I haven’t enough patience to keep to the (as my friend once put it when we were discussing HIS loco) “the same grindstone for 15 years”, and as such I have to be content with the (almost) “instant” plastic models!
Maybe if I ever win the lottery I might treat myself…!

Pic #1 is an OLEO buffer from a railway vehicle.

Following a telephone call today, my local “Home Bargains” store advised me that they have 6 of the range in stock – Spitfire Va, Me109E, Ju87, P-40, Fw190A and Hurricane. They couldn’t tell me if they would be getting any further batches, or any different models, but suggested I keep checking at the store.

At £2.99 they are indeed a bargain, but looking at the quality of the paintwork, they appear to be “seconds”; indeed, the markings on both the Ju87 and the P-40 weren’t perfect, and the 2 Hurricanes that the store had were both missing their tailwheels.

Still, for less than 3 squid, you can’t go wrong… 😀