Out of the 280 steam loco’s at Barry, All but 10 went to preserved railways. Many are in steam, others await their turn, or are used as spares. The ten left behind were put into storage by the local council, and have since been the subject of sale and removal for further projects. If it wasn’t for Dai Woodham, we would have maybe a quarter of the country’s fleetof steam locos.

I spoke to the ‘Red Bull’ Sea Vixen pilot back in 2003. He told me the Vixen was (still) capable of Mach 1.3. This guy flew Lightnings and Phantoms in his time. Ian Black tangled with the Vixen over the ranges in Wales, said it would easily out turn the Lightning. I’m guessing it would have made a capable fighter. Not like de Havilland to make a pup. I imagine it could have been modified for the AIM-9 if necessary.