and the last flying boat to cross a major ocean.

Well… off the top of my head…

The NZ based Catalina crossed a fair chunk of the Indian Ocean on its way to NZ in 1994. The story of the journey is here
http://www.catalina.org.nz/African%20Cat%20to%20Kiwi%20Cat.htm

There was a Grumman Mallard flying boat that flew across the Pacific from the USA to NZ for the 1998 Wanaka airshow too.

And how about the Russion Beriev A-40 Albatross jet flying boats, have they crossed oceans since the Sunderland did?

Squadron Leader F. J. Lucas was I’d think the very famous Fred “Popeye” Lucas DFC who was in No. 75 (NZ) Squadron at Feltwell during their Wellington days. He later commanded No. 487 (NZ) Sqn and No. 40 Squadron RNZAF. A very famous pilot in NZ aviation circles. His aircraft always wore a Popeye emblem, as he looked just like the cartoon character.

Lovely photos Moggy. I have been away for the weekend. I wish I’d seen this before you went as I’d love to get a photo of Brian McNamara’s grave, in St Nicholas’s churchyard (row A, grave 4)
He’s one of the airmen on my site here
http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Brian%20Mcnamara.htm

Remembrance Sunday is not a big thing in NZ as we have ANZAC Day, which has been marked since 1916. But here in Cambridge we do have Armistace Day commemorations, with a service, wreath laying, and other official commemoration like a waiata, and then the day continues with re-enactors having mock battles to teach people about the war, and warbird displays, parachutists, live wartime music, etc. Usually the Ambassador from France is in Cambidge, and we’ve also had other Ambassadors from the USA, Italy and other nations attend, as well as very high ranking service personnel. There is also a military vehicle parade and much more. There’s a Victory Dance with a Big Band the night before (Saturday) and this year apparently they plan a military collector’s fair on the Town Square on the Friday too. A really interesting day and one that touches well on both the remembrance side and the eductational side, with a lot of entertainment thrown in. Very popular it is too.

This is terribly sad news. May he rest in peace.

Hoorah. Congratulations!

Thank goodness for that.

It is sad to think that we may never see a Mosquito flying in British skies again.

The prospects of several flying Mosquitoes is growing rapidly towards reality thanks to Glyn Powell. Who’s to say that in five years time one of them isn’t imported into the UK? It is a very real possibility. I mean, things happen. Stockmarkets crash or owners die, and aircraft move on.

Failing that, why not restore one in the UK using one of Glyn’s new fuselages… never say never.

Interesting too it takes someone on the other side of the world, by himself, to do the work to get theMossies back in the air. British people could have done the same thing after all.

There are British aircraft in museums and flying all around the world, not just in the USA. Some will return to your country someday, others won’t. It’s a fact of life. There’s nothing that can be done to “bring them all home.”