This is an excellent and interesting thread.

I have lost track, so how many Daimler Benz engined Bf109’s are currently airworthy now, and where are they all?

And how many of these FlugWerk replica Focke Wulf 190’s? There must be a few of them flying now, right?

Dick Sampson gets a mention every year now Dave, Many forget him, being the first killed on the raid, everyone remembers G/C Pickard and Flt Lt Broadley. We set that right since we started to hold a yearly gathering on or around the 18th Feb, at the Hunsdon airfield memorial.

Thanks Denis. It is very nice to know he is remembered there for his efforts and for giving his life, as he is here.

Dustyone, interesting memories. Were you kids able to actually chat with and get to know airmen over the fence, or was it just a matter of being a witness to their activities?

This epic raid is certainly reasonably well known among New Zealanders I think, it was one of the RNZAF’s finest hours wih our No. 487 (NZ) Squadron being heavily involved. A pilot from my town, Dick Sampson, was killed on the raid.

The raid is mentioned in several books and there have been numerous articles in Aeroplane Monthly and FlyPast about it over the years.

Wartime Spitfire pilots that have impressed me when I’ve personally met or talked with include Bill “Hawkeye” Wells, Bill Kain and Alan Peart. Wells was a NZ ace, Alan wrote a fantastic book about his wartime.

One I never met but admire greatly is of course one of the greatest of the greats, Al Deere.

Modern day Spitfire pilots who have impressed me include Stephen Grey (first pilot I saw display a Spitfire); Ray Hanna of course (I never had the pleasure of seeing Mark in a Spitfire); Sir Tim Wallis, the late Tom Middleton, Keith Skilling, John lamont and Nigel thingy, the Red Bull and OFMC pilot who’s name escapes me suddenly. I’ve seen them all do very impressive displays, but then is it possible to do an unimpressive display in a Spitfire??

Didn’t Margaret Thatcher say, “All the greatest threats to humanity in the 20th century came from Mainland Europe: Fascism, Communism, Socialism.” Or some such (I paraphrased).

Don’t forget Reality Television.