Lots of time? Well, about a year in most cases. Has anybody actually seen any TFC aeroplanes display anywhere other than Duxford (and in many cases at Legends only)?

Okay, I know the P47 has appeared at Fairford and Paris but what about things like the Tigercat or the precious Spitfire EP120?

As a classic car owner, I am well aware of the problems caused by leaving a mechanical device unused for several months and then expecting it to work first time. Those TFC engineers must do a first class job to get everything working on the same day. But then, as I’ve said, they’ve got since last July to do it!

Willow

P.S. the above is my opinion only and I’d be happy to be proved wrong.

This P40 has been flying in the UK as ZK-RMH up until now. This is a New Zealand registration. It has been with us for at least 3 seasons now. Is there any reason why it cannot continue to fly as such?

Several other aircraft based in the UK and Europe fly on US ‘plates’ such as the Duxford based T28 ‘N14113’ and the A26 and P51D from Norway which are ‘N167B’ and ‘N167F’. Also, OFMC have a T6 registered as ‘LN-AMY’ (a Norwegian reg). What is the difference between these examples and the P40?

Willow

Sorry to drag this thread up again but I couldn’t resist.

Many years ago, when the IWM Sunderland was getting towards the point of looking like an aeroplane again, there was a rumour that it was going to be repainted into it’s French Navy colour scheme as that would be the only appropriate scheme for the aircraft in it’s current configuration. You can imagine the response from the DAS volunteers to this suggestion for yourselves as it’s still before 2100, but I think it makes the point rather well.

Generally, I like to see aircraft in there own markings, but one has to be realistic. I think that the BBMF have got it right. The codes and colour scheme change (as they did during the war if the aircraft lasted long enough) but the serial remains the same.

To carry on the James Bond theme, Roger Moore didn’t change his name to Sean Connery just because he was cast as James Bond.

To continue the sub-topic, I am a great supporter of the Elvington Halifax. If the kids want to see what Grandad flew in during the war, and he was a Nav. on Halifaxes (Halifaxs?) where else are they going to go where he can proudly say ‘in that’.

Willow

P.S. My fiancee summed this all up rather well when I was complaining about the Sea Vixen colour scheme.
She said ‘Oh, so YOU’RE airworthy Sea Vixen is in a better scheme is it?’

Nuf said!!

I always thought that CAA stood for Campaign Against Aviation.

What with the current P40 issue, and the continuing Shackleton problem (badly missed from an otherwise excelent Sunday at Coventry), it looks like they intend to prove it right again.

What about all the Jet Provosts etc that haven’t been rebuilt. How do they get certificates as they don’t have all this paperwork?
Surely a rebuilt aircraft is better than one which has just been ‘kept going’.

Willow

Doesn’t an Aeroplane have to be powered? I thought a Glider was a Glider.

If you’re right, then Hang Gliders are also Aeroplanes.

I agree about the Microlights though.

Willow

S4 LLY ?

S4 LYB ?

Unfortunately, a boycott would hurt us as we would lose this otherwise excelent forum.

An explanation would be nice though.

Willow

‘The truth is out there’

Fair enough!

Willow