RE: Isn’t it about time Sally B was repainted.

Peter,

sorry, can’t help because Ive never been to any either (shame on me!).

Love the idea of Hendons B17 in coastal command colours. It is the RAF museum after all. The B25 would look nice in an SEAC scheme, although it makes little difference as the whole place is so dark that you can’t see properly anyway.

Willow.

RE: What’s the gem for Flying Legends then?

Er, ‘very good in the past’???

Very good would be leaving it on the British show circuit for a year before shipping it off to Florida, not just a couple of test flights in secret.

I have the greatest admiration (or is it just jealousy) for Kermit Weeks. I have visited Polk City a couple of times and his standards are extremely high. The aircraft appear proffesionally restored and well maintained. Many of them don’t seem to fly very often, but even these are properly looked after (engines inhibited etc). As well as this, the man just loves to fly! If you go, do the tour of the storage facility because it’s fascinating!

Despite all this, my original comment still stands.

However (firmly tongue in cheek), if he wants to prove me wrong by bringing the Sunderland over for a year I will happily eat my words!

RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

In defence of the whole Blenheim Team, and in response to a comment in Post36, the Blenheim crash at Denham was caused by pilot error.
The pilot attempted an unpracticed manouver, a touch and go. The throttles were openned too quickly and the engines suffered from what I believe is called ‘Rich cut’. It’s much the same thing as when your car engine floods. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

To further comment on the main thread (which is fantastic to read as we all almost agree!!) I agree with Graham Warners comment in the book written about the above mentioned Blenheim, ‘if an aircraft is the sole remaining example of it’s type, it should remain on the ground, otherwise it should be in the air’. Apologies if this is not a direct quote but I’m sure it’s close.

I know no aeroplane is safe in the air or on the ground, the big hangar fire at Le Bourget which destroyed a large number of historic aircraft, including a Spitfire IX, is a good example of this.

BUT, aeroplanes were built to fly. Looking at Bf109G ‘Black 6’ in Hendon does not give any idea how it compares with a Spitfire V in flight. Seeing them in the air together does. It’s like looking at a stuffed bird in the Natural History Museum, you can tell what it looks like, but that’s only half the story. They were supposed to fly so let them fly.

That is probably a different argument but the point is that flown with care, such as the aeroplanes of the BBMF or Shuttleworth Collection, there is no reason that they won’t last for longer than any of us!

RE: Isn’t it about time Sally B was repainted.

While I would love to see Sally B in another scheme, any other scheme, it’s all got to be down to time and money. If I win the lottery, I’ll give them the cash!

I imagine there is still some promotional value in having the aircraft painted as ‘Memphis Belle’ as your ‘non-aviation’ general public have heard of it.

Whatever happens, I think it should keep the checkered cowling as a tribute. Without Ted White, and those like him, we would not have the display scene we have today.

A further thought, probably contradicting one of the above points, is that maybe tail numbers, codes, and nose art could be changed while keeping the same basic colour scheme, so as to represent other units/aircraft. Minimal outlay and effort for a bit of variety.
This was done frequently during filming of ‘Memphis Belle’.

Just an idea!

RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

What did I say? What did I say? 🙂

RE: Display Routines-Fast and Low or Lots of Aeros?

I think those Sea Hurricane shots:-

i) Are bloody fantastic (thanks very much)

ii) Show that an aeroplane with low ‘G’ limits can be flown in an exciting manner

iii) Demonstrate the point about aerobatics. If this aeroplane was looping at 3000ft it would not hold the crowds attention and might just as well be an Extra 300.

iv) Show what an amazing venue Old Warden is

We have seen too many pilots/aircraft lost during foolish low level aerobatics or formation aerobatics (don’t forget the Rolls Royce Spitfire at Woodford, and the Vintage Pair at Mildenhall). It doesn’t have to be so low that only the people at the front can see it. I think that for solo displays, the BBMF have it about right for a large airfield. Maybe a nice topside pass for the photographer. Even the Lanc should be able to do this, prehaps instead of one of it’s usual 360 degree turns. After all, Sally B does it and she isn’t flown dangerously at all.

For larger groups of aircraft, a couple of flat passes in formation and then a tail-chase would be ideal. It’s looping in formation that scares the pants off me. I don’t pay to get in to a show only to turn away because I can’t bare to watch.

I do enjoy the large Balbos at the end of Legends though. It is a majestical site. Pointless for photos, but even the sound alone is wonderful.

RE: What’s the gem for Flying Legends then?

Thanks for that! Yes, it does make the point but hey, it looks SO much better with 2.

Has anyone got any shots of the following formation that I clearly remember from Duxford one year?

B17

P51 P47

P38

Plan view of formation with B17 in lead (just in case somebody gets smart!!!!).