Page 42 – Key Publishing

Willow

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 11 posts - 616 through 626 (of 626 total)

← 1 2 3 … 40 41 42

Author

Posts
January 15, 2003 at 4:37 pm in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2095230

Willow
Participant

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

Couldn’t agree more about the comment you made about everyone getting down safe at the end of the show. Reinforces the comments about taking aircraft for granted. I learnt this lesson back in 1986. I was at the Mildenhall show on the Saturday when the vintage pair (Vampire T11 and Meteor T7 operated by the RAF) arrived from another show. I treated them with indifference because I’d seen them so many times. When the news came that they had crashed the next day I was really shocked, not only at the loss of life (and aircraft) but that on the day before I had almost ignored these classic old aeroplanes and that now I would never see them again. The lesson struck home. I now do not take any aircraft for granted. Over the years other examples, including those you mention, have served to prove this.

On a lighter note, I can remember seeing Sally B flying with a Mustang at Duxford in 1977. It was the highlight of the year for me because I’d never seen a Mustang fly before (I was only 7). We see this formation quite often now. How many people see it and think ‘should be another one on the other wingtip’ or similar? It’s a shame that we don’t know how lucky we are.

Old areoplanes are flown (at great risk) for our enjoyment, so lets enjoy them – WHATEVER THEY ARE

January 15, 2003 at 2:15 pm in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2095240

Willow
Participant

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

As someone who is very new to this forum, I am surprised to discover that I have been branded ‘childish and inane’ as I don’t consider myself either of these. If my opinions are not wanted then I will keep them to myself. The point (which I though I had made quite clear in my final comment on my previous message) was that Legends has something for everyone. Thats why I’ve been going to Duxford since 1976. Even though I am not keen on Skyraiders I would still rather see a Skyraider than nothing because I love all aeroplanes. I just love some more than others!!

However, I take philo’s last comment in the spirit it was intended and to return to the original thread (but being completely realistic this time).

I would very much like to see a Dauntless at this years Legends and as I know there is an airworthy one at Chino I don’t think that this is impossible. It would be nice to see it fly with the Wildcat, Hellcat, and Avenger, in the same style as the A36 flew with other types last year.

Willow

January 13, 2003 at 2:58 pm in reply to: Stefan Karwowski #2095626

Willow
Participant

RE: Stefan Karwowski

The best Spitfire displays I can remember were by the late Neil Williams in the Shuttleworth Vc (AR501) and by the late Mark Hanna in OFMCs IX (MH434). I remember seeing Stefan Karwowski in the Bearcat and P51 (and, I think, in Stephen Greys Red Arrows Gnat) and being very impressed by all three.

Other names that spring to mind are Keith Sissons (B17 and, on one occasion, a CL44 (based on the Britannia – for you ‘non-airliner’ types), John Allison (particularly in Linsday Waltons Corsair), John Larcombe (in anything with wings!), and, of course Ray Hanna (famous for his Spitfire routines, but I remember him in Stephen Greys P51 when it first appeared).

There are so many others, much respect to them all for what they do.

Does anyone else have any particular memories?

January 13, 2003 at 9:04 am in reply to: Airshows Past #2095651

Willow
Participant

RE: Airshows Past

The reason all these other shows, like Great Warbirds at West Malling and Fighter Meet at North Weald, died out is because they became too expensive to organise. This put up the entrance fee, and not enough people went. Biggin Hill only survives by the skin of it’s teeth because it is ‘Londons Airshow’.

Legends survives because it gets all the TFC warbirds for free (well, I think it does), and I assume the airfield itself is well practised in applying for display licenses, or has a permanent one.

Kemble also has a number of based aircraft which form the basis of a show. This must cut down on overall cost.

Mind you, I live within 45mins of Duxford so I’m biased anyway!!!

Thinking of North Weald, I remember seeing the BBMF formate with two genuine (or at least Daimler engined) Bf109’s back in 1995. Wow. Did this happen anywhere else?

January 9, 2003 at 4:15 pm in reply to: Airshow Enjoyment – what do you enjoy about airshows? #2096138

Willow
Participant

RE: Airshow Enjoyment – what do you enjoy about airshows?

Something new and exciting. WOW

Something old and exciting. Ah, memories

Bright sunny days with occasional dotted clouds

Having the sun behind you (you’d never guess I take photos)

A well briefed commentator that knows when to be quiet (merlins)

Old aeroplanes being treated with respect.

New aeroplanes being flown with no respect.

A complete lack of Helicopter display teams.

A Programme that actually tells you what you want to know.

Flying programme being well thought out (eg. B17 followed by B1 to show US bomber development etc etc etc)

Unusual formations

Static displays that you can photograph

Kids (not mine, I don’t have any…yet!!) actually enjoying the day.

Veterans enjoying meeting old collegues

Actually getting out of the airfield without traffic problems (RIAT to note)

Getting home and thinking ‘I enjoyed that, lets do it again next year’

January 9, 2003 at 3:53 pm in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2096142

Willow
Participant

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

Well hopefully she’ll be ‘in the mood’ during this years Legends and can make it as far as the flightlines, even if she’s parked against the fence down near the tower.

Further thoughts on Legends…

i) Is it possible, with planning and practice, to get Sally B and Pink Lady up together and in formation. I realise that this is probably difficult to achieve but even one pass would satisfy all the photographers (and probably everyone else)on the field.

ii) Dauntless. Well, it’s a well established US warbird. Probably no more tricky/expensive than the A36 from last years show.

iii) Original A6M Zero. There are at least 3 flying in the US now. Why not?

iv) A 109. Either original or Hispano. Sorely missed. Is there one airworthy in Belgium now? What about the MBB aircraft (assuming it’s OK after the forced landing at Berlin ILA last May).

v) One of the recent influx of DC4’s.

vi) A C47 display. As opposed to just arriving with passengers.

vii) Post display flightline walk. The sun is perfect at this time. I know that this probably won’t happen because of having to put all the aeroplanes to bed!

viii) Mosquito. I can dream can’t I?

January 9, 2003 at 12:31 pm in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2096179

Willow
Participant

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

Of course, the P63. I knew I’d forgotten something.

I assume the T6 is used as a hack or for pilot training as I’ve never seen it actually display. A shame, because this is a genuine early RAF aircraft (and I’m not much of a T6 fan either).

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen it outside of the TFC hangar.

January 9, 2003 at 11:58 am in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2096188

Willow
Participant

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

Yes, it would be great to see the Mk22 in the air. Spitfires are fine by me although I do prefer Hurricanes or P40s.
My particular hate is Skyraiders, as someone has already said, ‘a waste of sky’. I also seem to have developed a dislike for the P47, historically important and rare though it is. It just leaves me cold.

I guess that’s why Legends is such a good show, because it has something for everyone.

January 9, 2003 at 8:15 am in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2096235

Willow
Participant

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

Since the Hurricane was completed back in 1989(ish), have any of TFCs own restorations actually flown?

Or am I missing something obvious?

January 8, 2003 at 2:09 pm in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2096350

Willow
Participant

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

Thanks Ashley, glad to be with you. Can’t believe I haven’t joined till now.

Yes you’re right, it’s all a matter of taste. Personally, they could paint it Yellow with Blue spots and I’d still be glad to see it in the air. I’d still take photos of it as well, but I don’t think I’d show them to anyone!. As most warbirds are privately owned, I guess its up to the owner how he paints his property. Just wait till I win the Lotto.

I’m looking forward to seeing the BBMF Spit V (AB910) appearing in a desert scheme this year. It should make a pleasant change from the usual Green/Grey. Among all the aerobatics, it’s nice to see that someone can still fly their aeroplanes with the respect they deserve.

So, how about a P39 for this years show then?

Willow

January 8, 2003 at 1:29 pm in reply to: What's the gem for Flying Ledgends then? #2096359

Willow
Participant

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

From memory 2 P40s have attended Legends in recent years. Both are Duxford based, one with TFC which is a P40M in a very nice USAAF colour scheme from an Aleutians based aircraft, and the P40E from the Breitling Fighters. This used to be in a gorgeous RNZAF scheme but last year appeared in an awful Chinese ‘Flying Tigers’ scheme.

Up to 4 Hurricanes have attended, including the BBMF aircraft and the Shuttleworth Sea Hurricane. The most regular, however, are the ex-TFC Mk XII in a Battle of Britain Eagle squadron scheme (I think it’s 71 squadron), and another XII painted as a night fighter.

Sadly, no Aircobra has been to Legends or the UK at all(we have had 2 Kingcobras but sadly, not any more as both have been lost in fatal crashes).

So, if someone wants to bring one over……….
Author

Posts

Viewing 11 posts - 616 through 626 (of 626 total)

← 1 2 3 … 40 41 42