Afternoon all!!

I can confirm that this was TFCs Tigercat (well, it was coded WT-4!)

Actual times over SE Ipswich were:-

Northbound Southbound
14:49 15:24
15:32 16:07
16:17 16:50
16:58

This was great for me as I was on nights and was playing with my son in the garden (who, at 11 months, has now seen his first ‘real’ aeroplane!!)

Could we have the Bearcat next week please?

Regards

Willow

P.S. I would be interested to know why this was chosen as a good test route, and what the turning points were, if anybody knows.
__________________

9 Red things spotted in close formation over Cromer between 12:00 and 12:20approx. (full seafront display as part of Cromer festival!!)

Very good they were too (made even better because my new area includes Cromer and I was there on my lunch break!!!!)

Willow

Guys & Girls
Our problem is that our volunteer work force has become rather depleted for varying reasons, girlfriends, marriage, babies, old age, the wife/husband won’t let me, better things to do etc.

As an ‘ex’ DAS volunteer at Duxford (Sunderland), I would love nothing better than to come down and sweep the floor, paint strip panels, and any other menial tasks that help TFC in any way.
However, I too have gone down the ‘girlfriends, marriage, babies, old age’ path (if 36 is old age?? – certainly feels like it or is that just the sleep deprevation caused by my 12week old son???), and sadly just don’t have the free time anymore (although I did make it to Legends – fantastic).

For anyone who IS in a position to volunteer I would thoroughly recommend it. Not only do you get up close to real aeroplanes, but you can be part of a team, feel pride when you see a project finished, learn a lot of new skills (I’m still bloody good with a yard broom!!!), meet many likeminded people, and generally have a great time.

As for the Tigercat, it’s sad (but not that surprising) to see it going, but look on the bright side. Maybe at Legends next year the Bearcat and Hellcat will fly together and we can see what the Hellcat can really do, rather than see it always pottering around behind the slower Wildcat.

Cheers

Willow

I’m soooo impressed with your photo that I wondered if you’d mind me using ‘Duxford 180’ as my PC wallpaper??

Willow

Thanks for the update
It is appreciated

Good Luck, new projects are always fun

Willow

What would i like;
How about a Sunderland? Big formation of Catalinas.

Now you’re talking. Bring back the Weeks Sunderland!!! Return it to military spec, and fly it with the 2 Catalinas from this years show.

(that might be possible, what follows is fantasy)

Follow this with a Blenhiem, Beaufort, Beaufighter formation flying circuits over the hard at the same time as a 6 ship Mosquito and Hornet (DH103) combo carry out a tail chase over the grass.

Then a Pearl Harbour re-enactment, with early P40’s and genuine Zero’s, not forgetting several Vals and Kates and a couple of early B17s.

Keep the early B17s up and do the ‘Mighty 8th’ thing as previously mentioned, masses of B17, B24, B26 with massed launch of P51 and P47 followed by a tail chase and dogfight with Fw190s and late Bf109s

Now we calm it down for some between the wars classics. Bulldog, Siskin, and Grebe, leading Gauntlet and Gladiator in one group, Hind, Hart and Demon leading Nimrod and Fury in the next. All this lot in the circuit togther. Finish this sequence with Gladiatior, CR42, Fury, and Avia B534. These are, surely, the best Biplane fighters ever.

Now go all heavy again with the B25s and A26s. 3 of each should do it. Tailchase again, I think. Maybe some pyrotechnics to add to the fun.

Then the ‘Blue Angels’ only re-enacted using F8F Bearcats (well you need a display team of ‘some’ kind)

Power now, with a Bearcat, Sea Fury, Corsair, La11 tailchase
(pairs of each – obviously!)

Finally, end the show with a Battle of Britain set piece to include Bell ringing follwed by a scramble, high level overflights by He111, Do17, and Ju88, ending with mass Hurricane, Spitfire, Bf109, Bf110 dogfight. Throw in a couple of Stukas as well (just for effect) and there you have it.

End with the usual Balbo, although I suspect, given the above, that it is now about 200 aircraft!!

Well, you did ask for Fantasy!!

Willow

P.S. Please arrange for it to be sunny (actually, please arrange for airfield to turn through 180 degrees so sun is behind you all day) Thanks.