Peter Underwood carried out an all-night vigil with a group of observers concerned with paranormal activity, and made a number of observations, not the least of which was a figure walking towards the aircraft wearing a flying jacket and parachute harness. The figure disappeared when their attention was drawn to a loud and unexpected noise at the other end of the hangar. The figure was also seen by his wife and another member of the group stationed near the tailwheel. This was documented in one of his many books (Peter being a well-known and respected observer of the paranormal). He also documents the many other observations that have involved the Lincoln over the years.

Probably because it’s more glamorous, looks better, and doesn’t require wearing as much wool!

Oh, and gives an excuse to wear as many guns as possible….

…and medals: water-boiling, toast-turning, shoelace-tying, hat-wearing, handwriting..you know, all the important military stuff.

Wellington. To absolutely stock military specs.

Well, it’s got me stumped……………

Yeah Vic, my first thought was Bennett, but I’m not convinced he had the political nous to get the job. I believe (and more than happy to be corrected) he was quite pompous, unapproachable, extremely intolerant of others’ mistakes and unable to fathom that others did not possess the amazing talent he did.

As I say, I’ll happily stand corrected, but that is the impression I’ve formed through research.

Well, I have to speak as a person who dearly loves mechanical history (motorcycles, aviation, cars and boats) and I have to also speak as a person who has never restored an aircraft, or laid claim to saving one.

In a brief sentence, I sincerely apologise, especially for using the term ‘bloody awful’.

That was a silly and ill-thought comment to make. I truly have no concept of the incredible cost in placing an aircraft, let alone many, in a purpose-built hangar.

As James says, it is very easy to be a forum critic.

I don’t doubt for an instant the Moorabbin folks are knocking their pipes out to preserve these aircraft, and I for one am indeed grateful for the museum that I’ve always found to be extremely welcoming and a joy to visit.

Please accept my apologies Mark for putting an entire shoe store in my big mouth!

Cheers all, Matt

I suspect I may be preaching to the converted here, but there’s a chap in South Australia who is restoring either the cockpit section or a fuselage of a Battle. Don’t know if that’s of any use!?

Well now…..

WW1: Mr. Robinson penned a trilogy consisting of:

“War Story” -an excellent book on a RFC squadron (‘Hornet Squadron’) flying FE2’s, filling in a sadly neglected aviation era.

“Hornet’s Sting” -the same sqaudron a little further on, flying Pups before converting to Bristol Fighters (a welcome surprise after I was expecting Camels!), and introducing a character central to the next book.

“Goshawk Squadron” -the war has ceased to have any chivalry in the air, and this squadron are trained brutally by their CO into becoming killers.

WW2:

“Piece of Cake” -Hornet Squadron again, at the beginning of 1939.

“A Good, Clean Fight” -Hornet Squadron in the Middle East, flying Tomahawks.

“Damned Good Show” -the early days of Bomber Command, involving Hampens and Wellingtons…not a Lanc to be seen!

“Invasion 1940” -a work of non-fiction about the Battle of Britain.

AND….

“Hullo Russia, Goodbye England: -the new one set in 1963 on a Vulcan squadron, and not yet in print as far as I know.

They’re the aviation books, at any rate!!