Wings – I believe if I want to bang the drum for hangarage that is my perogative.

I have lost count of the numbers of preservation groups that have failed who’s sole preserve was to slap some paint and tinker with an aircraft in a field without any idea of a long term aim.

Of course it’s your right but it’s the right of those who taxi these aircraft and don’t find hangarage to do just that! Repeat yourself ad infinitum if you wish but it won’t do much good unless those with the aircraft have access to land, money and planning permission!

You David think this a priority whilst others such as the shackleton group that Rich is involved with May have other ideas. Rich… His high on your priority list is finding a hangar for the shackleton and if it’s not your number one priority why is it not? I’d be fascinated to hear the other side on this if you have the time.

Yet another example of shoddy sloppy journalism! All they had to do was check the website – everything you need to know is there. I doubt we will see an apology……

Maybe it wasn’t a mistake. Maybe the wording of the title and the muddy nature of the article was vague in attempt up get more interest. Often you will see ‘last airworthy spitfire’ or something along those lines but then see it refers to a particular type or something like that somewhere in the article.

You will only see an apology of you write an email expressing your outrage.

A hangar does to a massive degree! The current trend of keeping them ‘live’ is fine as long as it doesn’t distract from the real issues of getting roofs over airframes.

I think everyone gets it David. It’s your part piece to say this over and over. It’s true of course but maybe in the first instance fundraising/sorting planning permission/buying land for a hangar isn’t as enjoyable for some small groups as actually working on the aircraft.

find it extremely frustrating when a seemingly minor aspect of the restoration (the colours and markings) is wrongly reproduced.

But it’s not wrongly reproduced if someone is painting it in a scheme of their own. Spencer Flacks aircraft for example wasn’t reproducing anything – he just painted it a colour he found pleasing. The jag can be painted any colour the owner wishes and it is not incorrect as it is a new scheme.

I hope they paint it with polka dots myself.

Does an aircraft like Just Jane upset you too? It has two sets of squadron codes and a non authentic nose art. When is the line crossed?

It’s not a war film. It’s not about war, it just happens to be set at that time. The war is merely a backdrop.

Thanks

Depressing that the website person uses the word ‘aircrafts’ in the URL.

Very depressing indeed. I’ve decided not to go this year 😉

Let’s all look forward too seeing some grate flying by sum brilliant aircrafts.

Excellent – thoroughly deserved, of course.

Moggy

After all they’ve done for this country the last thing they deserve is to be put in a room with those two! 😉

In all seriousness, good to see them recognised.

All the best

It’s not all that bad is it?

Some would say that it really is that bad. True, the Union Flag is plastered over everything in tourist shops over in London, and the flag is always wheeled-out if there is some commercial reason to use it. But our flag really is not treated with the same respect as the United States equivalent. I think it’s because British people simply don’t make the same connection with it. They don’t see it as a representation of their country other than in the most general sense. But the main difference is that the majority of British citizens simply don’t have the same pride in their own country.

In this sense we’re very different from the States. We used to defend this attitude by saying that it was a typical British attitude (i.e. – reservation and under-statement) but we’ve created a different society now, thanks to new generations of younger people and large numbers of immigrants, all of whom have different attitudes and values. Obviously, immigrants have no reason to share any pride in this country’s values (or its flag), but we make no effort to encourage them to… unlike in the USA. The same applies to younger people. Having pride in our country would be seen as either “uncool” or jingoistic.

So over on this side of the pond, displaying a flag is seen as slightly odd and/or suspicious (unless it’s patently for commercial gain). It’s a very sad situation. The same issue is even worse when applied to England’s flag. The flag was rarely used or seen, until it became the symbol of far-right political groups. That was the start of a process that tainted the flag, and the problem got even worse when it was embraced by supporters of the national football team. Consequently, if anyone ventures to wear or display England’s flag, they would now be perceived as being either a pseudo-fascist, or a football fan. It’s absurd! 🙂

I see your point in some respects but I think you are overstating. British people are proud of their country. Look at the Jubilee and the street parties across the country. BUT it is a patriotism which in my opinion is quieter and not institutionalised like in the US. In US schools, or some anyhow, they pledge allegiance to the flag and ram patriotism down the nations throat. Even admitting to be an atheist is taboo in some parts of the US. Then they tell you at an airshow that these are the freedoms that the populace enjoy.. Hmmm. In this country I think the public exercises a healthy scepticism over such grand flag waving gestures but in times of celebration we certainly show enthusiasm.

As for your comments about immigrants not having any reason to share any pride in this countries values and flag then that is another glorious generalisation which I challenge you to back up. I know several immigrants to this country who are proud of this country and it’s values. Some of these have fought for this country. Your comment is a nonsense. I’m sorry but it is. Immigrants are not one type of person. They are individuals. Good and bad just like people in this country. When you start speaking how ‘immigrants’ feel you fall into the greatest and easiest type of trap there is. How many immigrant friends or colleagues do you have? If you have any, ask around and see how they feel. I know many who love this country.