Maybe not useful, but my earliest aviation memory is sitting in NX611’s rear turret one summer’s day at Lavenham (was either ’69 or ’70) and the control tower being stuffed full of model aeroplanes – it certainly fired an eight year old’s enthusiasm and probably led to my unhealthy obsession with aeroplanes!

Getting back to the Memphis Belle, here’s a quick look at the filming – http://www.f4aviation.co.uk/Oldstuff/belle/belle.htm

I’d vote for the Manchester.

I’m still gobsmacked that Gibson’s aircraft survived the war and was unceremoniously scrapped at Scampton in 1947. We need to ensure a similar fate doesn’t happen to more modern types with a historic mission history – Vulcan XM607 for example, by no means with a secure future.

The panel ‘popped’ off during a high-g pull-up – apparently the GR version is prone to this as it flexes slightly during violent manoeuvers! The panel had to be repaired by Luftwaffe personnel, so that’s why they couldn’t just pinch one off another jet. There may have been damage to the mountings as well.

From speaking to one of the crew at Coventry I seem to recall him saying that ARC have a Mk 1 nose complete and ready to install – maybe this will enable a swifter re-build? Anyone know any more?

I think you’ll find there are lies, damn lies and airshow attendance figures. If you count everyone in the Lowestoft area on the day you’ll get 200,000, but those that are genuinely there for just the airshow will be a tad less methinks – Mildenhall were notorious for guessing at crowd levels, the mythical 500,000 for the 2001 show being a classic case. 150,000 was probably nearer the mark – with maybe 350,000 stuck in the queues outside!

Seems to me the Pantons are missing a trick here – there must be plenty of folk who would pay a fiver to see her do that again. I’m not sure what the difficulties are in using the old runway (maybe they don’t own it?) and of course insurance would be an issue, but it would certainly bring in some useful revenue.

You can expect some spirited flying!