"Red Leader to Mike French...Tally-ho Spitfires over Duxford!"

[PADDY]

Hi there Mike, a few shots of the Spits over Duxford at the Flying Legends Show 2004. They had 11 Spitfires up at one time! You missed a 'good' one! another time eh.

 

[PADDY]

RAF re-enactors with 1936 BoB boots...

These are most likely the 1936 repro boots made by AeroLeather, that I was telling you about Mike. But I have seen originals every so often on Ebay.

 

[MikeyB17]

Yes Paddy, when I went last year the big 'Balbo' flypast at the end was one of the highpoiints for me. They had a big group of Spits as well, 9 I think, awesome sound although the flying was a bit ill-disciplined, I thought. Preferred the Breitling fighters (P-40, P-51, Corsair and Spit, whose flying was spot-on. First time I heard the famous 'whistling death' scream from the Corsair's air intakes too!) Think they've disbanded now. Hmmm, I gotta go again....

 

[PADDY]

Mikey, love your Avatar..!

Mmmmm, Cornwall does get fresh this time of year! definitely time to give the shearlings and airing me thinks!! Cool avatar my friend!

 

[Kilgour Trout]

Is that a Mosquito Paddy?

Unbelievable...If that's what I think it is? Is that a Mosquito Paddy? I've known of a few projects on the go but I didn't think anyone had a Mosquito up and running. Wow!! My great uncle used to serve as a navagator on one. He said these Plywood wonders were incredibley fast and durable. I've had models of them (when a kid) but to see one fly Wow.....

Thanks Paddy. The last time I saw that many Spits was while living in the UK back in the 80's.

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

 

[MDFrench]

THANK YOU PADDY!!! YOU MADE MY DAY!

I AM SO EXCITED AND JEALOUS AT THE SAME TIME! I WANNA GO HOME TO WEYBRIDGE WHERE I GREW UP!

Mike

 

[MikeyB17]

Sorry to disappoint you boys, but I think you'll find the twin-engine aircraft in the pic is a Grumman Tigercat, a regular at Duxford airshows. The one in the background of the reenactors shot is, I think, a P-47. As far as I'm aware there still isn't a Mossie flying in the UK, although I thought there was an airworthy one in Florida somewhere...? I was lucky enough to see one in the air at RAF St.Mawgan several years ago-sadly that one later crashed. Duxford are restoring a Beaufighter to flying condition-I can't wait to see that.

 

[MikeyB17]

I AM SO EXCITED AND JEALOUS AT THE SAME TIME! I WANNA GO HOME TO WEYBRIDGE WHERE I GREW UP!

Mike [/B][/QUOTE]

Mike,
Is that Weybridge, Surrey? Home of Brooklands, one of my favourite places. My wife comes from Guildford, and every time we go up there I make a pilgrimage to Brooklands. Not only is there all the aviation history, like Wellington R for Robert, salvaged from Loch Ness and restored, and Barnes Wallis' atmosphere test chamber (awesome), but there's the motoring history as well, with the museum (including the aero-engined Napier-Railton Special, perpetual holder of the Brooklands lap record-Oh what a gorgeous thing!). I could stand on that famous banking all day-you can almost hear the Bentleys!

 

[MikeyB17]

Re: Mikey, love your Avatar..!

Originally posted by PADDY
Mmmmm, Cornwall does get fresh this time of year! definitely time to give the shearlings and airing me thinks!! Cool avatar my friend!

Thanks Paddy!
Actually this one is only intended to be temporary-like I said, I'm planning a little drive up to RAF Davidstow Moor to get another shot, hopefully with the control tower in the background. It's sunny here at the moment, but a bit breezy and noticeably cooler, so I've had the B-3 out of the box. Nearly died of heat exhaustion! It ended up on the back seat of the car! Still only A-2 weather down this way! Was hoping to take the B-3 to Normandy at the weekend, but to be realistic, it'll probably be the A-2 again, or perhaps the G-1.

 

[MDFrench]

Yep - That's Weybridge, Surrey.

God I miss that place! My family is of English heritage and I always felt out of place in the U.S. Then, we moved to England in my adolescence, and I found a home there. For once, I wasn't pale by comparison, my manners were appreciated, my reserved nature respected, and my love of history more than indulged.

Incidentally, Weybridge has another interesting distinction in aviation history. 609 Squadron out of Warmwell was over Weybridge when they engaged the first enemey fighters and bombers on Sept 15th, 1940 - Battle of Britain day at around 11:50 AM.

What makes it doubly special for me is that 609 Squadron was home to three American volunteers - Red Tobin, Andy Mamedoff, and Shorty Keough, who all flew on Sept 15.

But I ramble...