It was a moderate May afternoon at Old Warden in Bedfordshire. At 2pm the show began with the Comet, Sea Hurricane, Bristol M1cC and Avro 19 all forfeiting the show (technical problems), but got back on track with the ME109 Messerschmitt making a stunning display with low passes, which amazed us all. Then came the Sopwith Pup and Sopwith Triplane.
Giving us WW11 delights, the SE5a was back after a 2 year overhaul looking better than ever. It put on an excellent display. Other aircraft included the Dessoutter, putting on an interesting display. Then the DH51 and the light ANCE, made for the 1924 Air Ministry competition, putting on a slow display.
Next there was the flying circus. This consisted of a Tiger Moth, a Chipmunk, a Miles Hawk trainer and a Magister. They did flower bombing, balloon bursting, limbo and the Chipmunk did the ribbon cut, which is very entertaining, when it had to pick up a ribbon made from polythene. This was followed by the Spitfire 2a which after a short, interesting display departed to Abingdon for another appearance. Later there were some German aircraft, the Jungman, the Styglits and Klem. Unfortunately, the Bestman forfeited the show.
There was a Wacho biplane and Peter Teichman’s P40 Kitty Hawk, then the Lysander, Hind and Gladiator. Followed by the Edwardians, unique to Old Warden, that were able to fly in the mild weather/wind conditions. These were followed up by SG38 Glider.
The ‘Battle of Britain’ fighter and its foe.
The Dessouter
I thought this show was good but there have been better e.g. the recommended June1st Military show.
Poems
BBMF
I was strolling in the countryside,
Then to my ears, arose the sound of seven Merlin, two Griffins and all.
Then to my eyes came a Lancaster, four Spitfires and Hurricane.
The sound was beautiful, the sight stunning.
I was thrilled to see the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.
Henry
The Glider
I saw a glider in the sky,
twisting through the clouds and looping round the birds,
beautiful in its tranquillity,
beauty in its colour,
what an elegant tranquil sight.
It looks as though this happened on or around the 8th April. I have no idea where but the US looks favorite. For those who haven’t had one, birdstrikes go from the benign to the spectacular. This one looks like a seven or eight to me, it will take an age to get rid of the stink. The (considerable) heat from the hot avionics behind the panel will probably ensure this bird honks long after its mortal remains are scraped up and buried. Do the avonics techs ever manage to get everything – something always lingers.
It is a little late for ‘Merry Christmas” but, wherever you are I hope you have had a peaceful time of the silly season.
The last month has been a tad on the busy side, we have moved just a little deeper into the arms of Somerset, our beautiful County. The countryside surrounding us is laced with fantastic walks, undulating countryside and flown over extensively by our brave lads from the Royal Navy in their strange clattering devices. Helicopters, as we all know don’t actually fly but remain airborne through faith and a pact with the devil.
Heathrow’s history is pretty interesting. Ancestors of my first wife use to play tennis on the family court between the two main runways.
As awful as Heathrow can sometimes be it is interesting to see how far ahead of its time it was when it was built.
As soon as the concrete was laid, a company was engaged to start digging it up again; as requirements changed there was a need to re-route or lay new cables.
That company has been working continually at Heathrow since 1947 – digging up concrete.
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Citing lack of ‘access to critical information,’ Aeroflot withdraws from AZ auction
Three weeks after insisting it would see the process through to the end, Aeroflot yesterday announced it would withdraw from the bidding for the Italian government’s stake in Alitalia.
“Aeroflot and its advisers have not had access to critical information with respect to the commercial and operational aspects of Alitalia’s business to confidently formulate a well supported business proposal to successfully restructure Alitalia,” the Russian carrier said in a statement. It said the “conditions for the sale” would have limited its restructuring plans for AZ, and that despite its withdrawal it remains committed to expanding activities in Europe “by increasing its operational activities as well as acquiring strategic assets.”
Two potential buyers now remain: A consortium led by US investment group Matlin Patterson and AP Holding, the Italian holding company run by Air One owner Carlo Toto. Deadline for binding bids is July 12.
Could time be running out for Alitalia? The regulators in Italy seem to want the airline to be bought and administered by a white knight without a brain. That is what would be required to place money on the table and inherit the carrier’s liabilities without the control required to turn the airline around. That act requires labor reductions and considerable restructuring – that is the sticking point – as well as establishing the true extent of the red ink.
Good luck Alitalia, you are going to need it.
339 orders and commitments on the first day. Airbus unveiled over 300 orders on the opening day of the 47th Paris air show at Le Bourget. With sales to Qatar Airways, ALAFCO, GECAS, Jazeera, Nouvelair and to US Airways, Airbus left the industry in no doubt about the strength of its order book and its ability to meet the needs of airlines around the world, with the A350 XWB grabbing headlines throughout the day.
Major order from Qatar for A350 XWBs and A380s. Airbus and Qatar Airways open the air show with a major announcement for 80 A350 XWBs and an additional three A380s. Qatar will be the first airline to get the A350 XWB in 2013. “This is a milestone in the history of Airbus,” declared Louis Gallois, Airbus President and CEO, who expressed his satisfaction at the confidence in Airbus that Akbar Al-Baker, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer is demonstrating again. “Akbar is not just a customer but a partner and a friend,” he said. Qatar endorses the A350 XWB Akbar Al-Baker, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, confirmed his complete confidence in Airbus with a new order for the A350 XWB and an additional order for the A380. Speaking at the press conference, he stressed the fact that the A350 XWB specifications were “tailor-made for Qatar Airways”. Emirates to buy eight more A380s Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chariman of Emirate Group, signs an agreement to buy additional A380s bringing the total order to 55 aircraft. “Emirates is by far the largest A380 customer and there can be no doubt about our trust in Airbus,” said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Deliveries are planned to start in August 2008. Tim Clark, Emirates Airline President, stressed the airline’s needs for the planes, which has led Emirates to lock up positions as soon as possible. “With operating costs 18 to 20 per cent less than current aircraft, the A380 has all the promises of a very efficient aeroplane,” he said.
