Guernsey

I once transmitted an All Stations call and some guy asked me which station and what platform would I be arriving on. He must have had a hand held and was running late for work. Alan.

Have you tried Bert Flood as he may be able to supply a reconditioned 503 or rework yours. Alan.

Stone the crows I have posted too late now that the problem has been fixed. I was going to suggest wood chips blocking up the carby or the air filter after scratching your head so much. Alan.

Joining down wind, Joining mid down wind, joining late down wind and nothing in between.???? Alan.

There's just something about an Auster. I believe they will still be flying in 100 years time. Alan. I learned to fly in this one. (J1N)

I agree with you Nev that rear seat flying in the L4 was weird, when taxiing, visibility forward was non existent so zigzaging was necessary, my rudder pedals were on both sides of the front seat, not good with a large passenger, I also had to ask the passenger to move their head to one side on landing so that I could read the instruments. Prop starting was no problem because my regular passengers were pilots so I climbed in the back whilst they prop started then jumped in. I only ever flew the aircraft from the front seat on one occasion, with a rear passenger, and found it very cramped with my knees up against the dash panel. I believe that when the aircraft was restored in Manilla the front seat may have been positioned more forward to give more room for the pilot in the rear. Bearing in mind that the military L4 would have more leg room in the front (pilot) because the observer in the rear would be facing the rear so his legs would go under the 'parcel shelf'. In spite of this, with the clear Perspex over the entire cabin area visibility was excellent when flying inverted. Alan.

My wife agrees as she has given me lots of love bites when we were younger. I nearly chickened out from posting this. Alan.

My L4 was restored in the Phillipines and was supposed to be an 85 hp engine with wing tanks so I would have been able to fly front seat however I missed that one and finished up with the 65 hp and nose tank. Alan.

The early L4's were used as artillery spotter aircraft the pilot being in the front with an artillery spotter in the rear facing backwards with what we would regard as a rear parcel shelf, was his map table which he used to report back artillery or tank positions to their own artillery guns. Proved to be quite successful. My Cub was facing forward and yes the pilot flew from the back seat. (A genuine back seat driver.) Alan.

Taxiing on a country road.

My L4 Cub had the 65hp engine and was very easy to handstart from behind. It didn't have a park brake so I had to chock the wheels with a rope joined to both chocks and back to the cockpit, I then climbed in and retrieved the chocks by pulling them inside. A very nice fun aeroplane and I wish I had kept it and been able to register it Raaus. Alan Marriette. Note the rego LFJ.....L4j.

Not sure about some aircraft but it does remind me of my marriage (55 yrs), Sometimes my wife vents her anger and some times I vent mine, but it all seems to balance out in the end and we seem to fly along quite nicely. . Well balanced Alan.

Further to the above, I have not been able to find my own photo of the aircraft in question but a google search under Vickers Valetta WG259 should do the trick. The aircraft was based at RAF Tangmere and flew over to Guernsey to accommodate the RAF cadets at the Elizabeth College in Guernsey. Ah! the memories. Alan.

That's nothing new, just more up to date. As a teenager in the air cadets I have flown several times in Vickers Valetta aircraft which had several domes along the top of the fuselage. These were navigational training aircraft whereby we could stand on our tables in front of us and have a 360 degree view to visually check our position. After our training exercise we were allowed to have a go at flying the aircraft which was good fun if some cadets were still standing on the tables as a quick 'G' turn dropped them to the floor in the centre aisle. Wish I had photos to show you. Alan.

You will also notice that when we touch something hot we all scream in the same language.

Welcome....photos of your mean machine please. Alan.

Once you have started you will never be able to give it up. Alan.

I asked my wife if I could be a Model Pilot, she said that I could but thought I was too old and skinny. Alan.

It just goes to show that flying only with your feet is not dangerous, in fact it is perfectly armless. Well done. Alan.

Those magnificent men in their flying machines. Alan.

Now that's a very handy explanation. Alan.

Would love to see some photos Dick. Alan.

Disappearances on finals is quite common at fly-ins when the pilot learns about an imminent ramp check. . Alan.

The outside. Alan.

I've never ground looped any of my tail draggers except the Auster which I have had to intentionally ground loop many times when taxiing in strong winds in Guernsey and ran out of brake. Comments from control tower "must be windy, here he goes again." Alan.