yampy

Dave Rolfe is the proprietor and CFI of Dave’s Flying School and not the SRFC . They are seperate entities .

It was leased to Cubana by a Mexican airline group called Global Air . Global Air had owned the aircraft for 11 years and previously spent all its life operating in the USA , Canada and Mexico, being operated over the years by US Air , Piedmont , a few others and even the US Navy for a short stint .

Yes it was an old 737-200 series , almost 39 yrs old .. Dave

Thanks for posting those great photos . I didn’t attend this year , but seeing your photos I’m now regretting my decision. Dave

I know The Courthouse , I worked in Kingswinford for BT many years ago and still have family in the area . If you do happen to partake in a pint of Bathams , the brewery you may know is at the Vine aka “Bull and Bladder “ pub in Delph Rd Brierley Hill near the junction of Amblecore Rd . It’s a great experience to pay a visit , it’s full of down to Earth Black Country types , and atmosphere a plenty . Hook Norton is a fine brewer of quality quaffing ales . I’ll be thinking and wishing I was there on the 26th .. Cheers .

Phil , may I suggest Bathams best Biiter , a fine drop of foaming ale I declare . Brewed in the heartland of the Black Country on site at The Bull and Bladder pub in Brierley Hill . The sign on the pub says “ Blessings of your heart , you brew good ale “ , Shakespeare’s most famous bit of prose I believe . A nice Pork Pie will complete the feast fit for a King . Aer Kid

I’m like you Phil , my phone is a phone only . My wife has Whatsapp on her phone and finds it particularly useful for contacting her family in the UK , and also in the reverse way in contacting our kids in Australia when we are overseas . I like the ads for modern mobile phones , they can do all sorts of things apparently , video , games , even watch TV , but they never mention the ability to actually make a phone call . I still use a iPhone 4 , it’s ancient but it works , so I’m happy . Thanks for the info regarding the virus , and I’ve never been infected either .... not by a computer anyway . Dave

Thanks for putting in the picture . I suppose the next time I fly me Thruster into Brum I’ll be needing one of those new fangled radio things then . Dave

I think I should translate for our Australian listeners that a Isuzu Trooper is known down here as a Holden Jackaroo . Dave

Lounge room sounds ok to me Phil . My mate Mr Google has confirmed what I had suspected , and that is that VH-BRC landed at Calshot UK in February 1981and since lived at the SkySolent museum in all its glory . It is “Beachcomber “as shown in the video . I do remember it’s arrival in the UK , but have yet to see in in its present state . Dave

Great video Phil . So thought provoking and nostalgic . I’m lucky in that we have an airworthy Catalina that lives at of our local airfields and the sight and sound of her is something to behold . Loved the shot of the captain smoking his pipe . Am I right in thinking that one of the last Sandringhams flew and landed on the Solent perhaps 30yrs ago ? .

You are correct . Your photo is in the correct orientation as shown in the just discernible serial on the tailplane of the closest Vulcan . The serials comprised of 2 Letters followed by 3 letters , such as XM558 . In Phil’s photo it appears the serials are reversed with the numbers first , so it proves that your photo is the correct aspect . Also the second Vulcan in the lineup seems to be missing the nose probe , this appears to be the case in both shots , so it proves to be a reversal . Dave C

I certainly do remember them , the Victor and Valiant too . As a kid I seem to remember almost every time I saw a plane trailing it had that distinctive delta wing plan form .. such great memories .. Dave C

Absolute tragedy ..My sincere condolences to the bereaved and my thoughts go out to the rescue service personnel . Dave C

I guess RPC pilots have been able to fly retractable for some time . The scaled down Spitfire models on the RAAus register have retractable gear as do the Sabre model .

I think most if not all losses due to the damned Exocet , were attributed to the rocket motors setting fire to the aluminium hulls of the British warships , and not the warheads . British warships at the time , and possibly still were of lightweight Aluminium construction and hence burnt well . The ships were designed around a likely North Atlantic war and were built for speed , a mistake in hindsight .

Just seems Iike yesterday , I suppose a product of getting old ! ..I recall the QE2 and the Canberra sailing down to the South Atlantic full of British troops , everyone of them thinking it was going to be a more of a cruise than a war , anticipating , wrongly as it happened that the Argies would be retreating as soon as the ships appeared on the horizon . My sister in laws neighbour was a Sea Harrier Pilot , and later a Red Arrows Pilot who flew in combat down there . I asked him after the event if he fired a missile . He said he never saw an Argentinian plane except on radar , when as soon as they knew they had been picked up , they without delay did a 180and headed back to the mainland . Of course the UK sustained losses , the Exocet missile proving to be the main culprit . Dave

Very tragic indeed . Dave C

Rather better than , " not the best , but average " Phil . A great shot and so meaningful. Dave

I'm back in the Black Country till Sunday when we head off back . I've been back and forth a lot lately due family , so I guess it won't be long before the next trip . I would have loved a pint with you , but alas it will have to wait till next time , but thanks aer kid . Dave

Great video Phil .. Lovely to see the Super VC10 coming in to land over the Black Sheds end . I think the other end of the runway was referred to as Laffans Plain . I saw the Red Pelicans perform at The Green in the 70's . Noticed a JP as gate guard there the other day .. Dave

Always has a bit of a soft spot for the Emeraude and the Super Emeraude , probably its to do with the Spitfire like elliptical wing shape . This one in the video is still currently registered , and according to records is a 1958 build . Long may she grace the skies .. Dave C

The aircraft is to be ferried back to France on 3 engines . A spare engine will be bolted into position for balance purposes only . Dave C

Engine debris from the affected A380 has been located and recovered about 150 km SE of Paamuit on the SW coast of Greenland . The recovery was made by a Air Greenland helicopter and will be examined by the Danish authorities before being sent to Paris . The race is on now to locate and recover other engine parts before snow falls and covers them . The location was determined using data from one of the aircrafts Flight Data Recorders . Dave C

My sentiments exactly Phil , I am glad though you didn't include Brum on your list . That just would do at all would it aer kid .. Dave C