Lovely day in Coober Pedy today. First time I've felt sunshine and warmth in ages! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm at Goodwood for the Battle of Britain flight. In the distance are about 20 Spitfires and Hurricanes. Rubbish organisation as usual, huge queue for the carpark, inadequate toilets and catering - why can't the Poms ever get things right? Will upload photos later when I have fixed broadband.
Wow! Half your luck. Hope you have a great time. Should we have Moretti come over and fix the Broadband for you?
That was sensational, about 30 aircraft, including a Blenheim bomber and a P51 Mustang. Planes took off in groups of 4, did a circuit then low formation pass at about 150 feet, then set off for London. A Spitfire did loops and barrel rolls over the airfield for about 10 minutes - fabulous. Phone photos are rubbish of course - sorry. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
That Spitfire pic is great just because a) it shows a Spitfire and b) it's very close! Here are the routes being flown after leaving Goodwood, if anyone's interested: BoB Flypast
I did Oshkosh last month, maybe the yanks should send some advisors over.. with over half a million people through the week and over 10,000 private planes parked let alone RVs it went like clockwork. About the only beef is insistence on massive 16oz scalding hot coffee I need tip 1/3rd out and add 4 milks and 1-2 sugars to make drinkable lol. If you haven't done it at least once then go.. I had chats with random strangers in queues with 20+ years of going and they say always something new and interesting.. Met up with an f-chatter in "Warbird alley" and even with a week of going all day every day you barely do justice to it with talks, workshops, vendors, constant activity in the sky and walk right up to and touch such as B-29, B-17 and enough P-51 to start your own air force.. rides available too if you don't mind the price. I'm a big seaplane fan so went to the separate seaplane base: https://www.facebook.com/alex.mcnaught/media_set?set=a.10207167842294706.1073741908.1242073698&type=3&pnref=story Here's some general pics: https://www.facebook.com/alex.mcnaught/media_set?set=a.10207194167472819.1073741910.1242073698&type=3 Only a tiny fraction of the 2,000+ pics per day taken. Had my pics and captions included in an article out this month's "Aviator Mag" at newsagents (online version with different set of pics without credits at Pilgrimage to Oshkosh - Aviator | Aviator) Also a seaplane website asked for some words and pics too: Seaplane International » EAA Airventure Oshkosh: seaplanes on grass, on water
Found this little gem at Torrens recently. It is 100 point perfect 51. Not at scratch, stone chip, anywhere. The cockpit is a little more roomy that a spitfire. Just beautiful. Image Unavailable, Please Login
do those black and white stripes on the wings signify involvement in D-day? Surprising how small P51's are next to a Spitfire and nothing like the presence or beauty. Sound just as good though. The sound of 12 Spitfires in close formation flying low overhead was a symphony in mechanical beauty. (no Moretti, I DGAF how much better you think your 355 sounds )
Yes, Oshkosh is on my list too - a mate did it this year and echoed your comments. The yanks know how to do big events, the Poms are perpetually surprised when the people who bought tickets actually show up. And how about fixing the muddy paths at Goodwood? FFS they've been like this every time I've been - how hard would it be to lay some gravel? Everyone has ruined shoes and mud up their legs.
I'm afraid that I,on the year we did Goodwood(2010),found none of the problems you did on the various times you have. Nil mud or long queues,it was all terrific. We had a crappy last day,weatherwise,cold and sleety,but that is hardly the organisers issue. I/we,thought it was THE most amazing motoring experience,we,though,had pit access,as I presume you would have,that is a level above the norm.
I totally agree, went to the Biggin Hill day in '89 with 4 Spitfires in formation buzzing the airfield .......... awesome sound Image Unavailable, Please Login
Goodwood is quite weather dependant, if there's been a few days of rain beforehand (as just now) the ground is sodden and the grass paths turn to mud from 50,000 people just walking in. One year the mud was up to your ankles and unavoidable. The yanks would not allow that to happen. In terms of motoring experience, I fully agree, it's up there with Laguna Seca in the Pebble Beach week or Historic Monaco.
Agree with all that except they are both about the same size. In fact the P-51 is a couple of feet longer, and the Spitfire has a slightly greater wingspan. As much as I love the P-51, there is no comparison in beauty and sheer presence. Originally the stripes were supposed to signify involvement in D-Day, but I think a lot of aircraft had them painted on after D-Day as well to help in identification.
