Morris Minor Owners Club

I would suggest those minors in Cyprus are like the Strategic Reserve of Steam engines sitting somewhere in the UK.

I have read that two Spitfire poachers have been shot dead trying to raid the Burma site.

The Wellington at Brooklands is a partly restored aircraft for display only with no intention of it ever being made airworthy.
There is the Lancaster at East Kirby which is fired up on open days and taxied around the display area but the difference in costs between a grounded exhibit and a flying Lancaster are astronomical.

First time i stood next to the Lancaster at RAF Cosford ,it took my breath away ,soooooo big,does this one ever fly?
It is a a great day or two out,electric wheelchairs are free to those who need them ,fab staff ,good food in the cafe,and best of all a great great display.And it's FREE

Read here for further info on the East Kirby lancaster and the plans for it to become the second UK (third world-wide) flight ready Lancaster. The taxi runs have paid for new Merlin engines (where do you get those from then?)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20886684 and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-li ... e-20794398

Incidentally, the Lancaster at the RAF museum at Hendon is the original RAF Scampton gate guardian and first plane to complete 100 missions over Germany during WW2.

Just imagine, for a moment, a lovely sunny day and the sound of 2 lancasters supported by, say a dozen or more Spuitfires and Hurricanes flying over your hourse one day. If that doesn't make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, bring a lump to your throat or give you goose bumps - absolutely NOTHING will

I live not too far from Middle Wallop air field and when there is an air show the participating aircraft usually form up over the village where I live before being called in to carry out their display. A couple of years back a Spitfire and a ME109 circled round and round over the village just as I was being called in for a meal. No way was I going in for that meal; it would have to wait the moment had to be savoured. The Spitfire was slightly behind the ME109 as if to say I can shoot you down any time I want. Unfortunately some time later the same ME109 crashed killing the pilot. I do not think that there are any airworthy ME109s flying now. Whilst I love the distinct sound of a Minor bark on over run there is nothing to compare with the roar of a Merlin. A detuned variant of the Merlin was fitted to the Centurian tank. Relating to Spitfires - whilst passing through Bursledon near Southampton some time back I saw a Spitfire parked on a Garage forecourt. I stopped and had a look and it was I believe a 3/4 scale Spitfire. It was fitted with a Jaguar V12 engine and had been flown( a video of the flight was being shown). It was fitted with genuine Spitfire controls and joystick and had lots of other Spitfire parts fitted. Other MM members in the Southampton area may recall seeing it or know where it is now.
For my 60th birthday I was treated to an 1 hour flight in a Tiger Moth variant the Stamp which is the nearest I will ever get to real flying.

Sounds great Living where I do, we are privy to most of the annual RAF Waddington Air Show - albeit from a bit of a distance, howver, every year, without fail, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane) form up over my house and circle before going in - it is one of the absolute highlights of my year In the summer, you become attuned to hearing the engines and now I can tell they are coming long before I can see them, or when they are returning to base after another show.

Here are a few pics I took from the Waddington show a few years ago - Marvellous [frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

Sometimes when I'm in your neck of the woods Brueck, one occasionally gets a free Red Arrows display when they're out practicing. As you well know, there are a lot of disused and operational air bases still there, which make great grounds for autojumbles and antique fairs.

Good ol' Scampton! eh Great view of the Arrows from Hemswell

Haha. Not seen at Hemswell, but the Agricultural Showground near Lincoln. Used to go to Swinderby before they moved it.

Always a good turn out of Minors at Hemswell - do you visit?

Occasionally - when not buried in the garage fitting all the bits I have bought in years gone by to the convertible

Wonderful photos Brucek.