Great pics! Thanks for sharing.
Learnt something new today as I didn't know there was an entry ladder underneath the rear section of the Cat.
By "most underrated aircraft", I'm guessing you're referring to the Hurricane? That's a beautiful example there. If memory serves me correct, it actually shot down more enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain than the Spitfire. Was also easier to repair after sustaining battle damage.
@DoctorEvil @JimInOz @Turpinrr
Thanks for the comments. I am lucky to have this places like this relatively close, one advantage of being in a very flat area / legacy from WW2.
Aside from the display aircraft in Hanger 1 (Concorde etc) everything pictured is flight ready or in restoration. The Hurricane got a big thumbs up from expert staff saying the gun positions (close to fuselage) undercarriage design, wood and fabric fuselage etc all combined to make it a robust and formidable fighter with a great turning circle. It did mean it could not be developed and enhanced like the Spitfire with its more modern fuselage concept. The spit also looks easier to jump into ;0). Ref the Catalina a person I went with had a link to the story below so it was emotional for them to see one at last. I have seen that one flying on days where nothing else is going up so it is a sturdy beast and can pull some nice aerobatics despite its size. In terms of the forgotten hero, the Hurricane does not get enough recognition, but it was indeed the Bristol Beaufighter (whispering death) (link to an old post on that below). Hopefully the one shown above will be back in the air at some point.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07...d-after-papua-plane-wreckage-found/100303068#
https://omegaforums.net/threads/bri...aft-and-steps-to-concorde.116575/post-1585778
In terms of hidden Gems at Duxford I also spotted this amazing aircraft (one of the best in WW2?) trying to sneak out the fire exit for another flight....
I thought it was the Sea Fury 🤔
I thought it was the Sea Fury 🤔
Here's a remarkably informative video on how Air Traffic Control works, using the Toronto International Airport as an example. This video was published just a couple of weeks ahead of the Washington DC midair collision.
Great story! Might be why I can't find any ex air force flight jackets in disposals stores 😄
Your story reminds me of what happened to the U.S. Navy Type G-1 leather flying jackets. According to the book "Hell Bent for Leather" by Nelson and Parsons, the Type G-1 could previously be ordered by a flying squadron's supply officer. Naturally, they would order a few more than what would be needed to cover loss/damage. These excess jackets could be used as "Cumshaw", a gratuity that could be exchanged for favours when needed. By the late 1970s, the powers that be worked out that over 30,000 flight jackets were being ordered every year despite there only being just 15,000 aviators on strength at any one time. They dealt with this waste by ceasing the issue of this jacket to aircrew. When Reagan became president, the issue of these jackets resumed in the early 1980s. However, they were now a more strictly controlled item which was issued from a single building at NAS Pensacola. Any member who wanted a replacement for a lost/ damaged jacket now had to submit a letter to their CO explaining how it happened. The CO would then make a determination on whether to approve replacement at Service expense. Don't know how true this is. Maybe @Mad Dog can confirm.
Anyway, here's a pic of the passage from the book. It's quite a good read if you can get hold of a copy...
And here's a pic of a Type G-1 from my collection. It's from the first batch of jackets produced for the U.S. Navy after they started issuing them again. The contract number on the label states that it was ordered in fiscal year 1982. Zipper is a replacement.
A few pics… curious if you a familiar with the aircraft pictured. I am not.
I spotted marijuana (spelled marihuana in Canada) during annual eradication efforts in the 1990s. We used our military helicopter.
In the mid 2000s. I was the patrol sergeant coordinating a suicide investigation on the bridge to Port Huron Michigan. Soon after alerting our rescue coordination center in Trenton Ontario, the Detroit Coast Guard flew below us. I immediately told my scenes of crime officer to take photos from above. I have some nice 8 x 10s.
I was in my leather shop today and mentioned the coast guard photo. A regular customer showed me a photo that she took in 2016 or 2017. So cool.
I mentioned RCC Trenton (above). The following link refers to the former commander of CFB Trenton, who is now in jail.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/col-russell-williams-timeline-1.913312
