Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[Royal Flush]

That's all good Tony  but i am seeing the Vulcan fly on Sunday, jealous?

I hate you.

Where is it this weekend?

We spent over an hour drooling over the Vulcan yesterday - it's morre impressive, imo, than Concorde, all things considered. It's VERY big, too, "in the flesh", with the landing gear & bomb bay being simply huge. Red has pics, I expect he'll Post them later.

We saw a USAF Sabre (I think it was a Sabre) going through it's paces, too. Four low Passes over the airfield, less than a hundred yards from us, three loop the loop things, inverted flying, climbing vertically, then diving similarly, waggling it's wings, all sorts. Very impressive indeed. Mother Hen had leakage. It flew in "unawares"  from behind us, - we never expected it - & my leakage levels were considerably up on normal

The Sabre, or whatever it was, eventually parked up, raced his single engine up to the max "revs", then switched the engine off. Do they do that revving up thing before switch off for a reason? We used to do that on older cars - give the throttle a blip before switching off. Never quite knew why, but the bloke next door did it, & he wore a tie, so musta known what he was doing.

Enjoy Sunday, you luckbox.

Shoreham air show.

As to the revving not sure why it would be given a full blast but every aircraft i have flown has required a powerup for shutdown checks.

Shoreham! Happy memories.

Shoreham Harbour has a magnificent brick-built power station. We used to go there as kids & try to count how many bricks were in it. Kids these days don't know they are born.

Big crowd expected at Shoreham Air-Show is there?

Should be a few, me and Mr Adderley at least!

As for the B-52 i stood underneath a few as they were on the way to Bosnia and the way back, pretty sick beasts at low alt.

[Karabiner]

That Vulcan is an absolute monster, not only that but it's wingspan is greater than it's length !

It surely was a great day yesterday Tony, I don't know about you but I'm completely exhausted, but there is one tiny point that i feel that i need to pick you up on and that is the matter of the "senior" discount. Obviously if they had thought when you asked for three regular tickets and one senior ticket that the senior was anyone else but the purchaser, ie you, they would have asked for some form of id. I mean it's absolutely preposterous to suggest otherwise.

Your dogs were barking, Red's I-T was killing him, my back was giving me grief, & Mother Hen had earache from all those 'phone Calls, & the PancakeGate grief we gave him. Great day though.

As to the Pensioners Discount, methinks you doth protest too much. You DID flash your Bus Pass, as I recal.....I don't have a Bus Pass, take note please.

Did Mother Hen get lost again on the way from Tom's to your place?

Photographic evidence for these outlandish cock-and-bull claims or you will be hearing from my legal representatives, speaking of which where is RobertHM ?

[Royal Flush]

How's this for a lineup Tikay?

Obv top of the list is worth the price of admission imo, nearly joined the RAF just for a chance to maybe fly one of them!


Royal Air Force
Eurofighter Typhoon F2
BAE System Hawk T1
SAR Helicopter (SAT ONLY)
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Avro Lancaster B1
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Supermarine Spitfire
RAF King Air
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Hawker Hurricane llc
RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (SUN ONLY)


Army
Red Devils Parachute Regiment Team


Royal Navy
Royal Navy Historic Flight - Fairey Swordfish
Black Cats Helicopter Display Team


Warbirds
Vulcan XH558 Bomber
2 x SE5e
2 x Junkers CL1
Sopwith Triplane
Fokker Triplane
4 Spitfires
Hawker Hurricane
Messerschmitt ME108
Messerschmitt Bouchon ME 109
B17 Sally B
Mustang Duo
Strikemaster Jet
Hurricane Bomber
Hawker Hurricane IIB
Curtis P-40M Kittyhawk


Civilian
Yakovlevs - 4 ship close formation
The Matadors - 2 ship aerobatic display team
The Blades - Walter Extra 300LP
Team Guinot - Boeing Stearman
Guy Westergate - Aerobatics
2 Gnat Jet formations and aerobatics
The Matardors - 2 ship aerobatics
Vampire T11

[tikay]

How's this for a lineup Tikay?

Obv top of the list is worth the price of admission imo, nearly joined the RAF just for a chance to maybe fly one of them!


Royal Air Force
Eurofighter Typhoon F2
BAE System Hawk T1
SAR Helicopter (SAT ONLY)
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Avro Lancaster B1
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Supermarine Spitfire
RAF King Air
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Hawker Hurricane llc
RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (SUN ONLY)


Army
Red Devils Parachute Regiment Team


Royal Navy
Royal Navy Historic Flight - Fairey Swordfish
Black Cats Helicopter Display Team


Warbirds
Vulcan XH558 Bomber
2 x SE5e
2 x Junkers CL1
Sopwith Triplane
Fokker Triplane
4 Spitfires
Hawker Hurricane
Messerschmitt ME108
Messerschmitt Bouchon ME 109
B17 Sally B
Mustang Duo
Strikemaster Jet
Hurricane Bomber
Hawker Hurricane IIB
Curtis P-40M Kittyhawk


Civilian
Yakovlevs - 4 ship close formation
The Matadors - 2 ship aerobatic display team
The Blades - Walter Extra 300LP
Team Guinot - Boeing Stearman
Guy Westergate - Aerobatics
2 Gnat Jet formations and aerobatics
The Matardors - 2 ship aerobatics
Vampire T11

Differebt strokes for diferent folks James. Sure, the Eurofighter is impressive - VERY noisy, VERY powerful, da de da. But it leaves me a bit cold. Perhaps because it's modern.

The thrill for me is iin the older things - which had olde-world leaky hydraulics, & proper wiring, oil leaks, & smelt "old", & sounded magnifique.

I've highlighted the 'planes which would turn me on. So much so that I'm very tempted to come down on Sunday, it's just the drive, & the Sunday traffic, making me dither. But I'd LOVE to see some of those old birds strutting their stuff.

PS - Is the Junkers the one with corrugated Skin?

PPS - Presumably no B-52, as it needs a runway 9 years long?

[tikay]

James, the B-52 at Duxford had a big "pod" slung from the underside of each wing, at the very tip.

Any idea what they are? Sort of missile-shaped, or maybe a fuel tank, but extra weight at the very end of wings that big (the wingspan is close to 55 metres!) seems kinda odd.

[WarBwastard]

James, the B-52 at Duxford had a big "pod" slung from the underside of each wing, at the very tip.

Any idea what they are? Sort of missile-shaped, or maybe a fuel tank, but extra weight at the very end of wings that big (the wingspan is close to 55 metres!) seems kinda odd.

I fink they use those pods to store jamming equipment.  They bomb somewhere then loiter above somewhere jamming signals so the enemy cain't communicate.  Electrical warfare if you will.

[Royal Flush]

James, the B-52 at Duxford had a big "pod" slung from the underside of each wing, at the very tip.

Any idea what they are? Sort of missile-shaped, or maybe a fuel tank, but extra weight at the very end of wings that big (the wingspan is close to 55 metres!) seems kinda odd.

I fink they use those pods to store jamming equipment.  They bomb somewhere then loiter above somewhere jamming signals so the enemy cain't communicate.  Electrical warfare if you will.

Pretty sure they are extra fuel tanks used to combat wing flexing given the ridic wingspan of the B-52

[Royal Flush]

How's this for a lineup Tikay?

Obv top of the list is worth the price of admission imo, nearly joined the RAF just for a chance to maybe fly one of them!


Royal Air Force
Eurofighter Typhoon F2
BAE System Hawk T1
SAR Helicopter (SAT ONLY)
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Avro Lancaster B1
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Supermarine Spitfire
RAF King Air
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Hawker Hurricane llc
RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (SUN ONLY)


Army
Red Devils Parachute Regiment Team


Royal Navy
Royal Navy Historic Flight - Fairey Swordfish
Black Cats Helicopter Display Team


Warbirds
Vulcan XH558 Bomber
2 x SE5e
2 x Junkers CL1
Sopwith Triplane
Fokker Triplane
4 Spitfires
Hawker Hurricane
Messerschmitt ME108
Messerschmitt Bouchon ME 109
B17 Sally B
Mustang Duo
Strikemaster Jet
Hurricane Bomber
Hawker Hurricane IIB
Curtis P-40M Kittyhawk


Civilian
Yakovlevs - 4 ship close formation
The Matadors - 2 ship aerobatic display team
The Blades - Walter Extra 300LP
Team Guinot - Boeing Stearman
Guy Westergate - Aerobatics
2 Gnat Jet formations and aerobatics
The Matardors - 2 ship aerobatics
Vampire T11

Differebt strokes for diferent folks James. Sure, the Eurofighter is impressive - VERY noisy, VERY powerful, da de da. But it leaves me a bit cold. Perhaps because it's modern.

The thrill for me is iin the older things - which had olde-world leaky hydraulics, & proper wiring, oil leaks, & smelt "old", & sounded magnifique.

I've highlighted the 'planes which would turn me on. So much so that I'm very tempted to come down on Sunday, it's just the drive, & the Sunday traffic, making me dither. But I'd LOVE to see some of those old birds strutting their stuff.

PS - Is the Junkers the one with corrugated Skin?

PPS - Presumably no B-52, as it needs a runway 9 years long?

Nah me too thats why i like shoreham, mostly older A/C

Nah runway is super short at Shoreham, Vulcan won't be stopping! Doubt the eurofighter will either!

Come down for it, will be fun.

[tikay]

How's this for a lineup Tikay?

Obv top of the list is worth the price of admission imo, nearly joined the RAF just for a chance to maybe fly one of them!


Royal Air Force
Eurofighter Typhoon F2
BAE System Hawk T1
SAR Helicopter (SAT ONLY)
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Avro Lancaster B1
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Supermarine Spitfire
RAF King Air
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Hawker Hurricane llc
RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (SUN ONLY)


Army
Red Devils Parachute Regiment Team


Royal Navy
Royal Navy Historic Flight - Fairey Swordfish
Black Cats Helicopter Display Team


Warbirds
Vulcan XH558 Bomber
2 x SE5e
2 x Junkers CL1
Sopwith Triplane
Fokker Triplane
4 Spitfires
Hawker Hurricane
Messerschmitt ME108
Messerschmitt Bouchon ME 109
B17 Sally B
Mustang Duo
Strikemaster Jet
Hurricane Bomber
Hawker Hurricane IIB
Curtis P-40M Kittyhawk


Civilian
Yakovlevs - 4 ship close formation
The Matadors - 2 ship aerobatic display team
The Blades - Walter Extra 300LP
Team Guinot - Boeing Stearman
Guy Westergate - Aerobatics
2 Gnat Jet formations and aerobatics
The Matardors - 2 ship aerobatics
Vampire T11

Differebt strokes for diferent folks James. Sure, the Eurofighter is impressive - VERY noisy, VERY powerful, da de da. But it leaves me a bit cold. Perhaps because it's modern.

The thrill for me is iin the older things - which had olde-world leaky hydraulics, & proper wiring, oil leaks, & smelt "old", & sounded magnifique.

I've highlighted the 'planes which would turn me on. So much so that I'm very tempted to come down on Sunday, it's just the drive, & the Sunday traffic, making me dither. But I'd LOVE to see some of those old birds strutting their stuff.

PS - Is the Junkers the one with corrugated Skin?

PPS - Presumably no B-52, as it needs a runway 9 years long?

Nah me too thats why i like shoreham, mostly older A/C

Nah runway is super short at Shoreham, Vulcan won't be stopping! Doubt the eurofighter will either!

Come down for it, will be fun.

I might just.

[tikay]

James, the B-52 at Duxford had a big "pod" slung from the underside of each wing, at the very tip.

Any idea what they are? Sort of missile-shaped, or maybe a fuel tank, but extra weight at the very end of wings that big (the wingspan is close to 55 metres!) seems kinda odd.

I fink they use those pods to store jamming equipment.  They bomb somewhere then loiter above somewhere jamming signals so the enemy cain't communicate.  Electrical warfare if you will.

Pretty sure they are extra fuel tanks used to combat wing flexing given the ridic wingspan of the B-52

Wiki says......

The aircraft also carried a 1,000 US gallon (3,785 L) external fuel tank under each wing. The tanks acted as dampeners to reduce wing flex and also kept wingtips close to the ground for ease of maintenance.

Total fuel capacity of a B-52 is...19,000 gallons! That's about 4 road fuel tankers.

[tikay]

You must excuse this B-52 geekness, but they really do have wowage.

Doing a bit of research on them, I came across this photograph.

These are B-52's in "storage" at "Boneyard", a desert facility  where the USAF stores aircraft, in case, I guess, they ever need them.

[tikay]

Whereas these are just "ordinary" retired USAF Jets at the same facility.

The amount of money wasted by the American Military beggars belief.

[tikay]

..,,and this is NOT a bit of Photo-Shop trickery.

[vegaslover]

How's this for a lineup Tikay?

Obv top of the list is worth the price of admission imo, nearly joined the RAF just for a chance to maybe fly one of them!


Royal Air Force
Eurofighter Typhoon F2
BAE System Hawk T1
SAR Helicopter (SAT ONLY)
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Avro Lancaster B1
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Supermarine Spitfire
RAF King Air
Battle of Britain memorial flight - Hawker Hurricane llc
RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (SUN ONLY)


Army
Red Devils Parachute Regiment Team


Royal Navy
Royal Navy Historic Flight - Fairey Swordfish
Black Cats Helicopter Display Team


Warbirds
Vulcan XH558 Bomber
2 x SE5e
2 x Junkers CL1
Sopwith Triplane
Fokker Triplane
4 Spitfires
Hawker Hurricane
Messerschmitt ME108
Messerschmitt Bouchon ME 109
B17 Sally B
Mustang Duo
Strikemaster Jet
Hurricane Bomber
Hawker Hurricane IIB
Curtis P-40M Kittyhawk


Civilian
Yakovlevs - 4 ship close formation
The Matadors - 2 ship aerobatic display team
The Blades - Walter Extra 300LP
Team Guinot - Boeing Stearman
Guy Westergate - Aerobatics
2 Gnat Jet formations and aerobatics
The Matardors - 2 ship aerobatics
Vampire T11

Differebt strokes for diferent folks James. Sure, the Eurofighter is impressive - VERY noisy, VERY powerful, da de da. But it leaves me a bit cold. Perhaps because it's modern.

The thrill for me is iin the older things - which had olde-world leaky hydraulics, & proper wiring, oil leaks, & smelt "old", & sounded magnifique.

I've highlighted the 'planes which would turn me on. So much so that I'm very tempted to come down on Sunday, it's just the drive, & the Sunday traffic, making me dither. But I'd LOVE to see some of those old birds strutting their stuff.

PS - Is the Junkers the one with corrugated Skin?

PPS - Presumably no B-52, as it needs a runway 9 years long?

Nah me too thats why i like shoreham, mostly older A/C

Nah runway is super short at Shoreham, Vulcan won't be stopping! Doubt the eurofighter will either!

Come down for it, will be fun.

I might just.

Try coming 30 miles east of shoreham next year and see the 4 day airshow.
The Eurofighter is ridic loud when flying over your house and your trying to sleep when working nights though

[tikay]

I received a letter today, which I've been waiting for for 28 years. It was from NatWest.

Dear Mr Kendall,

"I am pleased to say that your mortgage has now been repaid in full......." (Then it goes on a bit about sending me the Deeds & stuff).

Well well well. So many emotions.

The most frivolous of which, I suppose, is to think of how it will change my standard of living, having no mortgage to pay. It was costing me £167 per month. Which was a LOT of money when I first started paying it!