General Chat

Aviation holds a special interest for me as:
My birthday is Battle of Britain day
My cousin was killed a year before I was born as tail end Charlie in a Lancaster. He was based at Waddington.
I've had a couple of flying lessons, but wish I'd had the time, money and confidence to take it up sooner.

there is an article about Mac on the museum`s website

Hi Keith,
You're right there..

Mac is a star always has been and always will be

Forgot to say, On 6th October Monty and I were lucky enough to be at RAF Wickenby for a service for the lads (One was Monts Gt Uncle) who died from there in WW2.The Lancaster did a special flyover straight over our heads and then the Spitfires flew past even though we weren't expecting them to.
That Lancaster flying directly over your head knowing it's for those of you waiting along the runway is the most amazing feeling.
I was there, transported to war time even though I wasn't born until '53. I was crying my eyes out and waving my arms at that plane like a mad woman. Mind you so were most people. I needed help to get back in the car but it was worth it..We did get a few good shots on the cameras.
Also Living in Lincoln I grew up and so did my kids with vulcans taking the roof off from Scampton and Waddington.
Lets hope they can keep them flying for a good while yet.
Mac, Many Thanks to you and your mates dedication in all you do.

If ever there is a thread with The Old Geezers name on it I know I will love reading it!
Mac you are fantastic, Throughout all your health worries you have kept on going..
You're quite right you can't bleddy die yet there's too much work for you still to do..and too many of us GR members that hope to meet up with you one day.
You are such an interesting bloke and the things you have done throughout your life always amaze me and keep me reading.
Whens your book out?
So glad you are feeling better now
Love Tricia xx

Yes Brian, it was the Vulcan that was restored and is looking for a new home. I think the Lancaster just did a fly by in August on the Cold War Jets Day. We saw it in the sky a few miles away. It must be difficult to find people with the necessary experience to fly some of these old planes nowadays.

50 planes is quite a lot Mac!! They must be pretty expensive to buy and then I suppose some parts would have to be specially made. Sounds as if you could be busy there for as long as you want to be..

It is the Avro Vulcan that has been restored at Bruntingthorpe (google Vulcan to the Sky Trust).
I went down to Shoreham to see it fly at the end of August.

There is also apparently a Victor there which is not supposed to be airworthy. That is the one that did an unscheduled takeoff and short hop a few weeks ago when it was supposed only to be doing a high speed taxi run and the engineer at the controls panicked and froze with the throttles open. Fortunately the co-pilot, an ex Victor Captain, took over and brought it down before it got to the end of the runway.

How many aircraft are there then Mac? It sounds quite big.

I think it is marvellous there are folk like you prepared to give their time to doing these things. I think it was a Lancaster Bomber they restored at Bruntingthorpe, not very far from here, but I think it was moved somewhere else this year.

Years ago in my job I visited a widow. Just before I left she took me into her garden and said I would never guess what she was to show me in a big garage building. She was right....inside was a small plane her late husband had brought back to life!! I've never forgot it, but have wondered what happened to it. It must have been in the 80s.

We visited the museum on the way home from touring the Dales in August.

We spent several hours on site and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. I would have dearly loved to seen the Victor fired up.

The only minor criticism was that some of the exhibits looked rather dusty and in need of a brush-up and a few of the descriptive boards were either missing or looking a tad worn out.

Have made a note Mac, sounds interesting for next time we are up that way.

Glad to hear you are feeling better....keep it up!!

I was there Sunday with family for Thunder Day. Had a lovely time. The Victor was great but very noisy

look at all the interest I`ve started --commission please !!!! LOL.tThey will be queing to see you

We'll be seing you soon. OH says it will make a change from Dolls House Fairs and hospitals and he'll be looking forward to it..

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

At Elvington on the outskirts of York

How do we find the museum Mac, OH knows most places so what I mean really it where is it located? We are just off the A57, can easily access the M61 and 62 and the M55.

lol, the food certainly did add to the wartime atmosphere, but that apart, we thoroughly enjoyed our day out

It is an excellent day out, I was there earlier in the year.
My only gripe was the food in the NAAFI, it looked as if it really was left over from the war

How does he find the time to post on here?

Sounds good, shame it's the other end of the Country !