pmccarthy

Winkle Brown’s helmet at the Yeovilton museum.

Remember that short woman, lovely Rita metre maid?

I just spent a couple of hours in the Flight section of the Science Museum on South Kensington. I love the place, it has the best collection of aero engines anywhere, more than fifty I guess. Not many aircraft, but a Spit, a Hurricane and the Alcock and Brown Vimy. My first visit for at least fifteen years. They had a series of displays about important people in aviation, in about twenty panels spread around the gallery. I expected I would know most of them but I didn’t know any. The people displayed were, in no particular order, the first Indian fighter pilot, the first black British pilot, the first disabled British pilot (missing an eye and an arm), a couple of first female pilots, the first gay RAF pilot to come out, and so on. I am still thinking about what it means, and what it will mean to the mainly young visitors who want to learn about the history of British aviation.

I lived under the final approach to Essendon years ago. Missed out on a fortune charging tolls.

Last time was a bad experience that I don’t need to repeat. Driving, parking, heat and facilities.

Same here, when I was fifteen or so.

I have always hoped that the aviation site would attract a lot more international members. I think it has in recent months, but still not to the level that it might. I think some people here put them off at times by saying this is an Australian aviation site.

I read the book The Diamond Dakota recently.

It is automatic punishment for cruelty to animals.

Sperry autopilots existed in WW1 and many heavy aircraft had autopilots in WW2. Full auto land was demonstrated in 1947.

I like real ale not too cold, so I will be happy.

Wife and I are off to the UK at the end of next week for a holiday. USA is off our list for now.

The funnel could be inserted into an empty water bottle to make a handy in-flight convenience.

Aviation body to face criminal investigation following fatal crash – Australian Aviation

There is a backup logs function under data management which allows email, airdrop etc.