On this day in 1936 Vickers test pilot ‘Mutt’ Summers took the RJ Mitchell designed prototype up for an eight minute test flight at Eastleigh Aerodrome. A legend was born.
July 18, 2019
I feel the need…
He’s Dangerous | The official trailer for the sequel to Top Gun was released today. Called Top Gun Maverick it stars Tom Cruise as the titular character – this time an aged fighter pilot rather than a brash young jock. Kawasaki motorcycles feature again. A brief sighting of the original Ninja 900 as well as a speeding Ninja H2. The Need for Speed.
April 4, 2018
Chocks Away
WAAF – Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, furthering our WW2 flight theme look at this tiger gaped Bonneville. Jerry can pannier is a appropriate detail, and the big wartime yellow ringed roundel seals the deal. As they say: ” Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast!”
April 3, 2018
Wings & Wheels
Air Force Blue – here’s what the pilots would have used to tear across the airfield to get to their aircraft and take off to fight against the Luftwaffe. A BSA M20 in splendid condition sitting under the wing of a Hawker Hurricane.
April 1, 2018
Spitfire
Royal Air Force – turns 100 today. From beginnings during The Great War, through protection of various Empirical Territories it revealed its true strength in the skies over England during The Battle of Britain where, in Churchill’s words “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,”
December 15, 2017
Stand Tall
Reach for the Skies – Sir Douglas Bader (1910-1982) was. WWII fighter ace who flew Spitfires and Hurricanes against the German Luftwaffe onslaught early on in the hostilities. However he’d lost both legs ten years prior and was not recommended for flying duties. Being very impressionable, with Air Command and a lack of skilled pilots he was recommissioned into the RAF. He flew over Dunkirk and in the Battle of Britain (One of The Few). However he had to bail out over France in August 1941, was captured, and spent the remaining part of the War imprisoned at the infamous Colditz Castle. As was required of RAF POW’s he continually attempted to escape. He was threatened with confiscation of his prosthetic legs. Very much a traditionalist conservative on many issues; he’s still considered one of Britain’s hero’s.
Why is this blog subject posted today you may ask? Well I had hip surgery to repair damaged tissue in the joint and shave some protruding bone down. So in my post operative discomfort I can think of Kenneth More Douglas Bader as inspiration.
July 18, 2017
The Swallow
Jet Fighter – this day in 1942 saw the Messerschmitt ME262 become operational. It’s shark-like appearance and brute speed must have been an eye opener for the allied pilots. A far cry from the bubble car a decade later as seen in yesterday’s posting.
July 17, 2017
ME109 successor
Bubble Trouble – this bright red three-wheeler beamed at me by the side of the road today. I had to screech to a stop, park nearby and get some snaps. It’s a Messerschmitt car KR200 or Kabinenroller. Not being allowed to manufacture aircraft after WW2 these were Designed by Fritz Fend with Willy Messerschmitt only putting his name on them. 40,000 were made between 1954 and 1965. The streamlined appearance with fuselage inspired body gives it a futuristic look even today. Flying cars anyone?
June 13, 2017
Roundel Clad
Aces High – the little fighter is complete. Though I rushed and mucked up the tissue a bit, it is presentable and probably decent enough to wind up and fly.
June 9, 2017
Drum Roll
A Skin Game – delicate less than paper thin tissue sheets glued over the spars, ribs and stringers; then a spray down with water and the covering becomes drum tight. Need to find a cellulose dope alternative to give the paper added strength.
June 9, 2017
Merlin Rubber Band
Supermarine – the balsa Spitfire is taking great shape. Indeed the classic elliptical wing designed by Canadian aerodynamicist Beverley Shenstone is obvious. RJ Mitchell’s overall layout is pure in form and elegant in execution. Tissue paper covering next!
March 22, 2017
Supermarine
Spitfire! The V12 Rolls Royce Griffon engine belches into life of one of the most marvelous machines ever created. This is a Mk XVI
August 12, 2016
Fiery Flame
Nose Art Tattoo – Bonneville Belle takes the saddle on this graphic trackster steed. Looks ready enough to be emblazoned across the fuselage of a B-17 Flying Fortress.
June 28, 2016
Bandits at 3 o’clock
Fun on Three Wheels – as I was wandering the motorcycle show this vehicle trundled up. A couple with big grins where sat as pilot and navigator. Gleaming v-twin engine afront, grey fuselage, and amaranth wire wheels with knock-off hubs. As British as tea & scones with a whiff of a WW1 ace heading into the French skies to see off Hun. “Smoke me a kipper I’ll be back for breakfast!”
May 30, 2016
In Memorium
Motorcycles in Wartime. This weekend sees another time to appreciate what others did to ensure a less troubled world. Sacrificing your life is the ultimate act of selflessness for freedom. I’m posting this image of some Harley Davidson Rotax engined dirt bikes used by troops probably somewhere in Southeast Asia. A Cobra stands idle behind.
More dirt bikes being utilized; this time the dry sandy conditions of the Middle East. It’s one way of traversing rough terrain quickly.
