Mike H

Thanks for the update Neil; been looking forward to it. Love the detail your'e putting into this build. Mike

What a beautiful F1 Lightning and a superbly executed effect. Both my parents were stationed at RAF Coltishall when this happened and remember the event but not the date. I wrote in to an aviation magazine enquiring as to whether anyone knew the date and received a lovely letter from Jim Burns himself. I'm old enough to just remember the Lightnings at Coltishall before the Jaguars arrived. Regards Mike

Excellent work Neil. Great to see that you haven't lost your touch. Some fine work going on there. Mike

That is absolutely superb. Both modelling and photography skills are first rate. Mike

Simon, Not sure what this item is for certain but the nearest positioned piece of equipment that I can find in the pilot's flight manual is the navigator's heater. These were made by Stewart-Warner and fuelled with aviation gasoline piped from one of the engines. Mike PS Superb work so far.

Superb. The diorama really sets off this fantastically built model. Mike

Breathtakingly superb modelling skill. You are exceptionally talented. Mike

Just seen the BBMF's Dakota flying low over Wymondham in Norfolk at midday. Any idea where it's going? Thanks Mike

Well, not exactly over my house but I had just finished work today and was driving out of Wymondham, Norfolk towards Dereham when what looked like a Fokker Dr1 flew over . Was definitely a triplane & was at about 5.25pm. Anyone know what & where from or have I finally gone Ga Ga? Cheers, Mike

That's a superb CAD model. Could do with your CAD skills over in the flight simming community.

I was going to combine my computing & printing skills to print some R.A.F. 'Red Arrows' T-shirts but have decided, after reading about all this copyright cobblers, to make some 'Black Arrows' T-shirts instead. That way I'll have something suitable to wear when they throw me in jail! Mike.

That's an absolute stunner. Beautiful markings.

Very original and finely executed - top marks. Regards Mike PS Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and all the Britmodellers out there.

Superb photography. Thanks for posting.

That's a superb quality build there my friend. Well done.

Absolutely superb photography. Many thanks for sharing.

I heard that as well...and the story of him getting a telling off cos' the jetwash from a Phantom he stuck on it's tail with full burners at the end of the runway knocked a lady off her bike. Just getting my grey matter working...I believe the pilot who test flew our Harriers was a Sdn. Ldr. Timms. Not sure who test flew the Buccaneers but remember one flying between the D-hangars at West Orchard and the weird swooshing sounds of the air after it had passed.

Quite right Jabba. It's St Athan in the early 1980's and if my memory serves me right, the pilot was one Sqn. Ldr. Guy Pearce. I was working on the other side of the airfield at the time on Harriers and witnessed a few low fly-bys by Phantoms, Harriers & Buccaneers - all of which had their major servicings carried out at the base. One summer I spent a week helping out with the Air Cadet's air experience flights & was given a trip in a Chipmunk by the aforementioned Guy Pearce. I made the mistake of asking him to do some aerobatics. I have never felt so ill then or since!

That hits the spot! What a superb build. Well done my friend.

I'll add myself to the list of people that think that you are one lucky guy. I missed the chance of flying in a B-24 when it visited Norwich. Didn't take the plunge & fly in Concorde when I had the chance. Will probably never get the chance to fly in an English Electric Lightning now that Thunder City's closed its doors. Gotta take the chances when they arise or you'll regret it for a long time. Luckily I have had a couple of flights in Canberras (courtesy of the RAF) and a DC-3 & I'm about to book a flight in a P-51.

Brilliant! Enjoyed reading the article and drooling over the stunning bikes. Many thanks for posting.

Terry, That's an absolutely beautiful painting. Love everything about it. Can't say any more than that. Regards Mike

Next to aircraft - motorcycles are my passion (OK women & real ale before them). The paintwork on these bikes is superb & a fitting tribute to the R.A.F. Would love to see some close up pics after the article you speak of has been published. Thanks for posting. Mike

Got to agree with all that's been said. Top quality work there my friend.

Great photo. I really like that.