Aeroplanes are proving more reliable than our web server at present. We had hoped to bring some real time updates but suffice to say the Bearcat/Wildcat and Harvard all had engine runs today. Sorry no pictures today as photographer had the day off!
Back to aeroplanes then
Today we had a visit from Chip Hailey. the son of 1st Lt David R Hailey who was part of the 338th FS, 55th FG who flew P-38’s and then converted to the P-51. Lt David R Hailey flew as wingman to Capt Frank Birtciel, who flew the original Miss Velma. Chip had some fantastic stories and memories. He is holding his fathers flying helmet while standing in front of our Miss Velma. (Chip still visits Velma!).
New arrival at TFC
With summer fast approaching Friends of TFC have helped the engineers by replacing one of the oldest and most important pieces of equipment in the inventory. Never really on show to the public but an essential part of the engineers toolkit. You guessed it, a replacement Fridge. No more doubtful smelling milk, soggy butter or unidentified green stuff lurking at the back of the fridge. The colour scheme is based on an authentic white enamel as used across the UK.
Membership News
Could Peter Rouse who recently applied for online membership confirm his email and post code so we can progress his application?
Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn
It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of one of our Honorary Friends of TFC, Tony Benn.
We contacted Tony in the late 1990’s when we discovered one of our Fighter Log contributors trained with him in Rhodesia to fly Thunderbolts. Tony replied immediately to confirm he would be delighted to become an Honorary Friend of TFC and spread the word about historic aviation and The Fighter Collection.
We thank him for all his efforts on our behalf.
P 40B action
With the TFC engineers fully occupied on the current fleet, the Sunday TFC volunteer team under Martins guidance have started to prepare the P 40B for the export team. Many thanks to Harry and Rob for the photos.
[slideshow_deploy id=’2592′]Fighter Log Spring 2014 available now
Friends of TFC can access the latest Fighter Log online now. The paper version is at the printers.
Just click HERE
FofTFC will notice a slightly different way of accessing the new members pages as we update the site.
View from a B25
This is the short version, en route to Switzerland in 1993, full version available to Friends of TFC click here:
Let us know if you like this and we’ll try and find some more unseen vintage video for the week-end
More from the archive
So we are sitting in the excellent Duxford Aviation Society volunteers cafe last Sunday and long term TFC volunteer Gareth passes me a DVD and says “thought you might be interested guv”. Too right!
This is part 1. “Friends of TFC” will be able to watch the “air to air” stuff in part 2 later this week. Roll on Flying Legends then.
View from the Office
Taken in April 2011, view from TFC Hawk 75 cockpit during a tie down engine run.
