Something for our English and Canadian buds
Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:39 pm
While talking to a new friend from England last week, my obsession for warbirds became known, after asking where he was from. That went a little like this...
OP: Where are you from?
JC: Upperhamshiredowntonforddonberg
OP: Never heard of it.
JC: Why do you ask?
OP: How far is that from Duxford?
The rest of the conversation was "brilliant" if I do say so myself. We talked about airplanes for awhile and he told me his dad was on Lancasters a long time ago. He sent me this picture yesterday. His dad is the guy on the left.
Thanks for the picture Jeremy! We gotta figure out a way to get you back over for another "Sales" meeting, Or better yet, get me over there for "Technical Support". Then we can hit Duxford then go have a couple ten beers.
(Photo Jeremy Cox, posted with permission)
OP: Where are you from?
JC: Upperhamshiredowntonforddonberg
OP: Never heard of it.
JC: Why do you ask?
OP: How far is that from Duxford?
The rest of the conversation was "brilliant" if I do say so myself. We talked about airplanes for awhile and he told me his dad was on Lancasters a long time ago. He sent me this picture yesterday. His dad is the guy on the left.
Thanks for the picture Jeremy! We gotta figure out a way to get you back over for another "Sales" meeting, Or better yet, get me over there for "Technical Support". Then we can hit Duxford then go have a couple ten beers.
(Photo Jeremy Cox, posted with permission)
Hilarious Jack....
Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:36 am
Hilarious OP.... 
OP: Where are you from?
JC: Upperhamshiredowntonforddonberg
OP: Never heard of it.
JC: Why do you ask?
OP: How far is that from Duxford?
Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:58 pm
Interesting photo... that looks like Lancaster I PA445, which was built at Chester by Metropolitan Vickers. The markings make it look like one of the lancasters earmarked for Tiger Force, the RAF's heavy bomber contingent put together for use in the Pacific after the fall of Germany. Tiger Force was destined never to see combat in the Pacific, because Japan capitulated before they became operational. This probably dates the photograph to some time in mid-1945. Interestingly PA445 was a sister ship of PA474 (now with the BBMF)... I wonder what became of 445? Scrapped, presumably.
Nice photo, and thanks for sharing.
Cheers. Richard
Nice photo, and thanks for sharing.
Cheers. Richard
Re: Hilarious Jack....
Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:09 pm
Michel Lemieux wrote:Upperhamshiredowntonforddonberg
Very good, up to the 'Berg'. That's German or 'merican. 
You'll never manage to spy in Britain properly. Still, you'll probably say the beers not cold or something.
His Dad's got an interesting story. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaser is PA474, the machine in the pic is PA445 - close... I think it's a postwar example, still in it's 'Tiger Force' colours. Those were the ones going to bomb Japan, but someone did it bigger and better furst.
EDIT: RMA's beeten me to it, and in better English too. In answer to his wonder, certainly gorne, probably scrapped.
Cheers
Thanks - much I didn't know + Johnny Spitfire
Thu Dec 07, 2006 4:55 am
Thanks Air Marshall. As far as I know my Dad got his wings about the time the war ended, so must have been weeks away from going to Japan. He's the one third from the left standing.
On another note. Each year at the Upperthong Gala here in June in Yorkshire, we get a fly past normally by a Spitfire and a Hurricane and a Lancaster. In the nearby town of Holmfirth is a character called 'Johnny Spitfire' . He's a bit simple but harmless and about 35 or so. He is Spitfire mad and can recite the serial numbers in order of most spitfires that ever existed it seems. He also does an amazing impression of a spitfire flying, though if you stand too close to him you are likely to be showered in spittle. Perhaps he takes the name too literally.
Every year he goes to all the major shows like the one in Duxford.
Once he went up as a passenger paid for by his mother weeks before she died. He has a video of it.
His ambition is to go up again, but he is just a simple labourer with little money.
If there is anyone out there who might squeeze him onto a Spitfire flight, he'd be in 7th Heaven.
Finally, the last time my Dad flew was when we were stationed at RAF Marham very early 1960's 1960 -1963 I think. Then he flew Valiants as a squadron leader.
As a young scrote, I enjoyed Marham. There was a dump where my friends and I could find old gas masks and sit in the clapped out cockpit of a knackered bomber. I also liked the bloodhound missiles around the airfield perimeter and of course the 1962 Winter where for 3 weeks there was no school from all the snow.
Thanks for the history chaps.
Jeremy
p.s. OP ten beers seems like a good idea. I'd recommend the Riverhead in Marsden which brews its own nectar and a proper pub strewn with dogs (of both varieties)[/img]http://www.riverheadbrewery.co.uk/home/home.html
On another note. Each year at the Upperthong Gala here in June in Yorkshire, we get a fly past normally by a Spitfire and a Hurricane and a Lancaster. In the nearby town of Holmfirth is a character called 'Johnny Spitfire' . He's a bit simple but harmless and about 35 or so. He is Spitfire mad and can recite the serial numbers in order of most spitfires that ever existed it seems. He also does an amazing impression of a spitfire flying, though if you stand too close to him you are likely to be showered in spittle. Perhaps he takes the name too literally.
Every year he goes to all the major shows like the one in Duxford.
Once he went up as a passenger paid for by his mother weeks before she died. He has a video of it.
His ambition is to go up again, but he is just a simple labourer with little money.
If there is anyone out there who might squeeze him onto a Spitfire flight, he'd be in 7th Heaven.
Finally, the last time my Dad flew was when we were stationed at RAF Marham very early 1960's 1960 -1963 I think. Then he flew Valiants as a squadron leader.
As a young scrote, I enjoyed Marham. There was a dump where my friends and I could find old gas masks and sit in the clapped out cockpit of a knackered bomber. I also liked the bloodhound missiles around the airfield perimeter and of course the 1962 Winter where for 3 weeks there was no school from all the snow.
Thanks for the history chaps.
Jeremy
p.s. OP ten beers seems like a good idea. I'd recommend the Riverhead in Marsden which brews its own nectar and a proper pub strewn with dogs (of both varieties)[/img]http://www.riverheadbrewery.co.uk/home/home.html