Tiger Moths

[Golden Shred]

Anybody else on AnswerBank flying or interested in these? If so, come to Woburn Abbey on Sunday next (20th). Over 80 aircraft, great day out.

[Amara]

Ah yes a wonderful piece of aviation history and a beautiful aircraft. My husband loves them and has had the priviledge of flying one. Unfortunately as we live in Spain we will not be able to come, but I hope you have a fantastic day out. Amara xx

[Golden Shred]

Thank you very much, Amara. I have just been looking back through my logs in preparation for Sunday - I see that I first went solo in a Harvard trainer at the Empire Flying Training School and then was sent to Clyffe Pypard for specialist training flying Tiger Moths. Both happened in 1941 !! My heavens, doesn't time fly when you are having fun !! Hope you are happy in Spain. GS.

[Hellion]

Thanks Golden Shred I love Tiger Moths - my dad learned to fly in one. I may well make the trip across to Woburn to see them, sounds like fun although we are sort of promised elsewhere on Sunday. I live on the edge of Southampton Water and we are often blessed with flyovers by Spitfires (makes me all proud !) and occasionally the Tiger Moths. Fantastic!

[Golden Shred]

Hope you can make it, Hellion. And, of course, for a few pounds you can have a circuit and bump as a passenger in a Tiger Moth !! We get Mosquito's overhead here now and again. But I can still tell a Spitfire Merlin or Griffon engine from miles away. You are very lucky to be able to see them now and again. Best wishes. GS.

[lindapinda]

Hi folks.My mother used to live in Southampton when she was a little girl,during the war.My grandfather worked in the Supermarine factory,where the Spitfires were made.She still loves the sound of those great planes!

[Hellion]

It's funny Golden Shred but I can tell a Spitfire engine too .....and I'm only 47 .......and a girl!
Hi LindaPinda - my husbands Grandmother worked at Super Marine too she used to rivet Spitfire Wings!

Enjoy these!

http://www.esses.co.uk/spitfire70/

[Golden Shred]

Hello. Regarding the Spitfire, this year is the 70th Anniversary of the Spitfire's maiden flight. Mr Alex Henshaw, the Spitfire's Chief Test Pilot, is still with us at the age of 94 and he will be at Goodwood on 3rd September next to see Spitfire No MH434 flying. He tested it in 1943 !! At http://tinyurl.com/g4ct6 there is a Tiger Moth, at http://tinyurl.com/jtzp8 a Spitfire, and at http://tinyurl.com/gkw4r a Lysander which is for me because after Clyffe Pypard I spent a lot of time flying these. Best wishes to all including lindapinda's grandfather and Hellion's grandmother.

[lindapinda]

Hi Golden Shred,and Hellion!.Thanks for your lovely pics!.I was just telling my mother there,about this thread,and was asking her what part of Supermarine my grandfather worked in.Apparently,he was in the engine installation section.She still has a tiny little signet ring he made for her,when she was 7,out of an engine part! I've seen and held this,and it's just such a lovely thing to have,all these years later! Hope you have a great day on Sunday,Golden Shred !!

[Golden Shred]

Hello Linda. The signet ring sounds very interesting and a wonderful thing to have. There is a photograph of part of the Supermarine Factory in Hazel Road here . Thank you for Sunday's best wishes - and to you also, of course. 'Bye. GS.