UK Trip

[skyhawkdon]

Another stop on the tour of the 75 Sqn sites was to Ely Cathedral. The Cathedral is a significant landmark and can be seen for miles around. The bomber crews used to use it for navigation and knew once they saw it they were nearly home. They have a very moving memorial to Bomber Command inside, including a huge stained glass window, Squadron Standards and books of rememberance.







A name on this page that we will all recognise

[spongebob206]

Awesome pics

Cheers

[skyhawkdon]

The next series of photos are from Duxford. I spent 2 days there, one doing the museums and another at the 8 September airshow. First up the Museums... one observation here was the very clever use of the space available. There are a lot of aircraft packed into the various hangars but they are very well displayed. You can view them from different levels as well.

[Damon]

Smashing pictures Don! Loved the places with the 75 Squadron connection.Humbling to see the locals going to so much effort to commemorate our service men who fought from Britain.Wonderful.

[skyhawkdon]

Next lot are of the airshow. Was great to meet up with Calum from the forum and spend the day with him. We worked together on 2 Squadron in Nowra (I wore my old 2 Sqn black and gold chequered shirt in honour!). I know Calum has some awesome shots of the flying displays so hopefully he'll chip in here once he is home.

[pjw4118]

Great pictures and comments. The 75 Sq trail is getting plenty of use this year and Dee is a great guide. Maybe a new job for you Dee !
Regarding the comments on entry to the MOTAT Lancaster, access is now limited by the NZBCA following a few problems with children getting aboard and ladies with stilleto heels ! Hence both are banned. Aircrew vets have an automatic right to go aboard and will be met by a NZBCA vet if we know they are coming. Photographers ,aviation nuts and Forum dwellers are all welcome , just remember we are there on Wednesdays from 9 till 12. Other times need to be arranged. MOTAT does have a copyright policy that pictures to be published for gain need authorisation . I think this just requests an acknowlegement with the picture.
We have had alot of groups through this year from the RNZAF,RAF, Brevet ,RNZAFA, Air NZ, vets from UK and Australia and a host of photographers, even a poet ! so its not closed off , just controlled to ensure that the airframe isnt knocked around and items dont go missing.
Now what about some more photos

[obiwan27]

Looks like you had the trip of a lifetime Don.

[baz62]

Thanks for all the photos Don! The lowback Mark XVI in your photos is a relation of the SAir Force Musuem's example. They have TE288 and the BBMF one is TE311.
Keep an eye out for types beginning with the letter A. ;D

[skyhawkdon]

Nope, never saw any A-4s over there Baz ;D

[baz62]

Oct 14, 2012 11:25:11 GMT 12 skyhawkdon said:

Nope, never saw any A-4s over ther Baz ;D

Oh funny..

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, I have visited Ely Cathedral during a stop-over in that little city at the train station on the way from Cambridge to Thetford. The chap I was travelling with wanted to have a loook as he was an architect. I had no idea till now its connection with Bomber Command, I missed seeing the window and memorial. Doh. It's an amazing building.

[skyhawkdon]

Where you going to Thetford to see this Dave?

Dad's Army was filmed there. Interestingly it was no where near the sea like the series suggested! Warmington On Sea wasn't it?

[phil82]

"Don't tell 'em your name Don".

[Dave Homewood]

Actually I was indeed going there for the Dad's Army connection but the statue wasn't there in those days. I used to run the Dad's Army Appreciation Society New Zealand Branch and I went there twice to visit locations. Back then the town never really celebrated their connection with the famous TV series at all, I actually told a lady in the info centre where more locations were than she knew. But these days it's much more part of the town's history and they even have a museum there in the Guildhall, which doubled as Walmingto's Town Hall in two episodes. Great to see you made it to the Mainwaring statue!

[fwx]

Great photos and commentary Don - thanks for sharing them. Must have been a wonderful trip, I'm green with envy!
Cheers,
Chris