Hurricane fly past

Its usually Spitfires that get all the press, but the Hurricane was just as important during the Battle of Britain. I spotted this example on a pole outside Duxford as I was driving home from darkest Norfolk

Fog bound Russian

On route back from a job today I diverted across to Popham airfield, the fog was low and dense and I didn't expect to see anything flying let alone parked up. There was nothing of real interest until I spotted a wing poking out behind the trees adjacent to the second strip. It was a big biplane. Turns out its a Russian Antonov AN-2, built in the 1940s as a transport plane. Something a bit different.

Those Magnificent Women In their Flying Machines

After missing out on Lily time most of yesterday because of motorsport, I wanted to make up for it today. We had an early morning walk to the shop and then into the playground. The little kiddies one has loads for Lily to get her teeth into and her trousers soaked (autumn dew) including this old plane. She was happy to pilot the machine before bailing out down the slide at the back!

Low flying

Working near Heathrow today, all you could hear was the sound of planes landing. On the drive home we diverted up the A30 and watched a few come in, skimming the rooftops and the road before touching down.

Up, up and away

On route back from a call to Bungay in Norfolk we stopped in at the local aviation museum. I had a look round in February when we were last up here so headed straight for the old VW powered Snowtrac out the back, following a chat with the volunteer on duty even got to clamber inside and look around. The museum also has a connection with Ken Wallis, he designed the gyrocopter that was used in the Bond film You Only Live Twice.

More running in

Another weekend and another 100 miles put on the camper engine. This time Kim came with us and we also picked up her work colleague Steve. We headed down to the end of the Watercress Line and worked our way up finishing up in Alton for a cuppa with our friend Alan and ending the day at Lasham to watch the gliders. This was at Medstead and Fourmarks Station as a pair of steam trains passed by.

Running in

Having had a bottom end rebuild of the engine, the Camper now needs a 500 mile running in period. Basically a load of longish journeys to bed it all in before being tuned again. With Kim having some craft things to be getting on with and the fact I'm due to be away most of next week I decided that my co-pilot Lily and me needed to go on a daddy & daughter roadtrip somewhere. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the tank was full so we headed West down the A303 from Basingstoke to Popham airfield. They were having an Auster fly in so we were able to park up next to the grass strip and watch the planes land. We even got to walk around the planes and see the helicopter come and go. Lily loved it and spent as long watching planes as she did driving the Camper. When it came time for lunch it was a picnic out the side of the sliding door as the craft landed 50m away. With a slow drive home I managed to rack up 100 miles today. 400 to go now!

Fashionshoot

The May prompt list I am following is clearly an American version as today is supposed to celebrate Mother Day, as we've already had Mothers Day in the UK I've gone with the brilliant day at Brooklands I had. I offered the Beetle as a model for a photography course. In between moving the car around the site and chatting to the snappers and models I took the chance to take some photos too. I've never worked with a model before and its a little unnerving having somebody smile back and chat to you. As i don't know the first thing about poses I borrowed the shots when the students were taking theirs. I'm actually quite pleased with some of the results and with practise and actually being the person they are looking at I reckon I could achieve even better. Jason who runs the courses has another in the summer.....

Up, up and away

On my way out to the training this morning I spied the perfect photo opportunity. In fields outside Guildford several people were hanging on to a hot air balloon as it was inflated. The basket and its crew waiting for the off on a clear sunny morning. Sadly the traffic wasn't playing ball and I had to carry on past. Heading home 12 hours later I spied the same balloon over Reading, again there was no where to stop. But as I parked up at home what should drift overhead once more. The sky was brilliant blue, the balloon fantastic red. Its the sort of photograph that should be stuck on a birthday card!

Come fly with me

Built just after World War One as Londons Aerodrome, Croydon was in use right up to the end of the 1950s. After World War Two, Heathrow took over the bulk of its flights and it became a short haul airport serving the Channel Islands and a few flying clubs, closing for good in 1959. The old terminal building still stands and is now a visitor and business centre alongside the A23. Towering over the carpark out the front is a DeHavilland Heron, sporting the colours of Morton Air Services. Its a replica of the last passenger flight out of Croydon and an interesting landmark on an otherwise dull day collecting some faulty equipment from one of our customers.