The Curate’s Egg

The Curate’s Egg

A nostalgic look back at the aircraft that Capt Nick flew.

Capt Anderson the First.

 

The Slingsby T31 (flying brick) glider.

 

The ubiquitous Cessna 150A trainer.

 

The Jet Provost T Mk3.

 

The slightly pointier Jet Provost T Mk5.

 

The very pointy Folland Gnat.

 

The wonderful Hawker Hunter.

 

The mighty F4 Phantom II.

 

Yawn, the BAe Hawk T1.

 

The Ozy McDonnell Douglas F/A18.

 

Another yawn, the BAe Tornado F3.

The Rosinenbomber

The Rosinenbomber

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Russia attempts to take control of Berlin by cutting off access to the West but an audacious plan to supply the beleaguered city from the air is mounted.  One special American pilot becomes famous amongst the people of Berlin.

 

“OPERATION VITTLES” (Berlin Airlift)
Berlin youngsters who live near the Tempelhof Air Force Base, where the U.S. Air Force transport planes unload their airlift supplies, play at a game called “Luftbrucke” (air bridge). They use model American planes which are sold in German toy shops throughout the western sector of Berlin.

 

Images under Creative Commons licence by US Gov, National Museum of the USAF.

Larry, We’re Going Down

Larry, We’re Going Down

Fundamental errors in dealing with the dangers of winter operations brings a B737 down into the Potomac river, just after take off from Washington National airport.  An apaling accident which was compounded by a poorly organised rescue which occured in the full blaze of publicity.

An Air Florida Boeing B737.

 

The flight path of Flight 90 taken from the NTSB report.

 

 

Images under Creative Commons licence by Peter Duijnmayer, the US Gov NTSB and the Washington Post

Six in One Day

Six in One Day

February 1956 and the RAF is proud of it’s fine new jet fighter, the Hawker Hunter.  Of course the occasional loss is to be expected but this day’s work ends up with questions being asked in Parliament and a surprise for the people of Swaffham!

 

 

Images under Creative Commons licence, by Alan Wilson and UK Gov OS.