Folks,

Dux:

Wow. That is an impressive score even for some German aces in WW2. Unlike allied pilots, as you know, German pilots racked up huge scores because they fought on until they were either killed, wounded or the war ended.

Your pilot definitely deserves something. Go ahead give him a bar. How about one in Chicago? I understand they drink a lot of beer in that town.

There was a time when Father's Day could be a bit tricky around here. I used to get so many Father's Day cards signed "anonymous". Over the years the number of cards received dwindled down. This was fortunates because reasonable excuses for them did as well....

A well done to Maj. Meehan. Flying for the Allies, I find his claim of 103 kills far more trustworthy than those of the Luftwaffe pilots during the BoB.

Apparently they destroyed the RAF at least three times. After action, pilots would perhaps reason that since pilot A and pilot B both attacked the same Engländer, it should be counted as two kills.

Chaps,

Meehan thanks you both for your kind comments. He also asked me to point out that since becoming an officer he has been encouraged to appreciate the finer French wines as befitting his growing status rather than the common draught ales.

Perhaps he has a point. Remember the immortal words of Comic Book Guy:

"Beer is the nectar of the nitwit."

Folks,

Dux:

I had not seen that quote before. Of course there are millions of things I have never seen before and that statement would definitely include seeing either of us ever turning down a free pint of ..um...nectar.

It is rather warm here today with rain showers predicted for the late afternoon. Summer is almost here.

MG:

The 2012 Indy 500 will be run soon. Unlike me I know it may not be a race you care a great deal about yet it has a long tradition and I look forward to it every year. Up until this year it was the only sporting event my wife and I always watched together.

JRT; Indeed, Indy 500 is nearly upon us and I hope to catch a stream of it somewhere on the interwebs, certainly I'll send you a dear thought on the day. Shirley you must be jesting, implying that this race doesn't have my interest. The lack of interest is from the broadcasting organisations and the general sporting public in this part of the woods. Aye, there's the rub.

I'll be looking out for Jean Alesi, a racer's racer in his day and an outstanding talent in Formula 1, the way he raced Ayrton Senna in Phoenix, in an underpowered Tyrrell I shall never forget. His obvious talent was totally wasted by the then ineptitude of the Ferrari Team in the mineties. Whether he can shine at Indy, however is an entirely different matter.

I've noticed that IndyCar now posts full races on YouTube a couple of days after each race. If this will also be the case with the 500 remains to be seen.

It would seem to indicate to me that even in the US, interest in IndyCar is not yet back at the heights of its heyday.

From what I've seen of new new IndyCar, the rear of it might just look ok at Indy. On roadcourses, I must confess to not taking a liking to the design at the rear from an aestethic point of view.

The design of course is to improve safety and I cannot disagree with that sentiment.

is Jim Nabors still around? Nothing quite like hearing him intone "Indiana".

Gents, JRT, Jens,

On Saturday we shivered with 47f temps but today it's 75f. Very welcome, too, I might add.

What was the 'googy' 500 race which the Beach Boys sang about in Fun, Fun, Fun. Is it the same as the Indy?

My vague recollection of the lyric is
"makes the Indy 500 look like a Roman chariot race now..."

You are right of course and it's plain enough on every YouTube track.

Folks,

MG:

Yes, I know that you have actually gone to some lengths to see the 'Indy 500' in the past. Until now many have had difficulty watching the fabled Brickyard race. As far as I know Jim Nabors is still kicking. He sang last year. Although he looked rather more feeble his voice was strong as he belted out "Back Home Again In Indiana". I'd guess there will be some sort of tribute to the late Mr. Wheldon before the race this year. His widow is attending.

Aerodynamics definitely have an effect upon speed in the air and on the track. It has been said that the best planes also look good. Perhaps this is true with race cars? On the other hand, if the best planes must look good how do we explain the rugged A-10 Warthog? Beauty being in the eye of the beholder I suppose as far as aesthetics are concerned it is subjective. I understand their pilots love them.

In any event if you start at the pole position and stay in first place, ugly or not, you will never have to see the rear end of an Indy car. Perhaps this adds extra incentive to win.

Gents,

Big Diamond Jubilee concert on Monday with many old crocks being wheeled out - including some who will be be offering their services in gratitude for their Knighthoods.

Robbie Williams, Kylie Monologue, PaulMc, Stevie Wonder and many others. I just can't wait to join in with Sir Cliff Richard's singalong.

Of far more interest to me was the return of 70013 Oliver Cromwell to Rowsley turntable on the 27th May after 44 years. Around 2000 people were there on a scorching hot day to see this steam leviathan on an enthusiast special from Finchley. Should have been from Kings Cross but you know what they're like. On the way up near Peterborough they had a blowback and the fireman had to jump clear - in flames. Two crew went to hospital while their intrepid replacements stepped forward in the true British spirit of our national railway heritage to complete the journey to Peak Rail.

I tell ya, folks...when that engine started to turn I could barely control my emotions and nearly dropped my double split ice cream with coloured toppings and a Cadburys Flake stuck in the top. She only just got on the table though with about 3" of rail visible at either end. Magnificent.