JRT, thanks for the info and link. I checked out his work and he is a very talented artist indeed. I worked for a number of years in a College Arts Faculty and can appreciate the talent that shines out of those paintings.

Alas, I feel honour bound to clear up a little misapprehension that appears to have cropped up. You see, I do not have that golden nectar otherwise known up here as 'myrple syrple' flowing through my veins but a rather strange mix of 20% NAAFI tea (strength 4), 30% brown ale and the rest made up of best dark mild and real ale! I am in fact a replanted Limey who has been stranded on these cold and snow blown shores for the past 15+ years after buying a one-way, economy class, ticket to save money!

The son of an ex-Royal Marine Commando of WWII vintage, who took part in the D-Day landings (amongst other adventures), I learned to imbibe vast quantities of NAAFI tea at a tender age while a member of the ATC (RAF Cadets) in the early 70's. It was at that time that I had my only 'hands on' flying experiences too. In many ways I can relate to all the stories that you, Dux and all the others have regaled us with as in my mind's eye I am transported back over the years to the airfields of my youth. I can see the buildings with the white-washed rocks lining the roadways, the freshly mown grass, the planes off in the distance being readied for the next flight and I can almost believe I can smell the wonderful aromas of aviation fuel, hot engines and for some reason a faint whiff of sewerage from Old Farmer Drubbins' pig farm next door (unless that's Olga's aftershave I can smell!...it does tend to linger a bit doesn't it!)

Long may this thread continue as it is truly one of a kind!