Jeff Glasser

A few years ago we had a problem with subsidense alongside the main (23-05) runway at Dunkeswell, and sticking his arm into one of the large drains along side the runway, (like you do) and having a rummage around (it was dry) my friend pulled out this, which I believe to be a .50 cal? bullet. It has R A 42 on the blunt end. The bullet itself was hollow, with a coloured powder inside. It was obviousley a dud, it has a dent in the casing, and the mark where the firing pin hit is off centre. I can only imagine that some gunner flung it there from his P.B.4.Y. Liberator in frustration to be found 60 odd years later! I like to conjure up visions like this! It polished up well after emptying the contents, and sits in my study (sounds posh does'nt it) I'm amazed at how it survived all this time in a storm drain! Any comments, Jeff

Jimmy, your old mans not talking to me!, is it something I said 40 years ago!!! Jeff

Enigma, if you've had the luck or the finances to fly in a P.51 or a Hunter, you'd know we do'nt care!! Happy Xmas Jeff

Thanks Jimmy, they must be the same ones he wore to scare the girls in Lowestoft all those years ago! The pair I had as a kid were downright dangerous if I had the sun behind me! Many a copy of the Beano went up in flames if I read it facing North!! Jeff. p.s. I should delete your e-mail address from that last post if you do'nt want tons of spam, mind you, dad might be interested in the Viagra adverts!

Jimmy, did you ask the old man to contact me? Jeff

Are you refering to KCG 509?

Thanks Nick, I spoke to a chap a long time ago who had it, I think he had a printing firm in the Midlands. His brother had a W.C.51 I think. This was all before I joined the ranks of p.c. owners. Jeff

Yeah Steve, you're so right. At least the Yanks appear to save at least one of everything. I suppose with regards to the stuff we like, after the war people had had enough and did'nt want to be reminded. Thank God there were some enterprising people with enough soul to save some of it!

You probably remember going up the 'easy' more sloping side, that's the way I think the jeep was driven up there, Still bloody scarey though. Rumour has it that some G.I.'s also did it during W.W.II. Back in the late '60's when I had my first jeep (my only vehicle then) I tried it but attempted going up the steep side, got nearly to the top too. jeep lost traction and started to roll back, so no longer having control, I bailed out. Luckily it turned sideways and stopped. It was a bit of a bum tightening ride down though:shake:! (just in case anyone reading this knows where G.P.W. KCG 509 is maybe they'd put me in contact with the owner.)

That one cracked me up Willyslancs! If ever there was a case for a caption contest, that would be the one to start with!!

The aircraft tail you see in the background of the 'Mr Blobby/Stearman pic, is Vampire T.11 XE982. It was restored to static display condition at my home workshop and at Dunkeswell in the early '90's. As my trade then was running a vehicle bodyshop, I ended up doing most of it! Unfortunately, it was allowed to get back to its earlier poor condition, though I believe it now resides in Southern Ireland (Weston?) and will hopefully resurected again. Here's a few pics of when I had it.

This must be the same 'Focke Wulf' Steve, seen here at Dunkeswell in the '90's. It was then owned by a friend who incidentaly never flew it but bought it just because he liked it! I think he sold it to a Royal Navy pilot from nearby Yeovilton. I would often sit in the cockpit and dog fight with imaginary P.51's!! The Stearman with the odd enclosed cockpit was possibly photographed at Yeovilton in the '80's. The Stearman with 'Mr Blobby' on top had called in to Dunkeswell for fuel on its way to a display in the West Country. The pilot said that the handling was a bit 'iffy' with him up there flapping about!

What's the oddest place you've seen a military vehicle in, either on purpose as in the photo' here of a jeep taken up Glastonbury Tor in 1949, (driven there by local car dealer Cecil Pursey, of Pursey's Garages of Street. Now a main Vauxhall agents) or by accident?

Thanks Mark, I think the dressing up, sorry, kitting up, was the best bit.!! I had wanted to be an R.A.F. right from childhood, but the R.A.F. reckoned I was much too stupid to drive their lovely shiney aeroplanes, (Their loss I felt) so I ran away to sea to spite them. The Hunter ( a Royal Navy T.8 of F.R.A.D.U. out of Yeovilton) flight was superb, especially getting to fly it, and at the same time mentally stick a finger up to the R.A.F. when viewing the roundal out on the wing. Strangely this was the only aircraft I've been in where I felt slightly queasy! I was'nt going to mention the Hawk flight, but if you're going to hit me with a 262, well......

O.K. Mark, now I hate you! Just for spite here's a couple just for you!! (I think I would have traded it for a P.51 flight though!!)

My pleasure Mark. Back then I was a pilot for the R.N. and R.M parachute school at Dunkeswell, and to relieve the boredom would 'bounce' anyone I knew when on the way down from altitude! Robin and his Triplane was a once in a life time chance. He out flew me easily!! Jeff

I photographed this on Lundy Island a few years ago, anyone know what it is? It looks cobbled up to me, but what do I know!! Jeff

I've found a couple more for you Steve, The 'Howard' was based at Dunkeswell for a while back in the '80's, I believe it now resides at Exeter. The Beech 18 also lives at Exeter, the photos' were taken along time ago when it visited Dunkeswell. The photo's of Sally B were taken early 1980's at an air day at Dunkeswell, as was the D.C.3. The Storch and 'mini' Focke wulf were taken at a Yeovilton Air Day. Still looking!

I had a look through my grotty old shoe box full of tatty pics' I spotted the late Robin Bowes in his 'Tripehound' in the circuit at Dunkeswell and tried to bounce him. It took all of one orbit before he was on my tail! the dogfight did'nt last long! They are some of my favourite photos' a, because he was a good friend, and b, how many people got to dog fight with the 'Red Baron' and lived to tell the tale. Sorry about the quality.

Thanks mate, There are more, it's just filtering through the dross to get to them, but I'll find others.

Here's a few more, still searching in the shoe boxes! The Ju 52, Fennec, and B.25's were at Blackbushe. Taken on a foggy day possibly early '80's. I believe the B.25's were over here to film 'Hanover street' I happened to be going past on my way to Frimley, and luckily had a camera with me. The others are from a Yeovilton Air Day, also possibly early '80's.

that's a lovely Dodge Jimmy, I think I know why you have 100 B.G. markings on it, the base was just up the road from where you lived in Harleston? I like the reference to the Hamilton Standard fan blades!

just thought I'd sing Lincons praises on the subject. They supplied me with a battery/acid combination for my jeep a few months back. Curing in one go my starting problems. They were most helpful, and I thought the price for the high performance battery including delivery was very good value.

These were given to me some years ago by a chap who flew Halifax's. These were of taken during his training in the States withthe Empire Training scheme. Sorry, but I have no other info'

These were taken by my dad whilst in Malaya 1n 1951. The crashed Mosquito was at R.A.F. Tenga. It suffered undercarriage collapse after hitting a grave headstone on the approach! The crashed Lincoln is so far unidentified, the same with the location. I do'nt know anything about the D.C.3 or the Electra? Malayan Airways?