Rlangham

Two BAe Nimrod's (getting old enough now!) Auster Mk III which served in the far east during WW2, best aircraft i've flown, very light and responsive Auster AOP VI Auster Beagle Terrier which served in Korea as an AOP VI Auster AOP 9 Stampe biplane which I flew in over the WW1 battlefields as well as a few modern RAF training aircraft

Far away enough not to be in the immediate surrounding area. I hope it doesn't happen to me either, which is why I won't live within several miles of an airport. As for those that have lived there all their lives, then it is a shame, but the new runway will create more jobs as well as bringing more money into the area, same goes for those that lived there pre-airport, but I doubt there's many people that have lived in the same house since WW1, which is when aviation at the site started, or pre-1946 when the airport first fully opened for civilian use

Just make sure you don't get locked on the train when it gets to it's destination, you wait for everyone to get off so your mate can get a photo of you at the front and have to be rescued by TfL staff! Not that it happened to me....

Personally I wouldn't move house next to an airport, which do tend to have a habit of expanding

Definitely a good thing, need the extra capacity. For those that live nearby - unless you've been living there for over sixty years, hardly in a position to complain as there's been an airport there since (IIRC) 1948. No point in moving to the Thames Estuary as there's already lots of infrastructure already in place at Heathrow, no point in having to move that when it's already in one place, plus having to move jobs etc, and would create another new group of NIMBY's

Anyone know which aircraft used oxygen cylinders? I certainly can't think of any WW1 British aircraft which did

They paid for the first article I wrote, about the Zeppelin pub, and said they wanted to publish at least one other which I sent them a copy of - as to whether they published that one I have no idea, as I don't buy the magazine

Too bad Britain at War have a tendency to say they'll publish your articles then not reply to your e-mails for half a year....

By the way Catweazle, did you know the RNLI used a Nelson on service at Sheerness and Calshot? Still use larger Nelsons as training vessels

Personally i'm very proud of the RNLI and support them when I can (doing an abseil off the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool for them in May if anyone fancies sponsoring me!). Without them, well, it doesn't bear thinking about. They save lives not just through going out in a boat and rescuing people, but also through making people aware of the dangers, giving out advice and also through the Lifeguard service at beaches. The Coastguard, RAF and RN helicopters can only be in one place at a time, and can't tow boats home or operate in extremely severe conditions (which resulted in the loss of the Solomon Browne lifeboat in 1981 with all 8 crew, and the 8 people it rescued)

I call shotgun

Never heard that one, I have plenty of photos from that area! Could be because whenever i've been in that area, the hall itself is deserted. I'd have to go for Firepower actually, it's in a very nice redeveloped area next to the Thames, everything's presented very well and no instrusive barriers, good cafe and very good toilets, exhibits in fantastic condition and easy to get photos of. Only downside is not enough heavy WW1 artillery!

Duxford i'd say. Probably more due to my own interests - rare German artillery stuffed in the corner of the Land Warfare Hall as a 'captured equipment dump', a Bristol Fighter which is very spartan (no armament etc and just as a tag along for the Battle of Britain exhibition, as well as the Thornycroft AA gun), and the RE8 hung from the ceiling with two girders in the way. As well as that, a lot of aircraft are hidden by others, and/or facing away from the public. Plus endless rows of Spitfires doesn't do much for me, personally. That and the £16 entrance fee and extortionate and much below average food and drink doesn't help (food and drink applies to Bovington as well)

89 in Leeds yesterday!

Yep, exactly the same

Original postcard in my collection From the back; The sketch depicts an incident of the recent fighting, in which one of Pickfords' familiar motor vans figured prominently, and creditably also, thanks to the pluck of the driver and the armed escort. A small British convoy was on its way to the troops at the front at night, when a party of Uhlans, appearing suddenly, blocked the road and demanded surrender. The driver of the leading van at once put on speed and drove slap into the midst of the enemy while his armed escort stood up and made devastating use of his rifle against the German lancers. The latter, surprised by the motors' sudden assault, and placed at a disadvantage by the panic of the horses, afforded easy targets at clse range, and in a few moments bolted from the scene. The convoy reached its destination without further molestation. (Drawn by Lionel Edwards, under the supervision of an Officer lately returned from the front.)

Original photograph in my collection of a Douglas 2 3/4hp 350 cc motorcycle, dated 1916

Helps if it works though! Not sure what he's actually doing with it restoration wise, I know he's been buying bits for it though

Here's a couple of photos of the Douglas before restoration started, i'm sure the owner won't mind me posting them. Hoping to get a Douglas myself in a few years time

I reckon a combined re-enactor and static vehicle event could be a goer - my group would be up for it for starters, and there's a few other very high quality groups who'd be interested too. A member of my group is finishing off the restoration of his 1915 Douglas motorcycle, and there's a member in another group I have ties with that has three motorcycles, including a motorbike and sidecar combo with Vickers MG

And if anyone wants a WW1 tommy to tag along....

Oof, what a let down - i've heard no end of disaster stories involving re-enactors and the BBC! Nice photos though, can't help but think that with the lamps, the Autocar looks a bit like Clive Dunn http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/clivedunn.jpg

A whole album full! When I see my dad over christmas i'll scan any other interesting ones in. Just noticed the colonial chap standing to the right of my Grandad (on the left to the viewer) is wearing WW1 1908 pattern webbing gear

Not sure where the best place to put these was, as they cover vehicles, artillery and aviation! Feel free to move it if deemed neccessary. Although my Grandad was lucky enough to survive the war, despite some very very close shaves. Served with 200 Battery 68th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment at first (turns out the Germans didn't like 3.7inch heavy anti aircraft guns blasting away Panzers at Tobruk, and he was on one of the last trucks out after his Regiment was wiped out), then served in the 69th during Italy, he died around a year before I was born, so never got to meet him. Hope these are of interest Anecdotes include him making the front page of the local paper (dad has a copy back home) of him meeting his wife's brother (in Cairo IIRC), on christmas day in the desert him and the gun crew being served up with a huge trifle, the top covered in flies. No one wanted their portion, so he had theirs, simply scooping the fly covered top off and eating the rest! My Grandad, Frederick Albert Langham, but always known as Albert In front of a 3 ton truck Good photo showing pup tent, rear wheels from 3.7inch gun and a CMP truck in the background Not sure how many men here, possibly the whole battery? Vehicles in the background are three AEC Matador's, used to tow the 3.7inch guns P40 'Kittyhawk' fighter B24 'Liberator' bomber Barrage balloon, and a Fordson WOT2 15 cwt truck on the ground Gun crew, showing the 3.7inch gun - Grandad kneeling on the left Marmon Herrington armoured car, without any armament In front of a pyramid British Valentine tank, captured by the Germans and then re-captured by the British Tea break at Tobruk Simply captioned 'Wog Army' - always thought it was a weird coincedence that the guy on my Grandad's left looks just like him

Yes, have to admit i'm very guilty of being fixated on the Western Front prior to this weekend, but it was a real eye opener! Apparently we're being flown out there again next year for an event somewhere on the Asiago, can't wait!