h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Signed petition...

It's annoying, we're hardly allowed to celebrate our nationality anymore.

Oh, and don't apologise, MMF - lovely memories, thanks for sharing. I would have loved to see all those! The Vulcan and Lightning, memories of a time when we were *Great* Britain!

MH. It was twenty years that I enjoyed, even if my Dad didn't.

The best part was sitting on the back of a Landrover, being driven down the runway when all the planes for the 'Battle of Britain' were all lined up, with my Dad photographing them. It seemd, at the time (I was 6) that there were hundreds, but probably only around a dozen, I guess. I must ask him if if he still has copies... They were all black and white though! Colour film was too expensive!



MMF

Ooh! You could write an Entry about them and supply the pics!

That is quite obviously one of those unique childhood memories that will last forever. If you *do* find pics, I'd love to see them.

I used to live about five miles away from an RAF bombing range, so we used to have lots of jets flying over us. Even from that distance, you could hear the cannon on the A-10s when they let rip.

Luckily our pilots were a lot, so no cannon fire. We also had the french equivalent of the Red Arrows as well. Not a patch on our guys though, who also practiced a lot in our area... to the point that I am almost blase about them, but still think they are .

MMF

A couple of years ago I saw The Red Arrows at RAF Waddington airshow. They wiped the floor - I mean, sky - with the other teams.

I emailed them to tell them how spectacular they were, and included a couple of photos I took.

The photos are now framed on my wall, having been printed out by the Red Arrows' publicity officer, who got the ENTIRE TEAM to sign the photos!!

We see the Red Arrows a lot in Portsmouth, they fly a lot over our house when they're doing a display over the harbour, A memory I have is of Alex waving at one of the pilots, who flew so low over the house we could actually see him in the cockpit

I much prefer the old propeller planes. I find modern jets to be boring. I suppose its like the difference between steam trains and diesel/electric trains.

A few years back there was aBattle of Britain concert in the base next door and 2 Spitfire's did a display, I stood outside the kitchen and watched the whole thing, you can't beat the sound of a Merlin engine

once while in Filey, a Lancaster bomber and a Spitfire flew round the bay and made it look like a strafing run on the bomber, the sound of the Spitfire engine brought tears - both most excellent

Yeah, that's great stuff isn't it

you see films and documentaries etc, but to actually hear one, when it flew overhead, the noise of the engine was unbelievable, my body shook from the sound waveI might forget stuff, but seeing/hearing those 2 - never

I know what you mean, I was upstairs at work, in our kitchen and I heard this noise and I thought "That sounds like a Merlin engine" so I went outside and this Spitfire roared overhead and I could feel the vibrations in my chest, it really is something else to see these old birds

I was nearly run over by a spitfire at duxford airfoeld

I have to admit, the old piston engines sound superb - although the intake howl, just before the full roar, as a Vulcan throttles up to full power is something to experience...

As for being run over by a Spitfire - what were you doing??

I can't post links while using this browser, but go to youtube, and search for "Low Flying Spitfire" - the first one that comes up is incredible - but be aware, it contains some bad language.

I was ambling down the runway, not really paying attention to anything much, just looking at the planes.

Down the RUNWAY?

Do you have lemming blood in you?

That was brilliant Moonhogg, the low flying harriers were good too. I wonder if there is a Vulcan clip

off to look

Websailor

I heard the Monster Raving Loony Party intended to slash the defence budget by scrapping Euro-fighter and building Spitfires

18th Sept' 08
I have just received an email from the Governments response to the petition,as follows :-

You signed a petition asking the Prime Minister to "Allow the Red Arrows to
Fly at the 2012 Olympics."

The Prime Minister's Office has responded to that petition and you can view
it here:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page16886


Prime Minister's Office


I thank then here,for their answer

Prof