Ok people, related to one of my earlier post I have also fond a photo of my dad in his uniform, he is however with a few of his friends. There is a
bit of a question attached to this one. As per title where is or was this taken, it was late 1942 it was in the UK. I do know the answer cos it WAS in
the original photo name. The unit WAS an OTU (Operational Training Unit). If one of the stories my Dad told me was correct, then one of the Station
Commanding Officers, shortly before this was taken, was to take early retirement rather than a Courtsmarshal for contravening an order (Directly from
the Airministry) that he had given to ALL the assembled pilots on the base shortly before he broke the order himself. Allegedly he was an ex WW1 pilot
of some note and was depressed about a lot of things and wanted out of the service. The order he broke involved low flying and a bridge, specifically
fairly local to the airfield, but well known across the country.
I have NOT been to this site, but I think that a few of you may have been. But I don't think anyone from my area has been there.
and the photo :-
Dad and some of his friends
clue :---- leeks
Solved by Fozzie. Llandow 1942 53 OTU and my dad, 2nd row, 2nd Left.
[Edited on 24/7/10 by jollygreengiant]
he flew under the seven bridge despite the fact it hadn't been built?
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
he flew under the seven bridge despite the fact it hadn't been built?
I can think of a few around(ish) these parts.....my uncle was a typhoon pilot...who also had a lot of 'telling offs' 
....
But its the 'local' bridge that's getting me.......so I am guessing its not the Surrey area..there is no way an aircraft under any of
the local Thames bridges .. and apart from Brooklands there are no current day circuits and of course Brooklands is no longer in use...
And I cannot think of a bridge very near Goodwood .....nor Castle Combe.........
I give up.......
Ok so its definitely NOT in the south east, east, north east, but it IS in the west.
another clue:--- its not 1 'L' of an airfield but it is too
slight play on words.
[Edited on 24/7/10 by jollygreengiant]
Ah...................now.........there is a circuit I have raced at.........and there is a display Spit (think it's a Spit)......
Donington?
I'll go for Anglesey...
Nope and Nope, think welsh and 2 L's. not a big venue but know to have a few meets.
[Edited on 24/7/10 by jollygreengiant]
Ah...ooooo.....yep yep.....Llandow (sp)
Nope never been there
quote:
Originally posted by Fozzie
Ah...ooooo.....yep yep.....Llandow (sp)
Nope never been there
It probably looked spectacular, but there would have been a lot of space around the aircraft as he went under (it's a high, wide bridge).
The ban probably had more to do with not peeing of the neighbours and 'being seen to be acting responsibly' rather than any danger to plane
& pilot.
I would have loved to have seen it though!
quote:
Originally posted by jollygreengiant
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
he flew under the seven bridge despite the fact it hadn't been built?
You are close. a bit to far down the seven tho.
guess i would have been
Quote from Adian Roberts on 'The Great War Forum"........
Christopher Draper, sometimes known as the "Mad Major" got a reputation for flying under bridges in WW1. I don't know if he was the
first. In 1953 aged 61, on his last flight before having his licence revoked, he flew an Auster under fifteen of the Thames bridges