Well, 'ere we are, some 17 years since the JT OFG was formed, and today, Fri 29th Jan., was our FIRST get-together since Feb 2020. (Buggar Orf COVID).
Today's meeting was very well attended. A very congenial drink and a nice lunch was attended by some 75 - 80 or so members and their visitor guests, who enjoyed a rather interesting and informative talk by Mr Bevan Marshall, ex 'Dept. of Many Names' who gave an excellent talk about the 'Bond Airship' which operated over Cockburn Sound during the 'Americas Cup' Yacht Races.
This was followed by Mr. Don Gordon who was 'attached' to the RAF Museum at Cosford, and who told us all about the 'experimental' Prone Position Gloster Meteor, where the 'experimental' pilot was housed in a 'forward' cockpit, added onto the nose of a 'standard' Meteor, the last production aircraft actually, with the view of being to reduce the 'cross-section' of the fuselage of future models, and so increase the speed of the aircraft.
(Less 'Parasite Drag'.) The 'normal' pilot was still in his 'normal' position. The concept was not persevered with, as the 'forward' cockpit had lots of 'evacuation' problems in an emergency.
This aircraft is currently housed in the RAF Museum at Cosford, UK, in the 'R & D' hangar, adjacent to the TSR-2....Now there's an aircraft......
The concept was encouraged by the German FW-190, the pilot of which was almost in an 'inclined' position due to the reclining seat and the rudder pedals being raised somewhat, to reduce the effects of 'G' forces in combat maneuvers. They didn't have 'G' suits then.
A truly interesting and informative day.
Next meeting - COVID willing - is Fri., 26th Feb., upstairs lounge RACWA at 12 noon.
Tell 'em Griffo sent ya....I'll be one of the 'men behind the bar'.....
Cheers