My one chance to get close to a sonic bang was foiled by a but of poor navigation. This was by a Sabre at a Battle of Britain air display at St Athan. We all waited to have our ear drums assaulted by the bang and, although it came in very fast, there was no bang. Apparently, the commentator explained, the USAF pilot had mistaken nearby RAF LLandow for St Athan and by the time he had recognised his mistake, he had slowed somewhat. I am sure he was an American pilot because, with his nice black leather jacket, he looked so much smarter as he crawled down the air inlet as he did his preflight checks.