I got back into spotting in 2003. Since then I've been trying to get back some old logs that I had lost between 1974-88 for trips, Airshow's, museums and Manchester Airport visits.
On just the Heathrow trips alone I went on just 9 between 1977-1988. Out of these I have got back 7 out of the 9. The two dates I've asked for are looking a bit thin compared to the others. I know the times I was there, due to these early trips being on coach trips from the North West and memory of certain aircraft.
On my overall search I've managed to get back 75% approx of the lost logs. I understand I won't get everything back and in away it's be like putting a big jigsaw puzzle together over the last two years, which has been quit enjoyable ride.
I've actually found that some of the earlier logs had some mis-poles and found other aircraft that I saw but didn't get at the time.
With the help of the various message boards and some great individual spotters detailed logs and trips to the library in Manchester to look at the old ATC records ( which only record Arr/dep times, flight numbers, type and only odd priv& military aircraft regs)
Below is just a brief history of my lost log search.
When I started in 1974 I went on just 10 trips to MAN from Jun to Oct.
1975 every Sat from May to July.
1976 first Airshow Woodford and odd special days like diversions up from london.
1977 first LHR Trip, 2nd Woodford, plus spotting only on school holidays up until 1978 and odd special days.
1978 2 & 3rd LHR Trips, 3rd Woodford and odd special days.
1979 4 & 5th LHR Trips, 4th Woodford, 1st Barton and odd special days.
1980 not much spotting just the Wales Aircraft Museum and Germany.
1981 6 & 7 LHR Trips 1st GAT, London Museuns with aircraft in, St just lands end & RAF Finningley.
1982 8th LHR, 2nd GAT, DUXFORD Airshow june, Middle Wallop, 5th Woodford plus Woodford family day, RAF Finningley, Farnborough.
1983 not much spotting, 2nd Barton, Manchester Air and space Museum,
flypast of the spacshuttle with 747.
1984-85 no spotting
1986 flight to Tenerife, Cosford Aerospace Museum.
1987 Coventry Airport, Midland Museum, odd Man days.
1988 9th LHR, Mildenhall, 2nd Duxford visit, odd MAN days.
So there you go, it's been easier to trace logs due to the fact I didn't going spotting every weekend. So it's been easier to recall dates, places and times.
Albert