Thanks for the kind offer but Aussieland is quite a long hop for this codger and, besides, much as I enjoyed getting my hand back in, I'll stick to safer territory. I do, however, envy all Pitts owners! If I had one there is no way I'd let anyone else loose in it. Group ownership gives me nightmares. Ever noticed how a member stops flying for a week or two if he thinks he's overstressed it!!!
I bought an Elan+2 kit when it first came out ('67-68??) . Kept blowing valves every 500 miles. Lotus couldn't sort it so I sold it at a profit. Handling was very precise 'cept when a wheel dropped off but it did have a cushioned rubber feel.
Far as flying is concerned, I packed in after an engine failure followed by someone brushing my canopy with a wheel on my 'get back up there and restore the nerve' flight (Chipmunk). In addition to which, most of the people who instructed me seemed to be getting killed (Neil Williams, Manx Kelly, Jane Whyham, Mike Terley). I thought, maybe, someone was trying to tell me something - third time 'lucky' eh! Later Marcus Edwards went followed by Pete Clark.