matt hooks
You suggested that older aircraft are more likely to have accidents and received a one word comment of 'rubbish' from JDK.
There are three aspects that stem from the age of an aircraft. Age as in worn out or on last legs which as I am sure is unlikely to be a factor with loved and cherished aircraft - of which there are plenty at Duxford.
Then there is also the fact that older aeroplanes have more demanding handling characteristics because of the limited knowlege that existed when they were designed. This is normally compensated for by carefully selecting the crews - especially these days after one or two boobs in that area in the past.
Finally there is the inherently reduced level of reliability of components as designed decades ago. Again this is compensated for today by tighter maintenance procedures and the quality of the ground crew.
JF