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Old 16th Sep 2002, 19:31
  #10 (permalink)  
izod tester
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 199
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From the Gloucester Citizen today:

"A woman has spoken of her terror as a Spitfire performed "dangerous stunts" above her home in Gloucester.

Janet Schonbeck, 73, phoned the police because of her fears of an imminent air disaster on Thursday evening. Other residents also rang 999 because of the noise and the low level it appeared to be flying at.

The Spitfire was part of a fly-by display for an RAF Innsworth dinner to commemorate the Battle of Britain but for Mrs Schonbeck, "it seemed as if a mad man was intent on killing himself and possibly dozens of others".

She said: "It was more than a fly-past, he looped the loop, flew upside down and dive-bombed virtually above my garden. I couldn't believe it was happening - these were dangerous stunts above a densly populated area."

An RAF Innsworth spokesman said it was routine for planes to be used at ceremonies. She added: "The plane was flying at the legal height limit, not below it, but these planes are very noisy so it may have appeared to be closer than it was."

Police confirmed they had a number of calls but air traffic controllers told them the plane was not flying at an illegal height."

How sad. Perhaps next year RAF Innsworth could publicise the event prior to the day so that the Mrs Sconbecks of this world will know what it is all about. More importantly, those who live around Gloucester who are not fortunate enough to be invited but nevertheless would enjoy seeing a Spitfire display would have the opportunity to enjoy it.
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