TBM
I remember those well. How different an experience that was to the hospitality provided to spotters by the RAF!
I was once entertained at RAF locking in the mid eighties (I know, no aircraft there), by simply saying I was in the army at the main gate, and needed something to eat, and to POL my motorbike. The gate guard was a little suspicious as I was dressed totally in civvies, but then asked me a question that would catch out any would be spy..........He said 'Are you sure you're in the army' to which I replied yes. Myself and two friends then rode around the station, and ate lunch in the junior ranks (or whatever the RAF called it) mess. I will admit to the fact we were riding 'issue' can-am bikes, but they aren't exactly impossible to get hold of.
So, my advice to spotters is try the RAF......Free pass, free food, and you get to sit in classified kit!.....Or, for a small fee, try your local museum. the kit will be the same, but the cafe will be more expensive
