Messie
Hi DB,
Blimey - you were right on the case - Turdy - Nottingham - home - Net.
THe photos beat me home and I only had a quick pint.
Pity you had to zip off - I flew KBO twice today.
What about the crosswind?
OK - I know it was blowing up to 17kts at 90 degrees to the runway but - who needs a runway? I took off across the tarmac and was virtually airborne before I crossed onto the grass runway. It must have been no more than 50yds.
Into wind it is possible to use the full 30 flap - it just flopped onto the grass with hardly any ground roll.
Despite that, we were well inside the envelope - approach at 45mph/ stalls at 27 (yes really....)
Great day - probably repeat it all tomorrow.
I checked out your site - very impressive.
I am sure that KKKkken Ellis would be pleased to have a regular supply of your piccies.
HP
Hi Aerohack - I spent ages on the phone to Ron Souch - fascinating bloke. Thank you for putting us in touch.
WW Monarch.
Dr. Ian Dalziel. Now - theres an interesting bloke too....
What does anybody make of somebody who has an old wooden plane, spends lots of dough on hangarage yet allows his plane to moulder away in a damp hangar, allows mice to set up home (well...probably a high rise block by now....) and presumably cause grave internal damage; allows the thing to have its Registration cancelled by the CAA.
The Monarch isn't the sexiest of Miles machines ( I have the good fortune to claim that one....!) and the cost of restoration would exceed the end value by a huge margin.
However, it is a rare and thus important airframe that must be saved.
Saved it will be, even if it needs to wait until DrD turns his toes up and it is sold by his estate.
Trouble is - the longer it is left, the less of the original machine that will be incorporated in the rebuild.
Rumour has it also that it suffered a heavy landing on its last flight and may well have spar damage too?
Can anybody verify that?
Somebody out there has the inside track on Dr.D.
I have written to him at an address I was given -no reply.
I have sent 'please forward' letters to him to WW from where - presumably - his hangarage invoices originate - no reply.
I was given a phone number - left a message - nobody called me back.
OK - he may well be tired of anoraks pestering him but - well - - I have done a fair bit for the marque over the past couple of years. I even got Dr.D's mugshot published in FP - Kings Cup victor in 1979 flying Falcon G-AEEG.
You'd have though - wouldn't you? - that anybody with even the remotest interest in Miles machines would have enjoyed the recent publicity, gorgeous piccies and - well - just phoned me.....
Come on you guys at WW - what is the score with this bloke?
There has to be a reason why a learned man of letters is capable of behaving in such a strange way.
I would like to meet him. I would like to record his anecdotes on the Kings Cup win for posterity. It will be published. The aircraft history file demands it also.
No prizes for guessing that my letters to him contained a request for a picture of him with the aircraft and the Kings Cup. No prizes either for concluding that he simply ignored it. It took my good friends from Shipping and Airlines (Messenger G-AKVZ) at Biggin to stump one up. Thanks guys!
We are but the temporary custodians of our Nations aviation heritage. I take my responsibilities very seriously indeed.
Who knows how my fortunes will change - I may get a few quid together and expand my collection (of 2 only now..!).
If I do - then the Nation will benefit in future years. I hope they will stay together.
If I end up busted and they have to go, you be damn sure that they won't be sold to the first person who waves a cheque under my nose.
They will be kept in the air. The Public will enjoy them. When I finally join the Choir Invisible, adequate provision will have been made for my planes as well as my family.
Dr. D - If you are out there - please call me. I am a nice guy (apparently). You might get your @rse into my planes. However, it takes this communication thing to make it happen.
So, Aerohack - you did ask!
Wheres that picture??!!
HP