View Full Version : Project Propeller, 3rd July
It is not too late to get involved in this marvellous event, offering you and me, Johnny numptie PPL, the opportunity to fly with veteran airmen of World War Two. If you have participated in previous years, you will know what a pleasure and a privilege it is to fly with these men. On previous outings I've had a Hurricane pilot show me how to improve my barrel rolls, a Typhoon DFC put dodging low cloud into perspective (it's pretty easy when there are no long nose 190s trying to get at the Mosquitoes you are escorting through snowstorms to bomb a Gestapo prison), flown with survivors of thousand-bomber raids, and looped and twirled with men who last looked out of the canopy and saw an elliptical wing 60 years ago.
This year it's at North Weald, a suitably historic venue. Details here
http://www.projectpropeller.co.uk/
Join in.
Dusty_B
8th Apr 2004, 15:22
Our website statistics have soared in the last few days - I thought we'd got some press somewhere!
We've taken over ten registrations since this thread started - thanks to all of you who have volunteered so far.
Any more for any more?
Aussie Andy
8th Apr 2004, 16:27
Excellent event: can only agree enthusiastically with FNG's recommendation. Have done it twice so far and look forward to it again this year! Highly recommended and very worthwhile event!
Whilst on the subject of WW2 and "The Few" etc. I would like to recommend a book to everyone with any interest in what is was like for these heroes to gain their wings and fly Spitfires in defense of Britain in 1940: the book is called "First Light" by Geoffrey Wellum, out now in paperback, and it is absolutely great!
"First Light" is indeed a marvellous book: quite the most human of the British pilot memoirs I have read (perhaps benefitting from being written some time after the experiences described). In my opinion, it is comparable to Pierre Clostermann's "Le Grand Cirque". I wonder if we could persuade Monsieur Clostermann to come to Project Propeller?
WorkingHard
10th Apr 2004, 20:29
Perhaps someone could enlighten me (I hope it is only me) about a "problem" I have enrolled for sveral years and looked forward to meeting some of the extraordinary old timers but in the event NOTHING. An acknoledgement of regitered interest and then nothing. So one gives up trying to help
Aussie Andy
11th Apr 2004, 07:13
WorkingHard: Bizarre - did you try phoning?
Andy
WorkingHard
11th Apr 2004, 14:00
AA - Bizarre is the correct expression. Not only did I telephone but I volunteered to "fetch & carry" fom/to anywhere. This was just my way of showing my appreciation for what these guys did so very many years ago. Still, perhaps they were simply oversubscribed, at least that is what I shall assume.
Dusty_B
19th Apr 2004, 10:24
WorkingHard: Sorry to hear that your offer to participate hasn't been taken up in the past - more so that no one got back to you to let you know why.
I'm not involved with the rostering, but I can tell you that we are generally over-subscribed on two counts:
1) from the 'usual' favorite locations, where we have more seats than bums
2) in landing slots. At Kemble in 2002, we had a physical limit of 125 aircraft - it would be temporally impossible to land any more on a single runway by the start time, refuel them, and get them all off the ground again at the end!
Unfortunately, there are often a few aircrew out in the sticks that end up getting left behind because we haven't got and aircraft near by, whilst there are spare seats available at Waltham, Barton, Elstree, Popham etc.
We always accepts as many registrations as we can, and then roster to get the most aircrew there on the day given the number of aircraft/seats available. Dennis does take care to see that as few as possible are let down, trying not to leave out the regular attenders nor the ones that have never been before!
I will re-stick this nearer the time. (not much room up there at the mo') :)
Just popping this back up for a bit.
Aussie Andy
24th May 2004, 11:49
I had an email from the organisers yesterday: they are now starting on the process of matching up aircraft, pilots & veterans its seems, so we should hear more in the next couple of weeks.
Andy
Hansard
4th Jun 2004, 22:20
Have volunteered this year for the first time but not quite sure what to expect - can anyone advise?. I'll be flying a bog standard PA28 and I think it'll be a bit of a disappointment to my passenger - no speed, fancy manoeuvres, aerobatics, etc., etc - just A to B and back, with perhaps a landing elsewhere, time permitting. Any tips?
Hansard, worry not. These fine blokes are happy to be in a piston powered aeroplane, and to meet old friends at an airfield. Do not be surprised if you find that the bomber chaps are a little taciturn. Their fearful experiences are discussed amongst themselves. Fighter guys tend to be more loquacious. In any event, it is a great privilege to spend a day amongst these men, and it is one of the very best things that you can do with a PPL .
Please see the Flyer Forum: two veterans need lifts from Wellesbourne.
http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=6744
AerBabe
29th Jun 2004, 22:25
BTTT... And a request that you say hello - I'm working that day, can't wait. :ok:
BRL, if you are questioning Aerbabe's BTTT when this is already stickyfied, you have to remember that she's now moved to Essex, so her huge scientifical brain is but a shadow of its former self.
AerBabe
30th Jun 2004, 16:26
Sorry... I didn't notice that it was a sticky. The rot has begun. :sad:
It appears that the weather on Saturday may be a bit blustery and showery, but hopefully flyable. All I have to do is stooge along the north London corridor anyway. Hope it holds up for those coming from further off.
Aussie Andy
1st Jul 2004, 19:20
Yes it doesn't look great... do I understand correctly the crosswind runway is not available on Saturdays?
Andy
Rallye Driver
2nd Jul 2004, 07:35
Correct. 13/31 will be closed because of the market. Normally it can be used for take offs, but I expect there will be aircraft parking on it and the bowser will be next to it for refuelling.
So, it will be 02/20 and a crosswind, as usual! :}
RD
Oh, great. Multiple crosswind landings on a hard runway in a Cap 10 (I jave offered some jollies whilst I am there) . Keep your headsets on if you don't like listening to tyres squealing. AB: is the grass available?
AerBabe
2nd Jul 2004, 18:53
I believe the grass would be available, as it is parallel to the active runway. However, I can't say for sure. Give us a call in the morning and ask: 01992 564200. We're in from 7am local.
Kolibear
3rd Jul 2004, 20:06
Hopefully, one day, the 'new' grass runway will be open. Thats on a rough heading of about 05/230-ish.
Edit - -If they get round to mowing it this year :eek:
Aussie Andy
3rd Jul 2004, 20:39
Great day today - I enjoyed it as ever... I especially enjoyed the "crosswind-challenge" approach on the way in :O! I also enjoyed bumping into so many friends while we were there!
Well done to the organisers, and top marks for the chap doing the AFISO job - must have been tough when we all wanted to get away at once!
Andy :ok:
A great day. That crosswind was a beast, but we all slayed it. Certainly easier after my second trip using the grass, with the shelter of the trees. As Andy says, the FISO bloke did a fine job. Interesting talk by an ATA pilot - those talented women are insufficiently recognised - but poor acoustics in the hangar made it difficult to hear well. My veteran passenger had a good time and told me some great stories of his Typhoon Squadron days in Normandy, Holland and Germany. Off now to Sandown for day 2 of a great flying weekend.
yakker
4th Jul 2004, 08:48
The woman was Diana Barnato Walker, if you did not buy her book "Spreading my Wings" you have missed out on buying an excellent read, and some of the money from the book sales went to Project Propeller.
and top marks for the chap doing the AFISO job , seconded
Alas, the last copy sold out as I got to the desk, but I shall order one.
More here: http://www.gapan.org/reviews/wings.htm
There's also "The Forgotten Pilots" one by Lettice Curtis, whom I gather still flies a bit at Waltham.
AerBabe
5th Jul 2004, 19:01
There were two chaps doing the FISOing and they did do a great job. Unfortunately, I only got to the tower after the mass exodus, so missed out on a lot of the fun.
Thanks and well done to everyone who battled their way in - the line up during the middle of the day was superb. And thanks, FNG, for making my lunch break a bit more interesting. :ok: