I think I first became aware of the TCT/Stearman 'adventure' in the AH&N sub-forum early last year on the thread titled "The Lady who flew Africa".
Assuming that it was probably something to do with Lady Mary Heath, I was most interested.

Within the first page of that thread, my reaction went from interest, to slight amusement, then to bemusement.
My feelings now?
While I try to see the funny side of it, they really do range somewhere between outrage and disgust.
"GREAT" Britain, indeed.

The worst part about it?
While one can understand tacky entrepreneurs and the funny-handshake brigade being involved, the apparent active involvement of Royalty
in the promotion of this stunt is, to my mind and the values I grew up with, reprehensible.
.

SD,

Thanks for cleaning up the thread and unlocking it. I was missing my daily installment of this incredible tale.

I have read that the award of the HCAP Master's Medal is the prerogative of the Master. I have seen two letters from two different Masters.

Does this mean TCT will get two medals, while Tim Peake only gets one?

The politically correct world that I live in would smart at the term Bird (in a biplane). TCT's very choice of strap-line shows how out of touch she is with her alleged feminist message.

Yes.
The medals are for different reasons.
She is getting one for nav (I think it was iirc) and one for promoting women in aviation (or some such).
I did say someone should mention the value of his award to Tim Peake. I suppose he can put it next to his "Rear of the year" award if he gets one. Same shelf at least.

I presume one is REALLY for Ewald, and I applaud this, but he's going to be like one of those art collectors who have a stolen piece of art. He will have his Masters Medal to look at, but he'll just look at it on his own sometimes.

I think it's a bit mean of HCAP to give him his award in this way.

I took a look at Ewald's website. If T C-T leaves anything intact from the list it is the toyshop where I will spend a large chunk of my lottery winnings!

I know, I know a man has to have dreams, but Ewald has some truly beautiful stuff available.

SND

ATC,
Yes, funny that isn't it?
In fact, it seems to get funnier by the day.
I'm sure there'd have to be some TV comedy writer/producer taking notes of what turns up on here.
You couldn't make it up.

Above The Clouds

At least the Kenyan Aviation article is still there for all to see.

A couple of things in that article stood out

and

Our friends over at Rotorheads are well aware of Ms Curtis-Taylor.
http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/581...-spitfire.html

CC

Is that the helicopters, or the hangars, or both that seem to be AWOL?

Or both?

Or did they exist as that figment of imagination that had some peculiar assertion that 'solo' is a simile for 'alone in the cockpit'?



And the 'Nature of Damage - Damage to propellor and tears to the left wing' seems wonderful, given there is no similar Accident Report for the severely damaged Robinson R44.

Curiouser and curiouser, cried Alice :hmm:

To be fair, the pilot report stated:

A quick look at the ANO

Sooooooo, was the (admitted) omission of wing walker/observation reckless or negligent? :eek:

Her old website front page, with the pop up,refuting certain allegations regarding her 'solo' flights or 'sole' flights has disappeared.

No mention of an appearance in the Daily Mail either.

Instead we have some more postive spin with more talk of global outreach whatever that is.

The one question she has never answered is why does Ewald have to be in the front seat on all the Spirit of Artifib's cross countries?

No one has ever questioned her ability to fly the Stearman but there must be a compelling reason not doing all the voyages solo as implied.

http://www.birdinabiplane.com/images/jul16.gif

I must admit I am staggered how so many have been taken in by the hype.

Strong connection with Portsmouth?

Revealed: honorary graduates for 2016 | UoP News

The university could have done a bit of fact checking on the last paragraph. She only reached Arizona before crashing which is a long way short of Boston.

Does anyone remember Dr. Helena Hamilton and her trusty Hornet Moth?

Remember seeing this frail little Lady (yes, with a capital L) depart from Stauning (Denmark) to the UK many, many years ago, in grey and drizzly weather while the entire hung-over, Ray-Ban equipped male pilot part of the attendees was wetting their surplus store flight suits while peering anxiously at the weather. Needless to say, she arrived safely.

If ever a woman in Europe was a role model for fellow aviatrices, then it was her. How many honours did she have bestowed on her?

All explained on her website (copied below) and accompanied with pics of what appears to be her doing good deeds with endangered species and needy natives :

"Outreach Programme

Alongside pursuing her interests in flying, adventures and inspirational speaking, Tracey and
Bird in a Biplane Ltd (BIAB) are committed as part of their work to support a structured
outreach programme to support related causes and organisations. This support ranges from
raising awareness of these causes and organisations through flying and speaking engagements,
their inclusion in BIAB’s media activities, and through personal appearances and advocacy.

The six causes embraced by BIAB’s outreach programme presently include:

Historic aviation – where flying of vintage aeroplanes acts both as a celebration and testament
to the early pioneers of military aviation in the UK, whose activities in engineering, flying and
innovation have been a major influence in worldwide aviation today, showcasing the
extraordinary aviation heritage based in UK. Associations include Brooklands Museum Trust,
The Shuttleworth Collection, Goodwood.

Services charities –
Tracey’s work acts as a remembrance and support for the families of those whose lives have
been sacrificed or livelihoods affected through their military service in association with the
Royal Air Force. Events and charities supported include the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, the
Royal Air Force Association and Boeing’s Battleback Campaign.

Education and young people –
where the experience of flying and all its related activities including engineering, can be both an
education and an inspiration for young people today. Including the flight from Cape Town to
Goodwood in 2014, the forthcoming flights to Australia in 2015 and across the USA in 2016,
Tracey embraces this a global cause. Organisations supported include Royal Aeronautical
Society and the Air Cadets.

Help for the disabled –
Tracey and BIAB seek to make use of her flying to raise awareness of the challenges faced by
disabled people of all ages around the world, and to provide practical support through sharing
experiences. Associated organisations include Aerobility in the UK.

Women in aviation –
through honouring earlier women pioneers in aviation, and working with her contemporaries,
Tracey actively promotes the involvement of women in all aspects of aviation including flying,
engineering, training and safety. Associated organisations include British Women Pilots
Association, and the Amy Johnson Memorial Trust.

The natural world –
in addition to her early year adventures, Tracey and BIAB are now engaged on flying around the
world between 2013 and 2016, providing a rare appreciation of the natural world from the air, at
low level. Support for conservation of the environment is embraced by Tracey and BIAB and,
reflecting the first completed stage of this global journey, Tracey works with Tusk Trust, the UK
charity focused on wildlife conservation, communities and education in Africa."

Also quite easy to miss another little économie avec la vérité regarding her being an "Honorary Officer with the Royal Navy", rather than with the Royal Naval Reserve, as is actually the case (at least, according to the London Gazette).

Flying "Around the World" ? ...' a rare appreciation of the natural world from the air at low level' and 'support for the conservation of the environment' !!

How on earth can an expensive jaunt by a wealthy aircraft restorer and a middle aged woman in an avgas guzzling Stearman be deemed helping the planet?

A microlight I could accept but not an airframe that burns more energy in an hour than the average third world person uses in a year.

"The plan now is to continue the US flight early next year, picking up the journey where Tracey left off...."

I would earnestly recommend "picking up" from rather further back than where she "left off", which is a superb euphemism, and definitely a long way short of Boston as Jay Sata says.:hmm:

"....so to receive this degree from University of Portsmouth is a tremendous honour, especially as I have a strong connection to Portsmouth as I am also an Honorary Officer with the Royal Navy"

Something of a non sequitur, and not exactly my idea of a strong connection per se, quite apart from the fact that she seems to have forgotten that her honorary rank is actually as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve, vide https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...21042/data.pdf .:=

Jack

She wants to be careful doing that! That's how I pranged my Maule :p

piperboy - your post #955,
That seems to have covered pretty much everything except the 'Land Rights for Gay Whales' campaign - or has that worthy cause now become passé?
Looks to me that the snowballing success of this scam has allowed the TCT machine to be able to afford to engage the services of
a slightly more competent Creative Copywriter.

So, she's going to "Star" at the EAA gig, eh?
I can just see the headline now .. "Tracey does Oshkosh".
(Please pardon the lack of alliteration - tight deadlines 'n all, y'see).
She'd better kick the PR machine into high gear, because there are a few real aviators that turn up there who aren't terribly much into bull....
(There'll also be a few who remember her for having accused the Winslow FBO of providing her with crook fuel).
.