"Main Point" (Archive 8)Newsletter of News, Views, Comments and Articles.
Email Message from Mike (Slim) Hodson.
"All our thoughts and prayers go to Hank Goldsmith who is recovering from major surgery."
[Ed.] If you need any further details perhaps you could contact Slim. I'm sure we all wish Hank a speedy recovery. Get well soon Hank!
(Report 20th Nov 2007.)
No.60 MU Church Fenton Memories.
The trip to Hendon RAF Museum during the 74th Entry/Triennial Reunnion brought back memories to us all. But I was especially excited to see the Fiesler Storch light German aircraft I had shared a hanger with during my time with No 60 MU at RAF Church Fenton. I found some notes I made some time ago about my time at Church Fenton...
"We had three Luftwaffe aircraft belonging to the Historical Branch of the RAF, who had decided that they should be restored to their former glory for exhibition purposes.
These aircraft had been brought back to England for extensive trials after the Second World War and eventually arrived at Church Fenton in the late 50's. 60 MU set to work on the Maurane Saulnier/Fieseler Storch, Messerschmitt 410 A4/U2 and Messerschmitt 110 G4R6 night fighter, parts that could not be replaced or restored were fashioned in the Unit's workshops, they also researched and reapplied the original paint schemes. Ironically, we were also restoring a Spitfire Mk 16 in the same hangar!"
Joe Bosher.
1. See the Fiesler Storch at Hendon.
2. and there's more about the Fiesler Storch.
(Report 10th Nov 2007.)
The Return of Avro Vulcan XH558
Slim emailed me about the first flight of the restored Vulcan we have all been so interested in over the past decade. Did you see the flight on the TV?
The return of Avro Vulcan XH558 to the air on the 18th October 2007 in a 34-minute test flight marks the spectacular end of a 10-year effort, and the start of a brand new phase in the life of this amazing aircraft.
This huge achievement, unique in the history of aviation, owes everything to a massive team effort. The financial support of many tens of thousands of members of the public and the Heritage Lottery Fund, added to a superb contribution from Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace, the support of BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and many other aerospace companies, and of course the Trustees and employees of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, made this happen.
See the latest on the Vulcan. now.
Or on the BBC Website.
(Report: 22nd October 2007)
Slim Saves the Day in Denmark.
Slim Hodson sent the following story about his strange reunion with a Merlin engine:
[Photograph: The Rolls Royce Modified Merlin Engine in its shed in Denmark.]
My visit to Denmark in 1998 was to the small village of Rodkersbro for a Triumph motorcycle rally.
I knew many of the bikers there from other countries, and had been meaning to go for many years.
On the Saturday night the highlight was the running of the Merlin engine in the outside shed. It has open exhausts and the noise and flames go down a treat.
This particular year it would not start. I, having had some drink, was not slow in stepping forward and explaining that I was trained on this engine in my days at Halton.
However the controls were just wires and in the dark I just pulled them and the engine burst into life!
Naturally I was congratulated and was considered an expert on these engines.
Since that time I have returned every year in case of problems. This year there was an electrical problem that I was able to fix locally before the Saturday running.
A few years ago it was successfully mounted on wheels so that it can be moved.
In 2006 I was interviewed by the local paper and had a full page on my motorcycling and the engine reported in the Saturday edition.
FAME AT LAST.
Slim
[Editor] Please send me any news items or stories that may be of interest to members of the 74th Entry Association or any other visitors to the 74th Entry Website.