WIX Archives
Re: Why do you love Warbirds?
Posted by Peter on Thu Jul 04, 2002 02:07:02 AM
In reply top Why do you love Warbirds? posted by Karen on Wed Jul 03, 2002 08:50:23 AM
Hi Karen,
Well that one really got me thinking, It isn't really just a love or an obsession, it is a way of life!
At the age of 12, something drive me to start flying R/C model aircraft. I didn't know much about WW2 aircraft at that stage. After a few years i constructed my first large aircraft, a 1/4 size Sopwith Pup. With this aircraft I started flying at model air shows. Friday evening Mid June 1990, I had just arrived at Old Warden Aerodrome (Bedfordshire UK) for the Scale Model Aircraft meeting and rushed across the the edge of the runway for my first experience of a real live Spitfire. I remember that the pilot (Andt Sefton I think) put that aircraft through the most breath taking display I could imagine, so that was it!
I now build and fly large models of WW2 Fighters, just because it is the closest that I can get to flying the real thing. I attend as many meetings as feasible where I know that WW2 birds will be flying. My all time favourite though has to be the P38j Lightning, After an awesome practice display I witnessed (I think in 1995) flown by (the late) 'Hoof' Proudfoot at Duxford. I built myself a model of the P38j and moved into a house as close to Duxford as I could afford.
I did eventually fly my P38 at a model meeting at Duxford in 1997. It was a proud moment for me, especially as it was witnessed by some engineers of 'The Fighter Collection' who operated the full size.
My model P38j Lightning: 'California Cutie'.