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The most exciting flight of my life!!!

Posted by Richard Allnutt on Mon Aug 25, 2003 09:26:21 PM

In reply top Re: Formation Flying!! posted by Olivier Lacombe on Mon Aug 25, 2003 09:59:00 AM

Hi Olivier and Mike... it was really great to meet you both. The show was a blast, wasn't it. It is funny how the smaller more intimate airshows are often the most enjoyable.
With regards to the formation flying, I had the great fortune to be flying in the tail of Panchito for the formation over the Houses of Parliament. We had no idea it was the last changing of the guard ceremony though... that must have been a stroke of good fortune. I got some of the very best photos of my life from there, and the excitement and pleasure I had as first the Spit, and then the F-18 pulled up on to within a few feet of our tail is more than I can describe. We had unbolted the tail gun set up from the B-25 before flight, so there was just an open space at the back, with a totally unobtruded view. It was a breathtaking view of the world from there... though I must admit that the fighter break we did over the airfield on our return was a bit interesting.... I had to hold tight against the fuselage floor, as the G's seemed to want to toss me out the back!!! It was exhilarating though, and I can't wait to share the photos when I am done with them. My greatest thanks must go to Panchito's pilot/owner Larry Kelly, the co-pilot Kevin Smith, Mike Potter (OF COURSE!!!), Daniel Belanger (the CF-18 pilot), and John Baert who organized it all. It truly was the most exciting thing I can ever recall doing!

Cheers,
Richard

PS. If anyone can supply me with Mr. Potter's contact information (off board of course) I would really like to send him some photos to say thanks.

: Yes, and it was bloody beautiful!
:
: I would loved to know that they were going to fly over in
: advance, so I could have had my camera ready...
:
: Olivier

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