It’s The Latte Latte Delta Tea Break 2018

[Gerard C]

C'on John, if you need some snow I can send you a full ball! We've a lot here and dont know what to do with… We keep some cubes for Ricard time!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

C'on John, if you need some snow I can send you a full ball! We've a lot here and dont know what to do with… We keep some cubes for Ricard time!

I am quite happy for you to keep it Gerard! I'm keeping the blue sky & sunshine.

[Mike Bell]

Well, the sky is now blue here since the snow stopped! As usual it’s slowly turning to slush, and the pavements look non-negotiatable. Luckily no urgent need to go anywhere, but was hoping to get out on bicycle. Perhaps not.

In the meantime been going through the U.K. summer air show calendar hoping to find one that fits in with racing, and think I’ve found a big event fairly close which doesn’t clash for once! Wonders never cease, and pensioners get in cheap. Couple of years ago I promised my now departed mate that when he was recovered enough from initial surgery we’d go to Duxford together. Sadly that wasn’t able to happen, but I’ll make every effort this year to go in his memory.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Well, the sky is now blue here since the snow stopped! As usual it’s slowly turning to slush, and the pavements look non-negotiatable. Luckily no urgent need to go anywhere, but was hoping to get out on bicycle. Perhaps not.

In the meantime been going through the U.K. summer air show calendar hoping to find one that fits in with racing, and think I’ve found a big event fairly close which doesn’t clash for once! Wonders never cease, and pensioners get in cheap. Couple of years ago I promised my now departed mate that when he was recovered enough from initial surgery we’d go to Duxford together. Sadly that wasn’t able to happen, but I’ll make every effort this year to go in his memory.

That's funny, I've been wondering how I can work-in a Duxford visit, not having been in a while. I get my own private mini air show here, as the son of some near neighbours flies & he pops down every now & then to say 'hello'. If he spots me outside he usually treats me to a barrel-roll over the garden.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

That's funny, I've been wondering how I can work-in a Duxford visit, not having been in a while. I get my own private mini air show here, as the son of some near neighbours flies & he pops down every now & then to say 'hello'. If he spots me outside he usually treats me to a barrel-roll over the garden.

Hope he does a risk assessment and fills in all the forms. Oh hang on, you’re not in the UK....

The early and late Duxford shows clash for me, but the middle one is squeezed between two big historic race meetings, and only 50 odd miles away.

[Gerard C]

Many people still stuck in their cars still on the road, buses stopped, some tubes not working because of the Seine river flooding. what else for tomorrow? A demonstration is announced! Hope they have not to cancel it…*And I'm talking about France's capital of the 21st century

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Many people still stuck in their cars still on the road, buses stopped, some tubes not working because of the Seine river flooding. what else for tomorrow? A demonstration is announced! Hope they have not to cancel it…*And I'm talking about France's capital of the 21st century

Surely the locals won’t be demonstrating if it’s cold and snowy? Best wait for summer when it’s more pleasant to to so...

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Hope he does a risk assessment and fills in all the forms. Oh hang on, you’re not in the UK....

The early and late Duxford shows clash for me, but the middle one is squeezed between two big historic race meetings, and only 50 odd miles away.

Knowing what his day job is, I trust him implicitly, but I can't talk about that on a public forum. Suffice to say, H&S-type nonsense probably doesn't play a part!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Many people still stuck in their cars still on the road, buses stopped, some tubes not working because of the Seine river flooding. what else for tomorrow? A demonstration is announced! Hope they have not to cancel it…*And I'm talking about France's capital of the 21st century

Did you join in the demo's against 80 km/h at the weekend, Gerard?

[Mike Harte]

I'm hoping to do all three days at Fairford this year as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the RAF. It is such a huge show that at my speed it will take all that time to view all the exhibits plus see all the air displays, which will, this year, be different on the two flying days.

Much more exciting than going to the Silverstone GP for three days, and considerably cheaper too.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I'm hoping to do all three days at Fairford this year as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the RAF. It is such a huge show that at my speed it will take all that time to view all the exhibits plus see all the air displays, which will, this year, be different on the two flying days.

Much more exciting than going to the Silverstone GP for three days, and considerably cheaper too.

Agree! I looked at Fairford and the RAF centenary, but as you say, will need more than one day and further from home for me. Ironically it’s the same weekend as Duxford....

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Agree! I looked at Fairford and the RAF centenary, but as you say, will need more than one day and further from home for me. Ironically it’s the same weekend as Duxford....

If you have never been to Fairford, it is well worth the journey; and like you being in Norfolk, Duxford is much nearer to Yorkshire for me. It's probably the best air show in the UK - even better than Biggin Hill, which is right up there - and I have seen some fabulous aircraft there, including the Yanks first public fly-by of one of their stealth planes about 30 years ago, which made an unannounced appearance until it appeared approaching the airfield threshold.

[bauble]

It's my 60th anniversary of leaving the RAF, no doubt the occasion will be celebrated by the Brillcream Boys.

Per Ardua in an Astra.

L.A.C. Bauble.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by bauble

It's my 60th anniversary of leaving the RAF, no doubt the occasion will be celebrated by the Brillcream Boys.

Per Ardua in an Astra.

L.A.C. Bauble.

Gosh, you must have been really young when you joined Bob.

Mike, I like the idea of Fairford as it’s not just ‘vintage’ planes. I used to enjoy Mildenhall Air Fete Before the world security situation stopped it. Duxford is all about the old stuff, but the Tattoo would make an expensive weekend rather than a relatively cheap day out!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Gosh, you must have been really young when you joined Bob.

Mike, I like the idea of Fairford as it’s not just ‘vintage’ planes. I used to enjoy Mildenhall Air Fete Before the world security situation stopped it. Duxford is all about the old stuff, but the Tattoo would make an expensive weekend rather than a relatively cheap day out!

We used to go to Coltishall air shows but I don't suppose there's much chance of that happening again!

Duxford is a day trip, even for me. In fact, I have done it, albeit not for an air show but a Caterham F1 day.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

We used to go to Coltishall air shows but I don't suppose there's much chance of that happening again!

Yes, it was a family day out for us as well! Ah, memories of when it was home to Gloster Javelins, Lightnings, Phantoms..... all bleeding noisy!

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I'm hoping to do all three days at Fairford this year as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the RAF.

.

I think you mean "commemorating the death of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service". RIP

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Yes, it was a family day out for us as well! Ah, memories of when it was home to Gloster Javelins, Lightnings, Phantoms..... all bleeding noisy!

When I worked at Lotus, the RAF was operating Lightning's from Coltishall. One of their favourite tricks was 'buzzing' Colin Chapman as he took off from Hethel. On at least one occasion he had to put it back down on the ground pretty smartish!

[Mike Bell]

John, latest from your old employer is that they are recruiting loads of people to help with development of..... the Louts SUV! Will be based on Volvo platform, which makes sense as both owned by Geely. They've promised not to do a Porsche and stick a totally unsuitable Exige nose on it.....

Also read today that Jag are going to build 25 more D Types, following on from the Lightweight E and XKSS. Long or short nose, your choice.... Prototype and announcement at Retromobile today, apparently.

[Mike Harte]

I really don't understand why public authorities seem to go out of their way to invite ridicule and poor publicity.

One of the latest examples of this is Derby City Council whose parking enforcement officer gave a £70.00 parking ticket to a resident in a resident only parking area. The reason for the ticket was that the warden couldn't see a parking permit.

And why couldn't the official see the permit? Because the windscreen on to which the permit was attached was covered in snow resulting in the permit being invisible.

One has to question why the council didn't immediately quash the ticket, rather than, eventually, putting out a bland statement that they cannot discuss individual cases but they will be investigating this one. All it would have taken is a minute to look up their records to confirm that the resident had paid for the permit, and then cancel the ticket. But no, they have to drag their feet, and the result is that the resident takes the nonsense story to the media making the council look foolish.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

John, latest from your old employer is that they are recruiting loads of people to help with development of..... the Louts SUV! Will be based on Volvo platform, which makes sense as both owned by Geely. They've promised not to do a Porsche and stick a totally unsuitable Exige nose on it.....

Also read today that Jag are going to build 25 more D Types, following on from the Lightweight E and XKSS. Long or short nose, your choice.... Prototype and announcement at Retromobile today, apparently.

Yes, I know about the ghastly SUV plan. Hopefully they will build them in China & keep them there. As for basing it on a Swedish shitbox....

I should think Colin Chapman will be turning in his grave. His ethos of lightness & efficiency is about the polar opposite of Volvo's lumbering tanks.

...and oh, the renderings I have seen do show it with Elise-style nose.

Seen about the D-Types. Also announced at Retromobile a plan by FCA Heritage to source & refurbish old models, similar to the Range Rover scheme. For example they have S4 Alfa Spider and Lancia Fulvia Coupe, amongst other things, at the show.

[Gerard C]

The Fanalone are making a lot of money by now. Strange that you still can find rather affordable Junior Zagatto on the market. What will organizers say if someone wants to enter a continuation D Type?
With the livery thing may be we will have strange grids hosting 15 Belg*, 8 Gitan**, 9 Barcla**, 18 Marlbo**, 9 Play*** and 3 Mecarill** cars in a world now banning cigarettes!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

One has to question why the council didn't immediately quash the ticket, rather than, eventually, putting out a bland statement that they cannot discuss individual cases but they will be investigating this one. All it would have taken is a minute to look up their records to confirm that the resident had paid for the permit, and then cancel the ticket. But no, they have to drag their feet, and the result is that the resident takes the nonsense story to the media making the council look foolish.

It’s a council- and you expect common sense?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Yes, I know about the ghastly SUV plan. Hopefully they will build them in China & keep them there. As for basing it on a Swedish shitbox....

I should think Colin Chapman will be turning in his grave. His ethos of lightness & efficiency is about the polar opposite of Volvo's lumbering tanks.

...and oh, the renderings I have seen do show it with Elise-style nose.

Seen about the D-Types. Also announced at Retromobile a plan by FCA Heritage to source & refurbish old models, similar to the Range Rover scheme. For example they have S4 Alfa Spider and Lancia Fulvia Coupe, amongst other things, at the show.

Not a Volvo fan then, John! We will have to beg to differ, then......

A Lotus SUV will be all about profit margins. If building them increases the company’s viability and allows new proper Lotus sports cars to be built, then I’m fine with it.

The Land Rover Heritage people found a very early LR Series 1 (may be pre-production) during their search for vehicles to restore. To their credit, it’s not going to be turned into a shiny concours vehicle, but will be left as original as possible, including paint. Good approach, IMO.....

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

It’s a council- and you expect common sense?

Stupid me!