David Lee – aviation expert, commentator, friend April 8, 2009
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David Lee
I have known David Lee for more than 25 years, which is a frighteningly long time (for David, that is). Our careers and lives ran in a strangely linked fashion, involving such disparate elements as the British Aircraft Preservation Council and Barry, South Glamorgan. Indeed, at one stage we held parallel appointments, he with the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, and I at the Science Museum, Wroughton.
Suffice it to say, that we became firm friends, and some years ago decided that working as a commentary team would be good fun. Since then we have found that the ‘team’ is an entity stronger than the sum of the two individuals. David’s organizational skills and deep knowledge seem to be enhanced by the aviation oddities I come up with. We enjoy working together, and are looking forward to another excellent Great Vintage Flying Weekend at Kemble Airfield, on 9th & 10th May, 2009.
Here is David in his natural habitat. The commentary position at Hullavington gave magnificent views of the aircraft park, and the departing aircraft. Let’s hope that the new arrangements are even more enjoyable….there are rumours of air conditioning!
Pretty French single-seater December 10, 2008
Posted by shortfinals in Aviation, Great Vintage Flying Weekend, Uncategorized.Tags: Ardem VW engine, Aviation, Druine, Great Vintage Flying Weekend, Rollason, Turbulent
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G-ASHT, Druine D.31 Turbulent
The tiny Turbulent is a French design (by Roger Druine) and was meant to be the lightest aicraft possible powered by a 45hp Ardem Mk IV VW engine. It has some superficial resemblance to the Jodel D9 Bebe, without, of course, the characteristic polyhedral wings of the Jodel.
Factory-built versions of this pretty little single seater were available from Rollason in the UK and Stark Flugzeugbau in Germany; many others were built from plans.
Yet another aviation blog? Hardly….. December 2, 2008
Posted by shortfinals in Uncategorized.Tags: Aviation
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Well, here we are, turning short finals, just coming back on the power, and……what? I’m waiting for the bump as the main wheels hit the grass? Well, there’s a little left in the tank; I might just call for a go around, and try for another circuit……
I have seen a lot, done much, but there are still a few things left to experience – so here goes!
This blog will have a fair bit of aviation in it (bound to happen with my background), but also chunks of industrial chemistry, museology, textile technology, engineering, travel and tourism, metallurgy, Victorian literature, science fiction, library science, and military history. These themes are NOT exclusive, so beware (there may also be bits and pieces of cricket and baseball, too). One other warning; ALL photographs are my own, and copyright WILL be enforced; if you wish to use any, we can negotiate.
Anyhow, ATC seems to be chattering away in the background, so …..let’s aviate!
