I've spent a few delightful hours over at Shoreham this weekend. The weather has been brilliant & it brought all the memories flooding back. I first started work at the Southern Aero Club in 1960 when I was 17. I used to do all the odd jobs like refuelling, strapping in pupils & swinging props. Things are a little different now but some things never change. I took these shots from exactly the same spot where the old Aero Club building was situated. Go back 40 years, swap the Stampe for a Tiger Moth & this could be me.
The instructor showing the pupil how to get in without breaking anything.
Switches off, throttle closed. Sucking in.
Throttle set. Contact.......!
Chocks away. I hope his head isn't as close to that prop as it looks.
Things didn't go quite as smoothly as it appears. They actually had a little trouble starting it & I used some artistic licence. (A lot of people seemed to have problems starting up today for some reason. ??? )
I was so used to doing this that I reckoned to be able to start all our aircraft on first pull 99% of the time. All engines vary & you have to get used to their little peculiarities. It also depends on the pilot setting the throttle exactly in the right position. Starting from cold or hot should be easy enough. It's that bit in between times that can be a tad tricky. There's a knack to it.
Happy days & wonderful memories.
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