Great memories fella's - and ones to cherish and pass on to future generations. My own father would have been in his very late teens/early 20's when WW2 began. He had done an apprenticeship and was working as a toolmaker and universal grinder at Ford's, Dagenham. His own father had been at Briggs Motor Bodies, initially at Manchester and then moved down to East London as a Foreman when Briggs was assimilated by Fords and they built the Dagenham plant. I know my father applied to join the RAF (with, no doubt the same dreams as many young men of flying aircraft) - but then (as now) it took a special kind of person to do that and Dad was colour blind to start with, in a 'reserved' occupation so that wasn't going anywhere. In the turmoil of getting back on the countries 'feet' after WW2 he worked for several engineering companies sub contracting to the aircraft industry - one needs to remember that the UK, although effectively 'bust' was then during the 50's and 60's worlds leading hi-tech aircraft manufacturer. Dad was working on producing advanced components for aircraft like the Fairy Rotodyne helicopter and the TSR2 'ground hugging' multi-purpose fighter bomber. The aircraft industry was decimated by a then Labour government 'pulling' all these aircraft, giving the 'secrets' away to the American's and creating major redundancies in the UK's engineering trades. Yes, I had initial aspirations to join the RAF and fly, as did my son.......but now (as then) only the best of the very best get a chance.......
Saturday I was parked for a couple of hours in the daily driver in Brentwood while Mrs Roscobbc was touring the shops. A beautiful day, made better by the sounds of a Merlin engine rising and falling somewhere close. Couldn't see where is was but every 10 minutes or so I would hear it. I finally caught sight of it when leaving Brentwood via Warley. This is in a relatively high heavily wooded location on the edge of the Thames Valley. As I drove through the area to my right for a few seconds the Thames Valley and an open vista from the QE2 bridge to London's Dockland was visible and this superb Spitfire was flying at what appeared to be barely 100 foot over me down the edge of the valley banking, turning and zig-zagging around a solitary helicopter (presumably on a photo-experience trip - at first that looked quite frightening as the Spitfire seemed very close to the chopper and it was 'buzzing' all around it - spectacular nonethe less). And that was why I earlier kept hearing the Merlin engine note rising and falling - a wonderful sight and sound - won't ever forget that! - thinking back it was strange that this had been going on for a hour or so. Its nowhere that close to where the air experience Spitfires operate from (Duxford and Kent) and why so close to a built-up area? that in itself is contradictory to flying regulations - perhaps it was footage for a film?
