fly-in

[MA_Moby]

I went to my first fly in today (at least the first one I've flown into).

I went as passenger and occasional navigator in a Piper Cherokee belonging to a small flying club based at a little airfield and former WW2 base, Little Snoring. The place positively reeked of history. The old tower is still intact, though ghostly now - all its windows empty of glass. The club house looked like it had once been an officers mess, and was in a time warp circa 1950 - you could almost smell the pipe tobacco. The base itself had housed Lancasters, Mousquitos, and for a short spell P-51s and P-38s. It was still used up to 1957 which is when the flying club took over (there were photos on the wall of their first plane - Tiger Moth, with a Hurri landing behind it).

Now there is just the Cherokee and a few other privately owned light aeroplanes. About half of one of the original runways survives.

We took off and made the quick 25 minute hop to Old Buckenham, which used to be home to the 453 bomber group of the USAAF. Lots of planes had made the fly in, including some Yaks, so much fun was had watching everyone taking off and landing in between parachute drops (there's a parachute school there and they land right next to the runway ). It's always nice to watch the lovely resident Stearman flying about.

Then back to Little Snoring to soak up some of that fantastic and slightly erie history. If I turned my eyes to slits I could almost hear the sound of Merlin engines starting up. Terrific!

[Stolly]

Sounds like a good day out, take the digital camera next time

[MA_Moby]

sadly I'm still stuck with old fashioned photography - my trusty Cannon SLR and a point'n'shoot APS (which must stand for the cost of developing - Any Price Steep!)

If anyone can recommend a digital for less the £150 I'm all ears (preferably one I can slip in a shirt pocket).

[Dakaras]

Check out

http://www.digi-darkroom.com/

A wealth of knowledge there

[Zak33]

I know the feel of an old place Moby

Me, Rias, Tumble and Lyn went to Old Warden yesterday but they've modernised it

I was shocked....new gift shop, new cafe (too many chips in England for my liking, where are the nice places, that dont stink of fry-up )

However, has to be said, the shop was superb in comparison.

Those Yaks you saw Moby? *Zaks face lights up at the very sound of the word Yak as he reads and types it*....were they the Yak 52's like this?

[MA_Moby]

yep

one was painted in grey camoflage, with red engine cowling and tail

the other was painted red white and blue

I didn't get any piccies as they took off just after we'd landed

there were a few about at the weekend. I heard one on the radio that was climbing out of Cromer en route to White Waltham

[Clingy]

Old Buckenham is a beautiful place to just chill out!

p.s. Moby - Saw an advert for a 4mp Kodak at PCW I think. Might have been for the weekend only, but they sometimes extend into Monday. Kodak wouldn't be first choice for a photo-head but can be a good first digi-cam and it's very easy to use. Ooo just seen this.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...1&tm=undefined

That is in your budget, just. Obviously spending more will get you better. However, you will need some accessories like a memory card and a case, so if your total budget is £150 we'd have to think again.

[MA_Moby]

yeahg Old Buck has a nice atmosphere - a good mix of pilots and general enthusiasts. Nice food too!

re: the camera! cheers mate - I'll check it out, i think there's a similar deal (online) at Currys

I'll have to go and check then in RL fist I think to get a sense of scale and weight. I want something nice and compact to slip in a pocket (suspect that might cost a bit more)

[MA_Moby]

Pictures from the day ~



The old tower at Little Snoring



The 1960s PA-28 140 Cherokee



Passing Norwich



The lovely Stearman at Old Buck



I volunteered for the backseat for the ride back!



Little Snoring.

[Zak33]

Little Snoring.

Sounds like heaven on a field, huh?

[Clingy]

I know what you mean about having a small camera. I have had loads of cameras and videocams and TBH never use them becasue I cba to lug them around. SO when it came to getting a digicam I went for a small but still good qaulity one. You sure pay a premium for smallness. It's a Pentax Optio S (3.2MP 3xOptical 3x Digital Zoom) and is about the size of a box of Swan Vestas. Even with a case its only the size of a packet of fags. Very very pleased with it and I find myself taking loads of piccies now.

Cost me £280 a year ago and is now selling for £174 here

You may find a cheaper price at pricerunner and of course the High Street Camera Shops will usually match British Internet Prices.

[MA_Moby]

Little Snoring.

Sounds like heaven on a field, huh?

Predictably the club house bar is called 'The Snore Inn'!

about the size of a box of Swan Vestas

I looked at this and the wee Canon camera the other day. They're at about the same price now in some places. The Pentax has a better optical zoom, but the Canon is just a tiny bit smaller.

[MA_Moby]

I know what you mean about having a small camera. I have had loads of cameras and videocams and TBH never use them becasue I cba to lug them around. SO when it came to getting a digicam I went for a small but still good qaulity one. You sure pay a premium for smallness. It's a Pentax Optio S (3.2MP 3xOptical 3x Digital Zoom) and is about the size of a box of Swan Vestas.

Thanks for the tip-off Clingy. I've bought one. It seems excellent