Phwoar, Charles! No matter how sick you are, this will turn your crank

[Sir C]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017...-released-iwm/

I'm pretty sure this is the picture that made me fall in love with it all those years ago.

A fine-looking aeroplane, no question; quite possibly the finest looking aeroplane.

Many RAF pilots flying the P51 for the first time were amused to note the inclusion of a cigar lighter for the pilot's comfort and convenience. Those crazy yankees, eh?

A bit of a bitch to land, you know. The laminar flow wing was very critical in the flare.

I had the privilege of a few minutes hands on in one once, from the rear seat. She needed a strong hand.

[71 Guns - channeling the spirit of Mr Hat]

A fine-looking aeroplane, no question; quite possibly the finest looking aeroplane.

Many RAF pilots flying the P51 for the first time were amused to note the inclusion of a cigar lighter for the pilot's comfort and convenience. Those crazy yankees, eh?

A bit of a bitch to land, you know. The laminar flow wing was very critical in the flare.

I had the privilege of a few minutes hands on in one once, from the rear seat. She needed a strong hand.

Have you been to the Lone Star aviation museum in Galveston, C? I found myself there 20 odd years ago...they have some wonderful planes

[Sir C]

Have you been to the Lone Star aviation museum in Galveston, C? I found myself there 20 odd years ago...they have some wonderful planes

Sounds like it could be in Yankee land, 7. Not for me, I fear.

[71 Guns - channeling the spirit of Mr Hat]

Sounds like it could be in Yankee land, 7. Not for me, I fear.

I was drifting around Louisiana/Texas and ended up in Galveston. The museum was about the only interesting thing there.

[Herbette Chapman - aged 15]

She needed a strong hand.

I expect she scared you a bit C with you usually pootling around in one of those little Chipmunks.

And will you man the feck up with this little dizzy spell. Vertiginous nausea my arse - too much taste of the cock if you ask me. Just find a decently rough pub, down a few Stellas and get into a decent manly scrap, you'll be cured (and do try not to blub if you get a fat lip).

[Sir C]

I expect she scared you a bit C with you usually pootling around in one of those little Chipmunks.

And will you man the feck up with this little dizzy spell. Vertiginous nausea my arse - too much taste of the cock if you ask me. Just find a decently rough pub, down a few Stellas and get into a decent manly scrap, you'll be cured (and do try not to blub if you get a fat lip).

A 420 bhp Yak 50 was significantly more of a handful. No, I mean that the control forces were rather higher than one would expect. Dogfighting such a beast must have been a physical ordeal.