Post by lordevanelpuss on Oct 2, 2020 19:33:56 GMT
What a pity I didn't think of this at the time, though the Pylewell park event of 1993 that I did write about was certainly worthy of a mention. For this one, let me set the scene. Popham had a first visit of type on 12th July 1992 when the only UK registered AN2 visited Popham when on it's way back to Henstridge from the 50th Anniversary fly-in at Blackbushe. That day was also the day of the Biplane fly-in at Popham. That AN2 was G-BTCU. It was nice enough to see that one grace Popham's turf, even better to see inside it (I wonder if you were able to look inside at Blackbushe) but what were the odds of a second, different one popping into Popham a few months later, I certainly wouldn't have put any money on it! But it happened! Even less would I have laid any money on me flying in that second AN2, but again that's what happened. To tell the story, I have to mention the whole weekend of 26th & 27th September. On 26th September the Taro leisure centre at Petersfield held an open day which involved a hot air balloon lift, hence my being there. Whilst there I got chatting to one of the balloon crew members who was due to fly on the AN2 due at Popham the next day (HA-ABJ) but had to cancel and if I let the leader of the Andover PFA (as it was then) strut group know that this member wasn't able to go and had the appropriate ammount of cash, then maybe I could take his place. Well I got my flight which was from Popham to Debden. Here's my log for both days:
26th Sept 1992:- Over Aldershot PA28 G-AVOZ; Taro Leisure Centre Balloons G-BUGP, KBKB, BFOS, UMBO, FABB & overflights Ce172 G-BAEY, PA28 G-AVGC, AA5 G-JWDG. On the way back home a powered parachute was seen flying about in the Frith end area, it turned out to be Powerchute Kestrel G-MWFG.
27th Sept 1992:- The day of the flight. Popham, this is everything, whether seen before I flew or after our return. Ce337 G-AZKO; AA5 G-BOXU; Ce172 G-AWMP, ARLV, BHUJ, AYJW; Ce150 G-AYCF; Maule G-BSKT; PA38 G-BOMZ;
DR400 G-BAEM; B121 G-BAKW; Rallye G-BETO; Cub G-BILI; PA28 G-BMSD, AVNW; Balloon G-SKYR; AN2 HA-ABJ
Debden:- AN2 HA-ABJ (which was to do a display routine at the show - no pax on board of course!) PA28 G-ATTV; DHC1 G-BCHV, BCOU; BO208 G-ATTR; DH82 G-AIXD; Ce172 G-BHYR; Bell 206 G-BUZZ; AS355 G-XPOL; Pitts G-HISS;
Ce180 G-ASIT; Shadow G-BONP; Brantly G-AVIP; Harvard G-BGOR, BGHU; Rallye G-ASAK; Prentice G-AOLK, AOKL; Spitfire G-XVIA; Aeronca G-AKTR.