WI WO L P a r t 2 PaulBonhomme
“ D i s p l a y i n gt h eL i g h t n i n g ”
Avi at i onPr of i l e
OneLastTi me,Baby
TheFi nalTomcatDi spl ay
Mi l denhal l ’ sC1 35s
PLUS: Ecl i pseAer ospace
ThenandNow
TheSi ngapor eAvi at i on Museum Br ooksFuel-A Ret r ospect i ve
Si nc eobt ai ni nghi sPr i v at ePi l ot ’ sL i c enc eatt heageof18,PaulBonhommehasex per i enc ed dr eam of .Wi t hai r c r af tofas uper bl ydi v er s er angef i l l i nghi sl ogbook–f r om Robi ns onR22t oBoei Sbac h300t ot heubi qui t ousSuper mar i neSpi t f i r e–Paul ’ sl i f ei nav i at i onhasc er t ai nl ybeennot hi n wher ei tal lbeganandmor e. Bor nt oaf at herwhos er v edi nt he Ar my Ai rCor ps as a hel i c opt er pi l ot ,l at err et i r i ngi nt oc ommer c i al f l y i ng,andamot herwhowor k ed asa s t ewar des sf orBEA i nt he 1950s ,i twasper hapsaf or egone c onc l us i ont hatPaulwoul df ol l ow i n hi s par ent s ’f oot s t eps by
pur s ui ngac ar eeri nav i at i on.
Compr ehens i v e Sc hoolt ook hi m di r ec t l y pas tt he ai r f i el d,s t ok i ng hi si nt er es ti nav i at i onatanage wher ei mpr es s i onabl e mi ndsar e eas i l yi ns pi r edbyt hebeaut yand magi coff l i ght .
Paul gr ew up c l os et o Whi t e Wal t ham i n Ber k s hi r e, an aer odr omewhi c hwoul dgoont o pl ayac r uc i alr ol ei ns hapi nghi s c ar eeri nt hey ear st oc ome.Hi s dai l yt r i pt oandf r om CoxGr een I ndeed,Paul ’ sf ond r ec ol l ec t i ons
and r emember s bei ng “ gobs mac k ed” at t he ar r ay of i nt er es t i ng ai r c r af t on di s pl ay . “ Ther ewer et heRot hmanst eam, aBr i t i s hAi r way sVC10f l ewupand down at naught f oot s i x and Pr i nc e Char l es t ur ned up i n an Andov er . Ther e wer e al s ot wo Har r i er GR. 3s . . . The f ac tt hat t hes et woHar r i er sc oul dr oc kup atagr as sai r f i el dneart owher eI l i v ed j us t bl ew me away !I r emembert hi nk i ng,‘ Thi si si t ! ’ . ” Whi t eWal t ham c ont i nuedt obea r egul arhauntf orPault hr oughout hi st eens .Keent oi nv ol v ehi ms el f i nav i at i onwher ev erpos s i bl e,he v ol unt eer ed hi ss er v i c es as a hangar c l eaner and gener al dogs body ;i n ex c hange f or hi s manuall abour ,t hel oc aloper at or s woul dt ak ePaulupf or‘ j ol l i es ’i n t hei r ai r c r af t – Cher ok ees , Chi pmunk sand t he l i k e – gi v i ng hi m at as t eofr ealf l y i ng.I twas dur i ngt hi st i met hatPaulbegana l ong and f r ui t f ulas s oc i at i on wi t h Ri c har d Goode,who wasatt he hei ghtofhi sf l y i ngont heBr i t i s h ai r s how c i r c ui twi t ht he St ampe andPi t t sS1.
dt het y peofenv i abl ec ar eerdi v er s i t ymos tav i at or sc anonl y ei ng747bywayofev er y t hi ngf r om t heul t r ahi ghper f or manc e hi ngi fnotv ar i ed.El l i ot tMar shs atdownwi t hPault of i ndout ( I mageEl l i ot tMar sh)
ofpl ay i ngwi t hmodelaer opl anes asa boy wi l ll i k el yr i ng t r ue t o manyent hus i as t s .“ I tdi dn’ tdawn on me t hat i t was a mas s i v e pas s i on when I was a c hi l d, al t hough I was madk een on f l y i ng and bui l di ng model aer opl anes ;t he good ol d Ai r f i x
l i ne att he t i me wast he wayt o go! ”Paulr ef l ec t s . Ashegr ewol der ,Paul ’ si nt er es ti n av i at i on i nt ens i f i ed.He c i t est he Queen’ sSi l v erJ ubi l eeAi r s how at Whi t eWal t ham i n1977asak ey moment i nr ous i ng hi s pas s i on
Thr ough t hi s as s oc i at i on, Paul enj oy ed hi sf i r s t ex per i enc e of hi ghper f or manc e aer obat i c s .“ A f r i endandIwoul dl oi t eratWhi t e Wal t ham ev er ySat ur daymor ni ng whenhe’ dgoof ft oanai r s how,or Sundayni ghtwhenhec amebac k . Goode bei ng Goode – he wasa management c ons ul t ant at t he t i me–s pot t edabi toff r eel abour i nt hes ek een 1415 y earol ds . He’ dl etusc l ean t heaer opl anes andi nt heendwedi dabi tofl i ght mai nt enanc e. Goode s ai d, ‘ As pay mentf or t hat ,I ’ l lt ak ey ou f l y i ngi nt hePi t t sort heSt ampe’ , and i twast hen t hatIt hought , ‘ Ac t ual l y ,t hi si sr eal l ygoodf un’ . ”
The dec i s i on t o t r ai n f or hi s Pr i v at e Pi l ot ’ s L i c enc e was a nat ur al pr ogr es s i on f or Paul . I ndeed, hav i ng s pent s ev er al y ear s enj oy i ng pas s engerf l i ght s atWhi t eWal t ham and,whent he oppor t uni t y al l owed,f l i ght s wi t h hi sf at heri n Tr i dent sand ot her ai r l i ner s of t he per i od, Paul des c r i beshi sf i r s tf l y i ngl es s onas “ nots eemi ngl i k eabi gs t ep.Iwas s i mpl ys ati nadi f f er ents eati nt he ai r c r af t ,andIt hor oughl yenj oy ed i t . ” Hi sf l y i ngt r ai ni ngc ont i nuedapac e andPaul ,r eal i s i ngt hataf ul l t i me v oc at i on i nc ommer c i alav i at i on wasagoodwayt omak eal i v i ng outofdoi ngwhatheenj oy ed,s et hi ss i ght s on qual i f y i ng f or an i ns t r uc t or r at i ng. “ One of t he downt oear t h guy s at Whi t e Wal t ham onc et ol dme,‘ Youneed t o do i tones t ep atat i me:get y ourl i c enc e,t hen t he nex tbes t s t epi sbui l di ngs omehour sasan i ns t r uc t orandwheny ou’ v edone t hat ,y ou c an geta c ommer c i al l i c enc e. ’It hi nkt hat ’ ss t uc kwi t h ngAer ot ekS2A Speci alGSPI N,29J ul y1989 me.Ther e’ snopoi ntl ook i ngt oo Taxyi f ari nt ot hef ut ur e,y ou’ v egott o doi tones t epatat i me. ” f l ew f ort hem” )f l y i ngt heBoei ng f or ayi nt oai r s how di s pl ayf l y i ng. 737f r om Car di f fAi r por ti n1987. Af t erac c umul at i ngs uf f i c i ents ol o He woul d l at er j oi n Ri c har dGoodehadas k edPault o f l y i nghour s ,Paulf ul f i l l edhi sf i r s t wor l dr enowned i nt er nat i onal f er r y hi s Pi t t s S1 t ot he Wor l d goal and began i ns t r uc t i ng at ai r l i ne Br i t i s h Ai r way s ,wher e he Aer obat i cChampi ons hi psatSout h Whi t e Wal t ham. I n 1985 he c ur r ent l yc apt ai nst heBoei ng747 Cer ney ,wher ehewashopi ngt o t r ans i t i oned i nt o ai rt ax if l y i ng, onl onghaulpas s engerf l i ght s . f i nd a buy erf ort he ai r c r af t .On r emai ni ng atWhi t e Wal t ham f or ar r i v al , Paulf ound t hat s t r ong t he t i me bei ng wher e he f l ew Ashi sc ommer c i alav i at i onc ar eer wi nds had c ur t ai l ed t he Az t ec sbef or emov i ngt oFai r oak s dev el oped, s o t oo di d Paul ’ s c ompet i t i onf l y i ngandasar es ul t , t of l yBeec hBar onsandKi ngAi r bur geoni ngi nt er es ti naer obat i c s . t he or gani s er had as k ed f or 200s ,amongs tot her s ,f orGama I ni t i al l y he c uthi st eet h on t he v ol unt eer st oputons omef l y i ng Av i at i on. Pi t t s Spec i al ,f er r y i ng Ri c har d di s pl ay sf or t he c r owd.“ Goode Goode’ sS1 and S2 model sf r om s ai d,‘ Goont henBonhomme,go Pr ogr es s i ng as pl anned i nt ot he Whi t e Wal t ham t o Shor eham f or anddoadi s pl ayi nt heS1. ’Iwas c ommer c i al ai r l i ne wor l d, Paul mai nt enanc e, whi l s t dev el opi ng ut t er l yf r i ght ened f ar t l es s !I fI i ni t i al l y j oi ned Wel s h c har t er hi s s ol o aer obat i c ex per t i s e c oul dc hoos eapl ac et odomyf i r s t ai r l i neAi rCy mr u( “ Don’ twor r y ,I wher ev erpos s i bl e.I n1986,Paul di s pl ayi naPi t t sSpec i al ,i twoul d c oul dn’ tev enpr onounc ei twhenI madehi sf i r s t–andunex pec t ed– nothav e been att he WAC,i t
he l at es t moder n i nnov at i ons woul d’ v ebeenwi t honemanand t r om bot h Eas tand Wes t .“ The hi s dog wat c hi ng at a f i el di n f Pi t t sand t he Suk hoiwer e mi l es Cor nwal l ! ” apar t ” ,Paulex pl ai ns .Wi t ht he t t s Spec i al ,y ou had a 1948 Paul ’ si mpr ompt u Pi t t ss ol o – Pi i nt age des i gn, whi c h was whi c h he s ay s“ f ol l owed t he ol d v br i l l i antt of l y ,buti t ’ s dr aggy , adageof‘ k eepi ts i mpl e’ ,t oav oi d “ l ow and v er ys mal l . ”Thus ,t he me mak i ng a pr atofmy s el f ”– s entofa new gener at i on of obv i ous l yi mpr es s ed Goode,and adv ar bonf i br emonopl anesf r om t he he was as k ed t oj oi n Ri c har d c t r a,L as erand Suk hois t abl es Goode Aer obat i c sasan ai r s how Ex aw t he Pi t t s“ r eal l y qui c k l yf al l di s pl ay pi l ot s hor t l yt her eaf t er , s nt obei ngqui t eol dhat . ” f l y i ng t he Pi t t s S1, Pi t t s S2, i Yak 50,Ex t r a300andar angeof uper bper f or manc eenv el ope Suk hoi s at ev ent s ac r os st he Thes he moder n des i gnswasj us t c ount r y .“ I t was gr eat t o be oft c ept i onal , wi t h new ai r c r af t i nv ol v edwi t hRi c har dbec aus ehe ex i ngi ng hi t her t o uns een power wasal way sget t i ngt hel at es tbi tof br unc t i onal i t y t o bot h t he k i t ,andwhenbei ngc ompet i t i v ei n and f ompet i t i on and ai r s how c i r c ui t s . ai r s hows y ou had t o hav et he c Att het op oft heaer obat i cf ood l at es tbi tofk i t . c hai ni nt he l at e1980swast he or ement i oned Suk hoi Su26. “ 1986 was t he f i r s tt i me t he af l ot s had pr ev i ous l yf l own onl y Suk hoiSu26 f l ew i nt he Wes t . Pi t er n aer obat i c ai r c r af tf ound Goodes aw i tandt hought ,‘ Iwant Wes hems el v es f ac ed wi t h an oneoft hos e! ’Hes t ar t edt hel ong t t oget herdi f f er entbeas twhenat j our neyoft al k i ngt ot heRus s i ans al hec ont r ol soft heSuk hoi . t o getone.Obv i ous l y wi t ht he t I r onCur t ai ns t i l lbei ngupi twasa TheEx t r aandt hePi t t sar ef ai r l y l ong,dr awnoutpr oc es sbutt hey “ ev ent ual l yar r i v edi n1991.
i nt ui t i v et of l y .Theyr eac tt heway y ou’ dex pec tt hem t o.Wheny ou f i r s tf l yt he Suk hoi ,y ou c ome down t hi nk i ng y ou’ v ebr ok en i t ! ” Pault el l sme.“ Thef l y i ngqual i t i es t hey des i gned i nt oi twer ev er y di f f er ent f r om Wes t er n aer opl anes .Forex ampl e,i npi t c h t r adi t i onal l yy ouputabi tofbac k pr es s ur eont hes t i c kandy ouget 2G and t hen y ou hav et o appl y mor epr es s ur et oget3G and s o on. “ I n t he Suk hoi , t her e’ s no addi t i onalpr es s ur et o mov et he s t i c kt ogetf r om 2Gt o8G.That ’ s v er yoddwheny ouf i r s tf l yi t .I t ’ s eas yt opul li nt oal oopandf l i c k uni nt ent i onal l y . But i t ’ s gr eat wheny ougetus edt oi t ! ”as s ur es Paul .“ I ’ d al way sl augh and t el l Suk hoiowner st hat t hey won’ t enj oy i tf or10 hour s ,butt hen onc et hey ’ v edonet hei r10hour s of aer obat i c s ,i t ’ sj us t br i l l i ant bec aus ei t ’ st hent haty ouf i ndi t s uper bl yr es pons i v eandy ouk now howi tf l i es .Youc andoany t hi ng– t hel i mi ti snott heaer opl ane,i t ’ s
“ I twast hef i r s ts al eofabr and new Rus s i an aer opl ane out s i de t he Eas t er n Bl oc and i t was del i v er edi nt hebac kofanI l 76 i nt o RAF Abi ngdon. I ’ l l nev er f or getgoi ngt ot heOf f i c er s ’Mes s and one of t he Rus s i an l oadmas t er shadn’ tqui t egott he et i quet t eandhewass i t t i ngont he s t eps oft he Mes si n hi sj eans s mok i ng, whi c h t he St at i on Commanderc oul dn’ tqui t egethi s headar ound! ” Thi sgav ePault heoppor t uni t yt o di s pl ay bot h c l as s i c aer obat i c hecont r ol sofRi char dGoode' sYak50,c. 1989 s t al war t sl i k et hePi t t smodel sand Att
y ouri magi nat i on and y ours k i l l . You c an go on enj oy i ng i tand l ear ni ngt of l yi tf or ev er . ” “ Ij us tr emembert hatweus edt o f l yi nanyweat her ! ”l aughsPaul , r ec al l i ng hi ss t i nt wi t h Ri c har d GoodeAer obat i c s .“ Ther ewasno i nt er nett os eewhatt heweat her was doi ng,we j us t went .You mi ghtphoneupabl ok e200mi l es upc ount r yandas khi m whatt he weat her ’ sdoi ng,he’ dt el ly oui t ’ s awf ulandt heny ou’ dgoany way . “ L ook i ngbac koni tnow,wi t hal l t heweat heri nf or mat i onwehav e Paulwaves t ot he cr owd f ol l owi ng hi s di spl ay atRAFA Shor eham 2003 now,i ts eemsc r az y ,buti ts eemed (PaulDopson) t owor k .Al t houghy ouhadt obe bl oodyc ar ef ul .It hi nki n al lt he t i me Iwas f l y i ng f orRi c har dI managedt omi s sonl yt wos hows bec aus eofpoorweat her .ButI ’ m ol derandwi s ernow ands ens i bl y , muc h happi ert os ayno,ev en i f i t ’ smar gi nal . ” Ev erobs er v antoft het r endsand demands oft he ai r s how s c ene, Ri c har d Goode i dent i f i ed i nt he ear l y1990st hatt hemar k etwas heav y on s ol o aer obat i c s and
Gar et h St r i nger
Mai n -TheSu26soft heRedBul lMat ador s( Kar lDr age)
PaulandSt eveJ onesdur i ngt hei rdi spl ayatt he2003Shor eham Ai r show mi xi ngSu26wi t hExt r a300( PaulDopson)
l ac k ed any per manent c i v i l i an f or mat i on aer obat i ct eams . To s at i s f y t hi s demand, Goode es t abl i s hed a Suk hoiSu26 duo f ort he 1994 s eas on,f l own by PaulandWar wi c kBr ady .I ni t i al l y , t heduor out i nec ombi neds nappy s ol o aer obat i c s wi t h mor e gr ac ef ul c l os e f or mat i on s equenc es . Thi s woul d l at er ev ol v ei nt oat hr ees hi p di s pl ay f oronl yahandf ulofoc c as i onsi n 1997, when St ev e J ones – anot her k een Suk hoi pi l ot – j oi nedt het eam. War wi c kBr adywoul dl eav et he t eam att he end oft he 1997 ai r s how s eas on t of oc uson hi s bus i nes sc ommi t ment s ,l eav i ng Pauland St ev et oc ont i nue t he di s pl ayasapai r .Thei deawas s t i l ls i mpl y t o f ul f i l Ri c har d Goode’ s r equi r ement f or a f or mat i on aer obat i ct eam, and t hat t hey di dt er r i f i c al l y wel l , br i ngi ngauni ques t y l eofpunc hy aer i albal l ett o Br i t i s h ai r s hows us i ngt heSu26,anai r c r af twel l s ui t edt odi s pl ayf l y i ngandqui t e di f f er entt ot hepl et hor aofEx t r as and Pi t t s Spec i al s t hat had domi nat edt hes c enet odat e.
Huw Hopki ns
I n 2001, Paul and St ev e pur c has edt hei rownSuk hoi sand began oper at i ng as an i ndependentout f i t ,c ar r y i ng on t he Suk hoiduo wi t ht hei rown aer opl anes “ pur el y bec aus e we l ov eddoi ngi t . ”I twast hent hat t he duo of f i c i al l y t ook t he moni k erof‘ TheMat ador s ’ .Wi t h t hei r Su26 power hous es ,t he t eam was heav i l y l auded at ev ent s bot h domes t i c and f or ei gn,di s pl ay i ngasf araf i el das As i a,andwi nni ngs ev er alawar ds i nt hepr oc es s .
The t eam woul dc ont i nue t of l y t heSu26wi t hgr eats uc c es sf or t hebes tpar tofadec adebef or e t ak i ngdel i v er yoft wonew Sbac h 300satt hebegi nni ngoft he2011 ai r s how s eas on.Pauland St ev e debut edt heSbac hsi nChi naand enj oy edabr i efAs i ant ourbef or e s hi ppi ng t he ai r c r af tt ot he UK, whi c h del ay ed t hei rar r i v alunt i l mi ds eas on. Paulex pl ai nst hathe and St ev e di d not hav e s uf f i c i ent t i me f ol l owi ng t he del i v er y of t he Sbac hst oc ons ol i dat eandpr ac t i c e asmuc hast heywoul dhav el i k ed, whi c hl ed t ot he adopt i on ofa v ar i at i on of t he t eam’ s Suk hoi r out i ne f or t hei r 2011 appear anc es .“ Wedi ds omef l y i ng i nt heSbac hst os eewhatl ook s goodandi sbot hent er t ai ni ngand s af e.Wedi dabi toft het umbl i ng and gy r at i ng, t he hi ghs peed, f l i c k r ol l i ng c i r c l es and s t uf fl i k e t hat .I twas v er ys i mi l art o our Suk hois how. ” Onc e t he Sbac hs ’ wi nt er mai nt enanc ei sc ompl et e, Paul andSt ev eai mt opr ac t i c ehar dt o gett ogr i pswi t ht hei rnewmount s i n pr epar at i on f or t he ai r s how s eas on.“ Whatwepl ant odoi sup t heant eabi tanddos omemor e wac k ys t uf f .Al otofi ti st r i c k sof t heey e,r eal l y .Youhav et owor k outwher et hec r owdwat c hi ngt he di s pl ayar eandt hendes i gny our s equenc es ot hatwhat ev ery oudo t hat ’ ss l i ght l yex t r emel ook sev en mor e ex t r eme f r om t he gr ound, andt hat ’ swhatwe’ r epl anni ngf or 2012.Ther out i newe’ v ef l owns o f ars eemst obeent er t ai ni ngand goesdownwel lwi t hpeopl e.We wor k on t he bas i st hati fwe’ r e enj oy i ngi t ,andwe’ r edoi ngs t uf f wel i k edoi ng,t henhopef ul l yt he peopl ewat c hi ngwi l ll i k ei t . ”
El l i ot tMar sh
Kar lDr age
Huw Hopki ns
Huw Hopki ns
Mai n -Execut i ngadr amat i ct ai l sl i dei nt heMat ador s'SukhoiSu26( El l i ot tMar sh)
Nat ur al l y ,c av or t i ng ar ound t he s k i es i n an Sbac hi nf r ont of t hous andsofs pec t at or si sa f ar c r yf r om Paul ’ sday j ob f er r y i ng hundr eds ofpas s enger s ar ound t he gl obe -t heyar et wo c ar eer pr ongs t hat eac h r equi r e t he hi ghes t l ev el of ment al appl i c at i on.“ I nt heai r l i newor l d, y ouhopef ul l ymanagey ourf l i ght s ot haty ou nev erneed t o us e y our f l y i ng s k i l l s .I fy ou’ r e not as k i ng y our s el f‘ Whati f ? ’about s omet hi ng, y ou’ r e hal f as l eep. You’ v e al way s got t o be c ons i der i ng t he pos s i bl et hi ngs t hat c oul d happen dur i ng t he f l i ghtandy ourr eac t i onst ot hos e pr obl ems – what t o do i f an Boei ng’ sQueenoft heSki esmi ghtbeaf arcr yf r om t heai r cr af tt ypesPaul ai r f i el dc l os esoran engi nef ai l s , i sper hapsbestknownf orbutst ayi ngont opofyourgameatal lt i mesi sst i l l ands oon. essent i al .Above-shor tf i nalt oHeat hr ow’ sRunway09L.Bel ow -cl i mbi ng awayf r om Heat hr ow’ sRunway09R ( Bot h Kar lDr age)
“ Wi t haer obat i cf l y i ng,y ou’ r es t i l l managi ng y ourf l i ghtbuty ou’ r e us i ngy ourf l y i ngs k i l l st hewhol e t i me. The s i mi l ar i t i es ar e t he t hi nk i ngaheadandt he‘ Whati f s ? ’ al t hough mos t of t hat t hought pr oc es sgoesonbef or et hef l i ght . Whati fIpul lup and t hewi ng’ s noti nt her i ghtpl ac eandi t ’ snot al i gnedc or r ec t l y ?How am Igoi ng t oc opewi t ht hat ?I st her eac heat t o geti tbac ki nt he r i ghtpl ac e wi t houtany onenot i c i ng?Then,i f i tdoes happen whi l ey ou’ r e up t her e, y ou’ v et hought about i t out ed bySt ephen and hi ss on al r eady and y ou c an r eac ta bi t Sc Ni c kwhi l s tf l y i ngRi c har dGoode’ s qui c k er . ” Yak 50 at t he Cumber naul d r s how, Paul was l at er Asi ft hec ont r as tbet weenc r ui s i ng Ai oac hed by t he l at e Hoof abov et heAt l ant i cat30, 000f tand appr oudf oot–t heCol l ec t i on' sChi ef t umbl i ng ar ound t he s k yi n an Pr l otatt het i me–and as k ed t o aer obat i c ai r c r af t was n’ ts t r ong Pi oi nTFCasadi s pl aypi l ot . enough, Paul added a f ur t her j s t r i ngt ohi sav i at or ’ sbow i n1991 Hooft ur nedupt oourmeet i ngat when he was gi v en t he “ gh Wy c ombe wi t h a TFC oppor t uni t yt oj oi n The Fi ght er Hi oc hur ewi t h phot ogr aphsofal l Col l ec t i on, St ephen Gr ey ’ s br hes el ov el yaer opl anes .Hes ai d, Dux f or dbas ed war bi r d out f i t ,at t ‘ Ij us twant edt ok now i fy ou’ dbe j us t26y ear sol d.
i nt er es t edi nf l y i ngf orus ? ’ Iwasa bi tbl owns i deway sr eal l ybec aus e Iwas n’ tex pec t i ngi tatal l .Is ai d s omet hi ngt ot heef f ec tof ,‘ Yeah, I ’ dbl oodyl ov et o! ’andt hatwas t hat ! ”Paul ’ sTFC i ni t i at i onbegan wi t hat r ai ni ngf l i ghtwi t hHoofi n t he Har v ar d,“ j us tt o pr ov ey ou c oul dl and and t ak e of fwi t hout gr ound l oopi ng or c r as hi ng i t , ” and he was br i ef ed s hor t l y t her eaf t eront heP40M Ki t t y hawk bef or ehi sf i r s t ,“ ner v ewr ac k i ng” s ol owar bi r df l i ghtf r om Dux f or d.
Paul madehi spubl i cdi s pl aydebutf orTFCatt heRAF Bent wat er s Ai r s how,f l y i ng t he P40.He qui c k l y c onv er t ed t ot he Hawk erHur r i c ane XI I ,whi c h he di s pl ay edatanumberofev ent si nc l udi ngt heGr eat War bi r dsAi r s how 1991atWes tMal l i ng. “ Hoofas k ed me on t he Sunday mor ni ng atWes t Mal l i ngwhet herIhadr eadt hebookont heMk I X Spi t f i r e,whi c hIhad,andhes ai d,‘ Wel lc omeands i t i ni tand I ’ l ls how y ou whatev er y t hi ng does . ’I wonder edwher ei twasgoi ng. . .Thenaf t ert hes how, i twasabeaut i f ul ev eni ngwi t ht hes uns et t i ngandhe s ai d,‘ Ri ght ,y ou mi ghtas wel lt ak et he Spi t f i r e home. ’ Above -Ret ur ni ngt oEar t hi n TFC' sP40M Ki t t yhawk, “ Somyf i r s tf l i ghti naSpi t f i r ewasf r om Wes tMal l i ng bac kt oDux f or donas ummer ’ sev eni ngi nAugus t . Per f ec t !Ir emembert hatIs c ur r i edbac kt oWhi t e Wal t ham asqui c k l yasIc oul dandIboughtmy s el fa pi ntandwass t andi ngt her ei nt hebarj us ti t c hi ngf or s omebodyt oas kmewhatI ’ ddonet hatday ,and nobodydi d!
Fl yi ngLegends2005( El l i ot tMar sh)
“ Ev ent ual l y I had t os ay ,‘ L ook ,y ou mi s er abl e bas t ar ds ,why don’ ty ou as k me whatI ’ v e done t oday ? ’Theys ai d,‘ Goon,what ? ’andIs ai d,‘ Wel l , I ’ v ef l own aHur r i c aneand aSpi t f i r et oday ! ’They s ai d,‘ . . . Yeah,r i ght ! ’andt hatwast heendoft hat ! ” Paulpr ogr es s edupTFC’ sr ank si ni mpr es s i v el ys hor t or der .Byonl yhi sl at e‘ 20s ,hehadamas s edhour s onpr ac t i c al l yt heent i r es i ngl eengi nef l eet ,i nc l udi ng t heKi t t y hawk ,Hur r i c ane,Spi t f i r eMkI X,Mus t ang, Ki ngc obr a, Wi l dc at , Hel l c at and t he ‘ bi g pi s t on’ Above - St r appi ng i nt o TFC' s Spi t f i r e MkXI V i n r adi al s ,t he Thunder bol t , Cor s ai r , Sk y r ai der and preparat i on f ort he ' J oker 'sl ot ,Fl yi ng Legends 2000 Bear c at . ( ThePaulBonhommeCol l ect i on) War bi r daf i c i onadoswi l l r ememberwi t hf ondnes st he humbl i ngpoweroft heFl y i ngL egends1996‘ Ul t i mat e Bi g Pi s t ons ’t ai l c has e bet ween Ray Hanna i n hi s Hawk erFur yI SSandSt ephenGr eyandPauli nTFC’ s t wo Bear c at s – an ai r c r af t Paul r ef er st o as “ s pec t ac ul ar . . . j us t beaut i f ult of l y wi t h bags of power ”and,a y earl at er ,t he r i pr oar i ng t wos hi p s equenc eofs i mul t aneouspr ec i s i onaer obat i c sand r aw,f as tand l oos epowerf r om St ev eHi nt on and Paul ,agai ni nBear c at s . Norar et hos ewho bor ewi t nes st ot hem l i k el yt o f or getPaul ’ ss c or c hi ngs howi ngsi nt heThunder bol t ; Above - At t he cont r ol s of TFC' s Gr umman F8F ,Fl yi ngLegends1997( El l i ot tMar sh) i ndeed,hi ss ol o di s pl ay att he Dux f or d Bat t l e of Bearcat
Br i t ai n Ai r s how 2000 r emai ns a t ex t book ex ampl e of how t o dy nami c al l y demons t r at e t he c apabi l i t i es of a l ar ge, r ugged f i ght erl i k et he P47,whi c h Paul des c r i bes as “ br i l l i antf un t of l y onc ey ougetgoi ngandas s umi ng y ou’ r egoi ngi nas t r ai ghtl i ne! ”
Le
Ar guabl y ,Paulwasathi swar bi r d f l y i ngbes twhi l s tatt hec ont r ol sof one ofTFC’ sr adi albehemot hs . How do t he l i k esoft he Bear c at and Thunder bol tv ar yf r om t he s mal l erSpi t f i r esandMus t angs ?“ I mus t admi t , t hey ’ r e bi g aer opl anesandy ouhav et ot r eat t hem wi t hr es pec t–y ouhav et o t r eatt hem al lwi t hr es pec t–but t hos ebi ggerpi s t ons ,t heBear c at , Thunder bol t ,Sk y r ai derands oon, y ouhav et obeony ourgame,y ou don’ twantt obet i r ed orf eel i ng notr i ghtwheny ouf l yt hem.You needt obeabs ol ut el yf oc us ed. ” Wi t hs uc hat r emendousr angeof pi s t onengi ne f i ght er s underhi s bel t ,i t ’ s no s ur pr i s et hat Paul s t r uggl est onameaf av our i t e.“ I f y oupus hedmeI ’ ds aySpi t f i r es– any Spi t f i r e, bec aus e It hi nk t hey ’ r eal lgr eat ” ,hes ay saf t era moment of c ons i der at i on. “ The Mk V i s l i k e a bi g, power f ul Chi pmunk :del i ght f ult of l y and v er yl i ght ,j us ts t unni ng.I t ’ sl i k ea l i t t l el i ghtaer opl ane buti tf l i es beaut i f ul l y .The Mk I Xi sl ov el y , j us twi t h a bi tmor e powerand penet r at i ont hr ought hes k y .Then f ors heerbr ut al i t yand ‘ r ar r ’ ,t he ol dMk XI V,whi c hi sgr eatf un.I f y ouhav en’ tf l ownt heMk XI Vf ora whi l e,i tt ak es y ou a c oupl e or t hr ee f l i ght st oc al m down f r om t het ak eof f ! ” I t was i n t he Gr i f f on engi ne Spi t f i r eMk XI Vt hatPaulpos i t i v el y t or et he hous e down atFl y i ng
Taxyi ngTFC' sSpi t f r eMkXI Vi n atDuxf or d,Sept ember 2011( El l i ot tMar sh)
L egends 2000,f l y i ng t he ‘ J ok er ’ s l otdur i ngt hes how’ sf i nal e.I na bl i s t er i ng per f or manc e, Paul s t unned t he c r owds wi t h a s pec t ac ul ardi s pl ayofaer obat i c s , wi t h mul t i pl ec ons ec ut i v e ai l er on r ol l s( asmanyasf i v eondayt wo of t he ai r s how) , hi gh s peed pas s esandunr el ent i nggr unt ,al l
Paulatwor ki n
demons t r at ed wi t h t he t y pi c al gr ac e and pr ec i s i on s pec t at or s hadc omet oex pec tf r om Paul . “ I ’ v eal way ss ai dt oSt ephenGr ey , i fev ery ou wantme t o do t he J ok ers l ot ,l etmek now bec aus e I ’ d be t her ei n af l as h.I t ’ sj us t s uc h f un, y ou’ r e adl i bbi ng,
Leadi ngaf our shi pofSpi t f i r esatDuxf or dast heyr et ur nf r om t heGoodwoodRevi val ,Sept ember2011( El l i ot tMar sh)
i nKennetAvi at i on’ sDougl asSkyr ai der( Kar lDr age)
wai t i ng f ort hi sf or mat i on of30 aer opl anes t ot ur n up.Fort he c r owd,t heanal ogyc oul dbel i k e hav i ngas t ar t erofs al ad,buty ou k now t hatj us tar oundt hec or ner i saf i l etmi ni onwi t haBéar nai s e s auc e,s oy ou’ r er eal l y goi ng t o enj oyt hats t ar t er !May bei t ’ san ant i c i pat i ont hi ng.
Pr epar i ng t o depar ti nt he Hi st or i cAi r cr af tCol l ect i on' s Spi t f i r e MkV at t he Goodwood Revi val 2010 ( El l i ot tMar sh)
“ Anot herf ac tofi ti st haty ouhav e t het i met or eal l ygets omeener gy upwher easwi t hal otoft heot her s hows , bec aus e i t ’ s beaut i f ul l y c hor eogr aphed,y ou t end nott o hav et he l ux ur y ofget t i ng t he ener gy up.Wi t ht he J ok ers l ot , ev er y body t ak es of f and meanwhi l ey ou’ v e been c l i mbi ng
ups oy ou’ r er eal l yhi ghandc an c omes nor t i ng i nr eal l yf as t ,and y ou’ r et her ef ora f ew mi nut es unt i lt heguy sc omer oundagai n s ot heny ougoof fandgets ome mor eener gyup.What ev ery oudo i sv er y hi gh ener gy and hi gh s peed. ”
Pauli s no l ongerpar tofTFC’ sf ul l t i me r os t er , al t hough he c ont i nues t of l yt hei r ai r c r af t on oc c as i on.Thebul kofhi swar bi r df l y i ngs i nc et hel at e ‘ 00shasbeenwi t ht heOl dFl y i ngMac hi neCompany atDux f or d,pi l ot i ngbot ht hef amousSpi t f i r eMk I X MH434 and P51D Mus t ang ‘ Fer oc i ous Fr ank i e’ , ei t herass ol odi s pl ay soraspar toft heOFMCDuo.
PaulBonhomeand
dAl i st erKaypr ovi det hei coni cshi l ouet t esoft heSpi t f i r eandMust ang,Duxf or dAut umnAi r show 2011( Huw Hopki ns)
s ur et hel es s onsI ’ v el ear ntf r om t hathav ehel ped k eepmeal i v es i nc et hen. ” “ I ’ v egotaf eel i ngt hati nl i f ei ngener al ,weal lwor r y t oomuc haboutt her ul es ,andy ous pends omuc h t i met r y i ngt of i ti nwi t ht her ul es ,y ouf or getabout whatl i es bey ond t he r ul e.The r ul es ar et her e bec aus et hey don’ twanty ou t ok i l ly our s el f ,but ac t ual l yaf armor epower f uldet er r entt onotdoi ng s omet hi ngi si fy out hi nky ou’ r egoi ngt ok i l ly our s el f .
“ I ’ v edonel ot sofs howsi nChi naandpl ac esl i k et hat wher et her ear enor ul es ,y ouj us tgetonwi t hi t .To me,i tac t ual l ys eemsheal t hi erbec aus ei ns t eadof wor r y i ng about i nf r i ngi ng a c er t ai nr ul e, y ou’ r e wor r i ed s ol el y aboutt he bas i c s :Idon’ twantt o endangert hec r owd,Idon’ twantt oendangerme andIdon’ twantt obendt heaer opl ane.I ts eemsf ar s i mpl er . ”
Paulput t i ngt heEdget hr oughi t spacesatPer t hi n2010 ( © JohnAbsol on/RedBul lAi rRace/Get t yImages / PaulKane) Ri ght-r i bbondi agr am showi ngt heconf i gur at i onoft he r acet r ackatWi ndsor ,Ont ar i o( © Red Bul lAi rRace / Team Bonhomme)
Att hes t ar toft hel as tdec ade,Paulent er edi nt oanew v ent ur ei npar t ner s hi pwi t hRedBul l ,bec omi ngoneof t hef oundi ngmember soft heRedBul lAi rRac e.Conc ei v edi n2001,t heRBARwasaboutbr i ngi ngt oget her s omeoft hewor l d’ sf i nes taer obat i cpi l ot st ot es tt hei rs k i l landr aw f l y i ngabi l i t y .Ther ac ef or mats aw pi l ot s eac hc ompl et i nga3Daer i al ‘ t r ac k ’ ofal mos tf ourmi l es ,f l y i ngbet weenas equenc eof‘ Ai rGat es ’ .Theobj ec t i v e wast oc ompl et et hec our s ei nt hef as t es tt i me,wi t hs ec ondsbei ngl oppedof fwher epenal t i eswer ei nc ur r ed ( f orex ampl e,i ft heai r c r af tt ouc hesoneoft hepy l ons ) . Opposi t e -Pauland St eve J oneswal kt hr ough t hei rr out i ne Red Bul l sMat ador sr out i ne ahead ofper f or mi ng at Dunsf ol dWi ngs& Wheel s2010( Kar lDr age)
TheRBARbeganhumbl yi n2003, wi t hr ac es hel d at Zel t weg i n Aus t r i aandBudapes ti nHungar y i n al ow k ey ,pr el i mi nar yf or mat t hatbor el i t t l er es embl anc et ot he huge t our i ng mac hi ne t he Rac es woul d ev ent ual l y bec ome. Paul wasi nv ol v edwi t ht heRBARf r om i t si nc ept i on,f l y i ngt heZi v k oEdge 540.The RBAR s nowbal l ed ov er t he nex tf our y ear s , wi t h 18 c ount r i es pl ay i ng hos tt o t he r ac es .Ther ewer emaj ort el ev i s i on and s pons or s hi p deal s , and ex t ens i v e mar k et i ng c ampai gns pr omot i ngt her ac esasat es tof t he pr ec i s i on,s peed and s k i l lof t he pi l ot s ,who wer e equal l y as heav i l y pr omot ed as t he r ac es t hems el v es .
t oi nt r oduc enew s af et ymeas ur es t opr ot ec tt hepi l ot s ,f ol l owi ngon f r om a c oupl e of‘ near mi s s es ’ dur i ngt hel as tf ew r ac es . Paulenj oy edt r emendouss uc c es s i nt he f i r s ts ev en y ear s oft he RBAR.Hi ss t y l e–ac ombi nat i onof el eganc e and s pl i t s ec ond pr ec i s i on–waswi del yadopt edby ot her RBAR pi l ot si nas ubt l e t es t i monyt ohi sex per t i s e.Paul ’ s r ec or dof36podi um f i ni s hesout of50 r ac es r emai ns unmat c hed andhehol ds13r ac ewi nsandt wo c hampi ons hi pv i c t or i es .I ti s an i mpr es s i v er ec or dwhi c h wasnot ac hi ev edwi t houthar ds hi p.
“ Thewhol et hi ngwasv er ybus y ,i t wasbl oodyhar dwor k .ButIl ov ed As t he c ommer c i als i de oft he t hef l y i ngandt hec hal l enget ome r ac es gr ew, s o t oo di d t he ofget t i ngt heaer opl aner oundt he c ompet i t i on bet ween t he pi l ot s . t r ac ki nt he f as t es tt i me was Ther ewasagenui nedr i v et her e, br i l l i ant .Ial s o par t i c ul ar l yl i k ed a det er mi nat i on t os uc c eed and t he wi nt er s wher e we’ d go and t her e’ snodoubt i ngt hatal loft he hol eups omewher ei nt heSt at es pi l ot ss aw t he r ac es as ex ac t l y andf i ddl ear oundwi t haer opl anes t hat .I twasas por t–t heav i at i on t ot r yandmak et hem gof as t er ,I equi v al entofFor mul aOne. us edt ol ov et hat .Noc r owds ,no mar k et i ng t y pes– j us tusand a The way t he ac t i on was wi nds wepthangar . ” pr es ent ed, wi t hs t unni ng aer i al c amer awor kands l i c kpr omot i onal Towar ds t he end oft he RBAR, v i deos br i ngi ng t he dr ama and t her e was an i ns i nuat i on f r om ex c i t ementoft he r ac esi nt ot he s omemedi aout l et st hatt hepi l ot s l i v i ng r ooms of mi l l i ons , was wer epus hi ngt hems el v est oof ar not hi ngs hor tofs ubl i me.Fort he i nor dert os uc c eed;i nef f ec t ,t hei r f i r s tt i me,av i at i on ev ent s wer e f i ght f or s uc c es s was br i ngi ng bei ngdel i v er edt ot hemas s esi na t hem t oo c l os et ot he edge.I hugel ymar k et abl eandpr of i t abl e as k edPaulwhet herhet hi nk st hi s manner on an unpr ec edent ed r eac t i on was a pr oduc t of t he s c al e. t y pi c almedi as ens at i onal i s m s o of t en f ound wher e av i at i on i s Ther ac eswoul dabr upt l yc eas ei n c onc er ned. mi d2010.Thehi at us ,whi c hi ss t i l l ongoi ng, gi v es Red Bul lt he “ I t ’ sa r ac e. Wi t h any r ac i ng, oppor t uni t yt oanal y s e,as s es sand y ou’ v egott ok nowwher et hel i mi t r es t r uc t ur e wher e nec es s ar yt he i sandy ou’ v egott ogor i ghtupt o ex i s t i ngr ac ef or matwi t ht heai m t he l i mi tand no f ur t her .L i k ei n
Above-A scenecapt ur eddur i ngt he
Ri ght-Paulpasses t hr ough a gat e r acei nAbuDhabi ,Far r i ght-doi ngm Bel ow -Paulcel ebr at eson t he podi t he 2010 Red Bul lAi rRace Wor l dC cl ai mi ngsecondspoti nt heLausi t zr a
( Lowert hr eei magesal l© Red Bu
eRedBul lAi rRacei nSanFr anci sco( Rob Edgcumbe)
e dur i ng t he 2010 medi ai nt heUAE, di um af t erwi nni ng Champi onshi p by r ace
ul lAi rRace/ Get t yImages/ Team Bonhomme)
mot orr ac i ng,i fy ou’ r e wi l l i ng t o t ak e on t he r i s k ,t hat ’ sf i ne but what ev ery oudo,y oumus t n’ thur t any body el s e–t he s ame goes wi t ht he RBAR.Idon’ tt hi nk i t mat t er st hatev er y onegi v es100% as l ong as t he c r owd ar e not i nv ol v ed. “ Whi c hi swhy i t ’ sc ompl i c at ed, ” c ont i nuesPaul ,“ bec aus ei t ’ sa3D s por t .How onear t hdoy oumak e s ur et hati fs omebody mak es a mes sont het r ac k ,bi t sdon’ tend upi nt hec r owd?I t ’ snodi f f er ent t oai r s how s af et yi nt hatr es pec t . ” Thes euni quec ompl i c at i onsmean t hatt he RBAR’ sr et ur n may be unl i k el yf ort het i mebei ngi nt he s hadow of t he 2011 Reno ac c i dent .Cer t ai nl y ,under wr i t er s ar eunl i k el yt ohav et heappet i t e t oi ns ur e an ai rr ac et hats ees hi ghper f or manc eai r c r af tf l y i ngi n c i t yc ent r es ,al t hough t hi si snot ani ns ur mount abl ei s s ue. Des pi t et hec ur r entc l i mat e,Paul r ev eal st hatt her emays t i l lbea f ut ur ef ort heRBAR.“ Ther ei sa t eam ofpeopl ei nAus t r i awor k i ng on RBAR Mar k Two and t hey ’ r e v i s i t i ng al ls or t s of c i t i es and v enuesac r os st hewor l dt r y i ngt o s or ti t out ,and t hey ’ r et al k i ng about2013.I t ’ snots eti ns t one, butt hey ’ r eont her oadt obr i ngi ng i tbac k . ”Wat c ht hi ss pac e. . .
Mor er ec ent l y ,Paulhasbeendr awni nt ot hewor l dof hel i c opt erf l y i ng.Youmi ghtc ons i deri ts omet hi ngof abi z ar r ec hangeofdi r ec t i onf oraRBARChampi on, war bi r dpi l otandai r l i nec apt ai n,butPaulhasac l ear mot i v at i onf orex pandi nghi sav i at i onex per t i s e.“ I ’ v e al way sl ov edbei ngabl et oc ont r olmac hi ner yandI t ak egr eatpr i dei ndoi ngi twel l .Idon’ tt hi nkt her e woul dbeanyf uni ndoi ngas i mpl et as kc ons i s t ent l y wel l .Thatwoul dn’ tbe a c hal l enge.The j oy of av i at i oni st hati t ’ sal way sdi f f er ent .That ’ swhatIl i k e abouti t . ”
Pauli snot hi ngi fnotent hus edbyhi sf or ayi nt ot he r ot ar y wor l d.“ Hel i c opt er s ar e br i l l i ant !I fy ou’ r e l andi ng i n a gar den or i nac onf i ned s pac e or hov er i ng oraut or ot at i ng,t hen i t ’ sgr eatf un.I ’ m f l y i ngR22sandR44satt hemoment .I ’ mt r y i ngt o getmyc ommer c i alhel i c opt erl i c enc eandi ns t r uc t or r at i ngs oIc andos omet eac hi ng.I ’ dmuc hr at herbe pot t er i ng abouti n al i t t l e hel i c opt erf l y i ng s c hool , f l y i ng ar ound i nt he s uns hi ne when I ’ m 60 t han s i t t i ngi nt hemi ddl eoft heAt l ant i cat3am. ”
Twoexampl esoft hef ami l yRobi nson,t he R44 i nf r ontoft heR22 -bot h hel i copt er t ypest hatPauli scur r ent l yl ear ni ngt of l y ( Kar lDr age)
Paul ’ s ac hi ev ement si n av i at i on wer er ec ogni s ed by t he Roy al Aut omobi l eCl ubi n2009whenhe bec ame t he 60t h wi nneroft he pr es t i gi ousSegr av eTr ophy .Pas t r ec i pi ent s of t he Tr ophy – awar ded t o‘ i ndi v i dual swhogi v e t he mos t out s t andi ng demons t r at i on of t r ans por t by l and,ai rorwat erandi ndoi ngs o s how s k i l l ,c our ageandi ni t i at i v e’ – i nc l ude t he l i k es of Amy J ohns on, Nev i l l e Duk e, Pet er Twi s s and Br i an L ec omber . Fur t her ,Paulwas awar ded t he Gui l d Swor d ofHonour by t he
Gui l d of Ai r Pi l ot s and Ai r Nav i gat or si n2010;anot herhuge honour ,andf or malr ec ogni t i onof Paul ’ s s t or i ed c ar eer and c ont r i but i onst oav i at i on.
pi l ot si nt hewor l d!Wemi ghtbe qui t egoodatget t i nganEdge540 t hr ough t hes e gat es bec aus e we’ v edonei tal ot ,butwe’ r enot t hebes tpi l ot si nt hewor l d.
Yet ,des pi t e al lt he pl audi t s ,t he awar ds and t he admi r at i on he r ec ei v esf r om bot hhi speer sand t hepeopl ewhopayt os eehi mf l y , Paulr emai nsmodes tt oaf aul t . “ Atones t ageRedBul lhadabi tof mar k et i ng t hats ai d,‘ Thes e ar e t hebes tpi l ot si nt hewor l d. ’ Ius ed t o go up t ot he CEO oft he Ai r Rac eands ay ,“ We’ r enott hebes t
“ Ther e ar e mi c r ol i ght pi l ot s who’ v ef l own ar ound Ev er es t .I c oul dn’ tdo t hat .Ther e ar ec r op s pr ay er s who s pr ay t he s i de of mount ai nsi nNepal ,Ic oul dn’ tdo t hat .Ther e ar e F15 pi l ot swho c an l oos e of f a mi s s i l ei nt he mi ddl eoft heMedi t er r aneanandi t c anf i ndat ar get100mi l esaway , Ic an’ tdot hatei t her .
Readyi ng t he Spi t f i r e MkV on a l at ersummer ' s eveni ng at t he Goodwood Revi val 2010 ( El l i ot tMar sh)
“ Ther ear eal ls or t sofpi l ot swhoar ebl oodygoodat whatt hey do,and t hat ’ st he beaut y ofav i at i on. Ther ear es omanydi f f er entpar t st oi t ,nobodyi s ev ergoi ngt omas t ert hem al l .That ’ st heot hert hi ng aboutav i at i on:nobody ’ sev ergoi ngt omas t erone, bec aus et hemi nut ey out hi nky ou’ v emas t er edi t ,i t ’ l l bi t ey ouont hear s e. ”
unex pec t edc hal l engesheadon,f i ndt heappr opr i at e s ol ut i onandr es ol v et hes i t uat i oni napr of es s i onal , s af e manner . But what hol ds i t al lt oget her , ul t i mat el y ,i sa s i mpl el ov e ofav i at i on,and he s ummar i s eshi sl i f el ongat t r ac t i onbeaut i f ul l y .
“ I fy ou’ r eon y ourown i n an aer obat i caer opl ane, y ou’ r eal onei ny ourbi tofs k yandt her ear enor oad That ,ul t i mat el y ,i swhatdr i v esPaul .I t ’ st hec ons t ant s i gns , no s peed l i mi t s , not hi ng. J us tt hr eet es t of av i at i on; bei ng abl e t o t ac k l e new, di mens i onalf r eedom. ”
OFMC pai r-Paull eadsAl i st erKay i n OFMC' sSpi t f i r e MkI X,Duxf or dAut umnAi r show 2011( El l i ot tMar sh)
The aut horext ends hi s deepestt hanks t o PaulBonhomme f orhi st i me and assi st ance i n pr oduci ng t hi sar t i cl e and t ot he Ol d Fl yi ng Machi ne Company f ort he use oft hei rDuxf or d Headquar t er s.