Ho Ho Ho...

Goodbye "VelMary"...

Sad to see the news that long time resident and regular sight in the local skies, Mustang TF-51D G-TFSI, has been sold and is on its way back to the USA (don't they already have enough?...). 

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/bye-bye-mary

G-TFSI has been in the UK since 2007 when I followed her progress across the pond as "Miss Velma" in the hands of Ed Shipley (as part of the Op Bolero II /P-38 "Glacier Girl" mission) and as a result I had a bit of a soft spot for this aircraft. 

After an unscheduled off-field landing following engine failure in July 2017 at Duxford she was repaired and returned to flight, now carrying the markings of WZ-I "Contrary Mary" 

In May 2021 I was fortunate to be able to fly in (and fly) her when she was operated by Ultimate Warbird Flights at Sywell with Jon Gowdy as my pilot.

Any hope of repeating that experience is now gone. Apparently it is being replaced by the two-seat CA-18 VH-MFT "Snifter", which is dual control, though only basic flying controls from photos I have seen...

TF-51D "Miss Velma" nearing the end of her journey (2007)

Exhaust stained and still with ferry tanks in place.

Ed Shipley who flew Miss Velma across 'the pond'...

"Miss Velma", as part of The Horsemen P-51 Flight Team

Following her accident in 2017, now "Contrary Mary"

About to depart...

Spitfire or Mustang? Don't ask!...

"Spies In The Skies : Second World War Aerial Reconnaissance " Exhibition :: IWM Duxford

Some sneak (spy) shots of the upcoming "Spies In The Skies" exhibition at Duxford marking the role of photo reconnaissance aircraft of WW2...
From 27/12/23 to 25/2/24.