Norwich Daily Photo

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Red Beetle

I like cars, though I’m not a car geek. I only know how to admire one. And I’m not really a fan of the Beetle, but this one was so darn cute I wouldn’t mind driving it! How do you like this car?

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008

The Jaguar

This fighter plane was given a new home a year ago right outside County Hall. It’s a tad scary in case the screws don’t hold up the plane. It’s pointing towards the Archive Centre.

From the EDP:

Its departure was rather slower but equally dramatic, as RAF “crash-and-smash” experts craned the warplane off its plinth, ready for its final sortie, when it heads to a new home 10 miles away outside Norfolk’s County Hall.

When the last bolt was spannered loose, the seven-tonne plane suddenly lurched free of its mountings. As it dived towards the ground there was a shout to the crane driver and the Jaguar soared into the sky - swinging wildly for a moment until a swarm of airmen holding tethering ropes tamed the big cat.

Slowly it was lowered on to a set of wooden blocks and rubber mats, where it sat awaiting removal of its wings, tail and fin. It will be stored until its new stand is ready and the team returns to lift it into place.

Coltishall’s Jaguars saw action around both Gulf wars, but the ageing planes are now seeing out their days at Coningsby before being pensioned off in October.

The Jaguar “gate guardian” is a real aircraft, not a replica. The prototype plane first flew in 1970 and was retired seven years later after 678 hours of flying - including landing on the newly-built M56 motorway near Blackpool, to test the plane’s capability of operating in theatres of war where there might not be a proper runway.

Today’s Harrier-style vertical take-off was a vital training exercise for the recovery-and-transport flight which made the 250-mile trip from RAF St Athan in South Wales.

Flight Sgt Tom Emmett said the team, as well as moving unserviceable aircraft for repairs, dealt with crashed military and civilian planes, and had to be able to lift them from a variety of locations.

Although the Coltishall job had looked dramatic for a moment, there were no unforeseen difficulties and the crane operator had been briefed to winch it upwards as soon as it broke free.

The RAF is covering the cost of moving the plane, with the county council picking up the £15,000 tab for the new plinth.

A team of ex-Jaguar Coltishall servicemen has volunteered to help maintain the Jaguar.

Sqn Leader Jason Hughes, who commands the remaining RAF detachment at the base, including a team checking the 750-acre airfield for old bullets and practice bombs, will leave at the end of March.

The removal of the Jaguar was another bit of the base’s history disappearing, but it will stay in the county, where it is also a memorial to more than 30 Jaguar fliers and groundcrew who died in the plane’s 30-year service history.

Friday, November 23rd, 2007

Open Top

I know the City Sightseeing open top bus is not unique to the UK, as they are all over Europe. Just wanted to show you that we’ve got them here, too, in Norwich.

Saturday, July 28th, 2007

The Red Cab

The Black Cab is more fondly known as the London Black Cab. This mode of transport and their drivers have earned the reputation of providing the best taxi service in the world.

Each driver is required to know the city where they operate inside and out. They need to pass a rigorous exam of knowing the city layout before given a license to drive one of these beautiful and distinctive vehicles. In some cases, it can take up to four years to acquire in depth knowledge of London before the badge is awarded to them. You’d probably see a lot of them in London on motorbikes with a map route in hand, learning the best routes. No excuse for getting lost. They also undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check and their character tested.

Black cabs are the only taxis allowed to be hailed for hire in London and other cities. They used to come only in black. Now they are painted in an assortment of colours, thus the red beauty in the photo.

Each can carry 5 passengers. They are also slightly more expensive than mini-cabs which you need to book in advance. The first time I ever rode one on 8 May 2003 definitely brought home the truth - I was in England!