Did you know that registration to Fighter Control is completely free and brings you lots of added features? Find out more....

Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Warbirds, Replicas and Nostalgic photos in here please.
User avatar
jaybee
Posts: 1436
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2010 2:30 pm

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by jaybee » Thu Dec 02, 2021 1:56 pm

No problems Chris...just not got your new PM at this minute...things are a bit slow to receive at my end...most of my stuff is probably scrutinised from the secret squirrel brigade...ha,ha
Oh the games people play now :ninja:

Gooner
Posts: 72
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:02 am
Location: Kings Lynn

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by Gooner » Fri Dec 03, 2021 10:34 pm

Just received my copies today from East Anglia Books. Highly recommend this book - a brilliant bit of nostalgia ,

chrisov
Posts: 263
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:52 pm

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by chrisov » Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:09 pm

Mine arrived safely today, many thanks John and team.
Now just need to find the time to settle down and read.
Cheers
Chris

warthog56
Posts: 224
Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 11:33 am

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by warthog56 » Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:35 am

A HUGE Thank You to Mick and John for publishing a great book. I expected just a "photo' album" of attendees to the Mildenhall shows but I was delighted to find that it is much more with lots to read. Having seen the Christmas TV schedules I'm saving the reading element for Christmas Day! Not having rummaged through the crates of my own photo's dating back to 1977 it was great to see the past delights that were presented for us enthusiasts. The memories of the food and drinks have always been there but I had forgotten some of the unusual and fantastic colour worn by some of aircraft. The one that stands out for me is the RAF Chinook on page 47 of the book. Wouldn't fancy replicating that on a model! I believe that the BBC are looking for a new "Doctor" to fly the Tardis. I fancy the job to re-visit the many great airshows we enjoyed in the 70's, 80's and 90's! Not too sure that the BBC would be happy with the storyline's though (although they used to be quite good at showing Biggin Hill air fair every year, Farnborough and the odd Battle of Britain airshow in the past). Well done again Mick and John. Anyone for a similar book on the Finningley shows..............?

User avatar
johnwickenden
Posts: 775
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:30 pm
Location: Gatwick

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by johnwickenden » Mon Dec 06, 2021 2:31 pm

Thanks Guys...very much appreciate the feedback. Its gratifying to hear that you feel the book has been a worthwhile endeavour. One thing....and I appreciate it was just a 'slip of the fingers and wasn't meant as such but it has not been about 'me and the team...... Mick deserves every bit as much credit than me - if not me as he wrote most of the text! I did the captioning and the photos and a few bits here and there.

As for a book on Finningley.... I might need to just take breath for a while !!!
Its gonna rain, its gonna rain till the levee breaks, a tidal wave of fear and pain washes us away, another fight into the night until nothing else remains, how do we find harbour from the Hurricane?

www.flickr.com/wickenden1967

User avatar
jaybee
Posts: 1436
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2010 2:30 pm

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by jaybee » Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:21 pm

Got the very item this morning , cheers. Now squirreled away till Xmas opening times...cheers and all the best for future stuff...
Oh the games people play now :ninja:

User avatar
johnwickenden
Posts: 775
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:30 pm
Location: Gatwick

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by johnwickenden » Fri Dec 24, 2021 11:46 am

Mick and I would like to say thanks to all those of you who have bought the book, contributed to it in the way of photos or even messages of support.

The book itself has been 'out on the streets' for just over a month now (well, living in cardboard boxes in both of our respective houses, anyway) and so far we have sold about 300-350 copies. Unsuprisingly virtually all have been to customers in the UK, although one chap near Adelaide bought a copy !

I have now stopped selling the book direct to the public via the facebook site. Primarily because it was taking up too much of my time, monitoring the site and dealing with orders, with endless trolling down to the post office to send books out - although getting abuse from one customer on facebook hastened the decision. I am now ONLY supplying books to retailers to sell on our behalf. So far the following folks have asked to stock it (and I believe it is selling faster than I can deliver stocks to them)

Simon at The Aviation Bookshop in Tunbridge Wells
Marilyn at East Anglia Books near Stansted
Alan at the Aviation Book Centre in Clitheroe

I have approached AJ Aviation in West Drayton and Flying Books in Northants but neither have bothered to respond. I also approached the Aviation Megastore near Schiphol Airport but they said they weren't interested in stocking it....too specialised (obviously not aware of how many 000's of dutch spotters used to come to Air Fete !!)

If any forumites know of any other bookshops who might be interested, please don't hesitate to let me know. Unlike the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Mick and I haven't yet "cracked America" and we reckon there must be a market there in ex-servicemen who took part !!!

Anyway.....thanks again to everyone who showed faith in us.

Happy Christmas and here's to a successful 2022 (with hopefully RIAT back in full swing)

John
Its gonna rain, its gonna rain till the levee breaks, a tidal wave of fear and pain washes us away, another fight into the night until nothing else remains, how do we find harbour from the Hurricane?

www.flickr.com/wickenden1967

Sid-104
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2020 8:23 pm
Location: Denver, Norfolk.

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by Sid-104 » Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:24 pm

I can recommend East Anglia Books. Gave Marilyn a call Tuesday morning, and was enjoying a read of it Thursday morning, excellent service. if you would like a copy don't delay, as Marilyn said they are selling like hot cakes.

Sid.

F3
Posts: 2966
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:06 am
Location: Rotherham

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by F3 » Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:35 pm

Hi Guys,
Just been catching up on all your posts and am very pleased with all your positive feedback which has made all the work worthwhile. If anyone has been unable to acquire a copy I still have limited stock remaining after the Christmas rush so just message me for details. As a follow up a few people have expressed interest in a book on Finningley which is the next biggest show not have ever been the subject of a book. My own view is that it would be too niche a subject but what I think would work is a book on the history of RAF Battle of Britain At Homes. (82 Stations were At Home in 1947 - now there are none.) Of course Finningley would feature heavily as it was my local event. What do you think?

User avatar
roughcutter
Posts: 2111
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:47 pm
Location: Widnes, Cheshire

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by roughcutter » Sun Jan 02, 2022 6:58 pm

Sid-104 wrote:
Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:24 pm
I can recommend East Anglia Books. Gave Marilyn a call Tuesday morning, and was enjoying a read of it Thursday morning, excellent service. if you would like a copy don't delay, as Marilyn said they are selling like hot cakes.

Sid.
I ordered one from Marilyn myself just before Christmas, so hopefully it'll arrive in the post on Tuesday :thumb:

User avatar
Richard B
Moderator
Posts: 4924
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 3:53 pm
Location: Warwickshire

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by Richard B » Sun Jan 02, 2022 9:16 pm

Just put a order in from Aviation bookshop, went to most of the air fetes from the mid 80s too the end.

Vulture 01
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:20 pm

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by Vulture 01 » Mon Jan 03, 2022 4:40 pm

Hmm,
Ordered mine on 12 Dec 21 from the Aviation Book centre. Reply came that they were out of stock and wouldn't fulfil the order until mid-January.
Something to look forward to in January for a change!

F3
Posts: 2966
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:06 am
Location: Rotherham

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by F3 » Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:22 am

Vulture 01 wrote:
Mon Jan 03, 2022 4:40 pm
Hmm,
Ordered mine on 12 Dec 21 from the Aviation Book centre. Reply came that they were out of stock and wouldn't fulfil the order until mid-January.
Something to look forward to in January for a change!
I've a few copies left so if you'd like one by the end of the week just message me for details.

colt99
Posts: 3052
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:11 am

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by colt99 » Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:21 pm

Another yes vote from me, a great book with lots of interesting photos and information about that years Air Fete.
Will recommend to all especially if you went to the show at any point.
Thanks and well done to everyone involved.

User avatar
Macclad51
Posts: 282
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:36 pm
Location: Cambridgeshire

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by Macclad51 » Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:29 pm

Really enjoyed this book, well done on an excellent publication

User avatar
Richard B
Moderator
Posts: 4924
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 3:53 pm
Location: Warwickshire

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by Richard B » Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:30 pm

My book arrived a few days ago, so pretty quick.

F3
Posts: 2966
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:06 am
Location: Rotherham

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by F3 » Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:55 pm

I've just exported the first copy to the US (via a third party). Got a nice reply from the customer who turns out to be the Vark driver in the pic on page 46. He's really chuffed to appear in the book. I think there's a huge potential market over there based on the no. of US airmen who rotated through the Hall over those 25 yrs. Just trying to work out a way to get into it.

Mick

Vulture 01
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:20 pm

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by Vulture 01 » Sat Jan 15, 2022 3:34 pm

My copy turned up a day or so after my message here (the power of FC burns through!) In any event, it's a very good set of pictures and brought back lot's of memories. I made every show except the one in 1999 - guess it must have been a duty weekend that time. One surprise was the Spirit of 76 F111E in the '77 show. I don't remember ever seeing that one, although I did catch it a month later at the Greenham Common IAT. All in all, a great effort guys, thank you!

F3
Posts: 2966
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:06 am
Location: Rotherham

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by F3 » Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:36 pm

Vulture 01 wrote:
Sat Jan 15, 2022 3:34 pm
My copy turned up a day or so after my message here (the power of FC burns through!) In any event, it's a very good set of pictures and brought back lot's of memories. I made every show except the one in 1999 - guess it must have been a duty weekend that time. One surprise was the Spirit of 76 F111E in the '77 show. I don't remember ever seeing that one, although I did catch it a month later at the Greenham Common IAT. All in all, a great effort guys, thank you!
Glad it's appreciated. Makes it all worthwhile. Also you need nt feel bad about missing the '99 show because there was nt one due to the NATO air campaign against Serbia over Kosovo. In the book you'll read about the 100 ARW's contribution to that as outlined in the 2000 programme and my discovery of a propaganda leaflet in Serbian while sheltering from the rain in a USAF Herc @ that show. Just about everything you want to know about Air Fete is contained in that small volume. Among some of the positive feedback I'm receiving is an appetite from some customers for a second volume and we certainly have the images to run to that. Also, when we first started out John had the idea of incorporating lists of participants from every show but the prospective publisher (clue - device to lock/unlock a door) did nt like that idea so we binned it. However I still think it might have legs so what's the view out there?

andre.faehndrich
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2022 10:37 am

Re: Mildenhall Air Fete Book

Post by andre.faehndrich » Wed Sep 21, 2022 5:00 pm

What a great book and reminds me of all the amazing Mildenhall Air Shows we used to go to for so many years. Ahhh what nostalgia, thanks for producing this memory jogger.

Post Reply

Return to “Warbirds, Replicas and Nostalgic Photography”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: jordan and 84 guests