F-ZBBW arrived in France in 1976. As 'Pelican 47' the firebomber made 5064 flying hours before it was withdrawn from use on May 24 1996. The piston engined CL-215 was replaced by its turboprop driven relative, the Canadair CL-415T. F-ZBBW was trucked from its homebase Marseille-Marignane to Bordeaux, where it arrived on 8 February 2005.

Now 60 years after the end of the second world war it was interesting, and poignant, to see a German light aircraft about to land on the crumbling runway of the former USAAF bomber airfield at Shipdam in Norfolk. A peaceful sight.

This aircraft was designed by Wing Commander Kenneth Horatio Wallis who has designed and built many autogyros which have at different times held every World record for autogyros and gyroplanes.

Operated by an Agricultural supplies firm and pictured in an agricultural setting !

This type of self-launched motor glider was used by the RAF to give air experience and basic flying training to Air Cadets. This aircraft previously had the military serial number XZ559

This could almost be thought of as the aeronautical equivalent of a motorbike - very light and very manoeuvrable.

This home built aircraft is not a helicopter but a gyroplane. The significant difference being that the gyroplane rotor is not powered.

This aircraft is powered by a Lycoming O-320 engine driving a pusher propeller. The rotor is not powered and simply windmills.

Fat Annie made an appearance at the 2005 World Free Fall Convention. With engines running, the last of 100+ sky divers board through the nose door. They exited through the rear door during two passes of the airport drop zone.