homepage Forums Air Combat & Civil Aviation Battle of Britain + Battle of Britain II Here's what happened (Continued)

Folks,

Dux:

I do remember that because I am still paying down the debt.

As a matter of fact, the 900,000 page HWH Handbook un-abridged deluxe edition in 87 leather bound volumes, credits him as the first man to use a drag chute. Much to his sorrow, C51 never did get any credit for designing the thing.

I will never forget the look on SNAFU's face when he heard that infernal bell ringing and he was easily passed by Arnie Whipsnade on his official postal delivery bicycle. If C51 had not been laughing so hard he might have made it around dead man's curve while still seated in his vehicle.

Curses! I continue to this day to protest the decision that allowed C51's driver-less car passing across the finish line upside down and sideways to cause him to be technically declared winner of the race. It is true however that even though the final mile was mostly down hill, the winded SNAFU could not push the heavy Bentley fast enough to finish the race within the maximum time allotted.

As you will remember, a grudge re-match was scheduled for Saint Swithen's Day. C51 was sweating it for a few days until the unfortunate SNAFU managed to 'misplace' his Bentley. It was not until a full fortnight after the proposed race that Farmer Drubbins found the car filled with horse manure and hidden under a large haystack.

Due to the loss of his beloved automobile SNAFU faced a technical penalty that would have cost him the second race as well. Not wishing to lose our money a second time we conspired to get the men drunk and the silver-tongued Bert Limtwista talked them into making it a foot race. I recall that you were unaccounted for and missing on the day of the big race Dux so here's what happened:

A full 3 weeks after the scrubbed St. Swithen's Day event hundreds of spectators gathered on the dirt path that led across Lonesome Marsh and over Grim Reaper's Bog bridge to the outskirts of Studley Grange. Promptly at 0900 hours, Frank Feeblefister blew his ear trumpet and the 10K race was finally on.

Just 30 minutes into the race with both men running neck and neck the whole way, SNAFU experienced a blowout in his left running shoe and he fell by the side of the road. No more than 30 seconds after that C51 tripped over a stone and went headlong right into Grimreaper's bog. Although C51 was known to be a good swimmer some unknown person had placed several pounds of lead into his running shoes and they were dragging him down.

Just in the nick of time the resourceful SNAFU realized what was happening. Ripping out several pouches filled with sand he had just found sewn into his running shorts, he rose and ran to C51's aid. At first C51 misinterpreted SNAFU's motives and refused to grab the wooden pole he was being offered. This confusion might have stemmed from the fact that he was struck on the head several times. Soon he understood and he was slowly dragging himself out hand over hand.

The race was called a draw by unanimous consent and both men and their throng of supporters retired to the nearby Drunken Vicker's Pub for much needed refreshments. I believe we got there just as you were stagger... totteri... crawlin.... leaving in a hurry Dux. Why didn't you stick around? SNAFU wanted to thank you for getting his shorts mended on such...er... short notice the day before the race....