WWII pilot not allowed to sit in plane

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/01/09/WWII-pilot-not-allowed-to-sit-in-plane/UPI-57331326138686/#ixzz1izqEcbDs

Published: Jan. 9, 2012 at 2:51 PM

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A 91-year-old World War II pilot was banned from sitting in a restored Spitfire fighter plane at a museum in Stoke-on-Trent, England.

Museum officials cited health and safety risks when they told Eric Carter he could not climb in the cockpit of the Spitfire at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, The Sun reported.

"You couldn't make it up. I used to fly those things every day fighting the Germans -- now that really was a health and safety concern!" Carter said. "To think that I couldn't sit in a stationary Spitfire in case I got hurt. I just wish the Luftwaffe had been so caring. The people at the museum had their reasons, but I had to laugh."

GALLERY: New photos from WWII-era America: http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/Features/New-photos-from-WWII-era-America/5514/?sg

FULL story at link.

[jberryhill]

1. I may be going out on a limb here...

...but I'll bet he was a bit more spry and less prone to falling injury when he was flying them in WWII.

[Posteritatis]

2. "I just wish the Luftwaffe had been so caring." Hee. (nt)

[JVS]

3. Since when do museums let anyone climb into their aircraft?

[ManiacJoe]

9. Never mind that it was an incomplete aircraft.

Must be a slow news day.

[NickSayer]

11. News that is worth listening to to remind us

News dosn't always have to be bad. Having met Eric today he definately deserves a hearing

[NickSayer]

10. Since when do museums let anyone climb into thier aircraft

JVS do watch the One Show tomorrow night on BBC1 Friday 13/1/2012 to find out when!!!

[rfranklin]

4. they thought he was Eric Cantor and said "Fuck that asshole!"

I heard a letter of apology was sent.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. For some reason, they've used radioactive paint inside the cockpit

Last night a spokesman for Stoke-on-Trent City council, who represent the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, said: “I do not think this is any sort of health and safety scandal.

“The cockpit had recently been painted with paint containing radium which is a radioactive and there is no proper seat in the Spitfire itself at the moment so I am told the people on the day thought it best he did not sit in the plane for those reasons because of his age.

“Although they did say if he had told them further in advance he would like to sit in the Spitfire they said they may have been able to get a ladder so he could look inside.”

http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2012/01/08/worcestershire-war-veteran-who-fought-with-nazi-pilots-refused-entry-into-spitfire-cockpit-66331-30078260/2/

[The Midway Rebel]

8. Radium paint for the glow-in-the dark dials and guages.

Here is an interesting bit about the dial painters who were often young girls. A book has been written about them intitled, "Radium Girls".

http://www.roger-russell.com/jeffers/radiumdials.htm

[MilesColtrane]

6. Have him sign a waiver and they'd let him do a pommel horse routine on...

it, complete with dismount.

Where's a contract lawyer when you really need one?

[applegrove]

7. A local plane collector in my neck of the woods bought a Spitfire. He called a friend of my dad's

to get inside information on how to fly it since the friend flew them in WWII. He then offered my dad's friend a chance to fly the bloody thing. My dad's friend was in his 90s. Of course he said no. He has since passed away. My gosh those men were brave.