G-TARN

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I spotted this article in the Surrey Advertiser which I thought may be of interest. I can remember seeing it listed on the movements page at the time.

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I know this doesn't concern G-TARN but seeing the Camper brings back some memories from when I worked in a printers at Liss in Hampshire, probably around 15 years ago. We had a customer by the name of Christopher Jon from just over the border in Milland in Sussex. We used to spend a lot of time talking, telling me about his father who had been a Spitfire pilot. One day he said to me he was going to obtain his PPL. He achieved his aim and then said he was going to build his own aircraft. He was a real gentleman and a man of means so he had a barn that was suitable for his project. I never helped him but I frequently visited to see how the project was going. He was so full of enthusiasm and made good progress. He hadn't got to the stage to register it but I was trying to get him to register it as G-CJON. I don't think he would have done so as he didn't want to draw attention to himself. Sadly we will never know because Christopher died one Sunday lunchtime whilst visiting a fellow pilot. Fortunately his heart attack was when he was at the dining table and not when he was airborne. He had only just passed his annual medical earlier in the week!
I often wonder who took on his project and whether it has ever come to fruition. I'm hoping that maybe someone reading this might know something. You never know. - Thanks, Dave

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I saw G-TARN land at Farnborough on 11th July this year. Here's hoping it pops into Popham on 18th September for the Solent Aviation Society fly-in, there is usually a gathering of Pietenpol Aircampers on that day. I'd like to take a photo of it!