TOC 90th Anniversary Southwest Tour 6th Jul 2024

This was my first run out with the TOC, perhaps a little light on Talbots, but nonetheless a very relaxed and enjoyable day.

It was attended by myself in my BD75 Special, David Roxburgh in his recently acquired BI 105 Saloon - a lovely car in "working clothes,’ Paul Britton with his trusty MG as the Talbot stayed at home with electrical gremlins, and Howard Day in support with the modern.

When we arrived at our designated meeting point, The Ship Inn at Axmouth, I was quite surprised to see sat proudly in the designated Talbot parking area, a stunning Black Ferrari Portofino.

Howard chose to gauge its performance against his normal transport as passenger in the Ferrari. After a short trip around Axmouth they arrived back at the Ship. Howard emerged slightly shaken but grinning. I guess 600hp and 0-60 in 3.5 seconds was going to make an impact! The car was owned by our host Graham, landlord of the Ship. We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at the pub, with Graham very kindly picking up the tab for the drinks.

An ambling drive followed, winding our way through the East Devon Countryside towards the Blackdown Hills, passing through the lovely market town of Honiton to the destination, a disused WW2 Airfield, RAF Upottery. Paul had arranged a tour around the very interesting Museum.

This little-known airfield was in fact used by USAAF, most notably Easy Company 506th Parachute regiment 101st Airborne, preparing for the D-day Normandy landings in June 1944.

There were wonderfully preserved military artifacts and documents well displayed in a period Nissen Hut; an amazing and comprehensive snapshot of WW2 preparations for D-day.

Time was marching on and we departed from Upottery. I then carried on along the B-roads of the Blackdown hills back to Somerset.

Thank you to Paul and TOC for arranging the day.

Peter Loxston