Even before I reached the hangar I recognised an unwelcome face.....Peter Petty, the local Health & Safety 'gremlin', I'd been wondering when he'd show up. Nodding at Terry ' Trigger Happy' Harris, from Plant Security, I entered the hangar, I surveyed the scene before me, I looked left, I looked right, I crouched down to get a better look under the Mistel, I even checked the ceiling and then I asked " Where's the rest of it "? Bern T's shoulders sagged as he said "Damn... I was hoping you'd tell me, 211, 878 pieces and not ONE! piece of the aircraft". I quickly pointed out "I thought there were 211,879 pieces..." Bern replied " Yes, one piece turned out to be a ring pull from a can of Coke, about the size of a human thumb nail,actually I think it may have been mine so let's keep that quiet...OK! ". I was suddenly siezed by a feeling of joy.." So Tailspin's alive, he dropped the bomb and got away.........but where the hell is he ???" Bern T shook his head and handed me a couple of photos saying " Not according to these, they were sent anonymously by Vera Dampgussett, a nature lover and pedestrian 'dogger', she was walking in the woods Wednesday lunchtime for some unknown reason....they clearly show the plane still attached when it crashed". I had to ask " If they were sent anonymously how do you know who sent them ?". Bern T smiled, " She enclosed her name and address and ask for their return when we're finished with them.." I scratched my head, " Well if the plane was in the crash.....there SHOULD be wreckage". Bern T nodded "Exactly...but there isn't....not a scrap, now I'm sure we all draw the same conclusion from that! However, if the media hear about this, the conspiracy theorists will come out of the woodwork and any serious investigation would go to pot." It was decided, Bern T's report would state mechanical failure, no mention of the missing aircraft and above all else no mention of the ring pull. The Mistel wreckage will get lost in transit to the Air Crash Investigation Lab and if / when Tailspin shows up......we'll say he was in the shower. Happy that he'd witnessed a fare and thorough investigation, Peter Petty signed us off to produce more He-162 / Mistels, provided we address the mechanical issues and provided the cheque clears.....so that's that....back to business as usual....just,........ in a new office.....with no Tailspin.....and a still unsolved mystery "whatever happened to the F-104 that vanished in 1166.....oh! and where the hell is Tailspin......."?????? ( to be continued..........sometime :-) My thanks to.... i13 : Late Night At The Office Greenpots : School Headmasters Office adh3d: US Airborne Gear FT3DM : Lots of bits and pieces including the heavy plant equiptment Painting 'Outside In' by Bill Eckart Anyone I've missed, sorry but thanks.