The metal structure in the middle of the traffic island is a memorial to the factory and industrial area of Castle Bromwich near Birmingham which produced the famous WWII fighter plane the mighty Supermarine Spitfire.

The Supermarine Spitfire was a single-seat fighter used by the RAF and many Allied countries in WWII. The Spitfire’s elliptical wings gave it a very distinctive look; their thin cross-section gave it speed; the brilliant design of Chief Designer R.J. Mitchell meant the Spitfire was loved by its pilots. It saw service during the whole of World War II, in all theatres of war, and in many different variants. The aircraft was dubbed Spitfire by Sir Robert MacLean, director of Vickers at the time, and on hearing this, Mitchell is reported to have said, “…sort of bloody silly name they would give it.”

The original works have long since been replaced by new housing. The large factory that can be seen to the north-west is a Jaguar Motor Car factory.

Thanks: Alastair Booker!

This is pretty cool. It’s a Marine Air Corps runway but they have the outline of an aircraft carrier painted on the runway with little planes and everything. This is obviously for carrier landing training, a wee bit safer than attempting it on the real thing. I’ve heard that landing on an aircraft carrier can be one of the most diffcult things a navy pilot can do. Chris Dawson tell us:

They even have the cable mechanism there to slow the planes on landing (1/2 mile from my parents’ house). We usually see Harriers practicing from here.

Thanks Chris!

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, then you’ll have heard all about everyone’s favourite show, ‘Lost‘. And if you’re a fan, then you’ll know that the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 are of great significance.

So what happens if you use the numbers as latitude and longitude co-ordinates? Obviously you could use them in several different ways, but if you stick to the rough area where the survivors believe flight 815 crashed, then you’ll find this tiny little island…

For those of you less intrigued by the mystery of the numbers, here’s Mokule’ia beach in Hawaii where they film the show.

Thanks to Andrew and Charles Davison.