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Brian et al. Thanks for the insights into the Chichester Tasman adventure, my favourite "Boys Own" story which I re-read at least once a year.

To me the remarkable thing is, he did not use a bubble sextant, therefore relied on horizon with a dubious altimeter, one handed and low above the ocean, and likewise Bygrave, one handed.

Still think he was lucky, although no doubt very skilled.Bye the way, on page 49 of "Alone over Tasman sea", he says, after his final sextant shot, "I dismantled the sextant and put it away in its case." Does that help tell whether it was a box or standard marine sextant?

Still think he would have used my Brown-Nassau if he had had one. Much easier than the Bygrave, takes about 1 minute for LOPs and easy to use one handed. No hassle with X, Y, co-lats etc.Do try one ,you intrepid aviators! (easier to make than Bygrave and I'm now getting 1'-2' accuracy.)

One question for Brian and Gary which has always bugged me. Why did he not choose a date when he could have got shots of moon and sun for mid flight 2 body fixes? That would have been mighty reassuring?

Keep up the good work.

Francis