For two years I have been gathering information and photographs for a major article on Aviation in British magazine "Air Enthusiast''.

I would like to hear from anyone who has memories, mementos or photographs relating to any aspect of aviation on Bermuda, particularly before 1950.

I especially need photographs relating to The Bermuda and West Atlantic Aviation Company on Hinson's Island, and I would like to see one of the of the souvenir cards from a joy ride with Major Kitchener.

I also need a photograph of the P3 Orion aircraft that was preserved on the gate of Kindley Field Naval Air Station for a few years.

Does anyone have photos of Cyril Nelmes and his flying boat, VR-BAA "Silver Wings'' that crashed at Spanish Point in 1931? Any items loaned will be copied and returned in good condition. Please contact me at the following address or by e-mail at tom ysingfield.freeserve.co.uk.

Many thanks.

TOM SINGFIELD Music to my ears October 29, 1999 Dear Sir, My wife and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary recently by visiting your lovely island and enjoying the Jazz Festival at Dockyard.

But I was upset to read in your paper the negative comments by Lee Heiman, the festival producer.

We had no problem driving to or leaving the festival. I believe the Bermuda Police did an outstanding job, especially working within difficult circumstances. When you have thousands of people all leaving at the same time and with only one road available, what else can one expect? Even in a major American city with many Police working an event and many roads leaving from an arena, there are traffic jams.

Everyone enjoyed the festival. Let us not concentrate on the negative, Mr.

Heiman. Rather let us all work together to make next year's festival even better. We are looking forward to returning.

Incidentally, we found Bermudians to be sincerely warm and friendly. When bus drivers and taxi drivers are courteous, then you know you have found an unusual and enjoyable place to visit.

RAYMOND AND CONSTANCE LANG USA Swizzling mad November 3, 1999 Dear Sir, It was with disappointment that I read two articles in today's papers.

First, The Royal Gazette informed us of the alleged, absolutely incredible letter to the airlines asking for routine upgrades for Government Ministers.

Next, The Bermuda Sun told us that the same Minister has forced Gosling Bros.

out of the airport greeting area in favour of Bacardi.

This is the Government which promised in the Throne Speech to "put the Bermudian identity back into tourism!'' How is it possible that a Bermudian company, producing an award-winning rum blend here, in Bermuda, should have been forced out in this fashion? Black Seal and Dark `n Stormies are a unique Bermuda product and should be embraced as such.

The Minister wanted `routine' free up-grades from the airlines. I wonder what Bacardi gave? No relatively small, local company should be forced to compete in this way, in it's home market, with a multi-national giant like Bacardi. How disgraceful to sell-out on Gosling's like that! Is this the `New Peoples' Government', so vehement about Bermudianisation? How much we have read about putting Bermuda and her citizens first.

Perhaps they meant only when it's expedient to do so and when no one else offers more money? It seems all too clear to this reader which people many in this Government are putting first... Government people! SADLY UNSURPRISED Somerset He deserves the best November 9, 1999 Dear Sir, In recent years I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted, at my place of employment, with one of the most charming and endearing senior citizens I have ever met.

This gentlemen has worked in our customer service area for many years and knows his job inside out.

Many of our customers know him by name and oftentimes will deal only with him.

Though he is eighty-years-old, his mind is sharp as a whip and he can regale you with stories of the old days that will entertain you for hours if you have the time.

At the same time, he is well aware that this is a different world and many things have changed, however he can make you laugh with stories of the present as well.

About a month ago this gentleman had an accident which landed him in the hospital for two weeks. All during that time, although in tremendous pain, he was still sharp and full of humour.

He was on the mend at home, when another problem arose and he has been re-admitted. For the first week he was fine, his same old sweet self. In a matter of two days his condition has deteriorated to such a degree as to be great cause for concern.

A CAT Scan has been ordered for him, but guess what? The machine is broken and we only have one...

NEED I SAY MORE Help me to curb rents November 10, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me a little space in your column for this letter.

It is very hard to find accommodations on this Island within a reasonable price range! I can't understand why we -- the people of Bermuda -- can't find the above. Is it because there are too many people in Bermuda? Or that some landlords want too much money for their houses? Which ever is the reason something has to be done now.

How can a low-income person like myself afford to pay $1,800 per month and have food in the house for my family? It is virtually impossible, but yet many families are expected to do so. It is because of these high rents that there is a lot of crime, people having more than one job, split families and homeless people.

So I say to the Government and the people of Bermuda that we as a whole need to get off our rear ends and do something to clear up this very serious problem.

We have a few empty hotels throughout Bermuda that can be fixed so that these families can have somewhere to live. If there is a problem with materials or workmen then there are ways to correct that as well.

I am quite sure that many of these families would welcome the chance to fix up somewhere to live. I myself would love to buy a house that needs to be fixed so that I can finally call it my own.

And so, if you are as fed up as I am, than let's band together to fix this housing shortage as soon as possible please! I can be reached for now at this address: L. WILLIAMS 19 West Park Lane Pembroke HM07 Party needs reflection November 8, 1999 Dear Sir, A few days ago there was a letter in your "Letters to the Editor'' column which stated, among other things, that those Members of Parliament representing the United Bermuda Party who are frequently referred to as the "Rebel Five'', should be referred to as the "Patriotic Five''. I endorse that statement.

Those who caused so much trouble in the Party were those who advocated Independence.

The Party has been brought low, and it is to the behaviour of those shortsighted members that one must look to for this (temporary) major setback.

And I would say to those who not have the courage of their convictions to state, publicly, where they stood on the matter: "You did not in any way help stave off this near disaster.'' What members such as those five had to say, and to what extent they represented the views of the rank and file -- should have been examined rather than to have been excoriated as they were.

Had this been done, we would have been in a far better position than that in which we find ourselves today. However, that is all behind us and it is to be hoped that we have learned a lesson.

Members such as Trevor Moniz should be encouraged in any way possible to return to the Whip. Of course they do have to attend Caucus and Parliament.

In Caucus they have a contribution to make, which they should be made welcome to present. They should be considered very carefully and the minority views encouraged rather than scorned. Talked out rationally it may well be that views can be refined.

Let us as a Party go forward with every effort being made to learn what the grassroots members have on their minds. Communication all the way will pay dividends.

Branches must be strong and feel that their views are important. All this calls for good leadership, which I believe we have, if more thought is given to the Branches and communication.

JOYCE D. HALL, MBE