Vintage Longevity

Sir,
How interesting the letters from Mr. Bartle and Mr. Maniacus are. I, too, am the proud owner of an extremely interesting vintage projectile, it being a Mark VIII + (3 1/2) P.C. Magno Contra Delta, the one that once held Earth-Moon sprint records for two earth years in succession, a truly magnificent feat.

This missile was constructed before the introduction of the series of cobalt bomb, etc., condensers, as prime movers. Its power unit is a modified thermo-nuclear reactor supplemented by twin hydro-atomised deviators.

After all this time (32 years Mondial) this truly vintage interplanetary passenger transporter carries me speedily and safely on regular journeys between Earth and Mars in the course of my employment.

As you will understand, my average speed is slower than the + (2) P.C. Ultra Lucia, being —2 1/2 hours Mondial.

Power to the vintage cult, not for me the pre-thought controlled missile of the present age.

As an Earthman resident on Mars. may I say how welcome I find your excellent journal, known on Mars as ” Astro-Routical Speed Sport.”

I am yours, etc

Station X2F, Mars, F.C. Clarke.

c/o Moon Postal Rocket.

Sir,
Has everyone gone mad ?

I refer, of course, to the recent correspondence in your otherwise excellent journal on the subject of vintage space travel.

Although no-one could accuse me of being without a sense of humour, I fail to see anything amusing in the irrelevancies of this type in a motoring publication.

I am yours, etc.

St. Helena. Napoleon Bonaparte”.

P.S.—I would also draw your attention to a bad error in a recent popular B.B.C. programme, “The Goon Show.” The scene is supposed to be set “in a string refinery on Wanstead Flats”, Any keen motorist could have told them there is no string refinery at this place.

Do they never check their facts ? [Enough !—Ed.]