John Darling hw80

[TonyL]

Lovely photo, Louis; thanks for sharing.

[Russ6357]

I thought JD's Rapid was FAC rated?

There's still a bit of video of him around and it's a real reminder of my youth and the airgun worlds of old. Wish I could find some of those old ones...

I've spent an age trying to find a real, original, Venom back from the day but I think people on this thread bought all the good ones!

[Trumpetier]

I thought JD's Rapid was FAC rated?

That's what I heard in a gun shop years ago

[the growler]

Great hearing about the past. Think I will get my venom hw77 out. Saw JD at the midland game fair. Didn't pluck up the courage to go talk to him. One of life's big regrets.

[Zomboid]

I recently got hold of some Airgun Worlds from 1983.

Trapshot were advertising the "Venom Hunter" as per the John Darling stock configuration.

Also in these issues John mentions he has "just fitted an Optima Supermoonlighter" to his HW80. The pictures in the magazine show him only using a HW35 with open sights! There is a shot of him using a HW80 but it looks like a normal one - might actually be his FWB - will look closer a bit later.

[Mole trapper]

Great hearing about the past. Think I will get my venom hw77 out. Saw JD at the midland game fair. Didn't pluck up the courage to go talk to him. One of life's big regrets.

I met him a couple of years before he died. I was at the pest show and for some reason he was there, possibly selling his book ��
Anyways, nobody was around his little stall so I took the opportunity to have a chat, such a nice chap, admitted we spent more time yapping about bassing than shooting, but he was incredulous that I was making a living from shooting rabbits and trapping a few moles.

[Craig-P]

but he was incredulous that I was making a living from shooting rabbits and trapping a few moles.

I’m looking for a new job, could I send you my CV?

[the growler]

£7/ mole isn't too bad.