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Thread: John Darling hw80

  1. #31
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
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    Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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    1,854
    Loving this thread.
    I've been into airgun hunting since childhood, and John Darling has always been my big example.
    Huntersvermin is another fantastic airgun hunter, but that's another topic.
    I asked Daz to e-mail the Rolls Royce boot photo to me.
    Thank you Daz for sharing.
    Ps. What kind of Roller would that be... I think a Silver Spirit. My dream car. One day...


  2. #32
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Dudley
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    770
    From left to right, John Darling, Ivan Hancock, (Venom arms) and Dave Pope (Venom arms and Steve Popes dad of V-MACH) The gun in the middle is I believe the first hunter, it was named this after JD asked Venom to make one for him, presumably after having a go with Ivan's on that shooting trip, atb Daz
    Last edited by BAD DAZ; 21-03-2019 at 09:06 PM.

  3. #33
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Walsall, Midlands Uk
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    11,257
    Great photograph and lovely, classic looking stock.
    80’s pattern camo and 80’s with Apel mounts holding Kassnar optics - doesn’t get much more retro than that.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Put on heading 270, assume attack formation

  4. #34
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    Dudley
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    9,792

    Jd hw80

    Yep looks like Dave is using a kassnar 2-7 x 32 on his. Mach 1.5

  5. #35
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
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    Retford, Notts
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    37,287
    Lovely photo, Louis; thanks for sharing.
    THE BOINGER BASH AT QUIGLEY HOLLOW. MAKING GREAT MEMORIES SINCE 15th JUNE, 2013.
    NEXT EVENT :- May 17/18, 2025.........BOING!!

  6. #36
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Horley
    Posts
    2,297
    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!
    I think and therefore...... I refuse to steal someone else's quote to try to sound more erudite or profound than I actually am.

  7. #37
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    middlesbrough
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    9,062
    Quote Originally Posted by Russ6357 View Post
    I thought JD's Rapid was FAC rated?
    That's what I heard in a gun shop years ago
    LOOKING FOR A BSA ULTRA IN .177 and .25

  8. #38
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    conwy/wishaw
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    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.

  9. #39
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Ross
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    1,164
    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.

  10. #40
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Near Bude
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    3,271
    Quote Originally Posted by the growler View Post
    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.

  11. #41
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
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    Walsall, Midlands Uk
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    11,257
    Quote Originally Posted by Mole trapper View Post
    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?
    Put on heading 270, assume attack formation

  12. #42
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    Jan 2013
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    £7/ mole isn't too bad.

  13. #43
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    Apr 2015
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    Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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    With great thanks for Mach 1.5 and Daz






  14. #44
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Toddington
    Posts
    736
    I bought 2 rifles off them when there were ati think cradley heath....
    One is long gone, but the hw 80 has been in a family members loft since...

  15. #45
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    pembury
    Posts
    758
    Quote Originally Posted by b.b View Post
    I bought 2 rifles off them when there were ati think cradley heath....
    One is long gone, but the hw 80 has been in a family members loft since...
    Me thinks it needs to come out of the Family Loft...…….

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