Hi Tony
I am not going to disagree that "161" was physically on the island last May. Of course not.My point is that it's visit to the North, whilst being of great interest to the locals, had no "value" for want of another word, to us in the South. 161's spiritual home, if you like, is Baldonnel, not the North. Also, some people up North would take issue with an aircraft bearing the colours of the Irish Free State, as it then was. I know, also, that it's visit to Weston had a huge impact in terms of visibility, access, photo opportunity,etc. for people rather than a visit to an airfield 90-odd miles away, across an international border, in someone else's jurisdiction. With all due respect to the people up North, they haven't got the same emotional attachment to 161 as we in the South do.
regards
GttC