These programmes are going to be great IMO. In the wake of Dambusters that everyone enjoyed last year comes 'Spitfire Ace'.

"Hearing the testimony of the surviving pilots is compelling, but in Spitfire Ace, we also find out what it was really like to fly a Spitfire. Four young volunteers are put through their paces in a Tiger Moth, the plane used for preliminary training by the Battle of Britain pilots. The two strongest pilots then get the chance to fulfil every young boy's dream, to fly a Spitfire for themselves. Our twenty-first century Spitfire class is then narrowed down to just one pilot who goes on a nine-hour advanced operational training course."

http://rdfmedia.com/history/SpitfirePilot.asp

Starts on Channel 4 next monday.

UB

 

I'll look out for that UB

 

And will the Americans be sending a load of people over to help out, just as in "The Few"??[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Alcazar

 

Thanks UB, would not have known it would have been on

 

"..and many of them flew that most iconic of aircraft, the Supermarine Spitfire.."

If I was being a pedant, then the Hurricane was flown by the majority of pilots, and really won the Battle of Britain...

 

Many does not equal majority ?

 

Boss Hogg, I hear what your saying...the Hurricane was more successfull (SP?) than the Spitfire and there was more of them however, ask anyone about the battle of Britain and they'll tell you about Spits, hence the iconic statement.

That and they look much better

 

The Spifire and the Hurricane each had their stronger points. They are both oustanding aircraft for their time.

I did the low level route to simulate an attack on the Mohne Dam when I was stationed in Germany on Canberras. Believe me, it was quite a tricky job to get a good line up for the run allowing for the fact that the Canberra was faster and needed a larger turn radius. The big difference was that I did it in daylight. Those Lancaster aircrew deserve the greatest respect for achieving what they did during the night.

Les

 

Les
I assume that the locals where not opening up with 20mm cannons either

UB - Saw the trailer last night and looking forward to it, i just missed out on a ride in Nick Graces (now his wifes since his death) two seater spit many moons ago.

Will be watching this with interest.

 

Read the title, and thought it might be a PC Game!!!
Pah, should i've known better with the author being Uncle "Barry Norman" Buck

I like my war progs/books BTW

BB

 

I know it's a SIAL but in case somebody missed it last time around:

low flying spitfire

Oh, the language gets a little fruity...

SB

PS Thanks for pointing the show out, UB.

 

Great clip, and he is right '**** me! - that was low'

 

pity it was a griffon-powered spit, not a merlin....

 

I'm looking forward to the prog - my great uncle flew Spitfires shortly after the Battle of Britain. But the Spifire is always asociated with the BoB, with the Hurricane as a bit of a 'cinderella'. Many more Hurricanes served in the Battle (over 2/3 more than the spit) and it claimed a staggering 70% of all enemy kills (and although the majority will be bombers a good few of those must be the far superior Bf109).

Mind you any prog on telly which tells the story of our 'finest hour' and hopefully educates younger viewers that the UK fought alone (with Commonwealth countries) against the Axis powers for almost 2 years and that the US did not single-handidly fight and win WW2 (as you'd believe from Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers) has got to be a good thing.

 

Not my usual cup of char but this is a good read First light

Mark

 

The guy in the clip nearly shat himself

 

alcazar's not heard of the RAF's volunteer eagle squadrons then ...

 

That really is ridiculously low. Thats a seriously skillful and mental pilot. Wouldnt need much bank at that angle to lose a wing. Sneeze and you'd be in the floor!

I know a surviving spitfire pilot who currently lives in Wembley. He was shot down over Italy and taken back to Berlin. Some of the things he tells me are incredible, but he's very matter of fact about the whole thing.

 

First light is one of the best books I have ever read. The guy is totally matter of fact, self effacing and utterly devoid of the usual macho bullspit one would expect to find in a book like this.

Three thumbs up! (Too much time around nuclear reactors )

SB

 

May i reccommend the following


The Big Show by Pierre Clostermann, French Pilot, brilliant read.
I have a 1951 copy of it, read it more times that i care to think about. His discriptions of flying Spits, Hurricanes and Tempests make you feel like you are there with him, You can smell the cordite!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0297846191/202-8416977-5637424

I am just about to read 'The Fighter Boys' bought for me by my other half



[Edited by Paul Habgood - 1/6/2004 6:48:05 PM]

 

Thanks UB I will look out for that. As I am a Battle of Britain Historian. That is my other main passion in life.

I liked the film Dark Blue World. I would recommend anybody with a ww2 or BofB interest to watch it.

I thought that G Wellums book was a good un.
Having many many accounts of the Battle of Britain on my book shelf. I feel that the Account By Stephen Bungy called the most Dangerous Enemy is definately the best most comprehensive and unbiased account.

I am currently assisting in the reaserch of the most definative account of the Battle of France. It will be a year or two but i will let anyone know when it is published. Many pilots who flew in the Battle France ended up flying in the battle of Britain.

Discovering a spot of BofB History in a lovely part of Kent/Suusex having been transported there at warp speed down some nice quiet B roads on a sunny day in a scooby is my idea of the perfect day.

Best Wishes all
Steve

 

Steve - have you read George Barclay's account of the battle of Britian - I think it was called Angels 22 - I read it years and years ago (from Library) and I've never seen or heard of it since. I remember it as being a really good book.

 

Yes I have it
It is called 'Fighter Pilot'

Best Wishes
Steve

 

wasnt that book by Paul Richey?

great book about him shooting down the bosch and then driving over to see them, shake hands and have tea with them.
lol, thats the spirit, what?

BB

 

I'm just reading Erich Hartmann's book at the moment - it's cracking. Highest scoring ace of WW2 with well over 300 kills - mainly on Eastern Front.

 

Haven't read that one Mr Hogg.
Let me know what is like

Paul Ritchy - can't remember what the title was. Went to find his plane last spring in a swamp on the outskirts of a remote French village. Didn't find the Hurricane (it is still out there somewhere)s but found two undiscovered origional pictures of Neville Chamberlin and the heads of the RAF visiting the village in 1940 in an Old Ladies photo album!

Steve

There are a fair few BofB crashsites up in Essex. It is out of my area but I know a man who knows where they all are.

[Edited by Steve Whitehorn - 1/8/2004 10:15:10 PM]

 

Achtung, Spitfire. Not long to go now

9:00pm Channel 4.

UB