Well done Discovery Wings

[Wycombe]

Wasn't sure whether to put this in the Mil Forum (as one of the subject a/c is still operational!), but thought here was a better place.

Just watched the new "Classic British Aircraft" Prog on Discovery Wings, the subjects tonight being the Trident and VC10.

Really well done, if a bit brief, tribute to both aircraft I thought.

Great to see all those guys at BZZ talking with such fondness about the "10" and to see some good footage of it still in action.

[Paracab]

I thought it was a great programme too, much higher standard than the usual stuff on Wings.

Does anyone know if it was a one off or a series, forgot to check at the time.

[Wycombe]

Para,

I believe it's a series, other types to be covered include the Lightning, Buccaneer and Canberra at least, according to the trailers.

[jimgriff]

I hope you wrote to Discovery Wings and congratulated them on the prog?

They get some progs spot on.

[PPRuNe Towers]

It is possible that they might even look in at this forum.;) ;)

Back in the years before PPRuNe the exec producer wasn't unkown to pop up on the Avsig forum asking what folks thought they would like as subjects for programmes.

Rob

[fradu]

Pretty sure the Vampire will get some coverage as well.

[BEagle]

If they do read PPRuNe, then:

Please sort out your website! There's nothing on it about the Classis British Aircraft series - try searching for it and it comes up with 'nothing found'. WHY??

When is Monday's programme due to be repeated? Judging by the rest of the John Nichol Channel, it won't be too long, I guess?

[OutsideLookingIn]

Try here (http://discoverychannel.co.uk/flight/great_british_planes/the_winner.shtml).

Damn fine series.

[BEagle]

No - that is totally different. Not really a set of programmes, just shorts with a poll - and certainly not the 'Classic British Aircraft' series.

[Wycombe]

....looking at the Programme listings at Discovery Wings (http://www.discoverywings.co.uk) , looks like tomorrow (Monday 25th) at 2000 BST for the next installment (although it might be the "10" and Trident again, as it doesn't say which aircraft are featured!)

Followed at 2030 by John Nichol at Thunder City (for a change!)

[BEagle]

'twas indeed the Trident and VC10 programme.

Well done to the chaps who've managed to keep the Trident 3B in such fine condition, despite all the commercial pressures whcih must have faced them.

As for the '10 bit... Well, a few more BOAC clips would have been nice, but it was good to see some ex-chums keeping the old girl flying in the RAF. The engineers' comments were very good (apart from the idiot talking about the Mk 32 pod - obviously a JEngO!) - as were the comments from the Air Engineer and Pilot. But the Navigator Wg Cdr was.......predictable enough.

'Force Enabler' eh? Glad to hear the term I first coined back in 1991 still in use. It came from 'Strike Enable Function', a term used in my hydrogen bomb time - hence later in Gulf War One (another of my terms now in common usage) we of the VC10, Victor and TriStar force AAR force were needed to 'enable' the Tornado, Buccaneer and Jaguar forces to reach virtually all of their targets and to return to their bases after completing their air-to-sand missions. And no mission ever failed due to AAR problems....

[wub]

Tonight it's 'Surveillance', featuring the Nimrod and the Canberra

[pax britanica]

I was kicking myself for missing it but on the strength of the comments here recorded last nights( Monday 25th) and watched it today . Delighted to find it was the trident and VC10 again. I thought the Trident bit was excellent-an odd machine in many ways sort of very British-great idea not very practical -engines too small -funny nosewheel etc but I flew on it lots of times as a pax and always enjoyed it. Also remember two trips where the flight deck pointed out other aircraft on the airway that we were scooting past. In one case -LHR-Stockholm I think it could make Arlanda about 15 mins ahead of the SAS DC9s departing at the same time.

Coming from the Staines area though its hard to think of Tridents without rembering the tragic sight of Papa India just off the A30 -looking almost intact but with everyone aboard dead. My neighbours included a Fireman and Ahsford hospital nurse both involved in the aftermath and they were very shaken. My sister saw it, heard it and felt it as she walked in Staines that day and I know it stayed with her along time.

Turning to the VC10 in my spotting days I used to love the change in pitch as those engines began to spool up to make that amazing roar on take off- sounded cool on board too. Shame not much BOAC footage but I suppose they couldnt resist all the high quality readily available RAF stuff.

Memorable planes.

[Wycombe]

So, tonight it was the Canberra and the "Mighty Hunter".

Of the two, the Canberra was covered better IMHO. Lots of detail on it's current role, with a surprising amount of detail on it's sensor capability.

Like the VC10, they seem to be concentrating more on what the aeroplanes do today (where they still do).

Although it would be nice to see more history, I guess there's only so much you can cover in 15 mins for each type.

Still think it's good quality stuff compared to a lot of what's served up on the Channel.

[BEagle]

Agreed! A lot of good stuff on the PR9 and also the Nimrod. But what a lost opportunity to use some MRA4 shots? And no mention at all of the wretched AEW3.

Certainly one of the best - and I also thought John Nichol in the B29 was good. I've been in that a/c during engine start - the FE really does work hard, I can assure you!

[Vick Van Guard]

Although a thoroughly enjoyable program, it is quite sad to reflect that the industry which produced them has all but gone. :{


p.s. can a PR9 really outclimb an F3?

[Wycombe]

For sure, having seen the way they go up and disappear, I bet a U2 can.....