Flt Lt Bill Goldfinch (Colditz)

[None of the above]

Flt Lt Bill Goldfinch, designer of the Colditz glider died on Oct 2nd.
The glider was built for a Channel 4 programme in 2000 and flew successfully whilst he watched.

Full obit here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/12/db1201.xml (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/12/db1201.xml)

N o t a

[Lurker Above]

My first ever post here - but just wanted to add a note to express my best wishes and sympathy to Mr Goldfinch's friend's and family.

I had the pleasure of meeting him when I used to work at Old Sarum - he was of a venerable age even then, but spry, still flying and highly respected by everyone as a real gent. I only realised his connection with Colditz when chatting with the CFI.

I later summoned up the courage to ask him about the Colditz glider and his response was self effacing; 'Oh' he said 'We built it as much as anything because we were so bored!' The fact that the TV documentary showed that the recreation not only flew - but flew remarkably well - demonstrated his and his fellow would-be escapees skill. If it weren't for the Russian advance and the risk of being shot on recapture meant orders were issued to stop any future escape attempts, the plan was entirely viable and may well have worked.

Its nice to have felt that I had a chance to meet a little bit of history - as well as someone who served to preserve the freedoms I have enjoyed in my life. Most importantly, I'd like to pay tribute to someone who seemed like a thoroughly nice chap.