Aviation Heroes for poss TV

[thompsonmarkp]

Dear all

Allow me to introduce myself, I am one of the specialist presenters on BBCs The One Show, working as their astronomy presenter. I am also a qualified pilot (very nearly fATPL but economy dah dah dah).

I have been discussing a possible series of films where we meet some aviation hero's that live in the UK. Not having a great knowledge of aviation history, can any of you folks recommend some pilot's still alive today who have done some amazing stuff?

Cheers

Mark

[treadigraph]

Eric "Winkle" Brown! Flown more types than anybody else, WWII Royal Navy Pilot, test pilot, German aircraft, helicopters, rubber deck landings, and a great raconteur.

[thompsonmarkp]

Excellent thanks, that's exactly the kind of person we are looking for. Any other ideas out there?

[dakkg651]

I know a lot of pilots that have done amazing stuff, especially at dining in nights!

Don't know any that would set that lantern swinging though :rolleyes:

[boris]

Sub Leutenant John Moffat, the swordfish pilot whose torpedo disabled the steering gear of the Bismark, thus helping the Navy to finish her off.

He is about ninety and still lives in Dunkeld, Perthshire.

[Peter Talalla]

John Freeborn RAF WWII fighter ace and battle of Britain pilot Last of a rare breed. Flew with my Uncle Jim 118 Squadron. Enjoyed meeting up with him at a recent reunion.

[Groundloop]

How about John Farley!:ok:

[HarmoniousDragmaster]

Theres a member of this board who tested Harriers at the Top Gear test track, in its former life, not for me to announce his name but how about it mr JF?:ok:


edit - how bizarre! It must be a good idea then :)

[Dan Winterland]

Geoffrey Wellum. A 18 year old fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain. His autobiography 'First Light' is the best personal account of that conflict in print.


Slight Edit Dan:

[Agaricus bisporus]

What about Lt Cdr Ian Stanley who flew the rescue of the twice-crashed Marines in atrocious weather on S Georgia in 1982? (Assuming he's still with us, of course)

John Farley (why can't he be named?)
Eric Brown

Is Lord Strath-?? the Swordfish pilot still around? Author of "Bring back my Stringbag". He'd qualify.

Whichever hero's (sic) appear let's hope the greengrocer's apostrophes dont join them.

[HarmoniousDragmaster]

I just thought it might be rude to announce the name of a man I've never met and didn't ask. I was perhaps being over careful, but I thought he might volunteer if interested.

[603DX]

I suggest Lettice Curtis, who as an Air Transport Auxiliary delivery pilot flew Lancasters, Halifaxes and Stirling bombers to RAF stations in WW2. A remarkable woman.

[bobward]

How about a 'typical' flying instructor?
Sitting in the right hand seat whilst I ham handed student like I was throws the aircraft at the ground, just offering words of encouragment must count for something?

Some of those worthy people will also have had an interesting past as well.

[Agaricus bisporus]

I second Bob's reply, but make it a helicopter instructor.

ps.Mark, PPRuNe takes no prisoners, as you've seen! You're going to have to make an unprecedented effort for accuracy on your programmes if you are to come out of this alive and unscalped! Few journalists/media folk have achieved this to date. Bon chance! ;)

[Airclues]

thompsonmarkp

John Farley (ex Harrier Chief Test Pilot) posts under his real name on PPRuNe so you could contact him by Private Message on this site.

I believe that Geoffrey Wellum (author of First Light) is still available for media work.

Dave

[AndoniP]

martin withers?

sharkey ward? :E

there are loads of famous pilots out there, each did something special...

[forget]

Wait 'til BEagle sees Anton's second offering. Counting .....

[Kerling-Approsh KG]

Another vote for John Farley. A lovely chap with a genuine gift for clear and unambiguous communication.

[VX275]

I'd like to see something on the Glider Pilot regiment before they all go. They were soldiers who were taught to fly into battle and then expected to fight as soldiers once they had landed. The glider pilots who landed at the Orne canal and river bridges (Pegasus and Horsa Bridges) on D Day were acknowledged as having achieved the most superb piece of flying of the whole second world war.

[2 sheds]

Mark
Further to various comments (quite rightly) about the greengrocer's apostrophes, could I suggest that you do not further contribute to the BBC journalists'/presenters' campaign to debase the English language by automatically referring to pilots as heroes just because they have flown a few aircraft, albeit with great distinction?

2 s

[jumpseater]

Mark I woodnt' wurry to much abowt greengrowsers atmospheres or wodeva vey are, cos peeple hoo rite

Whichever hero's (sic) appear let's hope the greengrocer's apostrophes dont join them.

Really ort to make shure they dont do the same fing, or vey look like a 'goat' so I been infawmed. Ve way to chek is to look at vair preeveus posts, which vey hope u wont.:E

However, leaving aside the fact that some can't see that you're looking for people who have done 'amazing stuff', and may likely to be considered, (in the eyes of those who spend an entire evening glued in front of the ****e pump, or the man on the Clapham Omnibus), a 'hero' if a pilot, I have sent you a message that may be of interest.
Brgds
js (part time freelance scribbler and greengrocers atmosphere supplier)

[stepwilk]

Since you're getting an overwhelming number of WWII candidates from this excellent and--like me--probably elderly group, I'd suggest contacting the people at Pilot Magazine, in London (I think...) for which I wrote for 20+ years. You will get some interesting, unusual and more contemporary suggestions.

After all, the reason that the famed, estimable and amazing Winkle Brown is the first suggestion is that he's already been interviewed to death on every historic-aviation show out there. Here even in the U.S., you can't turn around, Discovery Channel-wise, without bumping into him.

[Noah Zark.]

Mark,
Good luck with your endeavours. Will you be sure to come back on here and give us a "Heads up" when the prog with this content is to be aired, please? Thank you. :ok:

[Senior Pilot]

Mark,

For current aviators who have been recently recognised for their "Outstanding Courage or Devotion to Duty in the Air", the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) Award Winners (http://www.gapan.org/about-the-guild/trophies-and-awards/award-winners/) page will give you some leads. You may get more details by contacting GAPAN Trophies and Awards Committee.

Most of us, however, feel that the term 'hero' is grossly overused in today's media. It may be worth using a less emotive term, unless referring to those who really deserve such recognition :ok:

[jxk]

Neil (or Neale) Williams

[Flying Lawyer]

jxk Neil (or Neale) Williams

Neil Williams of aerobatics fame died in 1977.
Is there another? :confused:

_________________

Mark

John Farley and Eric 'Winkle' Brown, as already suggested.

Duncan Simpson: His career as a test pilot spanned being a Hunter test pilot in the 1950s and flying the maiden flight of the Hawk in 1974.
Captain Jock Lowe: Former Concorde Chief Pilot (amongst several other senior positions held during a very distinguished career in commercial aviation).

They would all baulk at being described as Aviation Heroes. If you want a catchy title, Aviation Legends would not be inappropriate.

I endorse Senior Pilot's helpful recommendation to contact GAPAN - The Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators (http://www.gapan.org)

FL

[Peter Talalla]

How about George Aird. I think he has one of the top 100 ejection photos of all time. and perhaps a few caterpillars too.

[treadigraph]

After all, the reason that the famed, estimable and amazing Winkle Brown is the first suggestion is that he's already been interviewed to death on every historic-aviation show out there. Here even in the U.S., you can't turn around, Discovery Channel-wise, without bumping into him

I don't think it's unfair to suggest that the average audience member for "The One Show", which is a sort of early evening "magazine show", is probably unlikely to watch those kinds of programmes and therefore including interviews with distinguished historical aviators such as Eric Brown and John Moffat seems an excellent plan to me.

[XV490]

Mark,

If you're in Norfolk, you won't have to go very far to find Wing Commander Ken Wallis, a wartime bomber pilot who has made the autogyro all his own! Now well into his 90s, he's still making and flying them.

Check out the James Bond film Thunderball to see Ken's work.

The One Show you say? Is that anything like Nationwide?

[jumpseater]

Nationwide's not a bad comparison.

Could always give Pablo a call, should be value for money ...:E

[treadigraph]

Check out the James Bond film Thunderball to see Ken's work.

You mean "You Only Live Twice" ! Yep, Ken would be a good choice. :ok:

John Crewdson flew the camera helcopter for some of the early Bond films - he would have made an interesting interviewee I'm sure... sadly there are too many candidates no longer with us.

[XV490]

You mean "You Only Live Twice" !

Yes, I did! Thanks. Is Fife Robertson on The One Show?

[Airclues]

I second FL's suggestion of Captain Jock Lowe.

Club Concorde - Captain's Log - Memorable Flights (http://www.clubconcorde.co.uk/memorable_flights_rydercup.php)

Dave

[Warmtoast]

Roger Topp (Air Commodore Roger Topp, AFC & 2 Bars, RAF Retd) who led 111 Sqn (The Black Arrows) in their famous 22-aircraft loop in 1958 is still around and had a letter published in the August 2010 issue of Aeroplane magazine about the 'Black Arrows'.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/111SqnBlackArrows.jpg

[sycamore]

You could also `google` Ed Macy,MC, for another hero...

[hoodie]

Lots of great suggestions, but VX275's idea of a representative of the Glider Pilot Regiment is inspired.

Those gentlemen are rarely given the credit they deserve, but their stories (when you can winkle them out) are stunning.

The chap I was honoured to know is no longer with us, so can anybody come up with a name who might be willing to step out of the shadows for this? Perhaps somebody involved with the Shawbury restorations?

[It flies]

There's a chap on the Flypast forum who posts under the name of Cotteswold. He flew Hurricanes that were shot of merchant ships by rockets. As there was nowhere to land afterwards, they were expected to ditch after the mission.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/RAF2/camship.jpg

That should certainly make interesting television.

Sea Hurricanes - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums (http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=95892)

[JG54]

It Flies:

Seconded! The gentleman in question is Wing Commander "Tim" Elkington - 1 Sqn BoB, CAM ships, Murmansk, Far East, Kipper Fleet, Grapple trials etc etc... A hell of a career and a hell of a man.

Regards,
Frank

[kevmusic]

Brian Lecomber - areobat extraordinaire and successful writer. :)

[stepwilk]

Following, by the way, in the tradition of James Gilbert, though James died some years ago.

[It flies]

Thanks Frank, I didn't know who was behind the nickname. There can't be many pilots who made the leap from fighting in the Battle of Britain to posting on the internet! :ok:

[Captain Dart]

How about Eric Moody, captain of the 'Galanggung Glider', the BA 747 that encountered volcanic ash over Indonesia decades ago? He and his crew's handling of the emergency, partial engine restart and subsequent emergency landing was outstanding. I used to show a Boeing-made video on the dangers of volcanic ash to airliners, to trainees. His account of the incident on that video was priceless and I never tired of watching it.

Also recently saw a documentary where he visited Australia a few years ago for a reunion with some of the passengers on the flight; great stuff!

[PFR]

How about John Romain - obviously not a WW2 "hero" - but a significant figure in today's aviation community - who has done through restoration of Spitfires and other historic types a lot to honour their memory. Has also been awarded the CAA General Aviation Safety Award in 2006 for performing a successful emergency landing of a Spitfire, which if memory serves me right he was Air Testing.

:ok:

[Jaimo]

Mark,

I am in touch with 7 Westland Whirlwind pilots, 5 in the UK. Please feel free to send me an EMail to establish contact.

Kind regards.

[T-21]

I'd like to suggest Maurice Hammond owner and rebuilder of P-51 Mustangs and superb Rolls Royce Merlin engine restorer.

[PFR]

Second that as well:D

[Mechta]

Derek Piggott

WW2 Dakota pilot
First UK man powered aircraft pilot
Stunt pilot in Blue Max, Mag Men and more
Probably taught more people to glide than almost anyone else in the UK
Was still flying and writing glider test reports at 86
Author of numerous aviation books
and, from personal experience, very approachable and helpful.

[yakker]

May I suggest S/Ldr Ian Blair.

Ian Blair joined 113 Squadron in 1938 as a AC1/Armourer AG. on Hawker Hind and later Blenheim Mk 1s. He took part in the heavy fighting of the first Lybian campaign. He was forced to take control and fly the Blenheim airceaft after his pilot was killed following an attack by an Italian Fiat CR 42. Remarkably he managed not only to evade the enemy aircraft, but fly to fly the Blenheim 350 miles back to his base where he made a succesful textbook landing. This extraordinary action earned him the award of an immediate DFM. The experience led him to train as a pilot at No 4 SFTS RAF Habbaniya, where the No 6 War Course were heavily engaged in operations to raize the siege of the base from the Iraqi Army. He was finally awarded his wings in May 1941. On return to the UK he served with 501 Squadron on combat duties on Spitfire Mk V's until injured as a result of enemy action. On return to flying duties he was posted to 602 Squadron flying MkV's and MkIX's until June 1944. In February 1944, he claimed a high altitude victory by destroying a Me.109 F at an altitude of 35,000 feet, flying a Spitfire Mk.VII H.F
He was also the pilot on the "Careless talk may cost his life" poster of 1941

S/Ldr John (Ian) Blair (http://113squadron.com/id191.htm)


He can be contacted through The Blenheim Society.

[henry crun]

Air Commodore EB Ted Sismore DSO DFC AFC is worthy of inclusion in this program.

Navigator on Blenheims in the early part of the war, later lead navigator when Mosquitos bombed Berlin for the first time. The raid was timed to coincide with and disrupt a speech by Hermann Goering.
Planned the route for Mosquitos to raid the Amiens prison.
Lead navigator on Operation Carthage, the raid on the Gestapo HQ at Shell House, Copenhagen.
Post war, navigated a Mosquito that broke the Flying record for the London to Cape Town. Later awarded the Royal Aero Clubs Britannia Trophy for 1947.

[kevmusic]

Second Derek Piggot. Chatted to him for hours at a Kent Gliding Club annual dinner. (Wife wasn't best pleased! :ouch:)

[Captain Dart]

If you're really desperate there is also Captain Toss Parker, a regular, and humorous, contributor to the Fragrant Harbour forum! He's definitely an aviation hero (in his own mind that is!).

[Gainesy]

Most of those suggested on here are worthwhile old duffers who have already been done to death on TV.

Get yerself down to RAF Odiham and have a chat with the boys and girls who fly the Chinooks in Afghanistan.

[stepwilk]

Good suggestion!

[Double Zero]

There are a lot - well, quite a few - of heroes in present day, who ought to have their stories told.

I for one would be happy to record their accomplishments or pass on details of someone a lot better qualified to do so.

The veterans of WWII are hardly to be insulted in such disparaging terms however; it was after all a colossal undertaking, and a rare war in history which was truly good against evil; though I grant the Taliban run a close second to the Nazis, and would probably be first if they had the brains & capability...

[Steve Bond]

Many great suggestions already (John Farley not least of all - I see him fairly often). If you are still looking for any more, not wishing to advertise, but I have interviewed well over 100 wartime veterans for my new book which was published yesterday.

Please feel free to send me a private message if you would like to talk about it.

[Vizsla]

I'm surprised that anyone is doing research for the BBC for free, especially for a fatuous programme akin to the Sun.
If you search "Mark Thompson" he was Director General of the BBC in 2004, hardly resurrected as a presenter

[jumpseater]

Vizsla
If you search "Mark Thompson" he was Director General of the BBC in 2004, hardly resurrected as a presenter

Then again, if you actually do your research properly
BBC - Astronomer Mark Thompson's star turn on The One Show (http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/norfolk/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8408000/8408169.stm)

So, what was that you were saying about 'fatuous'? :D ...

[Albert Driver]

Sadly too late to interview Neville Duke....
.....but Peter Twiss of the astonishing (at the time) 1132mph Fairey Delta 2 World Airspeed Record is well worth listening to.

No chance if you use the word Hero though.