The Way We Were - Flying

poison_dwarf · 17th Jul 2004, 12:45

Just caught a great little show on the ABC - The Way we Were Flying. A comedic look at the past for Australian aviation, with guest stars such as Jeff Watson, Nancy Bird Walton, a former ANA hostess and actor Rhys Muldoon, who was in the TV show 'Big Sky' and grew up a RAAF brat.

I didn't see it advertised and only saw it because it came on after the Bill. Anyone else catch it? What were you thoughts?

Soho_Sophie · 17th Jul 2004, 14:49

I only caught it by chance also, because I was spending the night with my folks in Perth who also watch The Bill.

I thought it was very good. I even sang along at the end to "leaving On a Jet Plane"

GoGirl · 17th Jul 2004, 16:53

It was lighthearted and quite funny.

From the ABC website, a summary of the program;

Quote:

Australians pioneered flying and broke records. We have used planes to develop the nation. But is flying as glamorous as it was once? Tonight we look at flying - how it's changed and how it has changed us. We meet Charles Kingsford Smith's first student, hosties with the 'mostest' and blokes just plain crazy for flying...

Few people realise that American escape artist Harry Houdini claimed to be the first person to fly an aeroplane in Australia. This is one of many amazing pieces of archival film showcased in The Way We Were: Flying.

One of Charles Kingsford Smith's first pupils joins the stage, Nancy Bird Walton, a pioneering aviatrix and witness to the evolution of flying in Australia. In the 1930s she flew in the outback without radio or radar for back up.

Flying from Australia to England used to take a week and cost the equivalent of a house. There was only one class - first. We meet Nan Witcomb, who flew with Ansett in the 1950s, as well as some young flight attendants flying today. They have witnessed great changes in flight - not just in the aircraft but in the people who fly - and we find out what sort of mile high action really goes on.

Jeff Watson, co-creator and presenter of TV shows Towards 2000 and Beyond 2000, shares his passion for aviation and we take a sneak peak at what's to come with the new jumbos and explore whether we really do need bowling alleys and showers on planes.

Mark chats with actor Rhys Muldoon. Rhys discusses his early experiences of aircraft and flying growing up in the RAAF, and why he chose to be a pretend pilot on television instead of the real thing.

Nancy Bird Walton was a cracker

She had a bit to say about Houdini, and the claims that he was the first person to fly in Oz.
She is an amazing woman.

The Rhys Muldoon 'interview' was lost on me however.....maybe 'Big Sky' or 'Blue Sky' the tv show, just doesn't hold much cred as far as serious aviation discussion goes

Up until the point where the story became about the 'glamour' aspect of aviation today, I thought it was a good program.

GG

takeonme · 17th Jul 2004, 23:11

dont know when ill be back again!

poison_dwarf · 17th Jul 2004, 23:49

Quote:

The Rhys Muldoon 'interview' was lost on me however.....maybe 'Big Sky' or 'Blue Sky' the tv show, just doesn't hold much cred as far as serious aviation discussion goes

He was probably chosen more for the humorous aspect of the show than Blue Skies' aviation cred

Nancy Bird Waltons little speech on why aviation is so important to Australia at the end was probably the best bit.

ravan · 19th Jul 2004, 10:59

Stayed up towatch the show with great anticipation and was mildly disappointed to find that in a show about Australian aviation they only talked to one "real" pilot.

Having said that the input from most was interesting and entertaining with the possible exception of Rhys Muldoon and his "jiggy jiggy" scene in the Chieftain.

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