Heads up for the film "The First of the Few". Tuesday 27 August at 13.00 on BBC2

[Warmtoast]

"The First of the Few". Tuesday 27 August at 13.00 on BBC2

The First of the Few, stars Leslie Howard as R.J. Mitchell, the designer of the Supermarine Spitfire, David Niven as the test pilot and features William Walton's stirring music later known as the "Spitfire Prelude and Fugue".

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/TheFirstoftheFew_zps8ce8c4f5.jpg

Leslie Howard's last film as he died shortly afterwards when his plane was shot down on the way to Portugal.

[Wander00]

IMHO a brilliant film

[Courtney Mil]

Never seen it, Sky Box programmed, thanks for the heads up. Now that's what an RAF pilot should look like!

[Wensleydale]

Now that's what an RAF pilot should look like!


David Niven actually had an undistinguished career in the Army before running away to the USA to avoid a probable court martial (with the telegram sent to his CO "Dear Colonel, request permission to resign commission. Love Niven").

He returned to the UK at the beginning of WW2 to join the RAF but was turned down. Initially gaining a commission in the Rifle Brigade, he ended the war as a Lt Col having commanded the "Phantom" communications squadron of the SAS.

May I suggest that his autobiography "The Moon's a Balloon" is one of the best memoires ever written and well worth reading.

[NutLoose]

Thanks Sky Box set to record.

[just another jocky]

Thank you, Sky box set. :ok:

[mustpost]

Also available (legally) here
The First of the Few : British Aviation Pictures : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive (http://archive.org/details/TheFirstOfTheFew)

[smujsmith]

Warm toast,

Thanks, got it set to record and looking forward to it. It's on the BBC2 HD Channel as well, not sure if that will improve the experience.

Smudge :ok: