Bomber crew
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Census boy,
I'm sure Mr O'Brien didnt actually intend to kill another pilot; accidents happen, and don't you think thats quite a big event to have as one of your flying memories?
Despite his Capt Flashheart antics, I'd rather have B O'B as a co-pilot than any of the Pprune 'experts' - He DOES actually know a thing or two about flying.....No woolly pullies and 5 bar gold epaulettes, just excellent handling skills....
Never been very impressed with Mr O'Brien when I read an article in which he killed a glider pilot in a mid air collision between his light aircraft and glider. Think if I'd done that I would want to keep a low profile rather than pretend to be an expert bomber pilot/bomb aimer etc.
Despite his Capt Flashheart antics, I'd rather have B O'B as a co-pilot than any of the Pprune 'experts' - He DOES actually know a thing or two about flying.....No woolly pullies and 5 bar gold epaulettes, just excellent handling skills....
Moderator
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I did find it worrying on the Navex that a 'pilot' couldn't get within 40 degrees of the heading assigned by his navigator. For Gawd's sake don't let him within 100NM of the London TMA on his own 
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The Lancaster's that were to go to the Pacific near the end of the war, were modified to replace the F/E with a second pilots position and the mid upper gunners position was removed to save weight. The war finished before they were sent .
Thought police antagonist
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Best piece of programme scheduling ever-----albeit by accident---on one Channel-----"I'm a self centric tosser"---on C4--this excellent programme with real people---the guys who flew the missions and their anecdotes-----the contrast couldn't be starker-----as the 40 degs of course bit though 
bit alarming to say the least !!
bit alarming to say the least !!
No, sorry - O'Brien still comes over as a complete wanqueurre.
Perhaps he should be renemed 'Zero Brain'?
Perhaps he should be renemed 'Zero Brain'?
Last edited by BEagle; 7th Dec 2004 at 21:20.
Nice
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Census Boy,
Is there any reason you hold the incident that BoB was involved in against him, or do you think the same of every pilot that has had the misfortune to be involved in a mid-air ?
I bet thoughts of that incident are with him daily.
Is there any reason you hold the incident that BoB was involved in against him, or do you think the same of every pilot that has had the misfortune to be involved in a mid-air ?
I bet thoughts of that incident are with him daily.
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Paracab,
Well I did lose my ex syndicate partner and the glider in a mid air collision earlier this year..... Did not like the matter of fact attitude this was in the article about BOB. He is always portrayed as being so wonderful but if I'd killed a fellow pilot albeit accidently I do not think I would want to be shown on tv as a "bomber ace/bomb aimer" holier than holy pilot etc.
I'm a glider pilot with all three diamonds and I have a PPL by the way....
Well I did lose my ex syndicate partner and the glider in a mid air collision earlier this year..... Did not like the matter of fact attitude this was in the article about BOB. He is always portrayed as being so wonderful but if I'd killed a fellow pilot albeit accidently I do not think I would want to be shown on tv as a "bomber ace/bomb aimer" holier than holy pilot etc.
I'm a glider pilot with all three diamonds and I have a PPL by the way....
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I have known O'Brien for more years than I care to remember and I cannot in all truth say that I have an ounce of admiration for him. His attitude in this programme epitomizes his arrogance. What does he know about bomb aiming? Why did they not let him take the sight out of its box - perhaps because it is a valuable instrument that requires EXPERT handling.
He is spoiling the prog by being there. Thankfully by the professionalism of John Romain and the sheer exuberance of the 'trainees,' it is a very entertaining programme.
He is spoiling the prog by being there. Thankfully by the professionalism of John Romain and the sheer exuberance of the 'trainees,' it is a very entertaining programme.
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I think some of you are being a bit hard on Mr O'Brien. I'm sure he was selected becuase he already has experience in presenting aviation related TV programmes. John Romain hasn't this previous experience - although his knowledge and intelligence comes through well in this programme and I'd like to think that C4 (or anybody else) would be inclined to use him again.
So far, I think this is the best prgramme currently on TV.
So far, I think this is the best prgramme currently on TV.
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Well, whatever I, or anyone else thinks of Brendan o Brian, the program is excellent and compulsive viewing. I won't let his presenting skills or demeanour spoil it for me.
I'm sure that he is a far more experienced and skilled aviator than I, but we are all entitled to our opinions and views about people.
I'm sure that he is a far more experienced and skilled aviator than I, but we are all entitled to our opinions and views about people.
Paxing All Over The World
It is not just flying that has people full of their own importance! Having been in Telecommunications for 25 years, I have met my fair share of "I did that ten years ago" and "I was paid twice that, when I was doing that job." and so forth.
As to an earlier comment in this thread:
It is NOT pointless, it saves the producer a great deal of money. 
--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
As to an earlier comment in this thread:
One big gripe is why do we have to tolerate same stock film, along with a reminder of the objectives, every few minutes? Pointless padding.
--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
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I know I'm a bit deaf, but did the portentous commentary - by Steven Mackintosh - (who he ?), really intone that a fully loaded B17 could weigh sixty tons ?.
Someone should have caught that shouldn't they ?
You could shoot the programme so full of holes it would resemble that poor B17 that gets surgically ripped apart time and time again, but never mind, I guess it's paid for another airborne season for G-BEDF.
The choice between the two pilot candidates is such a put up job. Well - one's pretty and the other isn't - so that's decided that. Good acting by James though, he looked convincingly miffed when being chopped by Brendan (in very restrained form). BTW, how many had he had when he dragged the Emil on two sticks across the range ?. That was very funny.
A medal for PB though, who sounds genuinely exasperated as the old thing has another hiccup. Was that real ?
All in all - a pleasure to see air to air of Sally B, all of the stock footage - for the x th time, and as previously remarked, the simple statements of survivors.
Someone should have caught that shouldn't they ?
You could shoot the programme so full of holes it would resemble that poor B17 that gets surgically ripped apart time and time again, but never mind, I guess it's paid for another airborne season for G-BEDF.
The choice between the two pilot candidates is such a put up job. Well - one's pretty and the other isn't - so that's decided that. Good acting by James though, he looked convincingly miffed when being chopped by Brendan (in very restrained form). BTW, how many had he had when he dragged the Emil on two sticks across the range ?. That was very funny.
A medal for PB though, who sounds genuinely exasperated as the old thing has another hiccup. Was that real ?
All in all - a pleasure to see air to air of Sally B, all of the stock footage - for the x th time, and as previously remarked, the simple statements of survivors.
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The Sally B chap's didn't do the most intelligent thing, which is to get paid up front, unfortunately it seems RDF didn't pay up immediately. Not sure if they have at all yet........
I thought they said 16 tons rather than 60. That would be ridiculous. I seem to remember that it weighed around 16-17 tons empty and just over 32 tons when fully loaded. So where they got 16 or 60 from I have no idea!
I thought they said 16 tons rather than 60. That would be ridiculous. I seem to remember that it weighed around 16-17 tons empty and just over 32 tons when fully loaded. So where they got 16 or 60 from I have no idea!
Coppula eam se non posit acceptera jocularum
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I also heard 60 tons, which did rather raise my eyebrows in surprise. It is silly things like that that detract from what is otherwise a very enjoyable programme. Agree with BS that the choice of pilot appeared a painfully put up job. Accounts by Allied and German survivors very poignant. One senses old men reflecting on how as young men they were caught up in something bigger than them, did their best and now with bitterness gone they proudly remember, albeit tinged with a sadness for those lost.
Money saved which ...
... it appears they are keen to hang onto for as long as possible. Not clever. Having had some of my consultancy invoices go to extra time and a bit, I have views about unpaid bills!
it saves the producer a great deal of money
it seems RDF didn't pay up immediately
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Come on folks, step back a little and stop your bitching! The programme was, as you say, "full of holes". Yes they used stock footage and the commentary could have been better, but you are in the know. People like my 12 year old son didn't pick any of that up, but he did learn a lot from the series. WWII is of little interest to him as much I suppose as the Boer war was to me as a child, but he related to what he saw in this programme and as a consequence his respect has grown for the generation that served. If he and others like him had heard the expert critique voiced in this thread prior to watching, he would probably not bothered with the programme.
Joe public are not purists, Channel Four aired a commercially viable product that drew a significant audience for that time slot and hopefully, as it did for my son, educated a few people to what has gone before.
Here endeth my pontification.
Joe public are not purists, Channel Four aired a commercially viable product that drew a significant audience for that time slot and hopefully, as it did for my son, educated a few people to what has gone before.
Here endeth my pontification.