Alex Henshaw Spitfire display Film?
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Banbury, United Kingdom
Age: 69
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alex Henshaw Spitfire display Film?
Just read "Sigh for a Merlin" again after 20 years.....what a superb tale!!
It crossed my mind that as Alex Henshaw was called on to give his amazing displays on many occasions, that there must be some footage somewhere......
Anyone got any ideas?
I would give my eye teeth (bugger had them removed, but you know what I mean!!) to see some film.
It crossed my mind that as Alex Henshaw was called on to give his amazing displays on many occasions, that there must be some footage somewhere......
Anyone got any ideas?
I would give my eye teeth (bugger had them removed, but you know what I mean!!) to see some film.
Life's too short for ironing
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Scotland, & Maryland, USA
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was also told that Henshaw does some of the low flying in First of the Few. Think there's som brief footage of Churchill meeting him in 1941 on the Pathe News film archive website
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry for going slightly off topic, but -
I think it's a disgrace that Alex Henshaw's numerous contributions to British aviation over many years were never honoured with more than a paltry MBE.
That's the sort of award they give long-serving lollypop ladies these days, while pop-singers and athletes who win medals in the Olympics are made anything up to Knights and Dames.
Although now a little frail, he's still as bright as a button - to such an extent it's very easy to forget his advanced years when not face to face. During a telephone conversation just a few months ago, I asked if he could email something to me. A chuckle at the other end of the phone was followed by "Email? Dear me, I've just turned 92. I don't use email. I'll post it to you."
Castle Bromwich, Summer 1941
A delightful, fascinating man - truly one of the greats of aviation.
FL
BTW, last year, he donated his papers, photographs, trophies and art collection to the RAF Museum, and funded a curator to catalogue the collection. He wants future generations to know about the contribution made by civilian pilots in the country's hour of need.
I don't know far the work has got, but I've no doubt the exhibits will be worth seeing.
.
I think it's a disgrace that Alex Henshaw's numerous contributions to British aviation over many years were never honoured with more than a paltry MBE.
That's the sort of award they give long-serving lollypop ladies these days, while pop-singers and athletes who win medals in the Olympics are made anything up to Knights and Dames.
Although now a little frail, he's still as bright as a button - to such an extent it's very easy to forget his advanced years when not face to face. During a telephone conversation just a few months ago, I asked if he could email something to me. A chuckle at the other end of the phone was followed by "Email? Dear me, I've just turned 92. I don't use email. I'll post it to you."
Castle Bromwich, Summer 1941
A delightful, fascinating man - truly one of the greats of aviation.
FL
BTW, last year, he donated his papers, photographs, trophies and art collection to the RAF Museum, and funded a curator to catalogue the collection. He wants future generations to know about the contribution made by civilian pilots in the country's hour of need.
I don't know far the work has got, but I've no doubt the exhibits will be worth seeing.
.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 2nd Apr 2006 at 21:43.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We'd never be able raise enough money to buy an Honour - recent Press reports suggest that route now involves fantastic sums - so we'd have to use the official system.
Anyone can nominate anyone for an Honour - whether they get one is a different matter.
Details of the process here: UK Honours system
The final decision is made by the Prime Minister so, as there wouldn't be any populist voter appeal, I suspect there would have to be very high volume of nominations to have any realistic prospect of success.
The process takes anything up to a couple of years so, if we're going to try, it would be wise to move quickly, emphasising his age in the nomination forms - writing separate letters direct to No 10 and/or to aviation minded MPs.
I'm sure the aviation organisations - RAeS, RAeC, Guild of Air Pilots - would give their support, and there are enough aviators and aviation enthusiasts on Pprune to generate a large amount of support if people could be persuaded to fill in the form.
I'm happy to start the ball rolling - but it's only worth doing if we're confident we can generate enough nominations.
Anyone else think it's worth trying?
Tudor
Anyone can nominate anyone for an Honour - whether they get one is a different matter.
Details of the process here: UK Honours system
The final decision is made by the Prime Minister so, as there wouldn't be any populist voter appeal, I suspect there would have to be very high volume of nominations to have any realistic prospect of success.
The process takes anything up to a couple of years so, if we're going to try, it would be wise to move quickly, emphasising his age in the nomination forms - writing separate letters direct to No 10 and/or to aviation minded MPs.
I'm sure the aviation organisations - RAeS, RAeC, Guild of Air Pilots - would give their support, and there are enough aviators and aviation enthusiasts on Pprune to generate a large amount of support if people could be persuaded to fill in the form.
I'm happy to start the ball rolling - but it's only worth doing if we're confident we can generate enough nominations.
Anyone else think it's worth trying?
Tudor
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 3rd Apr 2006 at 07:07.
I agree with you, Tudor old chum!
And let's not forget Alex's amazing 1939 UK - South Africa and back record-breaking solo flights in the Mew Gull which still stand to this day!.
'Sigh for a Merlin' is good, 'Flight of the Mew Gull' is amazing. My 25 year old well-thumbed copy is falling to bits though!
A good summary of Alex's career can be seen at http://www.wood-ditton.org.uk/alexhenshaw.htm .
And let's not forget Alex's amazing 1939 UK - South Africa and back record-breaking solo flights in the Mew Gull which still stand to this day!.
'Sigh for a Merlin' is good, 'Flight of the Mew Gull' is amazing. My 25 year old well-thumbed copy is falling to bits though!
A good summary of Alex's career can be seen at http://www.wood-ditton.org.uk/alexhenshaw.htm .
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Southern UK
Age: 63
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You only have to read what the great man Jeffrey Quill wrote about Alex Henshaw to get a handle on how he was regarded by his peers. I forget the exact reference in Quill’s book “Spitfire” but he describes him as “an aviation phenomenon”…
FL where do I sign?
W
FL where do I sign?
W
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,635
Received 300 Likes
on
168 Posts
I'll back you as well... great idea.
Treadders
Treadders