Nigger's grave (Merged)
Cool Mod
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We don't censor everything you know. Certainly not a word that is as real as the dog was and is part of important history.
I had a dog when I was a boy called Nigger, a black Labrador. I also enjoyed collecting golliwogs from Robertson jam jars.
I very much enjoyed the Black and White Minstrels too. One of them, John Boulter, is a close family friend.
PC went too far years ago, and still does, but I like to think Peter Jackson has the nous to call the dog by its proper name in the Dambuster remake - if he makes it.
I had a dog when I was a boy called Nigger, a black Labrador. I also enjoyed collecting golliwogs from Robertson jam jars.
I very much enjoyed the Black and White Minstrels too. One of them, John Boulter, is a close family friend.
PC went too far years ago, and still does, but I like to think Peter Jackson has the nous to call the dog by its proper name in the Dambuster remake - if he makes it.
Intriguing that the details of Upkeep remained classified until the late 60s, given the detail in Paul Brickhill's book and indeed in the film.
Yep, certainly do!
There's currently one on eBay for £25. Look under 380109008332 .
I also remember the very detailed technical article in the Airfix Magazine of the time.
There's currently one on eBay for £25. Look under 380109008332 .
I also remember the very detailed technical article in the Airfix Magazine of the time.
Beags - Blimey, amazing how the internet can set off a series of consequences!
jindabyne - I hope the kit's as good as I remember it. Retractable u/c, IIRC, but not the u/c doors!
jindabyne - I hope the kit's as good as I remember it. Retractable u/c, IIRC, but not the u/c doors!
Cunning Artificer
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Why they were never developed for anti-shipping use I don't know - maybe some forummers can enlighten us.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
What always amazes me is how they managed to get through the defences. The first one has the advantage of surprise, perhaps the second, but then? Flying a steady course and height and lit up, for goodness sake. It's not as if the Lanc is particularly fast either. Wooden ships and iron men.
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Didn't have to be a Lancaster - the Navy was keen to us it from Mossies - but development never progressed.
In fact, somewhere in the dark recesses I remember the politics got hissy from the admiralty about Op Chastise going ahead at all until the Navy had such a thing' It even had another code name oddball or highball or summat - right, must go and research.
In fact, somewhere in the dark recesses I remember the politics got hissy from the admiralty about Op Chastise going ahead at all until the Navy had such a thing' It even had another code name oddball or highball or summat - right, must go and research.
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Herod & Once an Erk,
At Tangmere museum we have a section on the Dams raid, though of course it's not particularly relevant to the airfield.
Among the various artefacts is a good quality colour photo' of a group inc. widows on an anniversary of the raid.
A Black Labrador is central, clear & distinct at the front of the group...all those present swear there was no dog there, it just appeared on the print.
Take that as you will...
Meanwhile I should think Guy Gibson was absolutely worshipped by his fellows compared to Bader - I used to work with a chap who was groundcrew at Tangmere in the war; when Bader failed to return, a party ensued !
I once met a Spit' pilot who'd been a POW with Bader; " yes, we all had a good word for him, but I can't say it in front of your wife ! "
Sorry for thread drift, back to Nigger; while I wouldn't put it past the P.C. Brigade for a second, I'd suspect they'd make a song & dance about it & slap on some sort of 'order' ; more likely vandals of one kind or another.
At Tangmere museum we have a section on the Dams raid, though of course it's not particularly relevant to the airfield.
Among the various artefacts is a good quality colour photo' of a group inc. widows on an anniversary of the raid.
A Black Labrador is central, clear & distinct at the front of the group...all those present swear there was no dog there, it just appeared on the print.
Take that as you will...
Meanwhile I should think Guy Gibson was absolutely worshipped by his fellows compared to Bader - I used to work with a chap who was groundcrew at Tangmere in the war; when Bader failed to return, a party ensued !
I once met a Spit' pilot who'd been a POW with Bader; " yes, we all had a good word for him, but I can't say it in front of your wife ! "
Sorry for thread drift, back to Nigger; while I wouldn't put it past the P.C. Brigade for a second, I'd suspect they'd make a song & dance about it & slap on some sort of 'order' ; more likely vandals of one kind or another.
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The book and the film didn't really tell you much, other than it was sort of round and bounced along the water. The trick was to give it back-spin and get the dynamics of speed and height for release spot on
But I never knew that the Germans not only reverse engineered and improved on the device!
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The modified Mossies were known as "Highballs' and carried two circular bombs in semi-recessed carriage one behind the other. Think there was an illustration in the old "Profile" on the Mosquito but I've lost my copy - anyone have a one?
A quick search gives 618 Squadron of Coastal Command that started flying in Scotland and ended up in the Pacific. Wonder if they would have succeeded against "Yamamoto"?
A quick search gives 618 Squadron of Coastal Command that started flying in Scotland and ended up in the Pacific. Wonder if they would have succeeded against "Yamamoto"?
Once you've seen one (they've got one at Brooklands, RAF MUseum, Cosford and probably elsewhere)
Cool Mod
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There was a test, I think with Mossie's, where the device was released and the subsequent water splash actually hit the tailplane. That must have been a surprise!
Yes, Him
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What I do not understand is why the plaque is at Woodhall Spa? Why was it taken from the "grave" site at Scampton? I assume security at Scampton is not that slack that someone can just wander about chiseling bits off?
Link below is to 618Sqn Mossie/Highball trials plus USAAF trials using Highball from a Boston. Latter had a fatal accident when the splash took his tailplane off.
YouTube - Dambuster Raid - Archival film of bouncing bomb
Link below is to 618Sqn Mossie/Highball trials plus USAAF trials using Highball from a Boston. Latter had a fatal accident when the splash took his tailplane off.
YouTube - Dambuster Raid - Archival film of bouncing bomb
Perhaps a replica could be knocked up and put on the Scampton grave site?
At present, it simply looks as though it's been vandalised.
Who sanctioned its removal from Scampton anyway? Someone must know.
At present, it simply looks as though it's been vandalised.
Who sanctioned its removal from Scampton anyway? Someone must know.
Yes, Him
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Yes but why? I still don't understand, Nigger wasn't/isn't at Woodhall Spa.
I think I've mentioned it before on here but there is some uncertainty that he was a Lab and he certainly wasn't all black but had a white "blaze" on his chest. From the rather fuzzy pics I've seen, he seems to be a cross breed of something bigger than a Lab, maybe one of the hound breeds.
I think I've mentioned it before on here but there is some uncertainty that he was a Lab and he certainly wasn't all black but had a white "blaze" on his chest. From the rather fuzzy pics I've seen, he seems to be a cross breed of something bigger than a Lab, maybe one of the hound breeds.
A small white spot on the chest is an acceptable Labrador Breed Standard.
In the late 1960s / early 1970s, we had a lovely thoroughbred black Lab with a little white blaze - he was taller than the average but was as soft as wet $hit. He would frequently be bullied out of his favourite spot by the fire by our small Siamese kitten! But like 'Nigger', he developed a taste for 'roaming' - and was killed on the A358 by a car some 5 miles away from where we lived.
There are mixed reports about 'Nigger' and his popularity. But very few black Labs are anything other than friendly and playful, in my limited experience.
Just don't feed them left over Brussels sprouts at Christmas time....
In the late 1960s / early 1970s, we had a lovely thoroughbred black Lab with a little white blaze - he was taller than the average but was as soft as wet $hit. He would frequently be bullied out of his favourite spot by the fire by our small Siamese kitten! But like 'Nigger', he developed a taste for 'roaming' - and was killed on the A358 by a car some 5 miles away from where we lived.
There are mixed reports about 'Nigger' and his popularity. But very few black Labs are anything other than friendly and playful, in my limited experience.
Just don't feed them left over Brussels sprouts at Christmas time....
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.... people didn't really make a fuss about being called racist names because it was 'just how it was',
I dont believe that anyone really cared - one way or the other. Two gunners from 9 Squadron, July 43, Darky Gilkes and Jack Dickinson. Darky's the one on the right. He bought it the night I was born. Jack got home to Canada. 