Who is the most iconic RAF figure of World War Two?
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Who is the most iconic RAF figure of World War Two?
Here at the RAF Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) we are holding a poll to find the most iconic RAF figure of World War Two.
To vote please visit:
www.rafbf90.org.uk
The poll is featured on our special 90th anniversary website, “90 Faces of the RAFBF”, which features 90 stories about our history, fundraisers and supporters.
If you visit you can listen to Winston Churchill's famous 1951 radio appeal on behalf of the RAFBF, watch videos of beneficiaries and serving RAF personnel describe how we help, and learn about the enormous support we enjoy among the RAF family.
To vote please visit:
www.rafbf90.org.uk
The poll is featured on our special 90th anniversary website, “90 Faces of the RAFBF”, which features 90 stories about our history, fundraisers and supporters.
If you visit you can listen to Winston Churchill's famous 1951 radio appeal on behalf of the RAFBF, watch videos of beneficiaries and serving RAF personnel describe how we help, and learn about the enormous support we enjoy among the RAF family.
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I've just voted and am horrified at the omissions - no Leonard Cheshire or Sailor Malan for instance. But even worse, is the person leading the poll at the moment - a certain DB - God forbid that he should win when such iconic characters as Dowding and Park are in the poll..................
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If the question is "who is the most iconic" then it must be Bader. No question.
He's probably the only one any member of the general public would be able to name. Few outside the realms of aviation groupies like us have even heard of Cheshire or Park, let alone Malan. There might be a different answer to "most influential" etc, but that is not what's been asked.
And why "God forbid"? He's simply the best known = iconic. Fact.
He's probably the only one any member of the general public would be able to name. Few outside the realms of aviation groupies like us have even heard of Cheshire or Park, let alone Malan. There might be a different answer to "most influential" etc, but that is not what's been asked.
And why "God forbid"? He's simply the best known = iconic. Fact.
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DB - certainly had the full support of the Air Ministry publicity machine so yes, he was/is certainly very well known - hardly equates to iconic status does it? I'm resonably well read on WW2, in particular the RAF and to suggest that Bader is in the same league as Dowding, Park and Cheshire is a travesty IMHO..................
The Clive James broadcast at 8.50 this morning on Radio 4 had a very good piece about Keith Park. He mentioned about how both he and Dowding were sidelined after the Battle of Britain was safely won. I suppose it is true to say that for reasons already discussed he is not an iconic figure, in the accepted meaning of the term. Indeed James quoted a female columnist from a quality newspaper (he didnt specify which, but I'm guessing The Guardian here) who admitted that until the publicity about the statue on the fourth plinth she had never heard of Park. James was scathing about the lack of knowledge displayed by a major journalist, but it sort of proves the point that whatever great qualities Park possessed he was not interested in self-publicity, and thus failed to achieve iconic status.
Bader will no doubt win, but he wont be getting my vote.
Bader will no doubt win, but he wont be getting my vote.
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I did vote for Bader, simply because he is the best known RAF figure of WWII and post-war. He had charismatic qualities as a leader, which, along with his escapades, set him up as legend in his own lifetime. The popularity of the book and film, by Brickhill, ensured his post-war fame.
I am perfectly aware of his contentious role in the 'Big Wing' theory and in the contemptible sidelining of Dowding and Park. Nevertheless, his achievments in overcoming his disabilities to once again becoming an operational fighter pilot were incredible, and stand as a real inspiration to severely disabled people to this day.
I am perfectly aware of his contentious role in the 'Big Wing' theory and in the contemptible sidelining of Dowding and Park. Nevertheless, his achievments in overcoming his disabilities to once again becoming an operational fighter pilot were incredible, and stand as a real inspiration to severely disabled people to this day.
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Johnnie Johnson?
Also surprised by the omission of Johnnie Johnson. If you're the highest scoring Allied ace in the European theatre and still don't make the list.....
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I'm ex-Bomber Command and I spent two decades in Brunei where Bader left a somewhat different reputation. Guy Gibson has my vote.
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Of course if one were able to vote on whom one would like to be the most iconic.........well, that's a different matter. I would like Guy Gibson also, though I would have preferred either Leonard Cheshire or Bob Stanford Tuck, had they been in the frame.
Sadly, nice though these choices are, they will not turn out to be the most iconic.
Sadly, nice though these choices are, they will not turn out to be the most iconic.
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I must confess that G P Gibson was my boyhood hero. I would certainly put Lucky Tuck before Douglas the stunt pilot. Arguably the Bomber Boys won the war for us but the Fighter Boys avoided our losing it for us.
Iconic is a vastly over used cliche anyway.
Iconic is a vastly over used cliche anyway.
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...Douglas the stunt pilot...
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Arguably the Bomber Boys won the war for us but the Fighter Boys avoided our losing it for us.
Bader always said at every opportunity that he was in a collison with a Me 109. RAF facts show that he was shot down. He probably didn't like to admit it but that is what happened. But, as most say, he will probably be recognised because he WAS recognised.
My man is Park. I shall be at Waterloo Place next September to see the bronze statue of him finally put in place.
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Iconic figure? Depends on the definition of iconic. In reality it's a Spitfire and a Hurricane, everyone/everything else was a bit player.
Bending the rules slightly, Mitchell and Camm.
Or Cunningham.
Bending the rules slightly, Mitchell and Camm.
Or Cunningham.
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I'm sorry folks but to equate well known with iconic is surely a mistake? Or is my Collins Concise(c1600pgs) English Dictionary wrong? Or am I misunderstanding it's definition of icon/iconic? Please enlighten me...........I'm not disputing Bader's high profile with the general public but...iconic? Absolutely not in my book. And, because the 'public' are generally ignorant of the role and deeds of such great men as Park and Dowding, does it not make it more important to show them the light and educate them - or are we happily going to gloss over the reality and dumb down as is the fashion these days? 
Icon: (4) A person regarded as a sex symbol or as a symbol of a belief or cultural movement
Icon: (4) A person regarded as a sex symbol or as a symbol of a belief or cultural movement
Last edited by sidtheesexist; 19th Nov 2009 at 09:20.