BBC2 2100 Sunday June 1st..Capt Winkle
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Eric Brown on BBC 2 this Sunday
BBC Two - Britain's Greatest Pilot: The Extraordinary Story of Captain Winkle Brown
I imagine that most of us will be recording or watching that!
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I imagine that most of us will be recording or watching that!
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From the above BBC link:
Yet again the BBC can't get its facts right - Fleet Air Arm, not the RAF
.......and why the derogatory term infamous? Famous surely?
But I'll certainly watch it - amazing man who I had the pleasure of serving under when he chaired a BHAB Committee back in the 70's.
The infamous RAF pilot recounts his experiences up to and during the Second World War.
.......and why the derogatory term infamous? Famous surely?But I'll certainly watch it - amazing man who I had the pleasure of serving under when he chaired a BHAB Committee back in the 70's.
Last edited by CharlieOneSix; 27th May 2014 at 14:48. Reason: correction to committee name
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I should blame the idiot webpage writers - hopefully the programme makers were rather more on the ball. Or at least, EMB will have almost certainly kept them so.
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You'd have thought the man's rank being "Captain" would have given 'em a clue he wasn't RAF - even a lifelong civilian, such as I am, knows the RAF ranks don't include that one.
As for "infamous", words (almost) fail. But then someone decreed that inflammable should be universally mis-rendered as "flammable" for the benefit of those who assumed that the "in-" prefix always means "not" - we'll have "candescent" light bulbs next and use "dicators" to signal our intentions when on the road.
As for "infamous", words (almost) fail. But then someone decreed that inflammable should be universally mis-rendered as "flammable" for the benefit of those who assumed that the "in-" prefix always means "not" - we'll have "candescent" light bulbs next and use "dicators" to signal our intentions when on the road.
Thanks for the "heads-up" Genghis. I went to his talk at the Cambridge branch of the R Ae S recently and it was amazing. Best part of 2 hours without notes and standing for the duration. No wonder he got a standing ovation from the crowd which included, amongst the greybeards, a lot of university students and ATC cadets which was good to see. Hopefully he inspired some of them to pursue a career in aviation.
Paxing All Over The World
The link in the original post (above) leads to a BBC page that does mention any of the mistakes listed by Genghis.But if you look via the schedule pages - the mistakes are there.
The 'online complaint' link went nowhere. So I phoned: 03700 100 222
The options were clear and I soon got a very helpful person. I told him the programme and he looked it up and agreed that it was contradictory to use the word 'infamous' and I told him of the factual inaccuracy. I explained that I had tried to use the online method but got no joy from that link.
He was good enough to check the Radio Times and said that it was listed differently. I said that I know the 'blurb's is not written by the folks who make the programme but this was clearly an error. he was very helpful. I shall check the listing in 24 hours.
May I suggest that you try phoning them too.
The 'online complaint' link went nowhere. So I phoned: 03700 100 222
The options were clear and I soon got a very helpful person. I told him the programme and he looked it up and agreed that it was contradictory to use the word 'infamous' and I told him of the factual inaccuracy. I explained that I had tried to use the online method but got no joy from that link.
He was good enough to check the Radio Times and said that it was listed differently. I said that I know the 'blurb's is not written by the folks who make the programme but this was clearly an error. he was very helpful. I shall check the listing in 24 hours.
May I suggest that you try phoning them too.
Last edited by PAXboy; 29th May 2014 at 21:34.
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Knowing Captain Brown passably well, I imagine that if he knows about the mistake, he probably finds it very amusing.
Technically he was an "infamous RAF pilot", if you happened to be serving in the Gestapo circa 1939. I suppose it's at-least technically possible that there are people in the BBC to whom that applies.
On the general subject - just why has EMB never been knighted, and isn't it long overdue that the aviation community got together and did something about it whilst he's still fit and well enough to appreciate and enjoy the recognition?
G
Technically he was an "infamous RAF pilot", if you happened to be serving in the Gestapo circa 1939. I suppose it's at-least technically possible that there are people in the BBC to whom that applies.
On the general subject - just why has EMB never been knighted, and isn't it long overdue that the aviation community got together and did something about it whilst he's still fit and well enough to appreciate and enjoy the recognition?
G
Paxing All Over The World
The BBC iPlayer schedule for BBC2 now shows:
21:00
Britain's Greatest Pilot: The Extraordinary Story of Captain Winkle Brown
The famous FAA pilot recounts his experiences up to and during the Second World War.
I'll take that as a 'win'.
21:00
Britain's Greatest Pilot: The Extraordinary Story of Captain Winkle Brown
The famous FAA pilot recounts his experiences up to and during the Second World War.
I'll take that as a 'win'.
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Well, having watched it - damned well done BBC - an excellent tribute to a great British hero.
Now, let's face facts. That was a "pilot" episode. When are we getting the full 10 part series?
G
Now, let's face facts. That was a "pilot" episode. When are we getting the full 10 part series?
G
Not as good as I'd hoped - showing the DH108 film upside-down was possibly the least good. Not a lot about Brown's flying of German aeroplanes at Farnborough but we did get his account of flying Me262 and 163 in Germany.
Intrusive "music" as usual these days but no arm-waving "presenter" for once.
I'm not sure a 10 part series would be enough - the six-week residential course is more the thing needed.
Intrusive "music" as usual these days but no arm-waving "presenter" for once.
I'm not sure a 10 part series would be enough - the six-week residential course is more the thing needed.
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He did briefly explain why he was called Winkle. (Or to be correct the filmakers did on his behalf.)
His friends nicknamed him that, because he was small. He also claimed that being small had also saved his life during a crash.
Very interesting man and the documentary was good, but not really what I expected. A flight with Ernst Udet in the 1930s was quite a thing though!
His friends nicknamed him that, because he was small. He also claimed that being small had also saved his life during a crash.
Very interesting man and the documentary was good, but not really what I expected. A flight with Ernst Udet in the 1930s was quite a thing though!
Last edited by Heathrow08; 2nd Jun 2014 at 00:02.
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Just like to say that the program was delightful and was one of the rare occasions where I have been stuck to the TV.
From Gengis:
Whilst I agree with you it would be appropriate to award Captain Brown that recognition, judging from the man's character I don't suppose he would be in the least bit bothered.
Knighthoods are given to people like Goodwin (and stripped again to be fair). The honours system in the UK is in my opinion a complete farce.
Captain Brown has been honoured by the BBC program and millions of us will admire his skill and bravery.
Kind regards
Exeng
From Gengis:
On the general subject - just why has EMB never been knighted, and isn't it long overdue that the aviation community got together and did something about it whilst he's still fit and well enough to appreciate and enjoy the recognition?
Knighthoods are given to people like Goodwin (and stripped again to be fair). The honours system in the UK is in my opinion a complete farce.
Captain Brown has been honoured by the BBC program and millions of us will admire his skill and bravery.
Kind regards
Exeng
"Wings on my Sleeve" is one of my favourite books. I would have liked to have watched the documentary, but it was on in the middle of the night here. Is it going to be repeated or be available online?
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