Nah - Just "Discovery cheapo Repeats"

or

How about "Men and Motors II"? That is about cars, isn't it? :-)


Conan

The brand image of Discovery seems to be entirely documentary focused. But other documentary stations are now showing movies as well, so perhaps the odd movie night wouldn't be a bad idea?

Discovery Wings and Wheels sounds a distinct possibility, but what it needs are less repeats ("I'm Brendan O'Brien - and I'm a pilot :rolleyes: ) and more UK content. Are those old series about the Fleet Air Arm ('Sailor'?) or the Test Pilot series from ETPS still available?

There must be thousands of historical aviation films around - how about the DoD or UK MoD archives (if they have any). I really hate those doom-laden American narrators talking over sombre music soundtracks of many cheap documentary programmes with their childish computer generated imagery.

The plethora of UK TV and Discovery channels I find totally confusing. How about some quality instead of quantity!

A weekend of historic nostalgia apparently focusing on films and documentaries of (I think) mainly British aircraft is now being touted on Sky.
Beginning Friday 14th. October. Pity it's only a weekend!

Don't suppose it was about "Mallards" was it?

On our particular little cable system we get Discovery with Discovery Wings sometimes and also the Military Channel and the History Channel.

Discovery isn't too bad but is not aviation oriented and good programs are hit or miss (though there is one called Modern Marvels that is pretty good)

Military Channel has it's share of aviation and a lot of the footage is of odd 1950s vintage aircraft that are one offs or XF or YF this or that that probably had as much old footage shot of it as the a/c's max takeoff gross weight. And when they got the footage the things seem to have crashed or been taken to the breakers and the next one trotted out. Occasionally have a good one like a history of Daussault (sp) they had last week. Too much of this channel is for the 18-35 testosterone set that want guns and explosions and too much of the programming looks like it is made from newsreel and training film footage that was found on the cutting room floor (and should have stayed there)

The History Channel has some good material but lots of repeats and it seems that the Nazis worked overtime with their movie cameras. For a country that was bombed into the stone age and invaded a whole boatload of the footage survived...and these guys show it at the drop of a hat. It has gotten so that Mrs IC calls it "The Hitler Channel". Won't be able to watch it after next week when the new German au pair shows up. They do run a program called Mail Call where a fellow answers questions from readers on military stuff. Most of the questions result in potted history things and I've never seen any information I didn't know before really, but it is diverse. From how Roman legionares were equipped and fought to compare a Mauser with a Springfield with a Lee Enfield. And then he goes on the range and shoots them after field stripping them for you.

A lot of Brit avaition on now in the "Archive Weekend" (Time now, 1950Z Friday.) It is very good! They will be recycling from ten minutes hence and it is well worth having a crack if you can.

First hour is ok, but from there on, if you lke Lightnings, Hunters, Meteors, Brits and Beverleys, it will be an enjoyable hour or two. Back now to Farnborough 64.

Conan

Saw part of it last night. Packed her off to bed, opened another bottle of wine and ...............woke up at 07:00:O
The bits I remember were very good.
Hear's a question some of our senior members might be able to answer. Did EVERYBODY in the RAF in the forties and fifties have moustaches?!!!!!

Rgds Dr I

Not everyone Dr.

I'm sure some of the younger WRAFs would have been without.

Another three hours from the archives tonight, starting in 2 mins. First hour concentrates on '40s second on '50s and third on '60s. Hope it was as enjoyable as last nights offerings. All progs will recycle from 2000Z and 2300Z

Conan

I loved the stuff about Heathrow when it was not much more than a few huts.
"...ready for stratocruisers, Brabazons and flying wings!"

The innocent optimism of the 50s!

Aaaargh - almost had a trouser moment watching 'Treble One'! Notice how smart RAF stations were back then? All white or black-and-white kerbstones and grass neatly kept etc. No slouching contractor's employees bespoiling the place either!

Ground crew re-Avpin-ing a jet; others recharging the oxygen and nitrogen - no ear defenders, stupid yellow jackets or other trappings of the ba$tard health and safety idiots. Even a NAAFI wagon on the flightline to feed and water the lads...

Why did we let it get so wrong as it is today?

The Skybolt documentary was fascinating as well!

And, Mike J, they even had a documentary which showed how a Victor could be landed 'hands-off'.....:p

Funnily enough BEags, I was wondering if you were watching :-)

More tomorrow and I would be surprised if there wasn't something on the aluminium overcast there, so enjoy :-)

Conan

Edited Sunday night.

Well done Discovery Wings! After five years that I know of - of cheaply purchased, poorly produced, often innaccurate, annoying and superficial programming, you have finally redeemed yoursleves.

For the first time ever, I am happy to pay up for next month.

Glad to get that off my chest....

Great nostalgia programmes. Reminded me why I joined................ and left when it all got rather silly.

I taped it all, to watch and savour at leisure. I've watched a few episodes so far, my main area of interest being 50's & 60s. It is excellent to see footage of the likes of Beverleys, Britannias, etc., and all of the jet fighters.
But the bloody awful commentaries, so condescending, usually in a glib, authoritative voice. And the music score, that accompanied most of the film clips. What absolute :mad:

I loved the line in the Aden documentry used to discribe an army camp up in the hills "Looking like a council estate"!!.
If you look VERY carefully at the opening sequence of that film you will see a very young Dr. I on the beach!!!. My father was in Aden at that time trying to keep the mighty Belvedere flying. So Mum and I went with him!.

Rgds Dr I

Something very badly wrong here... Just watched two SUPERB proggies on the Vulcan and Victor. Tremendous stuff with a lot of archive material that I certainly have not seen before. Well done Wings.

Now - Will somebody kindly wake me up?


Conan

....well, we'd better had say it was good, hadn't we :ok:

DoP
Sorry I could not see that.

Had my 5th birthday party in the restaurant at LAP when it was a Nissen hut. My grandfather helped build the airport and used to arrange cricket matches between the service area and the runway, airport workers vs the rest, (contractors, journalists etc.)

Those were the da. . . . . . . . !

Righty, looks like I'm here at the right time....

Moving house soon, and will be getting digital in time for Xmas (Yayyyyy!)

Is Wings worth it for an avvy buff?

I think you'll be a tad disappointed, nosefirst. Real gems are hard to find amongst the general dross.

You can see most of their offerings over the course of a few weeks, then reacquaint yourself with the same stuff over and over and over again.

Brenda O'Brien gets wearisome, and although Celia the Sidekick can be easy on the eye, she does talk some absolute bolleaux.