"Spitfire Ace" - C4
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: NEAR TO ISK
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"and the RAF pilot gets chopped".
Which to be honest was probably always going to happen anyway, Remember the show is trying to show how someone with very few hours had to go to war, The RAF guys has loads of hours already.
It was an easy call.....admitted the civvy is not a bad pilot considering he was a bit rusty at the start of the show........but its still all a bit false don,t you think
(There,s no way Caroline is going to let anyone loose on their own in her Spit after just 9 hours).
The best bit last night was when Caroline put on a bit a "G" which can,t have been much more than 4 or 5 because she would have wanted to break her newly maintained aircraft and the poor civvy toppled completely.
The only thing missing was a good barfing
Which to be honest was probably always going to happen anyway, Remember the show is trying to show how someone with very few hours had to go to war, The RAF guys has loads of hours already.
It was an easy call.....admitted the civvy is not a bad pilot considering he was a bit rusty at the start of the show........but its still all a bit false don,t you think
(There,s no way Caroline is going to let anyone loose on their own in her Spit after just 9 hours).
The best bit last night was when Caroline put on a bit a "G" which can,t have been much more than 4 or 5 because she would have wanted to break her newly maintained aircraft and the poor civvy toppled completely.
The only thing missing was a good barfing
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't have the benefit of video replay so correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the RAF guy who blacked out?? He certainly didn't look well when they landed.
Anyway, top program and I must admit to getting a little emotional when the lads went flying. Great to see that PPLers and service guys appreciated it all so much.
Top quote from one of the vets, comparing air to air with shooting game.
'.......... pheasant is a bit safer'
Looking forward to next week...
Anyway, top program and I must admit to getting a little emotional when the lads went flying. Great to see that PPLers and service guys appreciated it all so much.
Top quote from one of the vets, comparing air to air with shooting game.
'.......... pheasant is a bit safer'
Looking forward to next week...
Spitfire Ace
Yes it was the RAF guy who suffered G-Loc. Maybe the other guy did as well? but they didnt show it?? Just being cynical for a moment ( as is my way) The programme, although without a doubt interesting and generally a joy to watch, is just a little bit PC? Lady instructor pilot ( not doubting her abilities for a moment) chop the RAF guy and lets show an ordinary PPL making good. Very typical of TV communication in general in Tony's world.
I speak as a pilot and somebody who works in TV. The programme is a great tribute to the Battle of Britain guys, but from the advanced publicity for the programme, I was hoping to see more on the lads training in the Spitfire and slightly less of the historical documentary element.
I speak as a pilot and somebody who works in TV. The programme is a great tribute to the Battle of Britain guys, but from the advanced publicity for the programme, I was hoping to see more on the lads training in the Spitfire and slightly less of the historical documentary element.
Champagne anyone...?
Thread Starter
Have to agree really.
The interviews with the veterans etc is superb, sobering stuff and would frankly make a programme on it's own.
The training of the ab-initios seems to be just glossed over which is a shame really...
The interviews with the veterans etc is superb, sobering stuff and would frankly make a programme on it's own.
The training of the ab-initios seems to be just glossed over which is a shame really...
I agree with Stoppers. Whilst the historical bit is fascinating, trying to squeeze that, the selection, assessment and ab-initio training into such a time frame is a bit too much really. Makes the programme rather...stop start at times.
And yes, I did wonder whether there was a little of the 'local lad makes good' air about it. But good luck to the chap involved, seems a good lad. Might need some more tempered aggression when it comes to the air fighting aspects, perhaps?
A bit of 1v1..oops, sorry, I mean 'tail-chasing' in a couple of Bulldogs or those tupperware terrors might have been an interesting bit of training to have included? Sport of kings that was, eh Stoppers? For those who didn't mind a bit of 'aerobation', that is!
And yes, I did wonder whether there was a little of the 'local lad makes good' air about it. But good luck to the chap involved, seems a good lad. Might need some more tempered aggression when it comes to the air fighting aspects, perhaps?
A bit of 1v1..oops, sorry, I mean 'tail-chasing' in a couple of Bulldogs or those tupperware terrors might have been an interesting bit of training to have included? Sport of kings that was, eh Stoppers? For those who didn't mind a bit of 'aerobation', that is!
Cool Mod
Join Date: Apr 1998
Location: 18nm N of LGW
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't grumble with the quality of the programme, good stuff. Especially the 'lads' who come across so well. Shame someone got it wrong when showing a picture of "Sailor" Malan, of 74 Squadron fame, they showed a picture of Roland "Bee" Beamont! Still, "Bee" was a BoB pilot.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At last, some people agree with me! 
I thought I was going mad.
I feel like there are two separate programmes here rolled into one - they're fighting each other and the wrong one is winning! I absolutely loved listening to the Bob pilots in this episode! But again the balance is wrong.
I kept thinking "I have absolutely no idea of what's happening with the two guys desperately trying to get the 9 hours training" Then they would cut to some footage of one of the competing guys in the spit, but quicker than I could think, "Oh great, they've actually decided to show us what's going on", they switch back to the history side of things again.
There was a small bit where they cut to Carolyn discussing something with the two of them... Lasted about 3 seconds before being overdubbed by the commentator and then, again, we're pulled back into the history programme.
I hope this poor editing doesn't continue. It's spoiling what could be a fantastic prog.
Near the end the commentator interjected with something like, " the time is getting near when Carolyn will decide which one of the two go on to get the 9 hours training." Oh really? Well thanks for letting us know!
I have absolutely no opinion of who I thought should have won the 9 hours, because they simply didn't show enough of what was going on. Good luck to Dave though. What an opportunity!
Still, on the up-side, I did enjoy the interviews
I thought I was going mad.I feel like there are two separate programmes here rolled into one - they're fighting each other and the wrong one is winning! I absolutely loved listening to the Bob pilots in this episode! But again the balance is wrong.
I kept thinking "I have absolutely no idea of what's happening with the two guys desperately trying to get the 9 hours training" Then they would cut to some footage of one of the competing guys in the spit, but quicker than I could think, "Oh great, they've actually decided to show us what's going on", they switch back to the history side of things again.
There was a small bit where they cut to Carolyn discussing something with the two of them... Lasted about 3 seconds before being overdubbed by the commentator and then, again, we're pulled back into the history programme.
I hope this poor editing doesn't continue. It's spoiling what could be a fantastic prog.
Near the end the commentator interjected with something like, " the time is getting near when Carolyn will decide which one of the two go on to get the 9 hours training." Oh really? Well thanks for letting us know!
I have absolutely no opinion of who I thought should have won the 9 hours, because they simply didn't show enough of what was going on. Good luck to Dave though. What an opportunity!
Still, on the up-side, I did enjoy the interviews
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: near the squirrel sanctuary
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got to say that I though that last night's episode was a bit disappointing. As mentioned previously, I thought that the old boys came across brilliantly but there was very little about the yoof flying in a Spitfire. Still you can't win them all.
I'll probably give it another chance next week.
I'll probably give it another chance next week.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's what I said last week 
Maybe we'll be in luck next week as he starts the 9 hours of training. I mean they must focus on what he's actually learning next week, surely?!
Maybe we'll be in luck next week as he starts the 9 hours of training. I mean they must focus on what he's actually learning next week, surely?!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Ballymun
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah , have to agree with some of the sentiments here, poor editing balance with a suspicious lack of footage of the flying itself.
Fingers crossed for the 3rd episode to redeem itself.
A unique program on how to fly the machine itself would be priceless, not taking anything from the interviewees, it's just that you can see all that SAME stuff over on Discovery Wings 24/7!
That RAF guy was not looking happy AT ALL during those Aero's! I wonder if he held down his lunch?!
All the posters on this thread going on about who got chopped and why etc etc! Ha Ha Good to see some things never change!!!
Reminded me of being a Pax in a Hawk with an ex-Red 1, during a 2v1 against two of his old buddies, an amazing, wonderful, and inspirational experience, but alas my poor body and mind gave up and nearly turned inside out!
Now I'm Civvy and sit at 39'000ft, now seeing my breakfast only once!
Fingers crossed for the 3rd episode to redeem itself.
A unique program on how to fly the machine itself would be priceless, not taking anything from the interviewees, it's just that you can see all that SAME stuff over on Discovery Wings 24/7!
That RAF guy was not looking happy AT ALL during those Aero's! I wonder if he held down his lunch?!
All the posters on this thread going on about who got chopped and why etc etc! Ha Ha Good to see some things never change!!!Reminded me of being a Pax in a Hawk with an ex-Red 1, during a 2v1 against two of his old buddies, an amazing, wonderful, and inspirational experience, but alas my poor body and mind gave up and nearly turned inside out!
Now I'm Civvy and sit at 39'000ft, now seeing my breakfast only once!
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: a galaxy far, far,away...
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe that the reason no girls (Carolyn excepted) feature is due to trying to keep as close as possible to the tyros of the day; ie, private, RAuxAf, VR etc. And yes, I know a lot of girls flew fighters during the war, but I think not during the BoB, and not in combat.
Changing the subject slightly, I don't know any of the tyros, but I do know Carolyn vaguely and am full of admiration for all she's done.
Changing the subject slightly, I don't know any of the tyros, but I do know Carolyn vaguely and am full of admiration for all she's done.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bournemouth, Blighty
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A bump for this one tonight (The intrepid civvy undergoes navigation training, formation flight training, etc., history on Radar and so forth), plus a note that for those with an interest in all things WWII there is a futher hour of interesting TV before hand.
From 8pm, Channel 4, "Hitler's Plan to Atom Bomb New York" - lots of footage of Horten and co's wonderplanes and rockets from late in the war, Spitfire Ace follows at 9pm.
Cheers,
SSS
From 8pm, Channel 4, "Hitler's Plan to Atom Bomb New York" - lots of footage of Horten and co's wonderplanes and rockets from late in the war, Spitfire Ace follows at 9pm.
Cheers,
SSS
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Newcastle/UK
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is normaly the type of documentry I love, but I confess to being a tad disapoiinted with this one,this weeks is still running as we speak but I think its going to be more of the same.
Most of the Interviews and comments by the B of B pilots themselves and history of the battle has been covered in other documentries in more detail, indeed I think a few have been lifted directly from the other B of B docs, the only pilot interview I have never seen before is the chap with the magnificent tash.
This weeks supposedly covers close formation flying,wasn't that very thing discredited very early on in the battle? it meant the chaps had to concentrate on keeping station rather than keeping toot for the old hun in the sun?it surely meant only the flight leader at the front was the only one free to scan the skies.
I wonder what the total footage of the guy actually flying the Spit compared to the rest of the doc is.
The Dam buster documentry was of a simular format but it combined much more of the guys actually simulating the Dam attacks with the History.
oops! the formation bit is being covered right now.
Most of the Interviews and comments by the B of B pilots themselves and history of the battle has been covered in other documentries in more detail, indeed I think a few have been lifted directly from the other B of B docs, the only pilot interview I have never seen before is the chap with the magnificent tash.
This weeks supposedly covers close formation flying,wasn't that very thing discredited very early on in the battle? it meant the chaps had to concentrate on keeping station rather than keeping toot for the old hun in the sun?it surely meant only the flight leader at the front was the only one free to scan the skies.
I wonder what the total footage of the guy actually flying the Spit compared to the rest of the doc is.
The Dam buster documentry was of a simular format but it combined much more of the guys actually simulating the Dam attacks with the History.
oops! the formation bit is being covered right now.
Sorry, but I thought tonight's progamme was pretty dull. No stucture and jumped from topic to topic far too quickly.
Whereas the preceding programme was far more interesting. Lots of information about very clever technology (particularly the Horten wing) - not much about the nuclear weapon though.
Whereas the preceding programme was far more interesting. Lots of information about very clever technology (particularly the Horten wing) - not much about the nuclear weapon though.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Shrewsbury, UK
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Couldn't agree more Beag! Amazing how much stuff the "world beating" yanks actually pinched off the Nazis eh?
I kinda get bored watching Spitfire Ace now, and end up reading my thrilling account of the Falklands thats on my OS reading list :P
I kinda get bored watching Spitfire Ace now, and end up reading my thrilling account of the Falklands thats on my OS reading list :P
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Englandshire
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been recording/watching both Spitfire Ace and Combat Pilot but I'm afraid that I'm going to concentrate on Combat Pilot from now on. If you can get Sky channel 961 take a look, it's becoming very absorbing, especially trying to figure out who gets axed (my money is on Lewis).
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: earth
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seems like this programme has now completely lost its' way. Our 'Spitfire Ace' is looking more and more like he is relegated to the passenger seat and even after 9 hours on type he will not be able to land. His navigation training appeared to comprise 'left a bit, right a bit' from the front seat and the two seater appeared to spend more time leading the formation than in the number two slot.
Only the reminiscences of the old boys make it worth watching.
Only the reminiscences of the old boys make it worth watching.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More of the same tonight. Disappointing. There's no two ways about it - they should have made two programmes out of this. I've said it all in previous posts so I wont go on about it!
If only I could get channel 961
Oh well, it's one to look forward to in the future I guess. Unless anyone's videoing it? I'd love a copy!
If only I could get channel 961
Oh well, it's one to look forward to in the future I guess. Unless anyone's videoing it? I'd love a copy!
Yes- and I hasten to add that the modest reminiscences of the BoB veterans were far from 'dull'. That was my overall assessment, the gallant old chaps were the only bright spots in the whole rather underwhelming programme (apart from the great Spitfire sounds!).
As for the 'instructional technique', well, let's not even go down that route....!
As for the 'instructional technique', well, let's not even go down that route....!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's v sad but there's less and less modern Spit footage every week, strange when C4 advertised the series as a v similar affair to the Dambusters series, but it hasn't even turned out as half-decent as that. Shame.
Anyway, without wanting to cross the streams with the Combat Pilot thread, a message to dearest Briney, keep watching my old, there's something of a twist in this so far surprisingly good tale of sunny Valley!
'Nuff said!
Anyway, without wanting to cross the streams with the Combat Pilot thread, a message to dearest Briney, keep watching my old, there's something of a twist in this so far surprisingly good tale of sunny Valley!
'Nuff said!