Fighter Pilot BBC 1981 (merged again)

[ColdCollation]

There was also a follow-up (possibly a one-off?) to 'Behind the lines' a few years ago which caught several of the original 'stars' towards the end of their careers. Worth looking out to complete the story.

[jumpseater]

You're right re former milkman - a uni type before that I seem to recall. Anybody know what happened to him, as he is the one who stuck in my mind from the series.

He's still flying and instructing within the forces. I had the pleasure of flying with him last year, top bloke!

[Landroger]

Aerouk.

There was what appeared to be a follow up to Fighter Pilot called Test Pilot based on the ETPS at Boscombe Down which was just as interesting and - from an engineers point of view - absolutely fascinating. Do we still have such a prestigious and valuable organisation and does it still have its somewhat anachronistic title?

There were so many amazing little cameos in it that I can remember only a few. One that has stuck in my mind though, was the expression of utter disappointment on the face of the Italian Test Pilot when he was told he could not fly the English Electric Lightning (T7 was it? The side by side trainer?), simply because he was too tall.

As already mentioned and actually linked on another thread, the Sailor series, relating Ark Royal's penultimate commission. Fantastic.

Roger.

[Aerouk]

Roger,

Thanks for your suggestion also, I've luckily been able to track down Test Pilot after you suggesting it.

[tarantonight]

jumpseater,

Thanks for that, my quest is over. He always came across as down to earth.

Now, have you any idea where I put my winning Lottery ticket...........

TN.

[T-21]

My hardback copy of "Test Pilot" Brian Johnson based on the TV series is signed by most of the pilots taking part. The best bit was the adverse yaw demo in the Beaver with James Giles and Tom Koelzer. Is Harry Fehl still about ?

[sunnybunny]

Naval TV series

There was a series based on HMS Brilliant in the 90's. It sticks in my mind because the quartermaster guarding the gangway put a condom over his head, hat on top of that then inflated the condom through his nose causing his hat to rise!

rofl

[dakkg651]

Gweedo.

Thanks for the link. I never thought I would get a chance to see 'Sailor' again. A friend who I have lost touch with, Tim Curley, was flying the Phantom off the Ark during it's last cruise. I bet he would love a copy if I could find him. Anyone know his whereabouts?

[blaireau]

Tim Curley was on exchange with the FAA '73- '75 as I recall.

His air defense callsign was "Shortand".

[chinook240]

I went through Shawbury with Tim (ex-Reds) in the early 80's before he went SAR. He retired and ended up at DHFS, I believe as a sim instructor. I think he has fully retired now but is still living in the Shropshire area, I'm sure someone here will help.

[NutLoose]

Chinook240 the one that got chopped on the JP phase, if I remember rightly was on 240OCU as an engineer ( Wessex/Puma), we all watched it to see how he got on at the time, last seen on the programme he was coming out and going to UNI if the old grey cells haven't let me down.

[dead_pan]

There was a series based on HMS Brilliant in the 90's

I recall one of the guys became a bit of a celeb after his star-turn on this series. I still use one of his jokes (the one about buying his wife a hat and a d*ldo...).

[helidriver]

Cheers Gweedo

Gweedo,

Many thanks for posting this thread and link. Just ordered Test Pilot. Those aviation documentaries helped shape my desire to fly and I will probably end up buying the lot when Mrs h isn't looking!!

Cheers,

h

[IamPAX]

Full episodes available on YouTube

BBC FIGHTER PILOT:




BBC COMBAT PILOT

[cybermega]

IamPAX, unfortunatley the youtube clips area only short segments of each episode, though they are enough to wet the apetite for more!

[grandfer]

Are the episodes of "Fighter Pilot" & "Sailor",etc. available on DVD or is it just VHS? I visited the FAAM Shop at Yeovilton a few years back where they had the Sailor series on sale ,I think on DVD, it was about £25 , when I went back a year or so later to buy it ,it was no longer available , I see it is no longer listed on their on-line shop .
Thanks TN & Jumpseater on the ex Milkie in Fighter Pilot , my remaining braincell must be still holding some info from those bygone years .
Cheers Grandfer,

[cybermega]

grandfer, the DVDs I received from the store in post 1 were the original VHS recordings from TV, which were then transferred to DVD - fantastic viewing.

[helidriver]

Granfer,

Check out the link on Gweedo's first post, it will take you direct to the site which will allow you to purchase Fighter Pilot et al on DVD for £4.99 !!

Regards,

h

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Just been watching Fighter Pilot on YouTube.. Martin Withers (Black Buck) has a speaking role in Episode 5 Part 1..

[grandfer]

Cheers Helidriver & Cybermega, I think I might have got a couple of episodes of FP tucked away in some boxes of VHS tapes under the stairs (where else) , I think I might have a go at trying to find them ,although I don't hold out much hope .