Test pilot TV series
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Surrey
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Test pilot TV series
After reading the thread about the fighter pilot TV series I thought I would post something on the Test pilot series (shown in the early 80's?) at Empire.
Does anyone know what happened to those guys; there was quite a mixture of chaps as I can remember, one was German, another was American and the rest were from either the RAF or RN.
Does anyone know what happened to those guys; there was quite a mixture of chaps as I can remember, one was German, another was American and the rest were from either the RAF or RN.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: N/W London, England
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I remember the series well and I do actually have it on VHS somewhere (thinks must watch this again!).
One of the 'stars' as I recall was Dave Southwood - I believe at the time he came from a Buccaneer background, but can now be found regularly flying warbirds at Duxford etc. I think Dave was also one of the first pilots to fly the restored (and sadly now grounded) ME109G 'Black Six'.
Dave, if you're reading this - love your displays, keep up the good work!
One of the 'stars' as I recall was Dave Southwood - I believe at the time he came from a Buccaneer background, but can now be found regularly flying warbirds at Duxford etc. I think Dave was also one of the first pilots to fly the restored (and sadly now grounded) ME109G 'Black Six'.
Dave, if you're reading this - love your displays, keep up the good work!
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Emptying the litter bin
Age: 65
Posts: 409
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Anorak on
The Players on 44/23 Course were :-
F/L Steve Moore, Cdt S. Aubert, Capt H.G. Fehl, S/L T.L. Evans, Capt R.H. Meiklejohn, Capt G. Yannai [Israeli never seen on screen] F/L C.C. Ware, F/L J.S. Ludford, F/L N.G. Coulson, Lt T. Koelzer, S/L R.J. Tydeman, F/L D.R. Southwood, Capt M. Zuliani, Lt A.J. Howden, Capt J.T. Koh, F/L S.W. Elliot, F/L P.J. Cook, Mr S.J Kuczera.
List taken from page 27 of the book that accompanied the series
Anorak off
The Players on 44/23 Course were :-
F/L Steve Moore, Cdt S. Aubert, Capt H.G. Fehl, S/L T.L. Evans, Capt R.H. Meiklejohn, Capt G. Yannai [Israeli never seen on screen] F/L C.C. Ware, F/L J.S. Ludford, F/L N.G. Coulson, Lt T. Koelzer, S/L R.J. Tydeman, F/L D.R. Southwood, Capt M. Zuliani, Lt A.J. Howden, Capt J.T. Koh, F/L S.W. Elliot, F/L P.J. Cook, Mr S.J Kuczera.
List taken from page 27 of the book that accompanied the series
Anorak off
Dogstar.....
I'm sure I have most (if not all) hidden away on VHS at home somewhere (UK VHS, so PAL format of course).
I'd be happy to donate, as I have the book aswell, especially if it's going to someone who was "in it", it was a great series.
Cheers
I'm sure I have most (if not all) hidden away on VHS at home somewhere (UK VHS, so PAL format of course).
I'd be happy to donate, as I have the book aswell, especially if it's going to someone who was "in it", it was a great series.
Cheers
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Being a whipper-snapper at the time I video'd them all and watched intensely!
Highlights include the Lighting taking off and going vertical, the 1-11 max rate descent, hunter spinning etc.
Simply fantastic.
Highlights include the Lighting taking off and going vertical, the 1-11 max rate descent, hunter spinning etc.
Simply fantastic.
B-L,
Indeed - watched most of it again last night (as I'm in the process of arranging with dogstar to ship my copy to Steve Moore in NZ - Mrs Wycombe will be happy that there's one less aviation vid. gathering dust at chez Wycombe)
Doesn't it look dated, though (but great), with all those Bucc's, F4's and the Lightning whizzing about...laughed at the way the C130 Mk3 was described as new (well I suppose the fuselage plugs were then!), I think the dumptruck they airdropped was 30k lbs, by the way, not 30 tons as described by the narrator!
Indeed - watched most of it again last night (as I'm in the process of arranging with dogstar to ship my copy to Steve Moore in NZ - Mrs Wycombe will be happy that there's one less aviation vid. gathering dust at chez Wycombe)
Doesn't it look dated, though (but great), with all those Bucc's, F4's and the Lightning whizzing about...laughed at the way the C130 Mk3 was described as new (well I suppose the fuselage plugs were then!), I think the dumptruck they airdropped was 30k lbs, by the way, not 30 tons as described by the narrator!
A long, long, time ago......The last I heard, this is what everyone was doing:
-Serge Aubert was FAF base commander at Djbouti.
-Nick Coulson was at ARDU (RAAF test centre) but I believe has recently left the RAAF.
-Les Evans is flying Concorde with BA.
-Harry Fehl is at WTD61, Manching (GAF test centre).
-Tom Koelzer (USN), unknown.
-Jim Ludford, with BMI.
-Steve Moore, see earlier posts.
-Dave Southwood, civilian tutor at ETPS.
-Robin Tydeman, AAIB inspector and line flying with Air2000.
-Mirco Zuliani, a Colonel in ItAF.
And the rotes,
-Bob Horton with Jersey European out of Exeter.
-Al Howden flying Chinooks with the RAF.
-J T Koh, still in RSing AF and involved in flight test.
-"Mike" Meikeljohn, unknown.
-Gil Yannai, still in IAF.
Carefully arranged in alphabetical order to leave you wondering which one I am!!
:confused:
-Serge Aubert was FAF base commander at Djbouti.
-Nick Coulson was at ARDU (RAAF test centre) but I believe has recently left the RAAF.
-Les Evans is flying Concorde with BA.
-Harry Fehl is at WTD61, Manching (GAF test centre).
-Tom Koelzer (USN), unknown.
-Jim Ludford, with BMI.
-Steve Moore, see earlier posts.
-Dave Southwood, civilian tutor at ETPS.
-Robin Tydeman, AAIB inspector and line flying with Air2000.
-Mirco Zuliani, a Colonel in ItAF.
And the rotes,
-Bob Horton with Jersey European out of Exeter.
-Al Howden flying Chinooks with the RAF.
-J T Koh, still in RSing AF and involved in flight test.
-"Mike" Meikeljohn, unknown.
-Gil Yannai, still in IAF.
Carefully arranged in alphabetical order to leave you wondering which one I am!!
:confused:
test pilot -tv series
Jim Ludford is possibly going to Fradu,or counting out his money in Leics,and riding around on his Norton( born-again greaser!)..