The Battle of Britain
"All honour to the ATA!
I had the (unexpected) honour of being checked out (wasn't told by whom) on the mighty PA-28 Cherokee by one of those great ATA ladies at Wycombe Air Park - (17.1.74 G-AZWE). I was inside doing my checks when I became aware of a little old lady boarding, carrying a cushion for her seat so that she could see over the panel! This was Joan Hughes ex-ATA. She watched me do 4 landings and signed me off. I wish I had had the time to talk with her - but that's how it was.
Ian BB
I had the (unexpected) honour of being checked out (wasn't told by whom) on the mighty PA-28 Cherokee by one of those great ATA ladies at Wycombe Air Park - (17.1.74 G-AZWE). I was inside doing my checks when I became aware of a little old lady boarding, carrying a cushion for her seat so that she could see over the panel! This was Joan Hughes ex-ATA. She watched me do 4 landings and signed me off. I wish I had had the time to talk with her - but that's how it was.
Ian BB
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ian B-B (#99),
Yes, we're agreed: 20% it was. The $64 question still hangs in the air (what did the USAAC learn from the comparison ?) Could the fact be that all their output was considered fit only for Air Transport Command, where they would "learn on the job" as second dickies before moving over to the LH seat - and doing the job that ATA did for us ?
Whereas the output from the USAAC (200-hr) Course would produce the "real" combat pilots they needed ?
But we could see no difference at all between our "Arnold" or BFTS trained boys at OTU stage ???
"Curiouser and Curiouser", said Alice.
Danny.
Yes, we're agreed: 20% it was. The $64 question still hangs in the air (what did the USAAC learn from the comparison ?) Could the fact be that all their output was considered fit only for Air Transport Command, where they would "learn on the job" as second dickies before moving over to the LH seat - and doing the job that ATA did for us ?
Whereas the output from the USAAC (200-hr) Course would produce the "real" combat pilots they needed ?
But we could see no difference at all between our "Arnold" or BFTS trained boys at OTU stage ???
"Curiouser and Curiouser", said Alice.
Danny.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: over the rainbow
Age: 75
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Danny
From the same TV series, Ray Hanna flies a Spitfire under a low bridge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU
From the same TV series, Ray Hanna flies a Spitfire under a low bridge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU
Last edited by roving; 17th Sep 2017 at 17:41. Reason: typo
Guest
Posts: n/a
roving (#103),
Thanks for the link ! Internet Explorer wouldn't play, but got it on Google Chrome. Didn't find Ray Hanna flying under any bridges, but in lieu an interesting snippet on the earlier Spitfires cutting out under negative "G". Followed by a full hour about the girls of the ATA.
Never saw this footage before, although the BBC did do: "The Spitfire Girls" on TV years and years ago. Anyone who hasn't clicked onto your link already must do so - if only to see what your mothers (and grandmothers !) were capable of 77 years ago ! (I take my hat off to them).
As to Bridges, the two over the Menai Strait (Telford's lovely old suspension road bridge) and the old box railway bridge (burned out after my time) absolutely begged to be flown under with our Spits and Vampires. But the certainty of detection (and subsequent sacking) kept our youthful ardour in check.
I think the Meteors were restricted to 15 seconds inverted, weren't they ? As I recall, the practice was to count One, two, three, four, fifteen - and roll out ! (a double flame-out low down was no fun). Not that I know much about them with only a few hours (Vampire was much nicer - the "Jet Spitfire" IMHO).
Happy Days ! Danny.
Thanks for the link ! Internet Explorer wouldn't play, but got it on Google Chrome. Didn't find Ray Hanna flying under any bridges, but in lieu an interesting snippet on the earlier Spitfires cutting out under negative "G". Followed by a full hour about the girls of the ATA.
Never saw this footage before, although the BBC did do: "The Spitfire Girls" on TV years and years ago. Anyone who hasn't clicked onto your link already must do so - if only to see what your mothers (and grandmothers !) were capable of 77 years ago ! (I take my hat off to them).
As to Bridges, the two over the Menai Strait (Telford's lovely old suspension road bridge) and the old box railway bridge (burned out after my time) absolutely begged to be flown under with our Spits and Vampires. But the certainty of detection (and subsequent sacking) kept our youthful ardour in check.
I think the Meteors were restricted to 15 seconds inverted, weren't they ? As I recall, the practice was to count One, two, three, four, fifteen - and roll out ! (a double flame-out low down was no fun). Not that I know much about them with only a few hours (Vampire was much nicer - the "Jet Spitfire" IMHO).
Happy Days ! Danny.
Yes they were there, as was the PM, who was sitting next to her opposite number, JC.
They were both there when I attended the service some years ago - it may be a regular date for them. Also there escorting the Book of Remembrance was one of the last survivors, Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum , DFC, (see roving's post above) who I have had the pleasure of meeting on a number of occcasions. Geoffrey said he was talking to Camilla after the service, and she was obviously moved by it. I know it's common to mock both her and Prince Charles, but by all accounts those who have actually met her think she is a very genuine lady. (photo and report in today's Times).
Also noted in today's paper, the obituary of another of the few, Sqn Ldr Nigel Rose, who died on 10th September.
RIP
Also noted in today's paper, the obituary of another of the few, Sqn Ldr Nigel Rose, who died on 10th September.
RIP
Thread Starter
back in the late 80s I twice had the privilege of being an usher at the BoB Service. will never forget.
On the second occasion I had the Air Force Board pews. Along came Sir Arthur Marshall. I approached him, bid him good morning and offered to show him to his place. He looked at me quizzically and then asked didn't he know me. I confessed that I had worked for him for a year at Cambridge, managing assemblies for the droop nose and visor for Concorde which Marshalls designed and built. He graciously wished me well in my second RAF career.
On the second occasion I had the Air Force Board pews. Along came Sir Arthur Marshall. I approached him, bid him good morning and offered to show him to his place. He looked at me quizzically and then asked didn't he know me. I confessed that I had worked for him for a year at Cambridge, managing assemblies for the droop nose and visor for Concorde which Marshalls designed and built. He graciously wished me well in my second RAF career.
Unless I'm losing memory cells even faster than I thought, wasn't the rather portly person in the photo in post #73 outed as a Walt some months ago?
Sorry for the slight gap in mentioning this; I've only just caught up with PPRuNe after some time away.
Sorry for the slight gap in mentioning this; I've only just caught up with PPRuNe after some time away.
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Age: 76
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
He may well be a bit of a "Walt" but I recall some other rather odd characters serving as VRT Officers with the ATC. That said, he should fire his tailor.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: over the rainbow
Age: 75
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guest
Posts: n/a
roving,
Further to my #104, I have just Googled the <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU> you gave me (#103), but can't find the 59 min youtube of the ATA again.
Probably just me. What am I doing wrong ?
Danny.
Further to my #104, I have just Googled the <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU> you gave me (#103), but can't find the 59 min youtube of the ATA again.
Probably just me. What am I doing wrong ?
Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 21st Sep 2017 at 17:27. Reason: Typo.
outed as a Walt some months ago
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: over the rainbow
Age: 75
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
roving,
Further to my #104, I have just Googled the <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU> you gave me (#103), but can't find the 59 min youtube of the ATA again.
Probably just me. What am I doing wrong ?
Danny.
Further to my #104, I have just Googled the <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU> you gave me (#103), but can't find the 59 min youtube of the ATA again.
Probably just me. What am I doing wrong ?
Danny.
Danny (your #104)
One occasion when flying under a bridge did go disasterously wrong is recounted in my post here:
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...ml#post5187195
(Post #22)
As to Bridges, the two over the Menai Strait (Telford's lovely old suspension road bridge) and the old box railway bridge (burned out after my time) absolutely begged to be flown under with our Spits and Vampires. But the certainty of detection (and subsequent sacking) kept our youthful ardour in check.
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...ml#post5187195
(Post #22)
Last edited by Warmtoast; 22nd Sep 2017 at 09:41.
I can report a very healthy turnout of Royal Canadian Air Cadets and veterans at the the Military Museum, Calgary on the 17th for the annual Battle of Britain parade. There was a fine speech by a RAF WingCo. The museum is well worth a visit.
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Durham
Age: 45
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What you seek is Winston Bridge at Barnard Castle, not too far from your adopted home...
I can't post a link as I'm under-posted but, searching your usual search engine for "Spitfire Bridge Barnard Castle" brings up the you tube link at the top...
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,728
Received 2,724 Likes
on
1,159 Posts
