A little aside for you. dingbat ---

The lead navigator in the film had lost one of his eyes as a result of a car accident when he was a QFI at RAF Cranwell - lost his pilot category, and became a nav. Sometimes the sightless eye would leak a little, and he would wear an eyepatch (not the nuclear issue!) to contain the offending fluid. During the filming of the scenes in Gibraltar, including the one where he and his pilot were de-briefing the groundcrew (the excellent Sqn WO, Mr Milner) over the engine fire incident, the eyepatch was worn - much to the delight of the director, Hugh Hudson. The film was duly completed, and all and sundry attended the pre-release viewing at MoD; whereupon DPR (RAF)'s civilian recruitment advisors blew an almighty fuse, claiming that the navigator's appearance would be detrimental to their cause. Plonkers!!

And so all repaired to an outbuilding on Honington airfield, where the crew were doused from a watering can to create the necessary sweat-effect, and the sequences were re-shot. Still, it got everyone (excluding the plonkers) another boozy nosh in Soho, courtesy of the producer. Happiness!

Lead Navigator . . . .
 

I was an abo nav stude at Finningley when P*** L******* came through on our course. A nicer chap you couldn't have met, and not a bad Nav either. I had a lot of sympathy for him due to the fact that my father had lost an eye in North Africa flying Spits with 72 Sqn. He had the same problem with weepy eye. I didn't get to introduce them to each other at the Graduation, would have made an interesting sight!

P*** had an interesting OCU, early on telling the staff that his abo pilot would not make it through the course. Told to wind his neck in. Two trips from the end of the course, pilot gets chopped. Ho hum. :hmm: I think those were the days when 237 was not the place it became in later years.

johnfairr,

Careful, you'll set BEAgle off ---

Vangelis
 

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned, but the very atmospheric sci-fi film ' Blade Runner ' used Vangelis' music; also featured VTOL cars !

If purchasing a copy whatever you do avoid the ' Directors' Cut,' the original has the Raymond Chandler / Robert Mitchum-esque narrative.

The music could not be more appropriate.

Foldie, yep, respect.

Not any more, jindabyne - 'twould be superfluous.

Anyway, an excellent film it was indeed. Was it all really more than 30 years ago....:eek:

And respect to the likes of you and foldie!

Buccaneer DVD Available
 

In my capacity as a committee member of the Buccaneer Aircrew Association (BAA), I have in my possession about 25 copies (from an original stock of 600) of a double DVD Box Set of Buccaneer movies, which includes the above mentioned film in its entirety. These DVDs were professionally produced last year as a private project to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Buccaneer on 30 April 1958 and come with professionally prepared artwork in a double DVD case. I have been given approval by the BAA committee to make these available on a ‘first-come first-served basis’ to anybody on this forum who would like one as long as they are prepared to cover P&P/admin costs plus a small donation that the BAA Treasurer will forward to Help for Heroes:D.

DVD 1 consists of amateur movie clips compiled from converted Super 8mm film taken from the cockpit onboard HMS Hermes and HMS Ark Royal, and on Exercise RED FLAG/MAPLE FLAG by Buccaneer aircrew. There is also footage shot by the aircrew of 24 (SAAF) Squadron members as well as Buccaneer Strike Sight and Pavespike camera footage from Op GRANBY.

DVD 2 consists of 5 documentaries/films about the Buccaneer and the crews who flew it.

If you are interested in possessing one of these box sets then please PM me and I will provide all the necessary details to allow you to secure this limited edition souvenir of the Last (and Best) British Bomber:}.

On the assumption that you eventually pay the required costs of P&P etc, I will adopt a strict queuing system by receipt of your PM to ensure fair play for all.

Foldie

I have often wondered if the Pulsator video I watched in Ops at Akrotiri was a figment of my imagination. Ditto the 'Oops. Isn't this a One Way Street?' ic banter. I subsequently had some good chats with Mike Heath (very sadly deceased) about that det.

Is there a downloadable version of this anywhere???

Any mention of the green camera carrying Buccaneers at West Freugh ?

As an aerial photographer myself I can say the photo' dept' there was excellent, but they got caught out one day when taking shots of one of the Buccaneers from the Andover...

All the upper surfaces ( remember it was a tall, brute of an aircraft ) were covered in white spots, courtesy of the hangar Jackdaws...

The Staish' was not at all impressed !

Go on, give it a go texet, good cause and all that -----

Buccaneer Dvd
 

Folks,

Re: My post at #48.

Some people have been asking me if the available DVDs are only for Bucc Mates. The aircrew Bucc Mates have all got a copy already if they are members of the BAA, so this is open season for anybody who would like one of the remaining sets:ok:.

All those who have bid already are on the list and will be contacted once I get to a position where I know exactly how many have been asked for or number ordered matches those available.

There are plenty left at present so if you would like one bid now!

Foldie (aka Father Christmas)

DamianF

That's unfair:{, you'll have to show yourself now!!!!!

Foldie

Damian

Disport Closed if I were you! Beware canny Scottish navigators ----

Shiny Twelve's Anti shipping Buccaneer games !
 

Terrific to see that. Unless I'm very much mistaken, one of the pilots in that clip is my old flatmate from Aberdeen University days, Andy Young.

Anyone know where he is now?

Buccaneer DVD set
 

Hello Foldie,
Please may I register my deep rooted desire to obtain a set of the DVDs.

I'm a long time admirer of our last true bomber, the finest heavy metal by far.

My favourite recollections of them are....
1. Late 70's: Beating up th Boulmer CRc at ultra low level, so much more impressive than the colonial cousins in their swing wing wonders.
2. Standing on a hill top near Spadeadam and watching one fly down the valley below me.
3. Flying the flag through Beirut from Akrotiri on Op Pulsator.
4. Doing the business in GW1.

I bought the 'Boys from Bahrain' and, if memory serves, donated to RAFA/Legion ore evn both?

Name your price.
Kindest regards from a civvie pilot who has the utmost respect for a fine machine flown by the best low level operators in Christendom :ok:

biscuit74,

Yes. PM me with your e-mail address and I will get him to contact you.

Foldie

Bucc Dvd
 

Folks,

It's 0734A and there are only 6 left! However, keep bidding as any eventual payment defaulters:rolleyes: will open the reserve list.

Foldie:cool:

Bucc DVD's
 

When will you e-mail those successful in their application ??

Lower Hangar,

See my Post 53 but relax - you were first to bid:D!

Foldie