Good start, looking forward to next weeks part. That's a period of aviation more in my days of a youth.

If you look at the labour Governments you Defence than the Tories. They were the Government that started the nuclear weapons programme. Without checking fine details they probably also started the bomber programmes.

Dennis Healey was 'the Serviceman's friend' and actually served at the Defence Minister for a full 5-years which gave continuity. While they cancelled the TSR2 they also gave us the F4, Buccaneer (RAF) and C130. Even the more recent Governments where they fitted revolving doors in MB gave us the C130J and C17. Who ordered WEBF's favourite warship?

Now who disbanded the Harrier sqns? Who disbanded the maritime force? Who cancelled the MRA4?

Politically both major parties are essentially parties of the centre and while those on the left may be accused by those on the right of being spendthrifts, I suspect spendthrifts have been more friendly to the armed service than those on the right.

Thatcher, OTOH, was an exception as she honoured an election pledge and gave the Services a massive payrise after years of politically enforced penury.

Agree, although I thought the footage of the John Derry crash was unfortunately inevitable for the programme, but I thought the way the Comet story was covered was much better.

I also thought the Jet Provost sequence was both anachronistic and vanity. It seemed overly long and while it was part of the 'RAF all jet air force' that was of the '60s and not the '50s. The Piston Provost was still the principal trainer into the '60s.

The U2-RB45 coverage was much less well known and therefore much more interesting. I wonder where they found the chaps to interview :ok:

I enjoyed that, it seemed to be pretty factual without the usual wrong aircraft bloopers, all over an enjoyable show, the JP Air to Air were fantastic shots.

Generally good, and agree the JP more 60s than 50s I quite enjoyed that bit and I remember my grin flying it. Travelling next week so hope I can get it on iPlayer (I will be in UK)

Why don't you watch it on Iplayer at home?

Always there has to be bias....... How many RAF pilots flew U-2s and later iterations and how many USAF?
The implication in the Documentary was that the RAF did the lions share which has to be untrue surely?
Also no B-47s or B-36 footage or did I nod off? Agree about the Jet Provost [including smily presenter] footage being far too long. RB-45 footage from Sculthorpe was excellent.

DH110 footage brought back some buried memories of the screams as the wreckage hit the crowded slopes behind my viewpoint.

Comments elsewhere that the Flight Test Observer Anthony Richards was not mentioned seems spot on, two people were onboard on that tragic day.

Aviate, that must have been horrific, I am amazed as how composed and without panic the crowd appeared to be, I suppose so close to the end of the war they knew what to expect and how to deal with it.

Only one aircraft I didn't recognise.

What was the V-tailed aircraft looking rather like a Scimitar, in fact I think there was a Scimitar flying in the background in the same shot.

Agree with the comment about the RAF U2 pilots. If you didn't know anything you would get the impression that the RAF crews did all the USSR flights. Gary Powers was the only mention of non RAF crews..

Missed that one, clicker - but possibly the Supermarine 508?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ight_c1951.jpg

you utter utter bast***s.
i made the mistake of logging on at work this evening having made sure I left the magic of Mr Bransons Box recording it for me and I foolishly clicked onto this thread where you are all putting up spoilers - you're all a bunch of gits.

mostly old gits - some of you might be heading for the seniority that only a Beagle can attain......

the show sounds mighty fine, i shall try and persuade the boss lady to vacate the house with the wee bairn so i can watch in peace, reheat, its the sound of overtime.....

Thanks Archimedes, that's the aircraft.

Does anyone know what the piano music at 43.20 was? PFMG minor would like to play it but I can't find out what it is.

PN
That might be a slightly simplistic view ?
It was labour (broon and mandy esp) that mismanaged the country so badly that there was no money left in t'coffers !!
I am not saying that I agreed with the cuts - something else could have been cut but none of our governments seem capable of common sense decisions.
Whilst I do not think much of any politicians - broon and mandy were the absolute worst for many years !

Just hope the next one is not all about the V Force!

Need to see some Lightning footage!!

LR, I agree there, the clue in my post was .

Labour spend and Tories had to cut - that applied after Wilson/Calaghan and Brown, but the Tories with MacMillian and Eden left Wilson in the position of having to impose cuts.

My point, regardless of whether we can afford it, is that Labour seem to spend more on equipment but the Tories are seen to be more favourable.

NO need to wait until next week,go take a look on YouTube,nice clips on there.

Unfortunately I missed the first 27 minutes... However, that which I did see looked very good and was a nice change from the usual stock clips and lengthy pieces to camera.

I do wish the BBC would find some more relevant jet engine sound effects though - the usual 'taxying Pegasus' and 'Look at Life Meteor formation' made their predictable appearances.

Must see if I can get iPlayer to work today.....

CWHJ
 

The programme was rather disjointed, jumping around a number of topics with minimal linkage. I agree that the JP piece was rather long and had little to do with the flow of the programme - if they'd wanted to do a fighter flight then I think that something like a 2-stick Hunter would have been a better bet.

It's a pity the Canberra featured only as a couple of fill-in film clips, missing it's significance in UK jet aircraft development entirely. Perhaps they'll fit it in next week.

Critcism yes but minor. It was just great to see all that film - I could almost smell the paraffin.

Hi PN
Sorry I was not criticising your post,probably came across that way...I was criticising all parties politicians !

Modified slightly for a quote :)
They certainly stitched the poor old taxpayer up on the new carrier contract LOL...By the time Wastospace have finished doubling/trebling the price - it will be as expensive/more expensive than having a real carrier with real aircraft that are flexible - and of course if you have a flat deck and cats/traps you can actually have support aircraft as well :ugh:.
We always seem to end up with a really expensive solution that is forking useless.