BATTLE OF BRITAIN (1940) - Respecting THE FEW.

[aswatland]

I'm really looking forward to this programme as I really enjoyed First Light, which is one of the best accounts of the BoB. It will be interesting to see how well accurate the aircraft are for 1939-40.

 

[PADDY]

Inaccuracies...

Yes, I was told by one of the reenactors who were involved in the project that *details* were questioned (like Control Towers) when the Director wanted to film things and essentially the reenactors *(who knew their stuff inside out) were over ruled, because "even though it's inaccurate, it makes for a better photograph...etc" Which must be annoying, as it becomes something akin to "How Hollywood sees it..." rather than "how it actually looked and happened."

Anyway, any programme that can turn the spotlight on this period of history has got to be applauded and I dare say it's still "A Ripping Yarn!"

 

[Smithy]

I've seen a little clip of it and it looks amazing. They've used some shots from 1969's BoB so the aircraft codes used are AI instead of 92's QJ. Apart from that it looks brilliant, and I mean, brilliant.

 

[PADDY]

William Walton's "SPITFIRE PRELUDE"

The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
- Sir Winston S. Churchill (Prime Minister).

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[Smithy]

Nobody could put it better than the big man himself Paddy, well posted.

And here's a little treat for all of you. This is the teaser clip of First Light that I saw and which the production company has posted up on their site for it.

Enjoy!

http://www.liontv.com/London/Productions/First-Light

 

[PADDY]

The Hurricane...

Let's never forget The Few.

For me, the Hurricane really does pip the Spitfire to the post! I just love the old wood and canvas, the fact that 'to the eye' it doesn't look all perfect symmetry and streamlined beauty...I do LOVE this little beautiful workhorse that is too often over shadowed by the more glamorous Spitfire.

 

[PADDY]

This baby was apparently in the BoB.

Part of the Shuttleworth Collection, at Old Warden Airfield, Bedfordshire (near Cambridge).

 

[Spitfire]

As a BoB pilot once said:
The Spitfire is a Greyhound - the Hurricane is a Bulldog.

 

[Smithy]

As a BoB pilot once said:
The Spitfire is a Greyhound - the Hurricane is a Bulldog.

That was Geoff Page of 56

 

[Marv]

I have to agree with Paddy, the Hurricane is also my favourite aircraft and even though the Spitfire, with all it's grace and speed just doesn't quite beat the good old tough, stable Hurricane.
Plus the fact that (possibly due to more numbers hurris in the sky than spits) scored the majority of kills during BoB.

 

[Story]

http://militarytrader.com/article/RAF-Museum-to-restore-Battle-of-Britain-survivor

A rare German wartime bomber has been discovered on the Goodwin Sands, 70 years after it was shot down during the height of the Battle of Britain. With a crew of four and loaded with 2000 lbs. of bombs, the aircraft, a twin-engined Dornier 17 - known universally as "The Flying Pencil" - was part of a large enemy formation intercepted by RAF fighter aircraft at midday on Aug. 26, 1940, as they attempted to attack airfields in Essex.

Gotta put a plug in for Military Trader - good magazine, worth picking up if only to check out one issue.

 

[Speedster]

Exciting!

Tried to test BBC iPlayer but only got the message: "Not available in your area", so guess you have to have a UK based computer in order to watch and download.

Hope it will eventually find it's way to Danish television or be available on DVD.

First Light Tuesday 14 September
9:00pm - 10:20pm
BBC2
Docudrama based on the personal memoirs of Geoffrey Wellum, an RAF pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain with the legendary 92 Squadron. His experiences in combat serve as intense rites of passage, but as time goes by it becomes clear that the price of victory can often be an unbearable loss. Starring Sam Heughan.
VIDEO Plus+: 3940066
Subtitled, Widescreen, Audio-described

Cast
Boy - Sam Heughan
Older Boy - Geoffrey Wellum
Brian Kingcombe - Ben Aldridge
Tommy Lund - Alex Robertson
Mac - Gary Lewis
Bevington - Paul Kynman
Davy - Paul Tinto
Trevor `Wimpy' Wade - Jordan Bernarde
Drummond - Alex Waldmann
Grace - Tuppence Middleton
Dad - Richard Walsh

 

[PADDY]

TONIGHT (UK BBC2) DON'T FORGET!!

FIRST LIGHT showing.

 

[W4ASZ]

The Hour of Reckoning

The anniversary of when it did not happen :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/06/hitler-invasion-of-britain

It is a good thing to have had enough heroes at the critical moment.

Americans remember and honor them and their sacrifice.

 

[Spitfire]

Battle of Britain Day

15. september.
Allthough the few are getting fewer, we must never forget.
Thank you!

 

[PADDY]

Wear your WINGS with pride TODAY.

I haven't seen any 'WINGS' for sale as is the custom, but I have a pair of sweetheart wings that I'll wear on my lapel today (and my Uncle's 'SHINEY TEN' Squadron lapel badge).

 

[Smithy]

Yes the 15th September...

 

[Smithy]

The Few are getting fewer.

Article from the Daily Mail showing the 79 members still with us today...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1313354/The-glorious-Few-70-years-In-1940-planes-courage-stood-Britain-Nazi-domination.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

 

[Edward]

I'm really looking forward to this programme as I really enjoyed First Light, which is one of the best accounts of the BoB. It will be interesting to see how well accurate the aircraft are for 1939-40.

I must check out the iPlayer and see if it is still on there. I wouldn't be able to tell whether the details of the planes were correct (I can distinguish a Hurricane from a Spitfire, but that's the limit of it), though I'd have a good go with the Irvins. Had to smile recently while watching the old Sixties Battle of Britain film on DVD when I caught myself critiquing the inaccuracies in the Irvins being sported (mostly 42 pattern jackets, with a few late war, multi-panel items thrown in - probably, at that time, a lot of them were originals). lol

 

[Miss Sis]

Edward, don't get me started on the hideous 1960s hairdos on the women in 'Battle of Britain'! And I've only ever seen clips of the film and not the whole thing.

The hair and make up people who did that should have been taken out the back and shot....

I think you might have missed First Light on iPlayer now, as it was broadcast more than a week ago.