BATTLE OF BRITAIN (1940) - Respecting THE FEW.

[W4ASZ]

Thanks W4ASZ, I watch my European DVDs such as "Target for Tonight", "Night Bombers", and "Reach for the Sky" on the PC.

John

Way cool ! Then you are covered. Sadly, I must wait, but I hope for the wait to be a brief one.

Cheers !

 

[Smithy]

PAL, NTSC, whatever you watch you're in for a treat, "First Light" is bloody magnificent.

 

[Spitfire]

PAL, NTSC, whatever you watch you're in for a treat, "First Light" is bloody magnificent.

My thoughts - exactly!

 

[Speedster]

Just pre-ordered the "First Light" DVD from the BBC Shop today. Looking forward to June.

 

[B-24J]

Yesterday I had planned to get some things done around the house when the afternoon mail delivered my "First Light" DVD - day over.

Blending Geoffrey Wellum present day with the BoB P/O Wellum was brilliant. I had a tear in the eye on more than one occasion.

The use of the 60's BoB movie aerial scenes was well done. Much preferable to CGI animated aircraft that might have been used these days.

Hopefully BBC America will literally "Get with the program"! We in The USA remember The Few as well!

John

 

[Smithy]

Yesterday I had planned to get some things done around the house when the afternoon mail delivered my "First Light" DVD - day over.

Blending Geoffrey Wellum present day with the BoB P/O Wellum was brilliant. I had a tear in the eye on more than one occasion.

The use of the 60's BoB movie aerial scenes was well done. Much preferable to CGI animated aircraft that might have been used these days.

Hopefully BBC America will literally "Get with the program"! We in The USA remember The Few as well!

John

It is a magnificent adaptation and an apt tribute to The Few.

I too found it particularly moving, although Geoff was the youngest member of The Few, one of my relatives was not terribly much older than Geoff when he was thrown into the Battle of Britain. It gave me a small inkling of what it must have been like for him at a personal level.

 

[B-24J]

Hi,

I'm looking for a recommendation on the best all around book covering the Hawker Hurricane. Design history, variants, flight characteristics, and pilot opinions. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

John

 

[mrbieler]

Hurricane, An Illustrated History by Philip Birtles is decent. I don't know about "best", but it's good.

For a Battle of Britain viewing from the ground, we enjoy watching Danger UXB every so often. Good series.

 

[Smithy]

Those that cover technical aspects and worthwhile:

The pilot's notes for the various marques
Haynes' recently released manual on the Hurri
Melvyn Hiscock's book which covers a couple of restorations is good

For broader operational history:

Take your pick, there's dozens of books on the subject but Mason's tome from the 80s is still a good one, as is Peter Jacobs' work from the 90s. Slightly lighter weight but always nicely presented and researched are Osprey's aircraft of the aces series which has 2 books covering the Hurri's service, and both are very good.

 

[Story]

http://www.life.com/gallery/62571/world-war-ii-london-in-color#index/0

On the 70th anniversary of the launch of Winston Churchill's WWII "V for Victory" campaign (July 19, 1941) LIFE.com presents color photos taken in London during the war, in tribute to the spirit of Britons who would not be cowed.

 

[B-24J]

Artist Roy Grinnel Spitfire and Hurricane

http://roygrinnell.com/Atchung.htm

I saw this Spitfire painting on a game box recently. I don't recall the game's name, but wrote down the artist's name and looked him up on the net.


The Hurricane painting I think is nice too.


http://roygrinnell.com/StruggleBeginsprint.htm

I did a search in the Lounge for "Grinnel", but nothing was found.

John

 

[Spitfire]

September 15 1940 - 2011. Battle of Britain Day.
I salute all the RAF pilots who fought and died during that summer and fall. Thank you.

 

[Steven180]

September 15 1940 - 2011. Battle of Britain Day.
I salute all the RAF pilots who fought and died during that summer and fall. Thank you.

Here, here Sir.

And thanks to all for all the insightful information provided here. Have learned much, and discovered more to explore.

M.

 

[Smithy]

Fantastic news...

...a brand new movie about the Battle is currently beginning development!

http://whatculture.com/film/robert-towne-to-re-tell-the-battle-of-britain.php

I'm rather excited by this, although just so long as they don't make a balls up of it.

 

[Spitfire]

Great news!
But it's a tough act to follow. The 1968 version was - and still is - with a few minor things like the model Stukas - a great movie.

 

[Spitfire]

Just want to share this rather nice drawing of a BoB Hurricane - flown by Albert Gerald Lewis/85 Squadron - among others.

 

[Smithy]

It's a goodie of a profile Spitty, Dickie Lee flew her as well

Here's one for the boys (and girls) here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cx6V0QAVEU

This was produced for the IWM and features real aircraft - yes that's right, REAL aircraft and not bloody CGI. Although not Mk I Spits (rather OFMC's Mk IX MH434) and a Buchon rather than a Daimler 109 at least they move like real aircraft should. Watch this and then watch the trailer for Red Tails and you'll see what I mean

 

[Spitfire]

It's a goodie of a profile Spitty, Dickie Lee flew her as well

...and - as far as I remember - it was in this same airplane, Dickie Lee went MIA over the North Sea, chasing three EA's with all his ammo spent.

 

[Story]

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Polish World War II airman, believed to be the last surviving Polish pilot from the Battle of Britain, has died at the age of 97 in a Canadian nursing home.
Turner and Porter Funeral Directors said on its website that Brig. Gen. Tadeusz Sawicz died Oct. 19 at a nursing home in Toronto, Canada.

http://news.yahoo.com/polands-last-battle-britain-pilot-dies-104456493.html

 

[Smithy]

...and - as far as I remember - it was in this same airplane, Dickie Lee went MIA over the North Sea, chasing three EA's with all his ammo spent.

That's the one Soren. Once again the tragic loss of a talented young man. Dickie was an amazingly proficient pilot. He even flew a Hurri through one of the hangars at (IIRC) Hendon. It was apparently captured on film but I haven't been able to track it down yet.

And Story,

Very, very sad but unfortunately time marches on. The Polish contribution to the Battle was huge and they will never be forgotten.