If you can watch BBC TV then...

[SEE]

...and we have Sunday Night on the BBC to look forward too!

[Mysticpuma]

Ditto Sunday!

Cheers, MP

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by SEE

...and we have Sunday Night on the BBC to look forward too!

And as one of the first to post after the event, I'll concede the Beeb did a great job on Sunday.
I'm not a religious person, but also watched the afternoon service and march/flypast, which I found excellent. (David Cameron looked completely bewildered though!)
The McGregor brothers were great fun and the programme well presented, although they kept referring to Douglas Bader as 'Leader of 12 Group' with no mention of Leigh-Mallory. Strange research/scripting, especially as Stephen Bungay was on hand(!).
It was great to see Colin Mc go through the three aircraft one by one, and also interesting to note that a time served RAF Tornado pilot still got choked up after flying and landing a Spit.
They should show this sort of stuff every year.

[PeterPanPan]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

And as one of the first to post after the event, I'll concede the Beeb did a great job on Sunday...

Totally agree, this was amazing TV, especially in HD which I was lucky enough to watch it in. I was seriously impressed with C McG's Harvard landing. The Spit landing was bloody hard work and you can see how many low time pilots would have come to grief on the roll out. And how many pints had Geoff Wellum had before they started filming?!? He looked nice and relaxed which was great to see. Top TV and definitely one to buy if it's ever released on DVD.

PPanPan

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

And how many pints had Geoff Wellum had before they started filming?!?
PPanPan

They didn't dub him 'The Boy Drunkard' for nothing!
Not that it bothers me at all, if I was him at 89, I wouldn't give a stuff either.

[PeterPanPan]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

They didn't dub him 'The Boy Drunkard' for nothing!
Not that it bothers me at all, if I was him at 89, I wouldn't give a stuff either.

Hee hee. Quite agree. I think he's more than earned the right to drink whatever he wants - I just hope the BBC were paying!

... and what was the phrase he used about trying his luck with the girls? Just priceless to see him laugh about that with that twinkle in his eye ... he's 89 going on 18 I think. Good for him. Just brilliant.

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

Hee hee. Quite agree. I think he's more than earned the right to drink whatever he wants - I just hope the BBC were paying!

... and what was the phrase he used about trying his luck with the girls? Just priceless to see him laugh about that with that twinkle in his eye ... he's 89 going on 18 I think. Good for him. Just brilliant.

Yeah, it's interesting to note that all the Vets appear to be as bright as a button for their age compared to others.
Also makes you wonder whether the scene in the 'First Light' film with Grace and the tree may have been more true to life than the the 'little boarding house' in the book. Or maybe a bit of both.
On a different note, I noticed Pete Brothers was conspicuous by his absence at the service. Hope he's ok.

[PeterPanPan]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

Yeah, it's interesting to note that all the Vets appear to be as bright as a button for their age compared to others.
Also makes you wonder whether the scene in the 'First Light' film with Grace and the tree may have been more true to life than the the 'little boarding house' in the book. Or maybe a bit of both.
On a different note, I noticed Pete Brothers was conspicuous by his absence at the service. Hope he's ok.

Yes, I've thought this too. I don't think it's a coincidence that those with that undefinable "joie de vivre" survived and continue to enjoy long lives.

I too am also readjusting my thoughts on the innocence (or otherwise) of the extra curricular activities of off duty pilots!!

Sadly, I'm sorry to say that Pete Brothers died last year. Also in recent months we have lost Sq Ldr 'Stapme' Stapleton, a Spitfire Ace with a rather splendid handlebar moustache and Wng Cmdr John Freeborn who flew more operational hours in the BoB than any other allied pilot.

The Few get ever fewer.