CDR Sal, love your stack, love your writing. Watching this video, and the expression on his face when he realized that was HIS aircraft making the gear up landing was...emotional. The backstory on how the film was put on digital media, and used serial numbers to connect the bread crumbs was fascinating. Alone, unarmed, and quite scared was what my buddies who flew RF-4 recces back in the day used to "jokingly" say. A lot going on here, and the "low key" delivery (IMO) along with the "matter of fact" approach to a high risk mission this guy flew 51 times can easily be lost on the viewer. Full Bore Friday just set the bar a little higher for you to top. BZ sir!
Yes.....one of my favorites. Flew one out of Chichester (where the famous Lord Douglas Bader flew out of) and Duxford a year before RAF anniversary celebrations. My son was with me which made it such an added and wonderful experience. I introduced him to those who flew during the Battle of Britain. The "last of the few"....: Geoffrey Wellum, Nigel Rose and Ferry Pilot Mary Ellis. Wish I could share pics with this comment but unable or limited.
To their "finest hour"......To those who defied tyranny, Hand Salute........................Two.
Also...added bonus for those from the Caribbean (like me)...the RAF had terrific support from many brave individuals. Hand Salute to all of those as well.
CDR Sal, love your stack, love your writing. Watching this video, and the expression on his face when he realized that was HIS aircraft making the gear up landing was...emotional. The backstory on how the film was put on digital media, and used serial numbers to connect the bread crumbs was fascinating. Alone, unarmed, and quite scared was what my buddies who flew RF-4 recces back in the day used to "jokingly" say. A lot going on here, and the "low key" delivery (IMO) along with the "matter of fact" approach to a high risk mission this guy flew 51 times can easily be lost on the viewer. Full Bore Friday just set the bar a little higher for you to top. BZ sir!
He flew a *half hour* over Berlin, following a B-17 raid? Fullbore, indeed.
dang. as is often true for these FullBore posts......this brought tears with a smile. (pilot, but I'll never get my hands on the stick of a Spitifire)
Yes.....one of my favorites. Flew one out of Chichester (where the famous Lord Douglas Bader flew out of) and Duxford a year before RAF anniversary celebrations. My son was with me which made it such an added and wonderful experience. I introduced him to those who flew during the Battle of Britain. The "last of the few"....: Geoffrey Wellum, Nigel Rose and Ferry Pilot Mary Ellis. Wish I could share pics with this comment but unable or limited.
To their "finest hour"......To those who defied tyranny, Hand Salute........................Two.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Bader#/media/File:Squadron_Leader_D_R_S_Bader,_DSO,_DFC._(1940)_(Art.IWM_ART_LD_832).jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Wellum#/media/File:Brian_Kingcome_IWM_HU_112488.jpg
Also...added bonus for those from the Caribbean (like me)...the RAF had terrific support from many brave individuals. Hand Salute to all of those as well.
https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-trinidadian-pilot-who-flew-the-silver-spitfire
https://www.history.co.uk/article/john-jellicoe-blair-and-the-black-raf
Yes, he was. I showed this to family after the first publication on ye Olde Blogspot. High speed recon assets are always valuable!
How did that young man manage to fit his enormous brass huevos into a Spitfire's cockpit?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVQt7cHZm_4
https://www.google.com/search?q=spitfire+pilot+trailer&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS1045US1046&oq=spitfire+pilot+trailer+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRirAjIHCAYQIRirAjIHCAcQIRirAjIHCAgQIRifBTIHCAkQIRifBdIBCDYwOTRqMWo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:56e6d79d,vid:aZxgEi8gEsE,st:0
Great big brass ones!
It's a shame that Hap Arnold would not commission men like Blyth.
Why didn't Savage come home in 45?
That sir was an excellent pull. Fullbore indeed.
His comments about the F-5 were certainly on par given the mistakes made by the 8th Air Force in regards to the airplane.