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Author
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Topic: BBC4: Jet! When Britain Ruled the Skies
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Paul23
Member Posts: 836
From: South East, UK
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-19-2012 05:15 AM
   
Not strictly a programme about space but I figured there was enough interest on here about aviation to mention this.It looks to be a two part programme on BBC4 starting Wednesday night at 9pm. The first episode is described on the BBC website as follows: In the heady post-war years of the 1950s and 60s, British flying was at its zenith and its aircraft industry flourished in a dazzling display of ingenuity and design brilliance. Having invented the jet engine, Britain was now set to lead the world into the jet age with a new generation of fighters and bombers. The daring test pilots who flew them were as well-known as the football stars of today, while their futuristic-looking aircraft, including the Meteor, Canberra, Valiant, Vulcan and the English Electric Lightning, were the military marvels of the age. |
minipci
Member Posts: 365
From: London, UK
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 08-20-2012 10:31 AM
Here's hoping they mention TSR.2 and the mighty Bucc. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-20-2012 11:08 AM
Or the prettiest fighter ever built... the Hawker Hunter.I suspect this programme will owe a lot to the recent excellent book "Empire of the Clouds: When Britain's Aircraft Ruled the World" by James Hamilton-Paterson. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-22-2012 05:22 PM
Very good programme. While Health and Safety can be a little over zealous nowadays, I couldn't believe they continued with the 1952 Farnborough airshow after that fatal and tragic crash during the event. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-23-2012 05:49 AM
Yes a very good programme and clearly drawing on the book. Pure nostalgia - so glad I'm old enough to have seen some of these planes in service - Sea Vixen, Hunter, Lightning and the V-force. I'm surprised they didn't go to Martin Baker where two 1940s-era Meteors are still in service as ejector seat testbeds. |
robert_l
Member Posts: 168
From: Dundee,Scotland
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 08-23-2012 06:10 AM
Loved this program and my all time favourite the English Electric Lightning like Apollo it or Concorde it does not age! |
Kite
Member Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 08-23-2012 03:03 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed this programme too which was obviously based on James Hamilton-Paterson's book "Empire of the Clouds". I love the early British jets, and foreign ones as well, but wish there had been more on the Buccanner. Looking forward to the second instalment which is about the British airliners. |
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