Plane Tales

Joe Gilmore – Revisited

December 03, 2018 14:57 - 6 minutes - 8.14 MB

My first Plane Tale when they weren't really a thing... the story of Joe Gilmore remastered, re-recorded and revisited. This was the vital British addition to the Apollo mission to put men on the Moon! Otherwise known as the Four Score and Ten... created for Sir Winston Churchill on his 90th Birthday. The drink that the first Moon walking Apollo astronauts tasted after their mission quarantine ended. Created to celebrate the Apollo-Souyz joint project to join up in space. Joe Gi...

A Four Star Conversation

November 24, 2018 14:54 - 19 minutes - 20.5 MB

A conversation with Sir Richard Johns KCB KCVO CBE and retired Chief of the Air Force about his love of military history. Images by NickAndersonPhoto.co.uk

Gone for a Burton

November 18, 2018 14:52 - 18 minutes - 19.2 MB

An explanation of some of the strange terms that we bandy about in aviation. Image under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Raff.

In Flanders Fields

November 10, 2018 17:10 - 24.7 MB

The poppies were some of the first flowers to grow over the churned battlefields and freshly turned earth of war graves during the First World War and on 3 May 1915 they inspired the Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae after witnessing the death of his friend and fellow soldier the day before, to write the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. McCrae's poem, In Flanders Fields. The funeral of Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who was buried with full m...

He Flies East, Flies North, Flies West, Flies Undone!

November 05, 2018 17:04 - 19 minutes - 19.7 MB

W E Johns wasn't just a brave World War 1 pilot who survived being shot down over enemy territory but after the war he became an author who inspired generations of young people to become pilots. Under the pen name of Captain W E Johns he wrote over a hundred adventure books featuring a fearless pilot and his trusty crew. This is the story of Biggles and his creator! Biggles fought in two world wars and several campaigns! Like his author, he started off flying in WW1. Perhaps his...

Here We Go, Hold ‘em Cowboy!

October 27, 2018 16:58 - 18 minutes - 19.6 MB

The tragic story of Southern Airways flight 242, a DC9 that lost both engines flying through severe weather and then performed a dead stick landing onto a road in New Hope with tragic consequences for both those onboard and those on the ground. The approximate ground track of the stricken aircraft. The accident aircraft. Aircraft wreckage amongst the houses of New Hope. Images used through Creative Commons licence with thanks to the NTSB, Crum357 and Clipperartic.

The Wave Scrapers

October 22, 2018 14:02 - 19 minutes - 20.1 MB

Its May 1942 and America has joined the Second World War, committing many of its combat resources to campaigns around the world. On the East coast of America, vital shipping are being sunk by German submarines. The losses had been so terrible that the figures were being withheld from the public and for a few humiliating weeks, all coastal vessels were ordered to stay in harbour until convoys could be organised. The stage was set for the creation of the Civil Air Patrol. Two Oregon Wing CA...

Tizard’s Trunk

October 18, 2018 13:59 - 18 minutes - 19.2 MB

In a desperate gamble to encourage the USA to come to Britain's aid during their most desperate of days of WW2, Churchill dispatched Sir Henry Tizard to America bearing a small metal box... Tizard's Trunk. Inside were some of the most closely guarded technological secrets that Britain had to offer. John Cockroft (right) wearing his Medal of Freedom awarded for his services to the Manhattan Project. An original cavity magnetron, 1940, developed by John Randall and Harry Boot at Birmingha...

The Fearless Flying Columba Livia Domestica

October 11, 2018 13:55 - 18 minutes - 19.2 MB

The life of a pigeon can be a little mundane unless you are drafted into the Royal Air Force and find yourself on bombing missions, accompanying submarine hunters or parachuting into enemy territory with spies! This is the story of the humble homing pigeon, drafted into service! The Photo Recon pigeon. An RAF bomber crew member heads off with his pigeons. Not to be outdone, Coastal Command shows off their feathered friend. The Dickin medal winner, Commando! A mobile pigeon l...

Captain Al and the Spotty M, Part 2

October 05, 2018 13:53 - 19 minutes - 19.8 MB

The tragic days following the demise of Monarch Airlines are recounted in this, the second and final part of an interview with Captain Al Evans. Captain Al Evans with his Monarch A320 at Gibraltar. Images under Creative Commons Licence with thanks to Capt Al Evans.

Captain Al and the Spotty M

September 25, 2018 13:50 - 16 minutes - 15.7 MB

On 5 June 1967, Monarch Airlines was established with a rather aged Bristol Britannia and I doubt that many people had any great hopes for its longevity but, when it was approaching its 50th year of operation, it fell foul of a poor economic situation and collapsed. A year has gone by since then and Captain Al Evens recalls the events leading up to the demise of this much loved airline in this, the first part of two interviews. A younger Al before he moved across to the Captain's seat. ...

Uncle Geoff

September 14, 2018 13:31 - 18 minutes - 19.1 MB

Many of us have past generations in our family who flew during the Second World War but few of us have a wonderful diary describing the lives they lived during the conflict. Nick Kidd's Uncle was one of the secretive pilots who flew agents into France and supplied the Free French Resistance and this is the fascinating story of his Uncle Geoff. The Wellington under construction showing its unusual geodesic design. The Pundit system that Geoff and his navigator used to help them fin...

The Bong Bridge

September 09, 2018 13:29 - 18 minutes - 19.5 MB

He was the greatest fighter pilot that ever served with the United States armed forces. A quiet and unassuming man who, even when he had more kills than the fabled Eddie Rickenbacker, insisted on going back into combat. A remarkable pilot whose life was brought to a sadly early end. Images under Creative Commons Licence with thanks to US Gov, USAF and Mikejfm.

The Cargo Gods

September 02, 2018 17:30 - 15 minutes - 16.2 MB

To the primitive tribes of the Pacific Islands the sudden arrival of flying machines disgorging tons of wonderful cargo is beyond their understanding. Their attempts to make sense of what is occurring leads to the creation of a remarkable new religion. Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to the authors.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Cathay 780!

August 25, 2018 17:20 - 19 minutes - 20.3 MB

A gradual degradation of engine performance leads a Cathy Pacific crew into a dire situation, all due to Super Absorbent Polymer Spheres! This is the story of Cathy 780 and the excellent job that the crew did to get their crippled aircraft onto the ground. The incident aircraft, an Airbus A330. Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to SA 4.0 and Aero Icarus.

Fighting Fog

August 17, 2018 17:19 - 19 minutes - 19.8 MB

During World War 2, for the bomber pilots, getting shot down over enemy territory was far from the only risk that they faced. In England, Bomber Command and the Eighth Air Force suffered significant losses when returning to their bases only to find that they were fogged out. This is the story of FIDO. A Lancaster comes to grief amongst the FIDO pipes. Images under Creative Commons license with thanks to Goodchild A, the Imperial War Museums, the RAF Museum and UK Gov.

Handling the Big Jets

August 14, 2018 19:24 - 18 minutes - 19.1 MB

The Chief Pilot of the British Registration Board, D P Davies, wrote THE definitive book for airline pilots moving to the the big jets of the 70's and 80's. An acerbic, opinionated but incredibly talented pilot his life was full of fascinating stories.

The Aluminium Trail

August 04, 2018 18:58 - 19 minutes - 19.8 MB

With the Chinese forces under Chiang Kai-shek keeping over a million Japanese troops occupied, once America joined the Second World War, they were keen to prevent those troops from becoming free to engage them in the Pacific theatre. Supplying the 10th Air Force and the Chinese forces became a priority. So began an enormous effort to air lift thousands of tons of supplies over some of the most treacherous and difficult terrain in the war. This the unsung story of the crews that flew the Hu...

Thar Be Sea Monsters!

July 28, 2018 22:18 - 17 minutes - 18.1 MB

An American analyst poured over a satellite image of a vast and strange aircraft being built on the shore of the Caspian Sea. What was this monster of a machine? The Russians had delved into the world of ground effect vehicles and this is the story. The KM (Korabl Maket) Ekranoplan. The successor to the Caspian Sea Monster, the Lun Class missile carrier, NATO code name Duck! The Duck being decommissioned. The more successful A-90_Orlyonok. The Boeing Pelican ULTRA concep...

A Very British Air Show

July 18, 2018 22:02 - 18 minutes - 19.2 MB

In the post WW2 era the Farnborough Airshow was a fabulous and exciting window into the amazing world of advanced jet fighters and in 1952 test pilot John Derry was flying one of the most advanced prototypes there. This is his story. Test Pilot John Derry. The Sea Vixen with it's unusual offset pilot's canopy. The aftermath of the DH110 crash. Images through Creative Commons licence with thanks to the National Library of Austria, the United States Navy, The Crown (Gov UK) and Ka...

An Addendum

July 17, 2018 15:33 - 16 minutes - 16.9 MB

Following my previous story concerning the tragic murder of both pilots on the flight deck, the son of First Officer Ray Andress wrote and told me the story from his side. Steve Andress went on to become a USAF pilot and is now flies for a major legacy airline. He also tells us of the work his mother undertook to ban the use of flight insurance vending machines at airports to deter others with murderous intent and we hear of a couple of other awful murder cases involving air travel. Capta...

Murder on the Flight Deck

July 01, 2018 12:02 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MB

Two dramatic and awful incidents when unsuspecting pilots are attacked on the Flight Deck, enough to put shivers down the spine. The title image is of Francisco Paula Gonzales, one of the murderers. The Pacific Air Lines F27 that was involved in the tragedy of flight 773. An Eastern Air Lines DC9. The Eastern Airlines Training Centre plaque. Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to The Beaver County Times and Jon Proctor. The EAL plaque image is, unfortunately, unatt...

On Wings of Gossamer

June 22, 2018 11:59 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MB

The dream of flight began with makeshift wings bound to men's arms which, like Icarus from Green mythology failed, often with deadly results. This is the story of the pioneers who took to the air under their own power. Zaschka's Human-Power Aircraft, Berlin 1934. SUMPAC was the first successful human powered aircraft. The Gossamer Albatross II is seen here during a test flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Centre, Edwards, California. Images under Creative Commons licence ...

A Little VC Tenderness

June 18, 2018 22:53 - 18 minutes - 19.4 MB

The Vickers VC10 was an aircraft that was ahead of its time. Sleek, fast and powerful it was designed to please an airline which then turned its back on it. However, the VC10 won the hearts of many. The RAF version of the VC10, the K3. The VC10 flight deck including the 'voice activated throttles'! Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Bahnfrend, Steve Fitzgerald and Chris Lofting.

The Dead Stick

June 09, 2018 22:43 - 18 minutes - 19.1 MB

Despite being injured during a civil war and losing the sight of an eye, Carlos Dardano became a B737 Captain for TACA. On descent into New Orleans, he strayed into a thunderstorm with disastrous consequences. The fate of the aircraft its crew and passengers now depended on the flying skills of the Captain. Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to US Gov, NTSB and other sources.

BRIXMIS

June 03, 2018 20:03 - 18 minutes - 17 MB

During the height of the Cold War, a most unlikely spy plane gathered intelligence over East Germany on behalf of the Western allies. This is the little known story of the British Commander's in Chief Mission to the Soviet forces in Germany! The BRIXMIS logo. The de Havilland Chipmunk. A Soviet BMP photographed whilst a soldier aims at the Chipmunk! Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to UK Gov (BRIXMIS) under Crown Copyright, Peter Farey, Adrian Pingstone and Roy ...

The Luftwaffe Pilot and Ye Olde Pub

May 26, 2018 18:23 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

A rookie B17 pilot on his first mission over Germany struggling home in his crippled aircraft and a veteran Me109 fighter pilot with 27 kills and over 400 combat missions flown, meet in the air. The result should have been obvious but... Boeing B-17F radar bombing through clouds over Bremen, Germany, on Nov. 13, 1943. (U.S. Air Force photo) A B17 formation over Germany. An Me109 of Jagdgeschwader 27. Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to the US Gov and the Bundesa...

Go Ahead, Take the Controls

May 20, 2018 19:28 - 19 minutes - 20.1 MB

Two tragic stories of aircraft losses that, in the most benign of circumstances, may well have resulted from letting a family member sit at the controls. An EC135. Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Michel Gilland and the US Gov.

Another of Our Aircraft is Missing

May 12, 2018 13:34 - 17 minutes - 18.2 MB

Hansard in the document that contains, what is referred to as, the substantially verbatim account of every speech made in the Houses of Parliament since 1909. It's pages reveal some remarkable stories such as these military aircraft that were stolen... they included the purloining of a USAF B45 Tornado nuclear bomber! North American XB-45 cutaway drawing. (U.S. Air Force photo) A pair of A4 Skyhawks. The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, nicknamed the Huey. The missing B727 registration N84...

One of Our Aircraft is Missing

May 06, 2018 13:46 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MB

Stories of aircraft that vanish without trace are bound to fascinate us. The controversial disappearance of House Majority Member Boggs, seen in the title image with President Lyndon B Johnson, gave rise to much speculation as he was part of the Warren Commission which was investigating the assassination of JFK. In another story we look at the life of the Flying Bandit... a gentleman Canadian gold thief! A Cessna 310 The Flying Bandit Images shown under Creative Commons licence with t...

El Al 1862 and the Bijlmermeer

April 29, 2018 17:03 - 18 minutes - 19.2 MB

The Modernist dream that was the Bijlmermeer had its problems and the last thing it needed was for a crippled aircraft to wreak destruction amongst its dwellers. This is the tragic story of El Al 1862 and the fate of the Amsterdam neighbourhood it fell into. Images made available under a Creative Commons licence and GNU Free Documentation Licence by Maaike98, D Frame and Torsten Maiwald.

The Sir Glen Torpy Interview: Part 3

April 22, 2018 18:11 - 19 minutes - 20.3 MB

The last of the 3 part interview with Sir Glen Torpy. We chat about his work in some of the most demanding jobs to be found in the RAF, culminating with his appointment as the Chief of the Air Staff. If you want to find out about the decision to remove the Harrier from service or what's happening to the RAF Museums then this is one to listen to.

The Sir Glen Torpy Interview: Part 2

April 13, 2018 23:26 - 20 minutes - 21.5 MB

We get to the point in Sir Glen's interview where he is heading to the Gulf to start flying operations and he recalls the the words spoken by Recce pilots of old, "Alone, unarmed and unafraid!" If you want to hear what it's like hand flying a Tornado over enemy territory, facing multiple air to air missile and AAA threats, at 150 feet above the ground, in the pitch black, at over 500 knots then wait no longer! Photograph courtesy of Sir Glen Torpy.

The Sir Glen Torpy Interview: Part 1

April 08, 2018 10:35 - 18 minutes - 19.3 MB

Sir Glen Torpy GCB CBE DSO started his life within the Royal Air Force as most pilots do. At the end of his training, he was posted to a Jaguar reconnaissance squadron, the start of a great career. In this interview, he gives us a chance to follow his progress to the point where he takes Command of No.13 Squadron, flying the Tornado GR1A, and is about to deploy to the Gulf on operations. Sir Glen during his basic flying training at RAF Linton on Ouse, middle rank under the U and 3 heads to t...

100 Years

March 31, 2018 17:08 - 18 minutes - 19.3 MB

The 1st of April 1918 saw the formation of the world's first independent Air Force. Capt Nick takes a look at the Royal Air Force’s history and is joined by Sir Glen Torpy GCB CBE DSO past Chief of the Air Staff who gives his thoughts on the past 100 years and the upcoming celebrations.

303 Squadron Kościuszko

March 26, 2018 23:25 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MB

Suspicious of the Polish pilots who, after their country was invaded by Nazi forces during the Second World War, had fled to the UK, the high command of the RAF eventually allowed them to become operational. No 303 Polish Squadron joined the RAF fighter units desperately fighting the overwhelming forces of the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. The results stunned everybody. The score of German kills (Adolfs) claimed by No 303 Polish Squadron during the Battle of Britain. Images u...

Lady Lex and Scoop’s Wildcat

March 20, 2018 22:01 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

The billionaire explorer Paul Allen rediscovers the aircraft carrier Lexington and an F4 Wildcat deep under the surface of the Coral Sea. This is the story of the Lexington and the Wildcat's last pilot. USS Lexington shortly before WWII. F4F-3 Wildcat in non-reflective blue-gray over light gray scheme from early 1942. Images with thanks to Paul G Allen, via Creative Commons, the US Navy and Felix c.

The Fears of Elizabeth

March 12, 2018 02:03 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

Air travel is, statistically, the very safest form of transport but it wasn't always that way. Imagine living in Elizabeth, a suburb near New York's Newark airport in 1951 when, within a period of only 3 months, aircraft began raining from the sky onto your neighborhood. The crash site of Flight 1678M. An American Airways Convair CV240. A National Airways CD6. The City of Elizabeth today. Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov Bureau of Aircraft Accidents, Dagre...

RAF Form 414 – Volume Two

March 04, 2018 17:28 - 16 minutes - 15 MB

Capt Nick delves into Volume 2 of his RAF Form 414... the PILOTS FLYING LOG BOOK.

The Vengeance of Peenemünd

February 24, 2018 23:59 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MB

Towards the end of the Second World War, Nazi scientists developed a series of futuristic weapons to use against England aimed to bring the British people to their knees. Named Vengeance weapons, their presence in the skies over London was another German threat that had to be dealt with. A German Luftwaffe Heinkel He 111 H-22. This version could carry FZG 76 (V1) flying bombs, but only a few aircraft were produced in 1944. Some were used by bomb wing KG 3. A cutaway of the V1 created fo...

All Blood Runs Red

February 17, 2018 00:15 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

President of France, Charles de Gaulle is on a state visit to the United States of America and he asks to meet a French hero who holds the Légion d'honneur and who lives in New York. Eventually, retired lift operator is found and brought to the President. The man is Eugene Jacques Bullard and is almost unknown in the country of his birth but he holds a remarkable place in the history of aviation. Bullard in his Corporal's uniform during the WW1. Bullard in 1917 beside a Nieuport while ...

Happy Bottom Riding Club

February 11, 2018 00:21 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MB

Watch the movie 'The Right Stuf' and you will see, portrayed, a desert bar near Edwards Air Force Base where a generation of great Test Pilots drank whisky and bantered with the bargirl. The lady was Pancho Barnes and she was much more than a bargirl! Pancho and her Travel Air type R Mystery Ship. Barnes in 1928, the image used on her pilot's license! Pancho serving at the Happy Bottom Riding Club. Images under Creative Commons licence; with thanks to the San Diego Air and Space...

Fighting High Demons

February 05, 2018 16:56 - 18 minutes - 19.3 MB

After the Second World War, a tall lanky RAF pilot undertook clandestine missions from Hong Kong in a photo reconnaissance Spitfire FR Mk XIV. At the absolute limit of its range and despite being pursued by Chinese fighters Flt Lt Ted Powels undertook some remarkable flights. This is his story. Images made available under a Creative Commons licence. Photographer unknown.

Land-O-Matic

January 26, 2018 16:58 - 18 minutes - 19.5 MB

An aircraft for the people, the ubiquitous Cessna 172 became, by far, the most produced aircraft in history and secured a place in many pilot's hearts. This is its story. Images under a Creative Commons licence by Daniel Piotrowski, P Alejandro Díaz and Adrian Pingstone.

Flowers on the Waves

January 19, 2018 17:09 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

The loss of Swissair Flight 111 in the most appalling circumstances wasn't just a tragedy for those onboard and their loved ones, but for a whole community of people in the quiet town of Halifax and even more so for the folk near Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. The memorial at Peggy's Cove. Images under Creative Commons licence, by Aero Icarus and Aconcagua.

RAF Form 414 – The Logbook

January 14, 2018 17:18 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MB

Every document or book within the Royal Air Force has a Form number. One of the most precious to a pilot is Form 414, the PILOTS FLYING LOG BOOK. Inside is a record of every flight a pilot undertakes. Looking back through a log book brings back many memories. These are a few of mine.

Talk to Me

January 03, 2018 20:07 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

In the world of aviation, accurate communication is vital and when it breaks down the results can be catastrophic. In poor weather, the crew of an Avianca 707 struggle to land at New York's JFK airport. An Avianca B707. Images under Creative Commons licence, with thanks to Felix Goetting, Veggies and the NTSB.

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