by captjeff | Oct 18, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
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 Birmingham University.
Images displayed under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Science Museum London and the MIT Museum.
by captjeff | Oct 11, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
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 loft of World War 1.
Photographs displayed under Creative Commons licence, with thanks to UK Gov, the German Federal Archive and the Imperial War Museum.
by captjeff | Oct 5, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
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.
by captjeff | Sep 25, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
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.
Happier days with a much loved airline.
Images under Creative Commons with thanks to Sebastian Ballard and Capt Al Evans.
by captjeff | Sep 14, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
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 find their home base.
How to fly the corkscrew evasion manoeuvre.
The original version of the Wellington.
Images under Creative Commons Licence with thanks to UK Gov, the RAF and HMSO.
by captjeff | Sep 9, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
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.
