by captjeff | May 6, 2018 | Plane Tales
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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 thanks to the US Gov, Rob Hodgkins and Skol fir.
by captjeff | Apr 29, 2018 | Plane Tales
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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.
by captjeff | Apr 22, 2018 | Plane Tales
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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.
by captjeff | Apr 13, 2018 | Plane Tales
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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.
by captjeff | Apr 8, 2018 | Plane Tales
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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 the right of the Old Pilot!
Sir Glen after his Wings parade the furthest on the left of the photograph.
Sir Glen Torpy Chief of the Air Staff.
by captjeff | Mar 31, 2018 | Plane Tales
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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.
