ITV Series Heroes Of The Air Starts 20 Sep Ch5 (UK)!

Ah – that was one of the episodes I enjoyed more than others. But overall it left a lot to be desired, especially the presentation. Proof, if it were needed, that enthusiastic amateurs should not be let loose in front of a film camera!

It wasn’t a bad series. Especially when you consider it was made for the
general TV watching public. Not for aviation enthusiasts who are looking out
for every historical mistake.

The last in the series, about Gabby Gabreski, was my least favourite episode.
Then again, there are no doubt still people around today who don’t realise
that it wasn’t only British pilots flying for the RAF during WWII.

If they got that message across, something has been achieved.

C5 Heroes of the Sky – Robin Olds

“Stand by for broadcast”:

Heroes Of The Skies is a new six-part documentary series, which airs on Channel 5 from Thursday 20th September at 8pm.

Presented by Lord Ashcroft, Heroes Of The Skies is an ambitious, ground-breaking programme that tells the stories of some of the most heroic airborne combat missions from history.

Using vintage aircraft such as Spitfires fighters and Lancaster bombers, aerial stunt teams and state-of-the-art camera technology, the series brings to life the exploits of the world’s greatest military air heroes.

The series features realistic mid-air combat sequences, revealing interviews with the last surviving veterans, rare archive footage and cutting-edge CGI to transport viewers back in time to experience the reality of air combat

“End of broadcast”

Robin Olds chats with Rob Davies Duxford 2002

Surely the ‘wardrobe dept’ could have made a better attempt at showing the actors the right way to wear their Garrison Caps? My sides are still hurting from the several times I fell on the floor LMAO every time “Olds” was on screen……

Oh and my complaints about Ashcroft have now spread to the “George Cross” series currently being aired. Does this man only possess one shirt and suit? He looked scruffy and frankly I would have thought a little more respect towards his subject matter would have been appropriate. For god’s sake the man is a millionaire yet he looks like some bedraggled estate agent at the end of a long day….

…and wear a bloody tie!

Last night’s programme about Robin Olds wasn’t too bad. As long as you
accept it was made for the general public, rather than aircraft enthusiasts.
For people who have never heard of Col. Robin Olds, inaccuracies in details are irrelevant.

I have seen it done a lot better though, on Discovery’s “Dogfight” series.

Next week it’s the Polish pilot Gabby Gabreski

Better.

Beurling episode was better than the Bader one, but not by much.

One point that I would make, that I know many others also find very irritating, is the constant reference to the Luftwaffe/Germans as ‘Nazis’ and ‘Fascists’ by the modern-day talking heads (I’m not refering to the veterans of course.). I think that it’s crude and ignorant. It’s fine to apply it freely with regard to the political animals, but only a minority of the units were so politically motivated.
It’s disrespectful of an adversary, now distant in time. This really has nothing to do with the well-known behaviour of the Nazis per se, and is hardly the magnanimity in victory that WSC suggested. ‘Germans’, ‘Luftwaffe’, ‘enemy’ or ‘Axis’ would be fine. Even Old Lags that had suffered directly at the hands of the real Nazis, were happy to make this distinction…….

Of course this ignorance is not unique to this series, but when repeated, seemingly every few sentences, it becomes terminally iritating. I have many friends in Germany, and I have to say that I whince when these programs lapse into this tabloid-speak. Pity the younger generations who find that no aspect of the conflict can be sensibly discussed without the constant and repeated use of such language.

I was glad that Beurling was singled out for attention, as his terrific feats tend to get sidelined by the BoB bandwagon. I have Beurlings excellent wartime book ‘Malta Spitfire’, actually published on ‘War Economy Standard’ paper in 1943. It ends with the crash of the Liberator at Gib’, whilst GFB was being repatriated with an injured leg.

Better.

Beurling episode was better than the Bader one, but not by much.

One point that I would make, that I know many others also find very irritating, is the constant reference to the Luftwaffe/Germans as ‘Nazis’ and ‘Fascists’ by the modern-day talking heads (I’m not refering to the veterans of course.). I think that it’s crude and ignorant. It’s fine to apply it freely with regard to the political animals, but only a minority of the units were so politically motivated.
It’s disrespectful of an adversary, now distant in time. This really has nothing to do with the well-known behaviour of the Nazis per se, and is hardly the magnanimity in victory that WSC suggested. ‘Germans’, ‘Luftwaffe’, ‘enemy’ or ‘Axis’ would be fine. Even Old Lags that had suffered directly at the hands of the real Nazis, were happy to make this distinction…….

Of course this ignorance is not unique to this series, but when repeated, seemingly every few sentences, it becomes terminally iritating. I have many friends in Germany, and I have to say that I whince when these programs lapse into this tabloid-speak. Pity the younger generations who find that no aspect of the conflict can be sensibly discussed without the constant and repeated use of such language.

I was glad that Beurling was singled out for attention, as his terrific feats tend to get sidelined by the BoB bandwagon. I have Beurlings excellent wartime book ‘Malta Spitfire’, actually published on ‘War Economy Standard’ paper in 1943. It ends with the crash of the Liberator at Gib’, whilst GFB was being repatriated with an injured leg.

I thought the story of George Beurling was quite good, not really knowing too much about him.
Next week is about the crew of Lancaster ME669.

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=107094

I thought the story of George Beurling was quite good, not really knowing too much about him.
Next week is about the crew of Lancaster ME669.

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=107094

Fantastic programme – I was nodding off like a baby. Not sure if it was Lordy Ashcroft’s narration or the fact it was just another retelling of how great Bader was…

Hope the remaining programmes are less soporific…

Snoopy, I think Joe was using the pipe smoking as a metaphor for how Bader was being talked about.

,:D

I was actually being sarcastic.

Whilst I appreciate there was a lot of pipe smoking back then, the program portrayed just about everybody smoking a pipe, which just turned them into caricatures.

A bit like these two in fact.

Snoopy, I think Joe was using the pipe smoking as a metaphor for how Bader was being talked about.

There was rather a lot of gratuitous pipe smoking for my liking.

Still, enjoyed seeing the Hurricane bits for a change.

Much as I loathe smoking myself, it’s easy to forget, in these more enlightened times, that during the war, virtually everyone smoked – and smoked a lot too, and in just about any situation including in flight. Fags were dished-out free, and even if folks knew about the health issues (Unlikely.) they were more concerned with meeting a sudden and violent demise to worry about smoking.
One ATA pilot was even well-known for measuring the length of his flight in fags chain-smoked….!

There was rather a lot of gratuitous pipe smoking for my liking.

Still, enjoyed seeing the Hurricane bits for a change.

Didn’t get to see it last night, the wife was around and if she sees anything with wings on the telly immediately starts moaning “boring, turn over” etc. However, she is out tonight so will attempt to watch with what may be seen as target audience, boys aged 9, 5 and 3. The younger two enjoyed their visit to shuttleworth a few weeks ago so let’s see how long they last.

I’ll keep you informed of results!

John

We can write it now.

“Maverick pilot meets mysterious end” with plenty of shots of Grand Harbour, and maybe even a Gladiator if we are lucky.

A particular hero of mine, let’s hope they do him justice.

Moggy

Overall it wasn’t a bad programme. Aimed at those who have never heard of Bader,
young and old, I would guess ?

Then again you have to think that those who know little or nothing about
WWII, still probably wouldn’t have watched it. Which is a great shame.

I’m looking forward to next week’s story about Beurling, as I know little
about him. Apart from the odd chapter in books about Fighter pilots of WWII.

Negative G makes the blood rush to your feet 😮
Spit rolls then it cuts to a hurricane cockpit shot !
School boy errors?

My thoughts too. Loads of CGI and actors – not enough meat & two vedge, i.e – History. The program felt like it was aimed at youngsters. The interview with the Baders contemporaries redeemed the program somewhat.

🙂

I can now see no trace of it…. )-:

Or perhaps thats a good thing?

All good things come to an end.

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/archive/index.php?t-62831.html

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=67193

http://forum.keypublishing.com/archive/index.php?t-77562.html

Moggy