Coltishall Documentary on BBC1 Now!

In fairness to BBC Look East, they do cover qute a lot of aviation-related stuff mainly in the reunion/WW2/Duxford areas and last night’s programme was a good example of their output. Incidentally I bumped into Martin Shaw at Duxford a few weeks ago and he is not in the least bit smug. He was more than willing to chat about aviation and Stearmans in particular. Perhaps the director wanted him to do his Judge John Deed act for this show.

Don’t believe he’s very keen on talking about “The Professionals” though…..I met him some time ago at Swanton Morley. A less down to earth and “luvvie” type actor I would imagine is hard to find.

I heard somwhere that the cockpit collection would be moving to the city of Norwich Aviation Museum.

A new building will be purpose built for the housing of these sections, 2 x Lightning, Bucc, Jag, Phantom, Shack and others.

Anyone add any weight to this rumour?

Regards,

John.

I’ve heard that most of the collection will be going to Norwich, However the Radar Museum at Neatishead is also going to be setting up a Coltishall display which a selection of stuff from the Coltishall history room and that one of the Jag cockpits will be going there (The cockpit collection has both a GR1 and a T2 front end). As the Jaguar was the last aircraft type controlled by Neatishead as an operational CRC, the addition of a Jag to the museum collection would be fitting. The real pity was that they could not get their hands on Phantom XV420 before it was scrapped (they did try their d**m hardest 😡 😡 😡 ).

I think that would be Mrs Shaw but I agree.

Vicki Kimm. Tall, very slim, shortish blonde hair last time I saw her.

An ex-Anglia TV presenter and also a pilot.

Moggy

I heard somwhere that the cockpit collection would be moving to the city of Norwich Aviation Museum.

A new building will be purpose built for the housing of these sections, 2 x Lightning, Bucc, Jag, Phantom, Shack and others.

Anyone add any weight to this rumour?

Regards,

John.

I hope I’m not speaking out of turn here but yes, a building will be erected on-site at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum which will house what is currently the RAF Coltishall Cockpit Collection.

Personally, I’m delighted that the Collection will be staying together and so close to Coltishall.

I heard somwhere that the cockpit collection would be moving to the city of Norwich Aviation Museum.

A new building will be purpose built for the housing of these sections, 2 x Lightning, Bucc, Jag, Phantom, Shack and others.

Anyone add any weight to this rumour?

Regards,

John.

Bigverne
I didn’t realise that Mike Rondot’s ‘Guardian Reader’ was still about in it’s Gulf colours, though it looked a bit glossy.
What is to happen to this a/c when the base completely closes.

The “Guardian Reader” is just a nose section which was rescued by Mick Jennings when the airframe was scrapped at St. Athan. Yes, it is glossy, but for good reason – that finish will protect and prolong the structure better than a matt finish.

For more details see here http://www.internationalcockpitclub.org.uk/gallery.php

I think that would be Mrs Shaw but I agree.

Yeah I met him at an Arnold Scheme reunion at OW a couple of years ago (before his Stearman was bent for him) and he seemed like a nice chap – the crumpet on his arm was unbeleivable…!

TT

In fairness to BBC Look East, they do cover qute a lot of aviation-related stuff mainly in the reunion/WW2/Duxford areas and last night’s programme was a good example of their output. Incidentally I bumped into Martin Shaw at Duxford a few weeks ago and he is not in the least bit smug. He was more than willing to chat about aviation and Stearmans in particular. Perhaps the director wanted him to do his Judge John Deed act for this show.

Thought it was pretty good – although I think Martin Shaw is getting more smug with age!

Anyone else spot a Christian Eagle (?) in the back of 41’s Hangar?

TT

Bigverne
I didn’t realise that Mike Rondot’s ‘Guardian Reader’ was still about in it’s Gulf colours, though it looked a bit glossy.
What is to happen to this a/c when the base completely closes.

Incidentally, I used to be a Guardian reader at the time of the first Gulf War, but they kept publishing such pathetic ‘facts’ and ridiculous comments that I thought could upset the families back home. So I wrote them a nasty letter that wasn’t published and haven’t bought a copy since.

It is the nose section only. Not sure but I think it is going to the NWI Museum.

Bigverne
I didn’t realise that Mike Rondot’s ‘Guardian Reader’ was still about in it’s Gulf colours, though it looked a bit glossy.
What is to happen to this a/c when the base completely closes.

Incidentally, I used to be a Guardian reader at the time of the first Gulf War, but they kept publishing such pathetic ‘facts’ and ridiculous comments that I thought could upset the families back home. So I wrote them a nasty letter that wasn’t published and haven’t bought a copy since.

If someone can get me a copy on DVD, I could re-mangle it into a web-viewable form. Of course that would be a bit naughty – just saying it’s possible and I have the gear to do it. *cough* ahem.

Roy.

Well, BBC 1 East for us lucky few. 🙂 I’ve got it burnt on DVD for Canopener Al, who told me about it 30 minutes before it was shown. Chance of repeat, I’d say about zero. 😡

I came down from putting kids to bed at 19:45 and found it on, luckily Sky+ keeps the last 30 mins, and if you hit record, will record the whole thing.
I have just started watching it now, might have to drop it to DVD tonight for my Dad if he missed it

I was most impressed. Considering the programme only lasted 30 minutes I think the producers did a fine job which would have been of interest to a wide audience. Loved the last CO nicking his squadron commander pennant at the end of the days proceedings along with the wind playing havoc with several of the caps of those on parade. A couple of really human touches along with many others. I do hope it gets an airing in other regions.
Cheers,
Trapper 69

But on the positive side, we had 30 mins of aviation on BBC1, which is 30 mins more than usual….. 😀

…not in the ‘Wessex Region’ we didn’t!! 😀

But on the positive side, we had 30 mins of aviation on BBC1, which is 30 mins more than usual….. 😀

Well, BBC 1 East for us lucky few. 🙂 I’ve got it burnt on DVD for Canopener Al, who told me about it 30 minutes before it was shown. Chance of repeat, I’d say about zero. 😡

Only managed to get the last 45 seconds of this as it was finishing. Dammit! Don’t suppose anyone knows if and when it’ll be repeated? Or Did someone manage to get it recorded to DVD/VHS????

Aviation on BBC1 is a bonus though!!!

But on the positive side, we had 30 mins of aviation on BBC1, which is 30 mins more than usual….. 😀

Damn and blast……….cought the last five mins.

Will it be repeated and when?

Regards

John.

Most of the program covered 41 Sqn Ops up to their disbandment (with the Sqn’s junior Pilot and OC, getting their asses handed to them by the Typhoons (which you don’t see on film)) and the lead up to the closure parade (The Rock (who is a mate of mine) shouting at personnel on parade, He is a Two Stripe by the way and he has a great sence of humour, as well as having a father). Narration was by Martin Shaw. Aircraft mentioned in the narration. THREE. Spitfire, Hurricane and Jaguar. Mick Jennings got the wartime Night Fighters (Mossie and Beaufighter) mentioned in some of his interview, plus some of the fighter aces Tuck, Bader, Johnson, Etc (Plus Raymond Baxter). Not one word on the Polish operations, Post war Mossies, NF Meteors, NF Vampires, NF Venoms, Hunters, Lightnings, HAF/BBMF or the SAR Ops (like about half of the Station’s operational life). Other people interviewed were Mike Rondot (painting End of the Line) and looking around the nose of the Avid Guardian Reader. There was a piece by a Spit pilot who flew on anti V2 ops in 1944 (covering how his best mate was killed by flak over Holland on big ben ops) and a WAAF LAC who worked in the Officers Mess for 3 years who was walking around Scottow cemetery.