(Subject background for our international friends):
Eddie Izzard is a succesful English comedian, who happens to be a transvestite.
He was on a well-known British TV chat show last night (‘Parkinson’) and is quite serious about realising his ambition of flying (as pilot) a Spitfire. He is aware of the hoops he has to fly through (requires to fly 3/4 different aircraft types before the holy grail).
Seems like a decent bloke – would certainly add ‘flare’ of a different sort to the vintage aircraft scene.
I didn’t see the interview, but was given a de-brief by my wife post interview.
Anyone else see it?
By: L9172 - 22nd October 2004 at 18:56
Originally Posted by Moggy C
It’s a pedantry thing. Like how I hate people spelling ‘Airborne’ as ‘Airbourne’. Even our hosts here do it.
But pay no attention to me and my hobby horses – no-one else does
Moggy
This seems to have become a “Defend the English Language from Piracy” thread. I agree with you Moggy, the language should be used correctly and I try to do just this. You are not alone.
By: JDK - 22nd October 2004 at 10:52
Stephen Fry also has a licence.
Ah, but for what, we ask?! 😀
By: dodrums - 22nd October 2004 at 09:01
Stephen Fry also has a licence.
By: Moggy C - 22nd October 2004 at 07:50
‘Foyles War’ fans might be interested to know that Michael Kitchen holds a lapsed PPL.
Moggy
By: Locobuster - 22nd October 2004 at 06:51
The list of famous folk who fly also includes Producer / Director Sydney Pollack, stock car drivers Rusty Wallace and Bobby Allison, the former guitarist for the music group Queensryche, Chris DeGarmo now flies Lear Jets for a living, actor Treat Williams is jet-rated, Michael Dorn (the aforementioned Worf from Star Trek Next Gen.,) Robert Conrad learned to fly around the time he portrayed “Pappy Boyington” on TV, Cliff Robertson, Nascar team owner Jack Roush, Formula One racer Eddie Irvine, Patrick Swayze, Alex James and Dave Rowntree from the music group Blur, Inside the Actor’s Studio’s James Lipton, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford…
I’ve also heard Tom Clancy, Jerry Seinfeld and Morgan Freeman all have their licenses.
By: Rob Mears - 22nd October 2004 at 04:21
The guy who played “Wharf” (the Klingon) on Star Trek – The Next Generation” managed to hold down his day job while still acquiring his twin/jet rating in a Sabreliner, and mastering the F-86. He owns a couple of others as well, and is looking toward purchasing and flying an F-100 Super Sabre. The same guy used to frequent the online sim “WarBirds” as well. 😉
BBTW – Gary Neuman is best known for his early 1980’s New Wave hit “Cars”. I loved it as a kid!! Some of the first good synth based music IMO.
By: Dave Homewood - 22nd October 2004 at 00:50
Who is Gary Numan? Was he in a band?
I say good on Eddie Izard, who like most of us wants to some day fly a Spitfire, but he has the determination and ability to do it. There have been many comedians, entertainers and actors who’ve flown warbirds, just happens a lot of them flew them during the war. Eddie will recieve the benefit of peacetime training, so he should do well.
He’s a very funny man and I think if he knows his stuff about aircraft, he’d also make a very entertaining addition to any airshow commentary team – when he’s not flying his Spitfire… Good luck to him.
By: Snapper - 22nd October 2004 at 00:22
Having met and served Izzard on one occasion, I can only say that on first sight (and he was dressed normal etc and I had no idea who he was) no-one has ever had such an effect on me as he did. The hairs, honestly, stood up on my neck and I wanted him out of my shop. It was the weirdest thing. Very strange feeling.
However, to the matter in hand.
Good on you Mr Izzard. If you want to fly a Spitfire, fly one. And that goes for everyone of you out there who wants to fly one. If you get the opportunity, if you have the money, then please do whatever you can to live your dream. I’ll maybe see you fly over and that will make my day i’m sure.
By: duxfordhawk - 21st October 2004 at 15:05
Does Gazza Numan still fly?? Been years since I’ve seen him at a show – had heard he had given up following the loss of close friend??
bring back the SEAC display team with Harvards, “zero” and C45 – hilarious commentary and ricochet (correct spelling!?) gun sound effects.
I read somewhere that the loss of ‘Hoof’ Proudfoot hit him hard. ‘Hoof’ taught Gary a lot and they were close friends i understand.
Don’t forget his brother was regular pilot of the Blemhiem until the unfortunate accident he had with her last year.
By: DazDaMan - 21st October 2004 at 13:01
Big Gin Hill, 6/6/87.
Do with one of those, of that vintage, could you? 😉
By: von Perthes - 21st October 2004 at 13:00
Big Gin Hill, 6/6/87.
By: DazDaMan - 21st October 2004 at 12:52
Another celebrity pilot: Dennis Quaid
By: DazDaMan - 21st October 2004 at 12:50
Yes, and there’s been several posted photos of it, I think.
By: Nakajima - 21st October 2004 at 12:25
I met up with Gary again at Chailley this year, he does still fly on occasion but does not display. Still owns the Harvard however.
Is it still painted Black, he made it look like a zero at one point is this correct
naka
By: planejunky - 21st October 2004 at 12:10
We often see his Harvard at DX over the winter. I hear Gary’s making a bit of a come back on the music front, good on him! 😀
By: Yak 11 Fan - 21st October 2004 at 11:19
I met up with Gary again at Chailley this year, he does still fly on occasion but does not display. Still owns the Harvard however.
By: kodak - 21st October 2004 at 11:13
Does Gazza Numan still fly?? Been years since I’ve seen him at a show – had heard he had given up following the loss of close friend??
bring back the SEAC display team with Harvards, “zero” and C45 – hilarious commentary and ricochet (correct spelling!?) gun sound effects.
By: Snaps - 21st October 2004 at 10:45
Ok Moggy, thanks for that. I posted a reply to it because it did make me angry as I felt it was totally unnecessary. It just really annoys me that someones sexuality is brought into this debate – it’s just pointless! 😡
Of course I don’t want heavy censoring to take place but all I was asking for was a bit of support, which you have very tactfully done by your last comment – Thank You. 🙂
Snaps
By: Moggy C - 21st October 2004 at 07:59
Corsair166b, what a great attitude you have! Thankfully there is over 4000 miles separating us!
Where are the moderators when they are needed?
Snaps 😡
OK Snaps I’ve seen it.
Use of silly and perjorative words as Corsair has done says a lot more about him than it does about Mr Izzard.
I personally wouldn’t feel happy censoring every bit of childish and misguided name calling. Some people are less able to cope with the diversity in this world than most of us, it isn’t my job to try and put them right.
If he read it I feel Mr Izzard would either laugh, or punch the guys lights out (I wouldn’t pick a fight with him myself) so let’s just relax and smile about Corsair’s inadequacy huh?
Of course Corsair might, on mature consideration, wish to edit his post.
Moggy
By: duxfordhawk - 21st October 2004 at 06:23
Shall I call Bill Greenwood and see if he’d let him have a go at TE308? Bill’s been advertising instructional time in the Spit around here for over a year now…someone send the poof (um, Eddie) this way and we’ll see what happens…
M
What a good idea i would expect Eddie would love the chance and with the hours he would become a very good Spit pilot,His sexuallity certainly should not be a issue and does not have anything to do with his dreams to fly a Spitfire.
Good luck to him i say and i would say the potential for a new pilot on the scene in a few years has to be a good thing.
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October 17, 2004 at 11:38 pm