First RAF aircraft down in Norway……..

A VERY SHORT WAR available online download

Hi folks

I hope this doesn’t come across as shameless promotion but I’m comfortable I am doing this for the right reasons.

The documentary mentioned earlier in this thread (A Very Short War) is now available internationally as an online download. This is something my team and myself have initiated just so that folk around the world can have the chance to enjoy it.

Go to – www.vimeo.com/ondemand/avsw – and pay a very small fee ($A2.99) for access to view the documentary for 12 month period.
We also have produced DVDs for the international market if that is more your want which we can mail to you. You can contact us via the documentary’s website mentioned earlier.

The reason we have taken this on is that it is very hard to sell a one-off documentary to broadcasters – they prefer a series. We would love to have the documentary broadcast on the BBC and throughout Europe and Scandinavia but so far we haven’t achieved that – not through lack of effort I might add!

If webmaster Moggy C feels this is too much of a (commercial) imposition onto this thread, I understand and am happy for this post to be deleted. I just offer it as a way for folk who have been following the thread of L2167 to view the documentary.

Cheers

Bill

A very interesting thread gents!

For those of you interested in the Sunderland I can highly recommend the following documentary to you:

‘A Very Short War’

http://www.averyshortwar.com/AVSW/ABC1_Promo.html

It is also available in the iTunes store (Australia) for AUS$2.99

Paul

I’m not sure if it’s available to those outside of Norway but the film is presently available on the NRK website through the following link:

I’m afraid not. This pops-up if one tries to access the story from the UK

NRK has no rights to view this program outside Norway.

Moggy

A fascinating story, Bill, and a very nice film to go with it. And quite an emotional one at that! A big well done to all concerned!….
Best regards,
Graham

Hi Graham
Many thanks for your supportive words. It is so pleasing to hear from folk who watched AVSW and enjoyed it. It was wonderful to have it broadcast in Norway.
Cheers
Bill

A fascinating story, Bill, and a very nice film to go with it.
And quite an emotional one at that!
A big well done to all concerned!

I’m not sure if it’s available to those outside of Norway but the film is presently available on the NRK website through the following link:

http://tv.nrk.no/program/koid28003009/en-kort-innsats-for-norge

Best regards,
Graham

It is a very good doco, Bill, and very well done. I bought the DVD in the Albury ABC Shop about 18 months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it particularly your work in documenting Cliff’s pre-war life. Lump in the throat stuff as the viewer gets to ‘know’ Cliff reasonably well.

Viking Spitfire, the book about Finn Thorsager mentioned earlier in this thread, was published earlier this year by Fonthill Media – http://www.fonthillmedia.com/shop/article_978-1-78155-043-4/Viking . It is effectively, I believe, the english language version of Tor Idar Larsen’s Norwegian Gladiator. A very nicely put-together book.

Hi Andy – thanks for your feedback of A VERY SHORT WAR. I must admit the whole process was a labour of love and I too was fascinated by the early aviation and how progressive Cliff and all the pilots of that time were. They could see the future…and they were all proved right. Just such a huge shame it took a war to advance aviation to match their vision.

I shall definitely chase up Viking Spitfire as I am an aviation devotee these days. Thanks Uncle Cliff!!

Cheers

Bill

It is a very good doco, Bill, and very well done. I bought the DVD in the Albury ABC Shop about 18 months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it particularly your work in documenting Cliff’s pre-war life. Lump in the throat stuff as the viewer gets to ‘know’ Cliff reasonably well.

Viking Spitfire, the book about Finn Thorsager mentioned earlier in this thread, was published earlier this year by Fonthill Media – http://www.fonthillmedia.com/shop/article_978-1-78155-043-4/Viking . It is effectively, I believe, the english language version of Tor Idar Larsen’s Norwegian Gladiator. A very nicely put-together book.

What a fascinating story. Well done to all concerned for all of the hard work
involved. I hope we get to thee the documentary in the UK.

Hi Alan

Unfortunately we are yet to be able to sell to the UK – though not for lack of wanting to. I’m not sure why they are resistant as it is a terrific fit considering it is about early pioneer aviation, the RAF, interviews with a staff member of the RAF Museum at Hendon, a retired RAF Wing Commander who flew Sunderlands with 10 Sqdr, as well as the wonderful John Evans from the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust! If you know anyone who can help us sell it to the UK, let me know!! I’m sure the Brits would love it.
Cheers
Bill

“A Very Short War’ broadcast in Norway – finally!

I am very happy to report that our documentary “A Very Short War’ which I have mentioned earlier in this thread, and which climaxes with the ill-fated flight of Sunderland L2167 has finally been screened on NRK2 in Norway. They seemed to have taken an eternity to broadcast it but they finally did and I have received many wonderful responses from our Norwegian friends so that is the most important thing.

My last (and only) visit to Norway was taken up with intense filming and not a lot of time to explore the place, but I am so keen to return, catch up with some of the folk we met, and really enjoy that wonderful country.

Cheers

Bill

What a fascinating story. Well done to all concerned for all of the hard work
involved. I hope we get to thee the documentary in the UK.

Some News

Just to let folks know that it seems that A VERY SHORT WAR will screen on the ABC here in Australia on ANZAC DAY 2012 (25th April). Regarding a Norwegian broadcast date, there is disappointment amongst our Norwegian friends as NRK is yet to screen it. Not sure what can be done about that – they own the rights and quite a few people have asked the question but no news as yet. However, it is available on DVD and can be bought online if folk are interested. The DVD will play in All Regions. Cheers Bill

Hi John (Flightpath) – that is absolutely amazing! And a lovely gesture to return the pieces to the crash site. I was amazed when I was there last year at the ‘as new’ condition of the 70 year old bolts, nuts and flanges…and your picture shows that as well.

I am writing this from Australia on the 17th May 2010, Norway’s Constitution Day. I had hoped to be there again this year but sadly was not able to make it, but many family members of the crew of L2167 will be there and hopefully there will be a screening of A VERY SHORT WAR so if that happens, then I’ll be there in spirit. Cheers Bill (Cliff’s Nephew)

Great thread and pics, will keep an eye on the tv guide for when the ABC airs your programme 🙂

Hi Bill,

it’s an overcast 17th mai morning after a whole day of rain yesterday but the day is young and always interesting.

I’ll take some new photos of the memorial site for you when I return the part within the next few weeks.

cheers,

-John

Hi John (Flightpath) – that is absolutely amazing! And a lovely gesture to return the pieces to the crash site. I was amazed when I was there last year at the ‘as new’ condition of the 70 year old bolts, nuts and flanges…and your picture shows that as well.

I am writing this from Australia on the 17th May 2010, Norway’s Constitution Day. I had hoped to be there again this year but sadly was not able to make it, but many family members of the crew of L2167 will be there and hopefully there will be a screening of A VERY SHORT WAR so if that happens, then I’ll be there in spirit. Cheers Bill (Cliff’s Nephew)

That’s great news about the video, I hope to see it on NRK sometime soon. I have a friend at NRK and will ask if she can find out about it.

Just a little news from me….. While driveing on a track near Sylling in november last year I spotted a bit of aircraft next to the track.

Closer inspection revealed ‘S25′ on the stainless bolt heads showing that it was indeed from Sunderland L2167, I was around 5 km from the memorial/’crash site’.
It was getting dark and the snow was on the way so I’ve kept the part in my garage until now. Now that the snow has (finally) gone I’ll be takeing up the hill to the memorial site where it should be as soon as I have time.

It’s pretty heavy but I have a frame from an ALICE pack that I can strap it to.

cheers,

-John

A VERY SHORT WAR – 1 hour documentary

I am pleased to inform everyone that we have completed our documentary A VERY SHORT WAR and it went to air in The History Channel here in Australia and New Zealand. It has been very well received and has now been bought by the ABC, a Free-to-Air broadcaster here in Australia. Norway’s NRK2 has also bought it and I had hopes they would be screening it for the 70th anniversary ceremony on the 17th May but I can’t confirm that.

If you are interested in viewing a promo of the documentary you can visit the website:- http://www.averyshortwar.com

The documentary follows the life of my uncle who was the 2nd pilot/observer on L2167. The story climaxes telling the tale of that last fatal mission. Our forum’s “Sylling” is one of our interviewees!

Cheers from Australia, Bill

PS – I have added a few shots. The last one is L2167 and comes courtesy of Stephen Van der Kiste whose grandfather flew L2167.

The good news is myself, my partner Helen and my very small film crew of two will be making to Oslo on Saturday 16th May for the ceremony on the Sunday 17th ay Sylling. I’m the tall, balding Australian so if you’re there, please bowl up and say “hello”. Bill (Cliff’s Nephew)

Some parts of the Sunderland

…is situated on the loft at Drammen Museum. I worked there one summer as a 12 year old. Between other stuff i “found” some stuff from the cockpit of the Short Sunderland, together with some instruments. The steeringwheel (or what it’s called) was there togheter with other parts. Every little thing up there was listed and had tags with names, dates and so. Since I lived in Sylling as a little kid and had a was interested in the war, this wheel got me. A tiny piece of the “leather” around the wheel was stiff, dry and broken off and I asked the old museumwoman working with me what to do with it, and she said I should keep it. I did. It was only a half inch or so, but it was my biggest treassure when I was young. It turned into dust many years ago;o)

Thanks Flightpath

Beautiful shot. I’m looking forward to being there on May 17 this year. Bill

Winter at Sylling cemetary………

I visited the RAF graves at Sylling today……

LEST WE FORGET

-John