For those in BBC East region, the Inside Out series is returning to Sywell to tell the story of Capt. W.E Johns, Biggles and “Biggles Biplane” the BE-2c replica built for the film “Biggles Sweeps the Skies”, with latest progress on the restoration.
Monday 23rd. 7.30pm, BBC-1. (If you’ve got a Sky digibox, you can get BBC East on Channels 951 and 952).
Tune in, if we get enough positive response, there a good chance we can ‘go network’ on the story!
Meanwhile, here’s a couple of pictures of the latest progress. Still on target for a 2007 first flight!
By: GASML - 25th January 2006 at 13:40
Thanks for the comments Skybolt. And congratulations too. Who’d have thought it, a Tempest MK III!
Amazing response from the BBC Inside Out feature, including a call from one of W.E. Johns’ grand-children!
By: The Blue Max - 24th January 2006 at 19:49
Maybe we can sort that one out this time around when she is up and about again, congratts on the new addition to the family by the way.
By: Skybolt - 24th January 2006 at 13:30
Really enjoyed the programme especially seeing Charles again in his element after some 35 years. I remember he promised me a trip in the BE2C but instructional committments prevented my getting over to Sywell at the time. David must be really chuffed at seeing his draftsmanship in restoration.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
By: GASML - 24th January 2006 at 12:08
Thanks for the comments.
Will keep updating the new website (shameless plug!) www.biggles-biplane.com
By: wessex boy - 24th January 2006 at 08:41
Nice piece, it’s certainly come on a lot since you found it, looking forward to seeing it with sky beneath it’s wings…. 🙂
By: Arm Waver - 24th January 2006 at 07:23
Nice piece that gents. Nice to see the progress too.
[Tugs forlock in thine general direction…]
Wonder if any more barns and hangars hold such treasures 😉
By: The Blue Max - 23rd January 2006 at 21:31
Its a Gipsy Major 10-1 modified to run upright, but the flying shots were overdubed as the original footage was Super 8 cine film.
By: Auster Fan - 23rd January 2006 at 20:13
Just watched the programme. Would like to have seen a bit more about the plane itself, although to see it flying will be fabulous, particularly at OW. Very interesting to compare the advance in aviation in the four years of WW1 when compared to the Bristol Fighter – oh to see them flying together! If the flying clips weren’t overdubbed, it sounded like it was/is powered by an upright Cirrus of some description? Good luck with what will no doubt be a meticulous rebuild.
By: ollieholmes - 23rd January 2006 at 19:51
Just seen the programme on tv. Great programme. Good to see some pictures of the aeroplane as it is now.
By: GASML - 22nd January 2006 at 13:20
For those who can’t get to see the BBC East material, try this link……
http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/index.shtml
…You’ll need to scroll down below the articles on children’s tooth decay and Oz Clark getting plastered in Bedford!
By: GASML - 20th January 2006 at 14:00
[QUOTE=TEXANTOMCAT]Anyone read Biggles- the authorised Biography – Steve/Bod I have a copy if you’d like to borrow it!
TT
QUOTE]
Yes please TT. See you after your holidays!,
I can also recommend “By Jove Biggles” by Peter Berresford Ellis and Piers Williams, an excellent biography of W. E. Johns.
I’m currently doing a bit of further research into Johns’ time as a flying instructor at Redcar in the NE and at Narborough in Norfolk. If anyone’s got any extra information on him, I’d be delighted to hear from you!
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 20th January 2006 at 13:27
Anyone read Biggles- the authorised Biography – Steve/Bod I have a copy if you’d like to borrow it!
TT
P.S.
May have found a copy of ‘Gunbus’ :..eek!
By: Charley - 20th January 2006 at 12:44
i was a keen collector of biggles books as a kid, you used to be able to pick them up for about 5p in jumble sales, along with other classics like eagle annuals. they are all still stashed in my parents loft!
did anyone else read the space books that w.e. johns did?…i thought they were great, and always wished he’d written more of them.
Yes, I enjoyed his Sci-fi books too. All of WE Johns books are worth a read though, as is John Pearson’s “biography” of Biggles. (Surely Biggles is a contender for “the pilots who flew in both world wars” thread?)
By: GASML - 20th January 2006 at 11:24
Should have also added a big THANKYOU to Delta Aviation who loaned us their “RFC” Tiger Moth, G-ADGT. Whatever you think about the originality of the old girl’s livery, it certainly worked well for a few of the re-enactment pieces!
By: The Blue Max - 19th January 2006 at 19:32
A foghorn leghorn!!!!!!!
“Wings” filming was in about 1973, she didnt fly again in the US untill 72 and thats when the BBC researchers found her.
And no it wont be at ********* , well not this year anyway 😉
By: GASML - 19th January 2006 at 18:12
Very nice to see her progressing so fast – look forward to seeing further reports and then of course… Just think, this lot here might even ask you whether it’ll be at………. :diablo:
I’ve even emailed a link to my girlfriend. Should I be worried that it’s SHE who collects the Biggles books in this relationship? :confused:
Adrian
You’re in good company Adrian. My wife’s just been prompted to read Biggles Learns How to Fly. Matt, we might have to rebuild a Farman Longhorn next!!
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 19th January 2006 at 16:53
in all seriousness the programme is quite superb and you are all encouraged to see it – I saw it yesterday on GASMLs laptop in the ‘BE Booth’
TT
By: bloodnok - 19th January 2006 at 16:39
i was a keen collector of biggles books as a kid, you used to be able to pick them up for about 5p in jumble sales, along with other classics like eagle annuals. they are all still stashed in my parents loft!
did anyone else read the space books that w.e. johns did?…i thought they were great, and always wished he’d written more of them.
By: GASML - 19th January 2006 at 16:11
When I was a kid, Biggles books were classics, everyone was into them.
I’ve always been surprised that no-one has ever produced a truly classic Biggles film, yes, I know why, doesn’t appeal to Hollywood backing, however money was sunk into the embarrasing Biggles film that was eventually produced.
.
Yes I agree, the 1970s ‘made for TV’ offering was, you might say, of it’s era!!
Production delays meant that “Biggles Sweeps the Skies” was never completed, but the fact that Universal went to the trouble of not only commisioning the BE-2 replica, but also a pair of Aviatiks as well, indicated they were pretty serious. A classic ‘what if’.
As far as we know, the only filming of the BE was the archive shots you’ll see on Monday night, plus some shooting carried out in 1971 for the BBC series “Wings”. If anyone knows of, or has, anythng else, we’d be delighted to hear from them!
By: adrian_gray - 19th January 2006 at 16:03
Very nice to see her progressing so fast – look forward to seeing further reports and then of course… Just think, this lot here might even ask you whether it’ll be at………. :diablo:
I’ve even emailed a link to my girlfriend. Should I be worried that it’s SHE who collects the Biggles books in this relationship? :confused:
Adrian
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January 19, 2006 at 2:01 pm