Oh, aviation…

I quite liked the half hour magazine programme that Brendan O’Brien presented on Discovery Wings a while back but other than that I must confess that I find most aviation TV boring as hell. Aviation is exciting – why aren’t aviation TV programmes?

There was another series about ten years ago covering outstanding British designs with epsiodes on the Spitfire and Shcakleton.

Yes I remember that series but I think it was nearer to twenty years ago. It was part of the ‘Perpetual Motion’ series. They also covered he DC3/C47, Moggy Minor and the Blackpool Trams. The Shackleton episode was shown just before they retired in 91. I still have it on VHS somewhere. I might dig it out and watch it again

Martin

There was a good series about different historic aircraft on the BBC fairly recently. Narated by Harry Enfield it covered the Gannet, VC-10, Rapide, Beverley and many more classic British types.
I fear it was as much as the public could bare aviation wise.
There was another series about ten years ago covering outstanding British designs with epsiodes on the Spitfire and Shcakleton.

….and there was a decent piece on the BBC’s 10pm national news bulletin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7675179.stm

Martyn

….and there was a decent piece on the BBC’s 10pm national news bulletin.

It was presented by the Beeb’s World Affairs Editor John Simpson – who is, would you believe it, Cody’s grandson!

Roger Smith

ps it clashed with the piece on ITV’s news about the military funeral of the Halifax crew member recently found.

BBC TV South gave limited coverage to the centenary of Cody’s flight on their early evening news programme both today and yesterday. I know that it’s not a commemorative documentary programme, but perhaps it’s better than nothing at all.

Lots of aviation films and programmes on the cable channels – several production companies have filmed at Newark over the years, subjects included:

Cold War
Transport
Berlin Airlift
V-Force
Christmas Island Tests etc

Even BBC2 did quite a piece [last year I think] about Hornbys take over of Airfix and they included a slot on the Canberra PR7 at Newark c/w Tornado flypast.

Forgot to mention railway programmes on BBC Four.

Why not make my own programmes or work for the big boys?

Firstly there is cost. Channel Four have their First Cut series on Channel Four, which at 24 minutes per documentary come in at a reasonable £40K or thereabouts. A magazine programme might come in (if your lucky) at around £90K per hour. Therefore the only way to make an aviation impact on any schedule is to suggest such programming. Problem is that broadcasters know everything and don’t really like to be told there job. Yes, I can approach C4 with a “Pitch”, but with no experience…

There is also a big difference in quality between broadcast and DVD, which is more my level of experience.

I also wrote a book (about RAF Driffield), which did nothing but make a lot of people angry or worse – indifferent. I was thinking of adding two more chapters, but why bother… I’m also trying to salvage my aviation print business (so I can buy a decent camera and editing PC), while saving parts of Short Belfast G-BEPS : this while trying to save a dear friend from a total mental meltdown, while also trying to find a job. I’m currently researching the Miles M1 Satyr with an aim (maybe?) to building a replica, which I will probably make a film about, and yes I am also trying to make a film about the Airfix Generation.

The best way forward I think is to badger BBC Four to give us a few aviation nights. They’ve done the motorway and railways, etc. Contact details to follow…

The BBC did do an aviation Magazine type show on BBC2 in the late nineties that ran, IIRC, for two series called ‘Airshow’. It covered all aspects of aviation and was presented by Hazel Irvine, who now does a lot of the sport stuff. I remember they did a very good article about the Chipmunk from Middle Wallop just before at the time of their retirement then followed a (ex BA?) pilot who went to one of the auctions and bought one to export to Canada (I think?) I still have it on VHS somewhere. I think the series was axed due to poor ratings

Martin

Phillip.

I find your attitude somewhat strange. I seem to remember on a thread not too long back regarding that you could make a few million to spend a few million. If you can why not do it instead of talking about it?

‘I can fill several A4 sides of paper full of ideas to fill a magazine programme. This without breaking sweat…’

Again, why not do it? You may or may not get anywhere but it has to be worth the effort. Unless it’s the prospect of ‘breaking sweat’ that is putting you off. I know I never thought I could write a book until I did. It may have inaccuracies, it may demonstrate a poor writing style, but I did it as my way of saying thank you to a wonderful group of men of whom fewer and fewer see each New Year.

And as I sit here rereading this post I realise that it is not only aimed at you, but at me too. Time for me to get up off my backside again and use some of the knowledge gained over the last few years and start finishing projects as well as starting them.

regards,

kev35

Ive been thinking the same, we need something!!