Surely the recovery of his aircraft and placing it on public display will mean his memory and his story will be kept alive

Apparently the P40 sits in a container in Egypt, and has done so for over a year, we also hear from the moderators that negotations are on going, and thirdly we are aware of events recent an past in Egypt that may de-rail the acquisition of said A/C; what would you stance be if it never left the container or Egypt, or was destroyed?

In many ways the discovery of sgt Copping’s remains would stengthen the case for the A/C to be returned, it would make a bigger PR story which would do both countries a bit of good.

As sad (to me at least) that there are fallen soldiers that have no mark of their resting place, opinion in this instance is that sgt Copping survived the crash, but died a slow agonising death, and it is that sad fact, that tugs at the heart strings.

Bruce says “that comenting on this forum will not make a jot of difference” that being the case why was the thread pulled originally, surely not all perceived responces will be negative?

The betrayal happened in the ’50’s and ’60’s; a large part of this countries population wanted the war and it’s memories to just go away.

What was the point of going to war to defend Poland, when the Russians just took it, and were equally as brutal as the Germans were? first we were sucking up to the Russians. (to help defeat the Germans) then we were sucking up to the Germans to defend against the Russians; who was the enemy?

My father was with the Canadians on D Day, he joined up in 1940 and ended up in Berlin; despite losing something like seven members of his family (on his mothers side) during the Blitz, he never hated the Germans, and mixed in with his fond memories of the war, were others that he only spoke about once, and doubtless some he never mentioned.

He was a troubled soul, but fared better than his best friend Ralph, who was left to die in a sanatorium from TB; a fitting end for a war hero?

Seems a bit childish to me.
The thing exists, and we all know it exists so why not talk about it?

Sounds like the definition of a super injunction to me….

Many of the posts in this thread do no good service to the forum in general, and the endless speculation as to what state the Dornier might be in, when it eventually reaches dry land, seem mainly to focus on the alleged inept recovery.

I would only add that the A/C in all probability crashed into the sea, and didn’t make a perfect “three pointer” on a sand bar.

The engines were always most likely to separate, as they will be attached to the wings with steel fixings (be they bearers or just nut and bolt), and in many ways that separation will be beneficial, to the recovery.

It has now spent 73 years in fairly shallow salt water; I don’t know about you, but I think that might have had a detrimental effect on the structure……..so recovering it whole was always “a bit of an ask” (if done though how would it be roaded to Cosford whole) if it comes up in bits,, and can be preserved to form a display resembling a Dornier then that really should be all we could ask for.

Should the RAFM preserve axis A/C? absolutely.

Better it comes to a head; unfortunately that’s the only way action will be taken in this country.

arrogant and narrow minded

Did someone call?

But tell me what is the point of remaking the film? historical accuracy? well we all know that the bombs (mines) aren’t accurate, and that Gibson didn’t have a eureka moment at the “show” in London, and that Wallis didn’t design every single aspect regarding the Bombs and their releasing, so we can put that right, and obviously special effects have come a long way since the mid fifties, so again we can put that right.

but Gibson has been portrayed (by those who have survived him) as dislikeable, and apparently Wallis wasn’t quite as amiable as Michael Redgrave’s Wallis, so the two lead characters of the film are a couple of not very nice blokes (is this a remake of Dirty rotten scoundrels?)

There wont be any actual Lancasters in the film because their respective owners aren’t going to allow turrets to be hacksawed off (or bomb bay doors) let alone the addition of the bomb release gear, and bombs(design approval anyone?)

And then theres the small matter of credibility, it’s unlikely that a relative unknown will play Gibson, (or wallis) and most established actors have a specific role that identifies them, unlike Richard Todd, who had the credibility of having seen action, but not associated with a particular role film wise.

Sorry did I forget about the dog? what are we going to do about the dog? change his name? and change the code word (whilst preserving historical accuracy?)

How many remakes are there with the original theme music; can you hear the Dambusters march ala Mission impossible…. m cha m cha m cha m cha (at 180 bpm)

Long may it remain on hold; I cant actually think of a good remake, and even though the original is in black and white, turns out night flying is a bit like that……