What a great series! I only watched the entire DVD, put together by the chap on youtube a few weeks ago.
Agree totally about the selection process at Biggin Hill, with a good deal of the prospects harping on about ‘lifestyle and fast cars’ etc. Surely they werent really that naive? But then again, most were barely out of, or still in their teens.
Was interesting following the fortunes of those who managed to make it through the Officer training and then onto flight training. The candidate who found it ‘all too easy’ and set ridiculously high standards ended up eliminating himself firstly from Pilot training, and then from Navigation training. On the other hand, there was the candidate who could do all parts of his flight circuit well, except landing. You do feel for him as he is given ‘the chop’.
I believe 3 of them ‘make it’ in the end. One just about passes the exam and is deemed suitible for transport aircraft and ends up flying a Herc. Another does fairly well, but not well enough to be considered ‘fast jet’, and ends up flying the Canberra. And lastly, John Mcrea does very well and is put into the Front line in a Buccaneer.
Would love to see another up to date remake of this series, although I do seem to recall the beeb and RAF falling out bigtime after this. Anyone remember why?
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