I recently saw the film The First of the Few, about Reginald Mitchell, for the first time in many years. I did a search here for the title and was amazed that it doesn’t come up. Surely it must have been discussed before?

I am very sceptical about the film. Lots of it does not add up.

For a start, am I right in thinking that Jeffrey Crisp was a completely fictional character? After all, Mutt Summers was the first person to fly the Spitfire but in the film Crisp does, and Crisp also races the Schneider Supermarines and much more, including fighting in the Battle of Britain. Surely he was just a conglomeration of several real people?

The scenes dealing with Mitchell’s illness are rubbish too. They give the impression he died from getting tired after working too hard. The word cancer never came into the script yet he suffered twice from the affliction, the second lot killing him. Were they not allowed to say the ‘c’ word then in films? Most people would have been left wondering how he actually died.

The film omitted to mention Mitchell wanted to call the plane the Shrew.

It never mentioned that he got his pilot’s licence in 1934 after his first brush with cancer, which is interesting.

The negotiations with Sir Henry (Royce?) from RR about a new engine was laughable, all the way through saying it can’t be done then agreeing as he’s seeing Mitchell out the door. Then saying “Don’t worry about the money, it always seems to come from somewhere…” or words to that effect… What? I’m sure it never happened that way. Did it? Was Sir Henry Royce barking mad?

Also regarding the aircraft, were they real Supermarine S.6’s seen in the film? I realise the flying was models but on the ground?

I liked the acting, and don’t dislike this film, but it seems wholly innaccurate and I sincerely wish someone would come along and make a new film about the life of Mitchell, without twisting facts, does anyone else agree?

Yes, Dave, you are right, the film is almost totally innaccurate in a lot of repects. However, you have to remember when the film was made and what the film’s purpose was to put it context! It was made in 1941-42 and it was primary a propaganda film, Hence, do not expect any historical accuracy. Its real purpose was to put across a message on how everybody should pull together and make every sacrifice to win the war. As for a remake, go for it. however, lets get the facts right to fit the title, which will mean some changes. Firstly the name of the Company will have to be changed to Hawkers, the name of the designer will have to be changed to Camm and we will have to call the new fighter, the Hurricane and have it win the Battle of Britian, WHICH IT DID IN REAL LIFE! (abet assisted by the Spitfire) .

Has anyone got any photos of Chipmunk WB627 while being operated by 5AEF @ Cambridge. I had my first ever flight in this a/c. It has now been “reduced” to a chippax fuselage at Dulwich College in South London. A quick google shows that it attended several airshows in the late 80’s.

Make that two guys, who would like a photo of that Chipmunk, on checking my battered and faded RAF Form 3822, I did my first flight in a powered aircraft in WB627 on 12 April 1980 out of Cambridge with 5 AEF, my log shows it was coded ‘N’. Got to fly the aircraft and did some aerobatics in the vicinity of Duxford, had only been a fully enroled cadet for 30 days. Can not put any photos up at the minute (all on slide), but I’ll have a good look, scan them and post them.

I believe that the RAF JP5s had MDC fitted. Don’t recall any Strikemaster canopies with MDC fitted.
The ‘fixing lug’ is in fact the canopy handle for opening or closing the canopy manually.

CS

I checked my photos from a Mildenhall back in the 80’s and the RAF JP5 has got MDC.

Flt Lt Dave Scott RAF of 234(R) Sqn 4 FTS RAF Valley who let me do some fast rolls in a Hawk T1A at 17,000 ft in December 1993 (after showing me North Wales at some interesting angles at 500 Kts at less than 400 ft).

Hi,

I may be wrong here but i think you will find that Carrier Operations is for learning and testing your skills with take-offs and landings from Carrier flight decks, no missions as such.

Thats not all they lack. My bother has a very nice RN Phantom FG1 and an Old Ark Royal on MS Combat Flight Sim. Just very one big problem and that is the Phantom always falls off the end of the deck on take off. the reason – NO CATAPULT!!!!! I doubt there’s any wires at the other end either.

I do recall seeing at least one Harrier GR3 in bits at the back of the Hannents model warehouse at Oulton Board near Lowestoft, last year. Anybody know about that one (I never got its number).

Nice profile and poster – however, you appear to have left off the Scottish “Lion Rampant” from the XVI

I know that the Squadron aircraft carried the marking on the starboard side of their Spitfires. I didn’t known that it was on the port side as well. Corrections will be made.

Richie