Excellent programme, well done BBC.
And, I enjoyed ITV’s effort as much last Sunday.

The ‘Hardest Day ‘ segment was dubious though, RAF Kenley got more of a beating than Biggin, so I was surprised to see Colin with Patrick Bishop at Biggin Hill.
I’m sure the programme makers would have had easier access to Kenley than Biggin today……..but, this was a minor gripe (before the male menopause sufferers post away)
It is however, brilliant…..and surprising to see the BBC putting out programmes like this.

And to end, no one was dissing the prog before they had seen it, I myself passed on a comment from a critic, who had a fair point, READ THE POSTS.

Another star getting a ride in a spitfire for free !

And membership of the BoB Fighter Association if the caption at this mornings service is to be believed.

A TV critic quite rightly claimed that these programmes don’t need a celeb presenter, the subject matter is sufficient to hold the programme together. I’d prefer Dan Snow, James Holland or David Dimbleby.

The BBC are to be congratulated on the programme which I was delighted to find kicked off with Tom Neil and Geoffrey Wellum.
Also included was a fascinating short film on the recovery of Billy Drake’s Hurricane as Billy looked on and a superb documentary on the women of the ATA.
After Tom and Geoff left for dinner at the RAF Club, historians James Holland and Stephen Bungay took over to debate the Battle of Britain.

Broadcasting the show live just across from Westminster Abbey worked extremely well in my opinion and made a pleasant change from the usual ‘talking head’ format of similar documentaries.

A huge well done to the beeb……and those who have’nt yet read Stephen Bungays book, I urge you to do so if you want probably the best analysis of the Battle.

Pointless ‘quoting’ removed – Mods

I actually thought Duxford’s BoB tribute with the 19 Sqn Hawks sequence/minutes silence and the 16 Spit’s far outstripped RIAT’s BoB tribute effort.

TFC advertising a mystery P-51 that has never been to Legends to appear. Any idea which? Marinell????

Unlikely, pretty sure I haven’t seen either of the Hammond Mustangs at Duxford, never mind Legends.
I’m happy to wait until next week.

How did we all cope in the lead up to an airshow in the pre internet days????
I used to enjoy turning up to an airshow and being suprised by what turned up rather than knowing everything beforehand only to be disappointed when a particular machine was unable to make it….

Completely agree……..and as for the other inevitable question………go look at G-INFO :dev2:

I am sure that John Aeroclub was not talking about Josh Levine when he spoke of “irrelevant eye candy” but, presumably, was referring to the charming and very knowledgeable Alex Churchill. Without wishing to join the debate as to the pros and cons of the programme, per se, I really must take issue with that statement. Alex is certainly a leading expert when it comes to 56 Squadron, and in particular Rhys-David, and her dismissal as “irrelevant eye candy” is very unfair I feel. Both her input, and that by Josh, was informative and entertaining – possibly to a greater degree than the rest of the programme content. I know Alex from my involvement with the Timewatch Mannock/McCudden “Aces Falling” programme and she certainly knows her stuff. Please don’t dismiss her, John Aeroclub, because she is young and attractive and does not fit the sterotype “talking head” aviation historian usually wheeled out for such productions!

Completely agree Andy, Alex Churchill was fine, not just for the reasons that she is an attractive woman, but rather for the reason that she is young…….it is very encouraging to see a young person with such a passionate interest in early aviation.
I often wondered who was going to carry on the great work of the historians in the future, now I can see there are others coming up through the ranks.

Her knowledge of 56 Sqn was spot on, I spent a happy summer reading HiTEB and everything Alexandra said rang true.
Incidentally, Rhys-Davids grew up not far from here, was a lot posher in those days mind you.
Alex Revell was credited at the end, he is the acknowledged expert on 56 Squadron, so the programme was always in safe hands the sexists will be glad to know:dev2:
As for Alex’s attire, I did get disturbed by the fact that she may have had ‘Chelsea’ on her fleece…….God forbid.

As for the rest of the prog, I enjoyed it, ‘Offo’ and ‘Cutty’ have impressive aviation CV’s to say the least and added to the enjoyment.
Was worth the longer than usual duration.
Well done to all involved.