What a super series of photographs! Good to see those 109s and the 262 looking well. Well done and thanks!

Pete – have you got Javascript disabled anywhere in your settings?

There must be quite I lot and agree with everyone here. The first time I saw Fighting the Blue I watched it avidly but to begin with, was a little sceptical about the use of the footage but very quickly came around thought it complimented the documentary very well.

A good account of the making of the film (BoB) is Leonard Mossley’s bok of the same name – a paperback produced just after the film was released. One particularly interesting bit is the description of how the hangar at DX went for a burton. It actually took two goes to get it right. To maximise the effect of the explosion and the amount of explosive needed, huge water tanks were erected inside the doors, against which the charges were laid, which is why, from one angle when the hangar explodes, it looks like the Mohne Dam being breached. For the second take they upped the amount of bang material for a more dramatic effect. Another good article on the film is a two-parter in Warbirds Worldwide from the mid-80s. Some good info on the replicas used in there. Must dig them out some day.

To be honest, I thought a lot of the ex-BoB material used for Fighting the Blue was better than some of the footage which went into the final release of the actual BoB film itself, but that’s just a personal musing really!

Chris

Belting bit of colour footage that! Bit early for me as I would have been about four at the time (didn’t start going to air shows and the like until about 1975 with me Dad), assuming it’s the late 60s. However, the quick glimpse of the bright red JP – would that be in the Pelican’s colour scheme? If it is, that would make it the early 1960s. The Red Pelicans displayed during the 1962-64 seasons, the dayglo red being introduced in 1963. During this time, they became the ‘Official’ RAF display team, taking over from the Firebirds (56 Sqn Lightnings, for the 1964 season) and latterly, the mantle passed to the newly-formed Red Arrows and their Gnats for 1965.

Makes you wonder how many more of these splendid little bits of nostalgia are knocking around in lofts, garages and attics across the land! I wish we’d had an 8mm cine camera (16mm would have been too expensive!).

You could always try the Smithsonian’s web site and have a look through their aircraft collection list: http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/air_space.cfm

Pete,

Breighton and Hucknall have the sun behind you. So has/did Church Fenton, and Finningly wasn’t bad either. Bit pointless mentioning those last two, wasn’t it?!

Chris

LesB – the Canberra shot with the crew watching is an absolute belter! Well done. I must admit, I was in two minds as to whether to photograph it on the Saturday or just watch and soak up the sight and sound. I managed a few shots but they’re on print film, so I’ll have to wait.

I’m also of the opinion that we were standing in the wrong place for this kind of shot!

Cheers for the post!

Chris

Roy, it was that I was alluding to when I mentioned I thought you may have had a look for something. Is that going on the nose? If it does, it’ll look well. A fine bit of research and well done. now if only our small fragment of info would come through….