It may not qualify due to the excellent efforts of a dedicated group, but I’m going to say a Whitley. I would even consider a Manchester if we could find some way of keeping the Vultures from seizing up every 35 minutes….

It most definitely was promoted as a teenager’s adventure film. George Lucas gave any number of interviews, in print and on TV, in which he specifically said his ideal audience was 15-year-old young men in need of role models. Lucas also contributed handsomely to our organization.

In that case I will apologise unreservedly, I was completely unaware of those Lucas interviews. With 20/20 hindsight (a wonderful thing) I realise now most of the advertising for the film I took notice of was through aviation magazines and forums, so I’ve obviously got the completely wrong idea. My apologies again and thank you for the horses mouth account Stepwilk. Nothing like a few firsthand facts to set a mind straight!

..but what about Amelia? The last big aviation movie that made an impact was, as I recall, The Aviator. And, as much as I hate to say it, Pearl Harbor before that….

I enjoyed Amelia a lot, and The Aviator even more so. Pearl Harbour, I think, made an impact because of the hype, the money spent and the cast. It sure as ******y wasn’t because of an excellent script, believable characters, historical accuracy or suppressing my desire to vomit.

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Just saw the ABC News, nothing further so far. Des Porter is confirmed as the pilot and a distress call was received. Apparently 3 elderly couples on board with him. It is an absolutely stunning aircraft, fingers indeed crossed for all.

The more I read, the more fascinating WWI and its air war becomes to me.

You might like to look at the amazing flying and racing career of Eddie Reckenbacker.

My personal interest in WW1 aviation tends to focus on the early days, when the RFC were flying pushers and the Fokker scourge was imminent.

Not for me to judge. Wasn’t there, can’t experience that period of history.

For me Bomber Command are the aircraft, the exploits, the heroism, the sacrifice and the people who fought, flew and maintained those aircraft.
It’s the stories, the museums, the ghostly haunted old airbases, the old black and white films and the collection of models on my shelf.
Ultimately it’s the memorials, the reflection and the gratitude that I don’t have to do what they did.

Beautifully and poignantly put for mine.