Nice material. If the new film ever gets off the ground then all this material would be fascinating to compare.

The Mosquito is the aircraft missing from the U.K scene.

Not for everyone, there’s more to air shows than just classic world war 2 aircraft.

Very interesting, thanks for sharing

When an impasse has been reached in an argument it is usual to extend the argument and include irrelevant information of the kind you’ve mentioned.

Non of it is irrelevant. But you don’t actually engage in serious.

Indulge me on one point that I asked you about… You can’t say it is irrelevant.

For example, you critisise the school system and a section of society (40% of children) for not knowing what the Battle is. You then say there is no excuse for laziness. I asked if you knew about some other equally important parts of history in depth and if indeed you did not did that out you in line for the same contempt as you view the 40% with.

As for your events and societies. All very admirable and I’m sure you’ve dipped in your pocket and put up your fair share of raffle prizes. There is however a difference between the kind of people who like to stick up big stone memorials and those who actually pass it on to the next generation. Stop complaining about the 40% and maybe meet a few and help the number drop a bit. It goes a lot further than laying a wreath on Remembrance.

Ps. If you think what I wrote is sociological twaddle then you really haven’t read much!

Funnily enough this conversation is very much what the much-maligned ‘Media Studies’ was all about. It taught critical thinking, the ability to spot prejudices, preconceptions, assumptions and agendas wherever they come from. The subject was never about learning to spout Hoxton Tw*t nonsense. The reason it was once considered relevant was it might avoid kids growing up believing everything they read in the Daily Telegraph or the Morning Star just because their parents read them. The point being to avoid the transfer of political power to extremist ideologues through a combination of democracy and ignorance.

Some hate it.

Put very well. A lot of the press and general public maligned this course for the reasons you outlined. Also largely because of it’s name. I doubt many stopped to think clearly, as you have, what the learning aims and objectives were. They’re too lazy to think, precisely what they are criticising.

Anyhow…. Why us anybody surprised by anything that comes out of the tabloids.

Wings43

What on earth can be ‘curious and randomly selective’ about my criticism of the 40 or so percent of schoolchildren who know nothing about the Battle ?

How can you criticise the school kids. It’s not their fault they don’t know what they don’t know. That’s not logical. They might know and do lots of offer fabulous other stuff that you don’t know about. You don’t need to know about the BOB to honour those who fought it. Living a good full life etc is the best tribute surely?

There are lots of other important things we should teach children. How, deep is your knowledge of the civil rights movement in the US, or the Suffragettes, or the Industrial Revolution or Magna Carta? If it’s not top notch then by your own standards please berate yourself for your own laziness and ineptitude.

As for you being available… It’s not about been available. It’s about actually getting on your feet and doing something rather than sitting and complaining. Sit up. Pay attention. Didn’t you learn that from the crews in the Battle of Britain. Doing good. Making a difference. Answering the call. I’d imagine all you’ve learnt is fact and figures and how best to memorialise them. The best way to memorialise their efforts is to live, think for yourself and respect others.

Because people love multiples. 4 hurricanes flying looks broadly similar to 5 but with aviation it seems an obsession with quantity is in air!

John I don’t disagree with that but equally it could have exceeded 6 million if D-Day had failed, or if the V weapon development had come along quicker. Or it might never have happened if Hitler hadn’t come to power and then you can look at scenarios for that.

Your point whilst valid doesn’t hold water for why it should be a main factor on the curriculum. The Battle of Britains footnote status in the curriculum is not due to the powers that be thinking it us not important but that important choices have to be made about what young people study and what lessons they can take away from these studies. There is only do much time. It’s not a case if the BOB not being important.