The Plane That Saved Britain

[st13phil]

I know there are a few aviation enthusiasts here so thought it worth mentioning that Channel 4 are re-running the program about the De Havilland Mosquito that was first shown last night on the 47 network tonight at 8pm. As well as the history element it includes some good contemporary colour footage of the bird, and I really thought that Arthur Williams was going to burst when he managed to hitch a ride in the only airworthy example.

 

[Satch]

Yes a very versatile aircraft that did not consume so much in terms of scarce resources to construct but I would have thought the title of "plane that saved Britain" is more likely to have been the Hurricane.

If you go on to YouTube and search for "KA114" up pops loads of interesting footage

 

[Meldrew2]

I can understand why pilots liked the mosquito. A sports car compared to a truck would be a similar comparison.

 

[Dryce]

Yes a very versatile aircraft that did not consume so much in terms of scarce resources to construct but I would have thought the title of "plane that saved Britain" is more likely to have been the Hurricane.

Depends on the phases of the war.

Hurricane presumably had most influence BoB and thereabouts.

But during the Battle of the Atlantic? Just by being there the patrol aircraft had a huge influence on narrowing down the scope of U-Boat operations against the convoys. And the war against the U-Boats was critical.

Since I first discovered the Mossie as a kid I was always fascinated by it because with hindsight it was so 'right' in concept. However it wasn't the only multi-role aircraft of its day. The Beaufighter is often forgotten but was twin engined and used in lots of different roles and also different regions.

 

[h19sns]

Probably Salisbury Plain and all the Land Forces is what saved Britain, plus Hitler picked a fight with Russia instead of focussing resources here. Is OT

 

[BTB 500]

Thanks for that, saw it was on last night but was already recording something else at the same time. Hoped it would be repeated.

 

[WLeg]

BTW, the last flying Vulcan is coming to Little Gransden again this year....
Little Gransden Air & Car Show 2013

 

[Chrishazle]

I recorded it onto DVD as we had visitors at that time. Can possibly copy it onto a disc if anyone is keen to see it (I only say possibly as I've not yet tried finalising a DVD in my DVD recorder then trying to copy part or all of what's on the DVD!).

 

[Clkrichard]

I believe the Vulcan is at the Shoreham show end Aug too

 

[Dryce]

plus Hitler picked a fight with Russia instead of focussing resources here.

Plus the allies and US supplied Russia with a lot of help - particularly critical during the German advance.

Of course the Russians like to show lots of pictures of T34s and other home built stuff (though possibly built with US supplied steel) rather than the huge numbers of lend-lease tanks and aircraft and ships.

The cynic within me sometimes wonders if quite a lot of the Soviet materiel numbers - large to begin with - are further overstated by them to exaggerate their contibution and belittle the help they received.

 

[artyman]

I recorded this last night and watched it whilst eating my lunch, well worth a view. I would love to see the De-Havilland one flying again.

 

[BAZZER1]

I heard a story from a retired RAF Pilot and according to him, the Mosquito was used in Burma against the Japanese during WW2 and the big problem was that they lost quite a few Pilots due to Termites eating the wood and Glue that the plane was made of and the Wings fell off.:fail
Bit of a surprise for the Pilot.
BAZZER1

 

[Paul/]

Just been watching it now. Marvellous.

Brought back the thrill of hearing one coming up the Mersey at full chat one sunny day 30 years ago.

 

[dirty hands]

it really upsets me that the dc3 is always the forgotten hero ....a wonderful aircraft used in every area of the conflict...dropped paras ..towed gliders...and is still used all over the world today,....80 years on.....fantastic!!!!

 

[Chrishazle]

There was one at Duxford in rebuild years ago, I saw it a couple of times during rebuild and was then lucky enough to see it flying at the Warbirds show - escorting a couple of American high wing twin engined medium bombers for a couple of laps - then the Mossie pilot said "screw this" and opened the throttles for the final pass - what a sight and sound!! Unfortunately about a year later it piled into the ground, killed both crew and totalled the aircraft.

The one in the TV programme was in USA - but I believe there is another just restored to flying condition in New Zealand.

 

[markjay]

I built one... the Airfix model... when I was 13.


I remember being surprised to read at the time that it was mostly made out of wood.

 

[markjay]

...Unfortunately about a year later it piled into the ground, killed both crew and totalled the aircraft...

I remember that...:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/two-die-as-last-mosquito-crashes-1329886.html

 

[Dryce]

it really upsets me that the dc3 is always the forgotten hero ....a wonderful aircraft used in every area of the conflict...dropped paras ..towed gliders...and is still used all over the world today,....80 years on.....fantastic!!!!

Not really forgotten.

The BBMF fly one along with their Spitfires, Hurricane, Lancaster, and Chipmunk.

There are lots of other overlooked and forgotten aircraft - eg. no airworthy Wellingtons or Sunderlands or Halifaxes or Stirlings. Or for that matter significant US aircraft in RAF service such as the Boston, Maryland, and Liberator.

 

[Paul/]

Not really forgotten.

The BBMF fly one along with their Spitfires, Hurricane, Lancaster, and Chipmunk.

There are lots of other overlooked and forgotten aircraft - eg. no airworthy Wellingtons or Sunderlands or Halifaxes or Stirlings. Or for that matter significant US aircraft in RAF service such as the Boston, Maryland, and Liberator.

Even during the war, the general public would only have been aware of a few specific aircraft types. I suspect that there's greater general awareness today, through museums, documentaries and scale models- there are certainly more (and more knowledgable) enthusiasts.

 

[tanuie]

Mosquito

Hi, my mother helped in the construction of the
mosquito in a factory in Woodley nr reading.