Bomber Boys

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

There is a new program coming up about a bunch of young Canadian boys picked to simulate BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) training on bombers flying in WW2. It seems to be similar to proram training pilots from almost nothing to flying in the RAF/Battle of Britain. They will go through realistic training and if they make the cut will end up flying an AVRO Lancaster. It starts November 7 and is a prelude to a week of remembrance! I remember always but I look forward this program as it is an important part of Canadas contribution to WW2.

 

I will post more when I find out more details. (must search now!)

[Steve G.]

I'm currently reading 'The Memoirs of Field Marshal Montgomery'. He had some Canadian Divisions under his command. His notes describe the Canadian Army being given the "shit jobs" by the Allied bosses. To quote him directly, "they were simply incredible".

Makes me feel kinda good. My grandpa was in the Eighth Army under Montgomery in Alam Halfa.

Remembrance Day is the most important day of the year for me.

Ciao, Steve G.

[g.forrest]

we recently had a series called spitfire pilot. which seems to have a similiar theme. exellent show.

There is a new program coming up about a bunch of young Canadian boys picked to simulate BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) training on bombers flying in WW2. It seems to be similar to proram training pilots from almost nothing to flying in the RAF/Battle of Britain. They will go through realistic training and if they make the cut will end up flying an AVRO Lancaster. It starts November 7 and is a prelude to a week of remembrance! I remember always but I look forward this program as it is an important part of Canadas contribution to WW2.

 

I will post more when I find out more details. (must search now!)

64630[/snapback]

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

we recently had a series called spitfire pilot. which seems to have a similiar theme. exellent show.

64635[/snapback]

 

It is a direct (Canadian) copy of Spitfire Boys! Sorry, I should have mentioned that!

It seems to follow the same parameters so I suspect the same people behind it. Canada and the rest of the colonies along with a few Americans helped make the Battle of Britain a British victory. There were some brilliant and talented German pilots who definitely made it a 'close run thing'!!

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

Remembrance Day is the most important day of the year for me.

                                                                        

64634[/snapback]

 

 

It should be the most imortant day for all of us, no matter what country we come from.

 

Why else would we be what we are, everyone of us!!!!

[Orson]

I'm currently reading 'The Memoirs of Field Marshal Montgomery'. He had some Canadian Divisions under his command. His notes describe the Canadian Army being given the "shit jobs" by the Allied bosses. To quote him directly, "they were simply incredible".

64634[/snapback]

 

I recall that a significant portion of the troops used on the Raid on Dieppe were Canadians.

 

My father served in the Royal Canadian Artillery. He fought in the Italian Campaign. I remember him talking ruefully about the destruction of the Monte Casino Abbey. A sidenote...he was injured and sent to recuperate at a hospital set up in a convent in beautiful Amalfi. His paperwork was lost in the shuffle so, he spent a month there. He really loved it there. Someday I must try to make it to Amalfi to see if I can locate the convent.

 

Sorry for the thread hijack.

[Ouiji Veck]

Once again I find myself in great company.

It seems I was born admiring the fighter pilots of WW2.

Chenault and the AVG (Flying Tigers) Boyington and the Black Sheep

The RAF Eagle Squadron.(Americans in the RAF by way of Canada)

The 8th and the 5th and all of the RAF in those gorgeous Spitfires.

The Mustang was almost as pretty and had better performance but that

eliptical wing on the Spitfire...what a beautiful airplane.

Unfortunately I've never seen one fly though I go to every air show that

comes round. I still love the war birds best. What a world. It was only 60 years ago.

Will this generation have to learn those lessons again?

[Steve G.]

Once again I find myself in great company.

It seems I was born admiring the fighter pilots of WW2.

Chenault and the AVG (Flying Tigers) Boyington and the Black Sheep

The RAF Eagle Squadron.(Americans in the RAF by way of Canada)

The 8th and the 5th and all of the RAF in those gorgeous Spitfires.

The Mustang was almost as pretty and had better performance but that

eliptical wing on the Spitfire...what a beautiful airplane.

Unfortunately I've never seen one fly though I go to every air show that

comes round. I still love the war birds best. What a world. It was only 60 years ago.

Will this generation have to learn those lessons again?

64648[/snapback]

I think Jim will confirm with me around 10yrs ago when they had a most magnificent flying display of ME 109, P51, Mk11 Spitfire, Corsair, B17, Lancaster etc, at Abbostford airshow. They had a P51, F86, and F15 up at the same time, the Mustang leading the group at full speed, with the F15 hulking behind the other two, twice their size. The crying sound of the V12 Packard-Merlin at full throttle over the jet engines. Gosh! I get misty eyed just thinking about that weekend.

The men who flew those machines way back 50-60yrs ago were men in the absolute!

Ciao, Steve G.

[callison]

I thought the last fllying Lancaster got pancaked in two years ago and was beyond repair.

[Guzzirider]

I'm currently reading 'The Memoirs of Field Marshal Montgomery'. He had some Canadian Divisions under his command. His notes describe the Canadian Army being given the "shit jobs" by the Allied bosses. To quote him directly, "they were simply incredible".

Makes me feel kinda good. My grandpa was in the Eighth Army under Montgomery in Alam Halfa.

Remembrance Day is the most important day of the year for me.

                                                                              Ciao, Steve G.

64634[/snapback]

 

Both my Grandads were in the Eighth Army too. Tom Lewis (my Dad's father) was captured on Crete and he was made to walk from Crete to the Stalag in Poland, fed only on potato peelings and the long journey took a whole year. He was in incarceration until VE day.

 

Not all the Germans were nasty though- he was allowed to divert off the route with an escort while in Greece so he could visit his father's war grave- he was killed on the Corinth Canal in WW1 while my grandad was still a boy.

 

My family has pics of both grandad's mucking about in the desert on motorbikes- must scan them and post them one day.

 

I fully agree that Remberance Day is very important and we must never forget.

 

Guy

[Martin Barrett]

I think there were two.

 

I know the RAF Memorial Flight still have theirs.

 

Quick check of their webb site says there's another in Canada - that will be the one in the program then.

[V11UK]

Our main annual Buell event is held at this Lancaster Centre. Next years event will be held on a Saturday in July - date TBA. Jane and I have been members of this Centre for years and they allow us to use a section of the WW2 airfield next to the control tower to display the bikes. We have a Spitfire flying display and Lancaster bomber taxi-run during the event.

 

Would UK based V11 owners like to come along as guests? A line up of Buell's and V11's would look pretty good .

 

[Martin Barrett]

A long time ago, when I was either an Air Cadet or during my time in the RAF I had a vist to Scampton they had one as a gate guard. had a clamber around it. Not sure that I would fit in it now. Not much room, I think the overall size was about the same as a Tornado GR1.

 

Also saw Nigger's grave.

[V11UK]

Martin, you can ride in the East Kirkby Lancaster during its taxi-run - it only costs £150.00........

[wambiker]

Our main annual Buell event is held at this Lancaster Centre. Next years event will be held on a Saturday in July - date TBA. Jane and I have been members of this Centre for years and they allow us to use a section of the WW2 airfield next to the control tower to display the bikes. We have a Spitfire flying display and Lancaster bomber taxi-run during the event.

 

Would UK based V11 owners like to come along as guests? A line up of Buell's and V11's would look pretty good  . 

 

64661[/snapback]

 

I would happily bring my V11, let us know what is happening and will try to sort time off.

Cheers Gary