FighterControl

Any idea when the first episode will be available for catch up on My5? Not available yet even though it was shown on the 8th Jan...

Just a pity the trans Atlantic route map the series used ended in St Johns when they landed at Halifax

I took notes of the route featured in the programme after the team had departed RAF Scampton as the following:-
RAF Lossiemouth, Kevlavik (in Iceland), Narsarsuaq (in Greenland), Goose Bay (in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada) and Halifax (in Nova Scotia, Canada).
I must have missed St Johns as I ignored the map and just listened to what was said and what was shown of the scenery and aircraft.
Programme was pretty good in my opinion - what do other people think?

Poor commentary. Over the top about how difficult and risky the ocean crossing was, and no mention of the fact that 6 Vampires did this trip on 14th July 1948!!!!. I felt it unnecessary to mention the sad loss of the engineer at Valley in 2018 which had no bearing on this trip whatsoever, but was probably done for dramatic effect, but the filming was good, but need a more factual commentator whose tone doesn't keep going up and down so much. Irritating!!.

I quite enjoyed the first episode.

Some decent air to air filming and nice to see some of the more mundane or common place activities involved in the transit to north America. From a spotting perspective I liked that aircraft tail numbers were mentioned - shame about XX278 , wonder if it did eventually make it to Canada? Quite cool seeing the Voyager being used as a command post.

(I spent a bit of time in Iceland recently and for me the program put single engine light aircraft deliveries into perspective. At Reykjavik I saw F-HOLK a C.172 arrive from Greenland and depart to EKVG on the Faroe Islands and going the other way was PC-12 HB-FQV cn1917 next stop Greenland , both without any support or top cover.)

Hope they release a box Set of last Years Kings of The Skies which was on around this time last year and this documentary? Shame this is only 4 parts, would have thought it being 6?

OK some of the commentary was a bit OTT, they did over dramatize the crossing of the Atlantic somewhat but..... lets remember who the audience is.
Every factual TV show is over dramatized in order to keep the viewer hooked, lets face it the Atlantic crossing was actually a fairly major undertaking logistics wise, the hawks are single engine with no AAR, no wing tanks, limited instrumentation & lets face it getting on a bit.

I actually found it quite interesting seeing all of the support & planning that went into it. Think what would have happened if one of the Reds went into the drink & they didn't have any support in place public outcry, calls to disband, papers full of how irresponsible the RAF is etc.

Looking forward to the next one

Andy_99 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:01 am

lets face it the Atlantic crossing was actually a fairly major undertaking logistics wise, the hawks are single engine with no AAR, no wing tanks, limited instrumentation & lets face it getting on a bit.

Exactly, with sea temperatures in the Labrador Sea no higher than 4 deg in the summer you would not be wanting to get your feet wet there.

There was the 2008 BBC Danger Men episode on the Reds selection and practise at Akrotiri followed by their turns Atlantic crossing to the air show in Montreal.

And if you go further back in 72 to their first ever crossing in Gnats to North American continent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6xCbeY6HjE

I enjoyed the first programme, just a pity the RAF could not supply all the necessary support aircraft, many thanks RDAF.

Enjoyed the second episode.

Best bit for me though was when two reds were back seaters with the Blue Angels - you know when a hornet is close by when you can read it's bureau number from your cockpit.

Quite right slogen, 75mm (3in in old money), is good enough for anyone.

They're all really really good, but let's not forget our EU friends of the Frecce type.

Change to the schedule episode 3 now showing channel 5 Wednesday 9pm 29th of January

Cheers for confirming that Eggman, looked up the Electronic Programme Guide on TV and saw no sign of it and saw it still listed in TV Times.

So tonights episode is definitely not on till next Week then? What a disappointment.

Reds not on tonight as they’re showing a programme about Meghan Markles Father!

Can't wait to see that Unknown74

Try Channel 4 9pm - The Great Pottery Throwdown