New Dambusters film

[firbeck 860]

For all you enthusiasts, heres a picture of one of Peter Jacksons 'Made in China' plastic Lancaster replicas in New Zealand, the background doesn't look much like Scampton does it, at least it means that the film is in production, whatever they've decided to call the dog in the interests of PC.

I would have thought that the use of our friend 'Just Jane' at East Kirby was slightly more authentic, yes, I know that the 'Upkeep' lancs were heavily modified, but what do we know.

I have to say, a fantastic piece of overlarge Airfix, imagine them trying to sell that in Woolworths.

[Beefsteak 305]

didn't I post this yesterday??? I know I posted it somewhere, I'm going daft in my old age. The dog is going to be called "Nigsy"

[Limey 242]

...imagine them trying to sell that in Woolworths.

It would need a bl**dy big plastic bag - and very large staples!

[plantfit 7,663]

Is that the Lincoln ridge in the background?

How can you change a dogs name after more than sixty years, not content with taking our country off us the PC wasters now want to take our history

re the Lanc in the picture, wheres the hanger gear for "Upkeep" the bouncing bomb?

By the way our BBMF Lanc is stuck in Holland at the moment with a knackered engine, the Luftwaffe are flying a replacement over from Coningsby, bit ironic eh?

Rog

[Beefsteak 305]

Just seen some pictures of that Rog, as you say , Der Luftwaffer ist nicht (helping) der verdament Englander schwien hunt, ich bin (Helping) du schlaft mit der Englander technic

Sorry to any Krauts out there but I failed German!!!

[Beefsteak 305]

There she goes

CBY 6/5/09

[firbeck 860]

I've been reading about this on some of the aviation forums, it's a bloody disgrace and an embarrasment. If the RAF couldn't supply a transport aircraft of their own at short notice because of operational requirements, fair enough, though maybe things would be different if the incident had involved a member of the Royal Family or the Government. There's even been mention of using the BBMF Dakota, not sure about that.

Why couldn't they have simply chucked everything needed on a fleet of trucks and taken them over by road and ferry to Schipol, would it have been a problem to do that, I can't see it.

There you go, what do we know, wer'e only members of the public.

Back to the film, try this link:-

http://www.tvnz.co.nz.national-news/peter-...s-2706353/video.

I chortle at the thought of the Aviation Day mob turning up and some dickhead trying to exclude us from a public car park so we couldn't view a bit of plastic from a distance, 'Security Guard found hanging by ankles from a tree' sounds appropriate.

Beefsteak:- try looking up 'Bouncing bomb tests' on Youtube, some incredible footage including the Lanc nearly losing his tail off Reculver. Sadly there is a bit of tragic film involving a USAF a/c, Havoc?, dropping the bomb far to low with appalling results.

As for the dogs name, they can call it what they want, but how are they going to deal with the codeword sent by Gibson on succesfully breaching the dam, Nigsy, Nigsy, Nigsy, yeah right. Manipulating history is really not on, it's an insult to the crews that died, when Jacksons film goes out to a new, younger audience, they're going to believe what they see and hear, then get confused when they read the book. OK, I do find the word Nigger offensive, but in the context of history, it must not be changed, it was the way of things at the time.

Let's not forget that during the war, there was no discrimination in this country against black American servicemen, it all came out of the States, it was nothing to do with the UK. There were West Indian aircrew serving with the RAF in Lancasters, but racialism didn't exist here then. I'm aware that there were some bloody good fights between UK troops and GI's, our boys not comprehending why the Black GI's should be treated any differently.

Even 'Old Blood and Guts' Patton didn't have a problem with black troops, but the establishment did, don't forget how the 'Tuskagee Airmen' were treated.

Ridiculous isn't it, a film production being subjected to such controversy over a word, I'm sure that the PC Brigade will win in the end. I was interested to read, that bearing in mind Stephen Fry is writing the script, what would be the end result if the dog had been called Fag or Gay.

Suits you sir.

[Beefsteak 305]

Found this

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Entertainment...ault.aspx#video

[firbeck 860]

I gather that the BBMF Lanc is still stuck at Schipol due to bad weather conditions and will need a bit of maintenance when it finally gets back to Conno, any insider news on this one Rog.

[Beefsteak 305]

Just heard that " Spirit of the Rhur" is air bourne and on her way home , but most probably won't show at DX on Sunday.

This is the ' rough ' running order , Note the VC-10 starter

http://www.airshows.org.uk/2009/airshows/d...ay/preview.html

[firbeck 860]

I might go and sit in the field and watch some of it, by the time I've allowed for the admission fee and the inevitable what ever else you end up paying for, I can't afford to go at the moment.

I think that the last time that I saw a VC-10 carry out a solo routine at an airshow was at Wethersfield in 1987, I'll never forget it because it was the first time I took my son to an airshow, he was very tiny, but when that Matchbox Tornado that he loved so much became a noisy reality, he suddenly didn't want to be there, I have a great picture of him staggering in fear to our little tent with the VC-10 looming menacingly in the background, when he realised it wasn't so noisy or threatening, he changed his mind and wanted to watch it, thank you VC-10.

This will make you smile, just in case any visiting aircraft came over and thinking about going to see the Brit tomorrow, I put my camera batteries on charge and guess what, an Apache gunship, bristling with ordnance, has just slowly passed right overhead at about 100m, making a very sharp turn just over the bottom of the garden, typical, though I had this image of your goodself cursing and swearing, trying to attach the appropriate lens and tripping over the kids, I didn't bother and just stood and watched it instead, I thought it would be better to take it all in rather than fiddle about and not get a picture.

Ooh mystery baby bird on bike shed roof, hmm, another photographic opportunity lost, I think it's a Dunnock.

[plantfit 7,663]

No insider info on the Lanc I'm afraid, but looking forward to it coming home. By the way, don't forget it's the anniversary of the Dams raid this weekend, About midnight on May 16 / 17. I'm sure there will be some ceremony in Woodhall Spa at the Memorial, I will try to get some pics of the memorial with the wreaths etc on Monday if I get time

Rog

[chrissy 1]

No insider info on the Lanc I'm afraid, but looking forward to it coming home. By the way, don't forget it's the anniversary of the Dams raid this weekend, About midnight on May 16 / 17. I'm sure there will be some ceremony in Woodhall Spa at the Memorial, I will try to get some pics of the memorial with the wreaths etc on Monday if I get time

Rog

hi rog. me and hubby were sat outside the little cafe opposite the memorial in woodhall spa last sunday! its a lovely place. chrissy. x

[Beefsteak 305]

Only £9.95 for UB40 holders!!!

[firbeck 860]

Good one Beefsteak, never thought of that one, will they accept my Job Seekers card, I wonder, I'll try that.

Just checked, it's £12:95, still nearly half price though.

Cheers.

[plantfit 7,663]

Hi Chrissy, I work about a mile and a half past the memorial and I always have a look when I drive past, I know the little cafe you stopped at and I agree, very nice, did you walk up the road behind you to the Petwood? if not I'm sure all the aviation crew will recommend it for a coffee, sit in the Dambuster bar and look at some of the stuff in there, in fact have a look on the aviaton day thread on this site there some pics on there, glad you enjoyed that part of the world though

Cheers

Rog

[denshaw 2,878]

Don't forget the Blue Bell pub at Tattershall Thorpe, mentioned and photographed on the aviation day.

[chrissy 1]

We always go for a walk through the woods when we are in woodhall. Seen the Kinema but not been to Petwood. Ave been in the Blue Bell quite a few times and seen all the signitures on the ceiling! Nice to see you again the other day Den. Pop in for a steak bake again when you are passing. Chrissy. x

[littlebro 234]

A new exhibition to be unveiled at Grantham Museum later this month will focus on the longstanding relationship between the RAF and Lincolnshire. Since the RAF’s formation in 1914, they have been a presence in the skies over the county.

On Saturday 26 September, the exhibition will be opened by Mark Postlethwaite and Alex Bateman who featured in the Last of the Dambusters documentary on Channel 5 and The History Channel.

The exhibition will showcase Grantham Museum’s new long-term loan; the only Lancaster under-belly gunners hatch in existence, and the only surviving piece of Dambuster modification anywhere in the world. On display will be images depicting early plane production, local airfields and some of the planes in service with the RAF over the years. Also featured are 617 Squadron and their daring raid which lead to them becoming known as The Dambusters. Visitors can also see objects from Grantham Museum’s unique Harry Humphries collection. Harry Humphries was the adjutant for 617 Squadron at the time of the Dams Raid.

Julie Ashworth, Senior Community Engagement Officer, said:

“This will be a fantastic exhibition chronicling the longstanding relationship between the RAF and Lincolnshire, as well as charting the heroic actions of the 617 Dambusters squadron.

“Grantham Museum is thrilled to have the only under-belly gunners hatch in existence on long-term loan from the RAF.

“Members of the public are invited to the exhibition’s opening to get a first look at this exciting and unique piece of Dambuster history and hear first hand the exciting journey that led to the discovery of Lancaster ED825 on a hillside in France.”

The museum will be open from 10am until 4pm on the 26 September, with the exhibition opening at 12.15pm. Refreshments will be served from 11am until 2pm. The exhibition will run until Saturday 23 January 2010.

[plantfit 7,663]

Very interesting stuff there littlebro, is it a long term exhibition? if so it could well feature in our next aviation day at the end of October/beginning of November. By the way aviation started in Lincolnshire before 1914, Todays RAF Cranwell was first opened up as a Royal Navy training station with flying being the main topic of training and there was also RFC Leadenham just up the road from Cranwell, Why don't you come on one of the Aviation days? I'm sure you would enjoy it

Rog

[firbeck 860]

Lancaster ED825 was the 'Upkeep' modified Lancaster that Joe Macarthy flew and dropped his bouncing bomb against the Sorpe Dam during the Dambusters Raid. It subsequently crashed in France on a later mission while attempting to drop supplies to the resistance. When they say, 'found on a hillside in France' it really means a few fragments buried deep in the ground.

The turret hatch was a modification unique to this aircraft and is made of wood, it had to be conserved with advice from the Mary Rose restorers, having spent so long underground.

The surviving Lancasters from the dams raid had been heavily modified with the bomb doors and upper turrets removed and the Upkeep equipment fitted, they were retained in this form for the rest of the war, it's surprising therefore that such an aircraft was used to drop supplies to the resistance, but no doubt serious bomber losses at that time caused them to use anything that they could lay their hands on.

Incidentally, it's all gone very quiet with regard to the making of the new Dambusters film, any activity in Lincs Plantfit.

[plantfit 7,663]

No more than usual Pete as in the BBMF are up and flying at least once a week, nothing special though such as film crews knocking about etc and nothing on the grapevine, going back to the special Lancaster, there was a program on TV either early this year or late on last about some dig in France to do with excavating a 617 squadron Lanc and they identified it by this special (one off?)bit of turret, they traced it back on the original AVRO plans and discovered it was the 617 Lanc they were looking for, did anyone see the program?

Rog

By the way, some of the Typhoons have gone to the Falklands complete with new tail markings,(No 3sqdn) unfortunatly we missed getting a photo of the new markings on our last aviation day, they were just pushing one back in the hanger

and I couldnt get me camera focussed in time

[firbeck 860]

Did anyone watch Stephen Fry's 'Last Chance to See' programme the other night. If not, go on to the BBCi replay and go about 20 minutes in. You'll see a conversation about some odd insect with Peter Jackson, but they're in a hangar standing in front of one of the amazing plastic Lancasters and, wow, a Wellington bomber, not painted yet and I'm not sure about the scale or it's relevance in the scheme of things, but it certainly looks the business.

Yes, a Wellington did feature in the original film, it was the last flying example left at the time when they made it, now thankfully preserved at Hendon, I'm sure it was stuck in there for a bit of period originallity, perhaps Fry and Jackson are re-creating the original film word for word and scene for scene, nigger...nigger....nigger....nigger.

Sorry if I've offended anyone, but I can't accept altering historic truth in the face of PC, it really is pathetic and offensive to those that sacrificed themselves to allow this stupidity to happen.

[plantfit 7,663]

Yes Pete I did see the programm, the reason Pete Jackson cropped up was the name of his company "Witta" named after the Witter insect an endangered species in New Zealand, the Lanc did look good though as you say, complete with "upkeep" bouncing bomb, I also agree with you about the code word "nigger" I understand in this new film the code word will be "trigger" can't recall Gibson having a pet horse

Rog

[Beefsteak 305]

Thought this bit was best !!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8281382.stm