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Welcome to Series 3! 

In the first episode of the new series of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts James Jefferies and Jane Gulliford Lowes discuss the often-overlooked role of meteorology in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. Joined once more by Jamie Heffer from RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre, , they explore the challenges posed by weather conditions, personal stories from the MET flights, and the operational significance of these flights in ensuring mission success. The conversation highlights the bravery of those involved in meteorological operations and their impact on air warfare strategy.

Takeaways

• The weather was a significant enemy for Bomber Command.
• Meteorological flights were crucial for mission planning.
• Bad weather could lead to disastrous outcomes for aircrews.
• Personal stories illustrate the dangers faced by pilots.
• The transition of MET flights from Bomber to Coastal Command.
• Different aircraft were used for various meteorological roles.
• The importance of accurate weather data in air operations.
• The legacy of meteorological squadrons is often forgotten.
• Weather conditions dictated the success of bombing missions.
• The bravery of MET flight crews deserves recognition.

Sound Bites

"The weather can genuinely kill you off."
"Meteorology dictates the whole air war."
"The MET guys put themselves at huge risks."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to RAF Bomber Command History
02:39 The Importance of Meteorological Flights
05:02 Weather as Bomber Command's Greatest Enemy
09:16 The Evolution of Meteorological Operations
12:39 Aircraft and Equipment Used in Meteorological Flights
16:52 The Role of Bircham Newton in Meteorological Flights
18:39 Introduction to Meteorological Flights
18:59 THUM: Thermal Upper Air Measurement Flights
20:04 PRATA: Pressure and Temperature Ascent Flights
20:54 RHOMBUS: Long-Range Reconnaissance Missions
23:48 PAMPA: Dangerous Flights into Enemy Territory
26:46 The Importance of Meteorological Data
29:18 Impact of Weather on Operations
31:19 Personal Stories from Bircham Newton
39:52 Conclusion and Reflection on Meteorological Contributions
42:30 Show intro.wav

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