Plane Tales

W E Johns wasn’t just a brave World War 1 pilot who survived being shot down over enemy territory but after the war he became an author who inspired generations of young people to become pilots.  Under the pen name of Captain W E Johns he wrote over a hundred adventure books featuring a fearless pilot and his trusty crew.  This is the story of Biggles and his creator!

Biggles fought in two world wars and several campaigns!

Like his author, he started off flying in WW1.

Perhaps his greatest success was on the radio in Australia!

Translated into many languages Biggles had world wide appeal except for the USA where he was thought to be too British!

Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to those kind enough to supply them to Wikipedia and Wiki.

The tragic story of Southern Airways flight 242, a DC9 that lost both engines flying through severe weather and then performed a dead stick landing onto a road in New Hope with tragic consequences for both those onboard and those on the ground.

The approximate ground track of the stricken aircraft.

The accident aircraft.

Aircraft wreckage amongst the houses of New Hope.

Images used through Creative Commons licence with thanks to the NTSB, Crum357 and Clipperartic.

Its May 1942 and America has joined the Second World War, committing many of its combat resources to campaigns around the world.  On the East coast of America, vital shipping are being sunk by German submarines.  The losses had been so terrible that the figures were being withheld from the public and for a few humiliating weeks, all coastal vessels were ordered to stay in harbour until convoys could be organised.  The stage was set for the creation of the Civil Air Patrol.

Two Oregon Wing CAP members walk towards their aircraft during a training exercise.

A Civil Air Patrol air search and rescue pilot.

Images displayed under Creative Commons licence with thanks to the US Gov, Fry1989, the CAP and U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey.

In a desperate gamble to encourage the USA to come to Britain’s aid during their most desperate of days of WW2, Churchill dispatched Sir Henry Tizard to America bearing a small metal box… Tizard’s Trunk.  Inside were some of the most closely guarded technological secrets that Britain had to offer.

John Cockroft (right) wearing his Medal of Freedom awarded for his services to the Manhattan Project.

An original cavity magnetron, 1940, developed by John Randall and Harry Boot at Birmingham University.

Images displayed under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Science Museum London and the MIT Museum.

The life of a pigeon can be a little mundane unless you are drafted into the Royal Air Force and find yourself on bombing missions, accompanying submarine hunters or parachuting into enemy territory with spies!  This is the story of the humble homing pigeon, drafted into service!

The Photo Recon pigeon.

An RAF bomber crew member heads off with his pigeons.

Not to be outdone, Coastal Command shows off their feathered friend.

The Dickin medal winner, Commando!

A mobile pigeon loft of World War 1.

Photographs displayed under Creative Commons licence, with thanks to UK Gov, the German Federal Archive and the Imperial War Museum.

The tragic days following the demise of Monarch Airlines are recounted in this, the second and final part of an interview with Captain Al Evans.

Captain Al Evans with his Monarch A320 at Gibraltar.

Images under Creative Commons Licence with thanks to Capt Al Evans.

On 5 June 1967, Monarch Airlines was established with a rather aged Bristol Britannia and I doubt that many people had any great hopes for its longevity but, when it was approaching its 50th year of operation, it fell foul of a poor economic situation and collapsed.  A year has gone by since then and Captain Al Evens recalls the events leading up to the demise of this much loved airline in this, the first part of two interviews.

A younger Al before he moved across to the Captain’s seat.

Happier days with a much loved airline.

Images under Creative Commons with thanks to Sebastian Ballard and Capt Al Evans.

Many of us have past generations in our family who flew during the Second World War but few of us have a wonderful diary describing the lives they lived during the conflict.  Nick Kidd’s Uncle was one of the secretive pilots who flew agents into France and supplied the Free French Resistance and this is the fascinating story of his Uncle Geoff.

The Wellington under construction showing its unusual geodesic design.

The Pundit system that Geoff and his navigator used to help them find their home base.

How to fly the corkscrew evasion manoeuvre.

The original version of the Wellington.

Images under Creative Commons Licence with thanks to UK Gov, the RAF and HMSO.

He was the greatest fighter pilot that ever served with the United States armed forces. A quiet and unassuming man who, even when he had more kills than the fabled Eddie Rickenbacker, insisted on going back into combat.  A remarkable pilot whose life was brought to a sadly early end.

Images under Creative Commons Licence with thanks to US Gov, USAF and Mikejfm.

To the primitive tribes of the Pacific Islands the sudden arrival of flying machines disgorging tons of wonderful cargo is beyond their understanding.  Their attempts to make sense of what is occurring leads to the creation of a remarkable new religion.

Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to the authors.