I'm surprised the excellent BBC 4 programme "Jet! When Britain ruled the skies" hasn't been mentioned on the forum (if it has I'll stand in the corner). It's still available on iPlayer and really worth catching. Programme 1 covered post war military aviation and programme 2 civil aviation. Wonderfully evocative footage of old Farnborough air shows.
It was suggested that Britain's greatest civil aircraft were the Viscount, the Comet and the VC10; by this it meant aircraft designed and built solely in the UK. I've flown on all three, the last being a Viscount about 1980. I'm sure many of you have much more extensive experience of these beautiful machines.
alfalfa
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I remember watching and enjoying it earlier in the year, and I thought it had been discussed. But a quick search didn't reveal where.
Last edited by: Focusless on Fri 21 Dec 12 at 14:07
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good series that.
the only problem after watching these programs is 'where did it all go wrong' ?
i wouldnt say that we rulled they skies but britain did come really close to it
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Don't forget the UK is still a world leader in aircraft design and manufacturer. All the Airbus wings and Rolls Royce engines etc. And then there is the avionics.
There are even a lot of Beings out there with Rolls Royce engines.
Never experienced any of them though, the only planes I have travelled in is a 737 - 700 and an A319.
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english electric... nuff sed
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>> good series that.
>>
>> the only problem after watching these programs is 'where did it all go wrong' ?
Some were not very good, you kinda loose confidence when they have a habit of spreading the passengers all over the Mediterranean. Pretty yes, commercially viable? no.
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BOEING was the ELEPHANT in the room
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I missed the program, however there is a very good book that covers this period, Empire of the clouds, I think it's called. Very good read for anyone interest in that period although it does mainly cover military aircraft.
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>> Empire of the clouds
That and a few others (Amazon): tinyurl.com/cyo9wf6
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I've flown in a Viscount with my parents, when young, no idea where to mind. And a Comet 4B, BEA (I think) LHR to Venice as an 8 year old, when we all got certificates! Lots of times in a Handley Page Dart Herald, Yeadon to Jersey courtesy of BUA.
Probably got some slides in an old tin trunk in the attic as evidence. Nowadys I'm more bothered about the in flight entertainment (Delta sucks).
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Jet! - Focusless
