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Jingoistic title - I suppose that’s what you have to do nowadays - but looks like an interesting documentary on the development of British aviation through the 50’s and 60’s
Peak STW viewing, surely 😃
It's good!
If it's on, Cold War, Hot Jets from around the same time that was originally on is also well worth a watch.
We stopped ruling the skies in 1946 when we gave all our supersonic tech to the USA for bugger all in return and then cancelled the Miles M.52.
Done the rounds before IIRC?
Enjoyable for sure.
We stopped ruling the skies in 1946 when we gave all our supersonic tech to the USA for bugger all in return and then cancelled the Miles M.52.
Not to mention selling Nene engines to the Soviets, which they reverse engineered, popped into the Mig 15 air frame and started blasting NATO planes out of the sky. Not exactly a foreign policy triumph that one.
This series was made in 2012. It is a really good watch. The Vulcan was still flying then, too.
😥
This series was made in 2012. It is a really good watch. The Vulcan was still flying then, too.
It's been on TV a few times, I think there's a previous fairly long thread somewhere on here about it.
Good programme, always worth watching when it's on.
Wasn't there a documentary just on the V force as well?
Wasn’t there a documentary just on the V force as well?
Can't remember.
Cold War, Hot Jets does more on the politics than this series, though.
For example, I never knew the RAF actually flew low-level recon missions deep into Soviet territory on behalf of the americans. Pre-U2.
For example, I never knew the RAF actually flew low-level recon missions deep into Soviet territory on behalf of the americans. Pre-U2.
Top trivia moment...
Which RAF aircraft type spent the most time over 'enemy territory' during the Cold War?
We stopped ruling the skies in 1946 when we gave all our supersonic tech to the USA for bugger all in return and then cancelled the Miles M.52.
TBH, I think the De Havilland Comet disaster was probably one of the major causes. That let Boeing get ahead with the 707, which led to their domination of commercial aviation. On the military side, the F16 has pretty much eaten everyone's lunch - much more versatile than Tornado and Jaguar.
I'm going with the Canberra or Buccaneer
Nope.
the F16 has pretty much eaten everyone’s lunch
Long before the F-16 the F-104 Starfighter stole everyones lunch. It was more to do with large brown envelopes than the capability of the aircraft though.
I’m going with the Canberra or Buccaneer
Canberra (and Harrier) were adopted by U.S. military because there wasn't any credible competition, so pretty successful. Buccaneer was competing with Grumman Avenger for a niche market segment. Doesn't matter if it's a world beater if there's no market for it.
Edit. And I guess the Skyhawk got a lot of the market for attack aircraft. Not as capable as Buccaneer, but cheap and effective.
RB45 Tornado?
Converted bomber.
Which RAF aircraft type spent the most time over ‘enemy territory’ during the Cold War?
Dakota, Berlin airlift
Nope.
Give up yet?
Yes, I give up.
So long as I can pass the answer off as my own and use it later...
Or did we sell something to a soviet ally or non-aligned state?
The mighty Chipmunk!
Out of Gatow, frequently loitering over the East.