TIGHAR

Historic Aircraft Recovery and Preservation => War / Service Related Aircraft topics => Topic started by: Chris Johnson on May 17, 2013, 02:09:27 AM

Title: Dambusters Flypast Photo's
Post by: Chris Johnson on May 17, 2013, 02:09:27 AM

Yesterday was the 70th aniversery of the famous Dam Busters Raid.  Here are some photo's from the  Fly Pass (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22555975) over Derwent Water between Manchester and Sheffield.

Title: Re: Dambusters Flypast Photo's
Post by: Gus Rubio on May 17, 2013, 07:15:58 AM

Thanks for the tip.  What a remarkable sight.  And it goes without saying that the actual mission was even more so...

Title: Re: Dambusters Flypast Photo's
Post by: Chris Austin on May 17, 2013, 09:07:15 AM

And some video:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=478480415559141&set=vb.185677149392&type=3 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=478480415559141&set=vb.185677149392&type=3)

Title: Re: Dambusters Flypast Photo's
Post by: Monty Fowler on May 18, 2013, 08:59:50 AM

Man, that was flying ... with great, big, brass ones, for the men who flew that mission. Remember, they didn't have digital instruments, infrared night-vision goggles, Head's Up Displays, none of the fancy gee whiz stuff of today.

They had to do it in the dead of night; flying practically blind; using angled lights becausing instruments at the time couldn't measure 60 feet off the ground accurately (how's that for making your airplane a huge target for the AA gunners); and nobody was even sure the bouncing bombs would actually work.

But work they did. You have to hand it to the Brits - when the chips are down, never, ever underestimate their ability to come up behind you and pull you feet out from under you before you even know they're there.

LTM, who salutes the men of 617 Squadron,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 CER