1980 BBC Fighter Pilot on DVD

[flyjoe180]

If anyone is interested you can buy DVDs of old and rare BBC documentaries from this website www.freewebs.com/thousandways/apps/webstore/

The titles include: Test Pilot, Fighter Pilot, Sailor, The Paras, among others.

Another site offering these DVDs is www.tvondvd.co.uk/
which also includes other military/aviation titles that may be of interest.


I'll be getting a few in the new year I think.

[corsair67]

Thanks for the heads up, Joe.

I've just ordered myself "Fighter Pilot" as a Christmas present to myself.

[mumbles]

Interesting footnote: one of the featured instructors (at the JP stage from memory) would in a couple of years be captaining the first Black Buck Vulcan raid on the Falklands. I think there are a couple of other similar 'celebrity' cameos as well.

[ZacYates]

Test Pilot? Excellent! Must get that, I grew up viewing the show on VHS after Mum taped it.

[Deane B]

LOL - the "landing instruction" video clip on the Fighter Pilot page was used on my RNZAF Instructional Techniques Course (Non flying related) of an example of how NOT to instruct!! Rant, rave and put down your student so they are tense and nervous, then right at the end say "now just relax"....priceless !!

[corsair67]

LOL - the "landing instruction" video clip on the Fighter Pilot page was used on my RNZAF Instructional Techniques Course (Non flying related) of an example of how NOT to instruct!! Rant, rave and put down your student so they are tense and nervous, then right at the end say "now just relax"....priceless

Funny that you mention that, because I couldn't help thinking that instructor didn't sound very professional at all, and probably should be working in another field. ;D

[beagle]

just checked, they are on youtube as well

[Bruce]

I have had a look at the You Tube episodes, however they are only the first 10 mins or so of the episodes, the following parts dont appear to have been uploaded... bit of a waste of time really....

[beagle]

ok, cheers for that. is that both fighter pilot and test pilot

[corsair67]

Received a dvd copy of the Fighter Pilot series yesterday, and have nearly watch all eight episodes already.

The recorded footage quality isn't fantastic at times (especially in the first 5-10 mins of episode 1), with the usual home made VHS copy picture blips and drops in sound quality - I'd compare it to a VHS tape that has sat in the back of your grandparents TV cabinet for 15 years, and has been taped over at least 30 times.

Nevertheless, as this is probably the only way I will ever be able to see the series again, in my opinion it is still worth having.

[obiwan27]

You never know Corsair, the BBC did release 'Sailor' a few years ago. Never say never.

[flyjoe180]

Glad the link was of use to you Craig, I have copies of Fighter Pilot and Test Pilot on VHS which are with Dave, but I am tempted to get them on DVD from this place too. Tape doesn't last very well. I noticed from a few of the Youtube clips, as short as they were, that there was content I hadn't seen before, TVNZ must've cut a few bits out for ads.

[Dave Homewood]

Joe, when do you get back up this way? I will get the tapes back to you, I promise. Blush.

And yes I think TVNZ did do their usual trimming of those days. Thank goodness that practice has largely gone by the wayside nowadays.

[flyjoe180]

No problem Dave, did you find how to convert them to DVD? The RNZAF ad on one of those tapes is priceless I think. The old 'Sky is the Limit' ad. Do you also have my tape with Jean Batten Garbo of the Skies? They must be rather tired now, they weren't exactly in fine shape when I loaned them.

If you can get them converted to DVD then hold on to them. I can always make a journey south to get them at a later date along with the magazines. Otherwise I can pass through Cambridge on my final voyage to Auckland at the end of this month. I'll PM you the final plan if you would like me to pop in on my travels.

[corsair67]

From what I read elsewhere on the 'net, it apparently seems unlikely that the BBC will release Fighter Pilot on dvd.

Apparently the series caused some sort of ruckus between the BBC and the RAF at the time, and now the BBC also feel that there won't be a very big market for a series that is nearly 30 years old.

I can see why the RAF might not have liked the final product in some ways. Some of the instructors don't come through the series looking very good or competent, and there is also one scene where a Govt minister and a senior RAF officer are 'ambushed' in front of camera by John McCrea and another trainee pilot as they complain about the lack of leave they have been given - then later on, the minister and RAF officer are filmed basically scoffing at the complaints, whilst whinging that they would have thought the trainees would have been more interested in asking about availablity of places for pilots on the Tornado. Also, some of the recruits do come across as awfully immature and over-indulged twats - so it is funny to see that the 'common' milkman is the only one to finally suceed in his quest to fly fast jets operationally. Allister Stewart in particular is a high achiever, who when the going gets a little tough, throws in the towel and transfer to become a navigator; only to later throw in the towel again and asks to be allowed to leave the RAF altogether.

The thing that shocked me was the number of potential recruits that solely wanted to join the RAF as a pilot because it seemed glamourous and led to higher social standing - and actually said this in their interviews!

[flyjoe180]

I haven't seen that 'ambushing' of the senior officer scene. Yes, I distinctly remember that waiting room scene at Biggin Hill where those being interviewed talk about their reasons for wanting to be pilots. One bearded guy sticks in my mind as a complete arrogant dork.