Plane Tales

A union dispute against an aggressive and ruthless employer can result in sadness, bitterness and broken lives.  Nij Demery was a senior union representative and then president of such a union during the longest industrial action in aviation history.  This is the second part of his story.

A union dispute against an aggressive and ruthless employer can result in sadness, bitterness and broken lives.  Nij Demery was a senior union representative and then president of such a union during the longest industrial action in aviation history.  This is the first part of his story.

The second part of a two part Plane Tale about the ex fighter pilot and aviation photographer and publisher, Ian Black.

The first of a two part Plane Tale about the ex fighter pilot and aviation photographer and publisher, Ian Black.  

Many might know this story of survival against all odds when a Uruguayan team from the Old Christians Rugby club fail to arrive at their destination.  Abandoned by the authorities high in the Andes, they choose life over death but only at a terrible cost to their consciences. Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, sitting. Images under Creative Commons licence, Pedro Escobal and Héctor Maffuche.

A steam pipe fitter from New York manages an incredible feat of flying skill, whilst under the influence, not once but twice!  So famous was he that they made a cocktail in his honour!  

9/11 had devastating consequences but for those who were trying to get home, into the closed airspace of the United States, their diversions to unexpected destinations opened their eyes to the generosity of strangers.     Images under Creative Commons licence, Wally Gobetz and CFB Gander.

The Nazi Germans in the Netherlands were using starvation as retribution and air drops were the only way to save thousands.  The RAF and American bomber crews provide the solution. A Lancaster bomber drops relief supplies to the Dutch people.   The people of the Netherlands spell out their thanks.      

By for the most successful vertical take off fighter ever built.  The Harrier was a technological success for Hawker Siddeley that produced a fast jet fighter that could land on a runway and in a ploughed field!         Images under Creative Commons licence by Alan Wilson and Anthony Noble.

An eclipse of the sun moves over the earth at an incredible speed and no aircraft could possibly keep up with the shadow it casts whilst carrying a whole team of expert observers... except perhaps one!       Images through Creative Commons licence, Sunil Gupta, Natarajanganesan and André Cros.

America is keeping the Second World War at arms length whilst a Pan Am Clipper is wending its way from San Francisco down to Auckland in New Zealand. What happens next is a remarkable achievement for a civilian airliner but it remains an almost unknown story.

The tragic death of a friend leads to a life saving technology that has saved so many pilots.  Martin Baker.     Images through Creative Commons licence, StromBer and US Gov US Navy.

A faulty jet engine combustor leads to a tragic disaster but much is learned from the Manchester air disaster.   Images through Creative Commons licence, UK Gov Crown copyright.

In aviation we use a bewildering array of measurements, enough to confuse, baffle and discombobulate the average pilot.

The second of a two part tale which examines two bombers from the Second World War, their successes and their loss rates.  This tale is the story of the de Havilland Mosquito. The bombing of the Gestapo HQ in Copenhagen, Denmark.   Mosquito FB Mk XVIII carrying the 57mm Molins gun.     Images under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov, Crown copyright.