The Big Chopper

A sad end to a majestic and iconic British aircraft…
Join me on a London underground train journey on the Circle Line between Bayswater and Nottinghill Gate (where you might find Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts!).
The Hercules – Richard Broom Photography
Watch out. He’s coming to get you!
A larger version of this image can be seen by clicking here.
It’s not a spaceship at all (but looks like one). It’s a helicopter.
See a large version of this image by clicking here.
In today’s plastic and electronic world, we often seem to lose sight of how important engineering skills are to us. And, we especially lose sight of how important solid engineering training is. We certainly don’t always seem to make things like we used to. Perhaps it is because our politicians mostly read PPE at Oxford or are former lawyers. They wouldn’t know a spanner if it hit them on the head! That leads me to ask the question…what exactly are our politicians good for? Answer (as in the song): ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
One of the very brave and highly inspirational women who, during World War 2, flew newly built aircraft from the factories to airfields around the UK. They flew without radios or any armaments. They flew many types of different aircraft with minimal training. Exceptional pilots.
It could almost be a spaceship! The photograph was taken from the ‘back room’ of the Vulcan where three ‘back office’ crew members would have sat. It will be clear from the image that the Vulcan bomber was not build for comfort.
If the firing pin interrupter mechanism didn’t work, there was every chance you would shoot your own propellor off.
A slightly different version of this image.
Over 57,000 aircrew were killed during World War 2 (46% death rate). I can’t help wondering how many more young men and women will be killed if fighting breaks out (again) in Iran/Iraq and beyond. Ultimately a pointless and tragic loss of human life. We never seem to learn.