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Plane Tales

Capt Nick

The View from Our Side of the Cockpit Door

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300 episodes
Updated July 19

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Episodes300

Nov 13, 2017 · 16 min
From Four to One
A late night take off dissolves into a nightmare for a cargo crew flying a venerable Lockheed Electra as, one by one, their engines fail. Image under Creative Commons licence, RuthAS.
Nov 5, 2017 · 18 min
Nij Demery – The 49ers Part Three
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 final part of his story.
Oct 28, 2017 · 17 min
Nij Demery – The 49ers Part Two
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.
Oct 21, 2017 · 18 min
Nij Demery – The 49ers Part One
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.
Oct 11, 2017 · 19 min
The Ian Black Interviews, Part Two
The second part of a two part Plane Tale about the ex fighter pilot and aviation photographer and publisher, Ian Black.
Oct 7, 2017 · 16 min
The Ian Black Interviews, Part One
The first of a two part Plane Tale about the ex fighter pilot and aviation photographer and publisher, Ian Black.
Sep 30, 2017 · 18 min
Against All Odds
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.
Sep 19, 2017 · 11 min
A Late Night Flight, Please
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!
Sep 12, 2017 · 16 min
The Plane People
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.
Sep 11, 2017 · 16 min
The Hunger Winter
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.
Aug 31, 2017 · 16 min
But Sir, Harriers Don’t Actually Hover
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.
Aug 25, 2017 · 15 min
Eating the Sun
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.
Aug 19, 2017 · 17 min
No Distant Lands
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.
Aug 11, 2017 · 18 min
7543
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.
Aug 5, 2017
The No 9 Combustor
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.
Jul 31, 2017 · 19 min
Of Degrees, Knots, Pounds and Things
In aviation we use a bewildering array of measurements, enough to confuse, baffle and discombobulate the average pilot.
Jul 23, 2017 · 16 min
Wooden Wonders and Aluminum Overcast – Part 2
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.
Jul 15, 2017 · 16 min
Wooden Wonders and Aluminum Overcast – Part 1
The first 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 Boeing B17. Boeing Y1B-17 in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo) Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov.
Jul 8, 2017 · 17 min
The Maverick of Malta
An unusual pilot helps to defend the island of Malta during its darkest period. A brave man who excelled at Photo Reconnaissance. Image under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov Imperial War Museum.
Jul 2, 2017
Turning Oceans Into Ponds
The race across the Atlantic and those adventurous first aviators who tackled the huge body of water that separates Europe and America. Charles Lindbergh and his aircraft, The Spirit of St Louis. Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov and Library of Congress.