Top Landing Gear (Top Landing Gear)

After several hi-octane podcasts celebrating the magic of the Merlin-powered Avro Lancaster, and the roar of the mighty Eurofighter Typhoon, we’re back with, not so much a bang, but definitely not a whimper either, in fact more of a whoosh. This week the TLG team goes gliding.

None of us knew quite what to expect ahead of our gliding debuts, but, as you’ll hear in our Full Flaps episode, we loved it! We hope this episode will open your eyes, as it did ours, to the glory of gliding, and the thrills it brings. It’s about far more than just genteelly floating through the air enjoying the view, although if that’s what you want it is one of life’s great airborne experiences. But it provides drama and excitement too, and as we discovered courtesy of our exuberant and generous hosts at Trent Valley Gliding Club at Kirton-in-Lindsey (www.tvgc.org.uk), there are things you can do in a glider you might never have thought possible.

There’s all the usual stuff in the magazine episode too of course: Roy talks us through his attempts at his first landing in a microlight; Ask James covers quite a wide range of topics, which thankfully as our aviation expert James manages to answer; and Jez’s Quick Facts on gliding are, a bit like a flight in a glider, potentially never-ending. The TLG Quiz is as fiercely contested as ever with some top notch whingeing from both Jez and James. Please do join us for our latest podcast and be catapulted into the glorious world of gliding.    

Welcome to Top Landing Gear Full Flaps and the first part of our interview with Tony Hoskins who is restoring a rare photo reconnaissance Spitfire PR4 to full flight.

Back in 2018 Tony and his team recovered the wreckage of Spitfire AA810 from a mountainside in Norway where it had laid undisturbed for 76 years having been shot down on a mission to photograph the battleship Tirpitz. The pilot Sandy Gunn bailed out but was later captured and sent to Stalug Luft III to become one of those immortalised in The Great Escape.

Tony's aim is that 810 should become a flying memorial to the men and woman of the Photograph Reconnaissance Unit during World War Two. And as well as restoring the aircraft is campaigning to have a permanent monument to the PRU erected in London.

We visited Tony at Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight where 810 is being painstakingly restored. In Part Two we'll take you around the workshop where you can hear how the restoration is taking shape. Here in part one Tony talks us through his ambitions for the project and the fascinating story of a very rare Spitfire and it's pilot. 

Please visit to https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk to find out more and  how you can support this incredible project.

You can also purchase Tony’s wonderful book ‘Sandys Spitfire’, order signed prints of the aircraft or even have your name  engraved forever on the engine cowling HERE

Hello and welcome to Top Landing Gear Full Flaps, and to the full length interview with Ian Whittle, son of Sir Frank Whittle, the man credited with one of the greatest inventions of the modern age, something that changed the world forever – the jet engine. Ian is a pilot himself and flew the Gloster Meteor in RAF service, Britain’s first jet fighter, powered by the very engines his father had invented. James and I had the enormous pleasure of visiting Ian at his Surrey home almost 85 years to the day since the first successful test run of his father’s jet engine. Ian speaks with such passion and enthusiasm, not to mention incredibly detailed knowledge. You don’t get much closer to touching history than this. I hope you enjoy it.

As Ian was so generous with his time, we’ve split the interview into two parts, so here’s part one – keep an eye out on the socials for part two – or it may already be there now.

Hello and welcome back to Top Landing Gear. The aviation podcast for everyone. After several months in the wilderness we’re back with a brand new series. Today we catch up on the latest aviation news and look forward to what’s coming up in Season Five of www.toplandinggear.com  

 

If you have a topic you would like us to consider or a question for our pilot and aviation expert get in touch via our socials or send us an email via info@toplandinggear.com

 

Thanks for listening

Welcome to Part one of our Full Flaps interview with bestselling author and historian Rowland White. Previously best known for his edge of the seat blockbuster (and Jez's favourite book of all time!) Vulcan 607.  He has now turned his attention to another airborne operation with the gripping account of the role that the Sea Harrier and its pilots played during the Falklands conflict. Today he talks to us in depth about this incredible new book Harrier 809. So in depth, that we've split the interview into two parts so you've time to go and buy the book and read it before next week!!

 You can get all of Rowland's books, including Harrier 809 and Vulcan 607 right here! 

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

Putting on an airshow requires an immense amount of organisation, and safety is of course paramount. But when a display takes place over the sea, and away from an airfield, who controls the display area and calls the aircraft in to begin their display? What if they need to hold, or if there needs to be a last minute change due to unforeseen circumstances? Dave Walton is Display Director for the UK’s Coastal airshows, including Bournemouth, so who better to talk to us about everything that’s involved in the smooth and safe operation of an airshow over the sea?

 

 

 

 

Millions of us are bemoaning the inevitable cancellation of airshows large and small up and down the country. So how are we going to get our airshow fix this summer? Well thankfully there are some very innovative people out there who, since we haven’t got any airshows to go to, will do the next best thing, and bring them to us. One such person is this week’s special guest George ‘Smokey’ Bacon, CEO of the British Air Display Association, and an airshow commentator and display pilot, amongst many other things.

He explains how we can get involved in ‘virtual’ airshows this summer, and talks about how the UK airshow scene looks going forward. Meanwhile the rest of us reminisce about our favourite airshow memories, and Top Landing Gear’s very own aviation expert, pilot James Cartner answers the only question, again, sent in for his much ignored ‘Ask James’ segment. And don’t forget a week after this episode drops on 16th June, you’ll be able to hear George’s full interview. He has a plethora of amazing stories from his time as a front line pilot in the RAF and the Army Air Corps, and from his not insignificant involvement throughout aviation over the years, including the Historic Aircraft Flight and Aerobility. That’s Top Landing Gear Full Flaps, available from 23rd June.

 

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

We were extremely honoured to be invited to the Festival’s opening ceremony which was attended not only by some of the show’s participants but also some top brass, among whom was Air Vice Marshal Simon Edwards, Assistant Chief of The Air Staff. A former Hercules and C17 pilot, he’s now responsible for ASTRA, the RAF’s future strategy. Yet despite being such an incredibly important and impressive figure, he was happy to talk to Top Landing Gear. We’d had a rather early start that morning having set off from our homes at the crack of dawn and so may not have been at our sharpest. Still, we hoped that having a former RAF pilot in our ranks in the impressive shape of James Cartner, might have stood us in good stead in such elevated and illustrious company. You be the judge.

A bonus episode to accompany our podcast about the 1969 Daily Mail Great Transatlantic Air Race.

Rolf Richardson flew one of the winning civilian entries in the air race in a BOAC Super VC10. Here he tells us what was involved, and how, although he was operating a scheduled commercial flight from New York to London, they really pushed the limits, and even got special treatment from air traffic control. Some of the most amazing stories are what happened on the ground, but it’s all scarcely believable in this day and age.

Rolf also talks about his time on some of the earlier airliners such as the Argonaut, and completely shatters our illusions about the Bristol Britannia which he says ‘must have been designed by a team of mad professors’. He also flew Britain’s first ever jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, at a time when it had a disturbingly high attrition rate.  

Since leaving aviation Rolf has been a noted photographer and is a successful thriller writer, always with a bit of aviation in the storyline, much of it based on his experiences in the early years, but entirely fictional, and with a good dollop of sex and murder. Look out for his books on Amazon, available both on Kindle and in paperback.

Books by Rolf Richardson: 

'THE LAST WEISS', set during the final stages of WW2 in two of his favourite countries, Germany and Norway. In COFFIN CORNER we move to a fictional airline in 1960s Singapore, with excursions to Australia. With BEAR BUGGER CRUISE it's off to the Caribbean and the mystery disappearance of a cruise ship passenger. In NIGHT WATCHMAN we stay in Britain, where disaster strikes the political establishment. ROAD TO MANDALAY starts in the French Alps, but finishes on the Road to Mandalay. Reason: the strange new world of cyber power. In STASILAND we're again in Germany, now united but with echoes of the past when death stalks the River Elbe. LETTER FROM GALAPAGOS is a mystery set in the South Seas with the disappearance of a yacht. TEA WITH RASPUTIN starts in Alaska, but ends in the mafia world of St.Petersburg

 

The British Aerospace Sea Harrier is one of the most iconic and most loved of all British aircraft. Entering service with the Royal Navy in 1980, the informally know ‘SHAR’ vertically took off into our hearts after its success in the Falklands conflict, where three squadrons of just 28 SHARS shot down 20 Argentine aircraft whilst defending the fleet and supporting the ground invasion. 

 

In this episode we talk to Aviation author and expert Rowland White. His fantastic new book  ‘Harrier 809’ is out now, tells the untold story of 809 Squadron and the Falklands War. Combining groundbreaking research with the pace of a thriller, Rowland White reveals the full story of the fleet's knife-edge fight for survival for the first time, and shows how the little jump jet went from airshow novelty to sealing its reputation as an icon of British aviation, alongside the Spitfire and the Hurricane. It is available in hardback, ebook and audiobook. www.rowlandwhite.com

The wait is finally over.....

Well almost.... One week to go. 

Series Three lands next week - On TLG Tuesday of course!

In this trailer Rob gives you a brief glimpse into some of the many aviation audio treats we have planned for the coming months... And to really whet the appetite we then re-run one of our favourite interviews from 2020.

Our Full Flaps extended conversation is with David Williams. A captain with Virgin Atlantic, who in 2014 was involved in a major incident when the 747-400 he was flying developed an unprecedented systems failure resulting in only part of the landing gear locking down for landing. David tells us in jaw-dropping detail how, for over three hours, he tried to literally shake the gear down by flying extreme manoeuvres never before experienced on a 747 laden with passengers. Indeed they weren’t even in the training manual. It didn’t work. He explains how he eventually nursed the aircraft back to Gatwick, but with so many systems malfunctioning, including the brakes, there was real concern as to what outcome awaited him, his crew and 447 passengers, one of whom was his own daughter. It’s a riveting account, never before told in such detail. The whole interview on Full Flaps will have you flabbergasted. Listen, and be amazed.

 

In this edition of Top Landing Gear we continue to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, focussing on one of the workhorses of the British Task Force’s airborne operation, the venerable Westland Wessex. Now of course our aviation ‘expert’ James Cartner was an RAF Wessex pilot, so we thought we’d let him compile the quiz, and be the quiz master. This is unlikely ever to happen again. Our guest was a Royal Navy observer on HMS Antrim’s Wessex 3, famously known as Humphrey. The man is Chris Parry, who regales us with some of the most extraordinary stories to have come out of the South Atlantic back in 1982. From firing the first shots of the war, to inserting and rescuing an SAS party in unimaginable conditions from the Fortuna Glacier in South Georgia, Chris’s stories are jaw-dropping. You’ll hear a clip of his interview in this podcast, the full interview will of course be in our Full Flaps edition.  

'Down South : A Falklands War Diary by Chris Parry is available to buy and download HERE

Top Landing Gear returns as we continue series 5 by going further back in aviation history than we've ever gone before, to the earliest days of commercial air travel with our visit to the historic Croydon Aerodrome.   Opening in the 1920s, Croydon was London's, indeed the UK's main international airport, and as well as virtually being the birthplace of commercial air travel, it was also the starting point for many of aviation's historic records, including those set by Amy Johnson. So this is a real step back in time partly because it was so long ago when we recorded the interview with the man who knows everything there is to know about Croydon's history, Ian Walker. We'll bring you the full recording of our visit to Croydon in our Full Flaps Edition, but here we get back into the swing of things with our magazine edition and all the usual TLG stuff, including Ask James, Jez's Quick Facts all about Croydon Airport - and of course the Top Landing Gear Quiz! Enjoy!

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

Since its launch in 2008, the Bournemouth Air Festival has established itself as one of the UK’s leading public aviation events, and is estimated to generate in the region of £30 million pounds annually to the local economy. It’s certainly highly regarded by aviation fans and display teams alike as it attracts top acts in the air, at sea, on the ground, including most years music acts, not least Roy Stride & Scouting For Girls who’ve been regular headliners on the main festival stage. Sadly Roy was unable to join us in Bournemouth this year, but the three of us went without him anyway, much to the disappointment of the organisers in particular who’d only invited us in the first place because of Roy’s long association with the festival. But we were made to feel incredibly welcome and were hugely impressed by the scale of the event.

We spoke to Bournemouth Air Festival Director Jon Weaver about the challenges involved in getting an event of this scale up and running, especially with all the uncertainty during the pandemic. And just how do you go about booking the acts, not least ensuring that the Red Arrows are available? We also spoke to the wonderful Michelle Roberts, Senior Press & PR Officer who was instrumental in getting us along, and who did such an amazing job looking after us, but for whom this sadly was to be her last year in the role.

Top Landing Gear is an aviation podcast for everyone. Brought to you by a pilot, a presenter, a pop star and a fencer! 

Episode One 'Spitfire' landing soon...

We are coming back! 

A short trailer to get you in the mood for the rest of Series Five (Part Deux)

Welcome to the Full Flaps edition of Top Landing Gear. This week we feature the entire TLG interview with Boultbee Flight Academy Chief Pilot Jim Schofield. 

Jim flies Spitfires for a living - and if that isn't the coolest job in the world, he was also a test pilot for the F-35. 

All four members of the team travelled down to Goodwood Aerodrome (Formerly RAF Westhampnett) just a week before lockdown to enjoy an hour in his delightful and knowledgeable company. 

A huge thank you to Jim and all at the Boultbee Flight Academy for their time and allowing us to dress up like idiots and take photos of ourselves in front of their hanger of beautiful Spitfires.

You too can fly a Spitfire. See their website for details.  

The Boeing 747 ‘Jumbo Jet’ changed the face of air travel forever. But after 50 years of impeccable service the ‘Queen of The Skies’ is being hastily retired in favour of more economical twin jets. The 747 won the hearts of those who flew it and of its passengers, and there is universal sadness at its passing. Top Landing Gear pays tribute to this magnificent aircraft, recalling our first experiences of the Jumbo Jet, and discussing why there is so much affection for it. Our guest is David Williams, a captain with Virgin Atlantic, who in 2014 was involved in a major incident when the 747-400 he was flying developed an unprecedented systems failure resulting in only part of the landing gear locking down for landing.

This edition of the Top Landing Gear podcast has an appropriately seasonal feel as we approach winter, its theme being the Cold War, which lasted from 1947 until 1991. The Cold War saw the rapid development of aviation beginning with concepts such as new wing designs and powerplants and ending with digitalised avionics and stealth technology. All this to gain the upper hand in the event of a hot war.

Our guest was an RAF fast jet pilot during the height of the Cold War, and was also a test pilot, as a result of which he has flown almost every western cold war jet imaginable. He is Air Vice Marshal (retired) Graham Williamson, the most senior person by rank that we’ve ever had on the pod.

His is a fascinating story, which he reflects on with great humour here and in his wonderfully entertaining and enlightening book ‘Rhapsody In Blue, An RAF Fighter Pilot’s Life During The Cold War’. Graham tells us the aircraft for which he has most affection is the Harrier, which he was one of the first RAF pilots to fly. In fact along with Sqn Ldr Tom Lecky, he flew the brand new Harrier in the 1969 Daily Mail Air Race, linking us to our previous most recent episodes. Again his story of that adventure needs to be heard to be believed. Another legend of aviation to whom we are enormously grateful for gracing our podcast. 

His Autobiography is simply brilliant and available HERE

 

#aviation #avgeek #coldwar #hawkerharrier #hawkerhunter #aviationpodcast #grahamwilliams #dailymailairrace 

Top Landing Gear Series Four starts this week. 

 

A quick two minute preview from Rob and a reminder of who we are, what we do and that there is a quiz! 

 

 

On the latest edition of Top Landing Gear we salute the most iconic aircraft of them all… the Spitfire. 80 years ago the Spitfire was instrumental in helping this country through one of the most testing times in its history, and to this day it remains a symbol of hope, courage and fortitude.

Join Rob, Roy, James and Jez as they eulogise about this beautiful machine, and Jez waxes lyrical about his flight in a Spit where he took the controls. Our special guest is Jim Schofield, chief Spitfire pilot at the Boutlbee Academy, who has over 100 types to his name including the RAF’s latest combat aircraft, the F-35 Lightning.  Jim gives us the inside track on flying the Spitfire, and he might just have a surprise or two for you. You’ll be able to listen to his interview in full in our ‘Full Flaps’ episode the week after the magazine programme has dropped. It’s not to be missed.

So please join us for another fun but informative foray into the world of aviation.  You can subscribe free, and if you could also leave a review, that would be fantastic.

This edition of the Top Landing Gear podcast has an appropriately seasonal feel as we approach winter, its theme being the Cold War, which lasted from 1947 until 1991. The Cold War saw the rapid development of aviation beginning with concepts such as new wing designs and powerplants and ending with digitalised avionics and stealth technology. All this to gain the upper hand in the event of a hot war.

Our guest was an RAF fast jet pilot during the height of the Cold War, and was also a test pilot, as a result of which he has flown almost every western cold war jet imaginable. He is Air Vice Marshal (retired) Graham Williamson, the most senior person by rank that we’ve ever had on the pod. His is a fascinating story, which he reflects on with great humour here and in his wonderfully entertaining and enlightening book ‘Rhapsody In Blue, An RAF Fighter Pilot’s Life During The Cold War’. Graham tells us the aircraft for which he has most affection is the Harrier, which he was one of the first RAF pilots to fly. In fact along with Sqn Ldr Tom Lecky-Thompson, he flew the brand new Harrier in the 1969 Daily Mail Air Race, linking us to our previous most recent episodes. Again his story of that adventure needs to be heard to be believed. Another legend of aviation to whom we are enormously grateful for gracing our podcast.  

 

You can buy his book HERE! And we heartily, heartily recommend you do so... Perfect Xmas gift for any aviation fan. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01EYSQFIE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

The team are finally back together as a foursome in the studio - well, not quite the studio but backstage at GLive in Guildford just before Roy takes to the stage on the Surrey leg of his SFG 2021 tour.In this episode we discuss all things BBMF and Lancaster after our 2020 tour to Lincolnshire.  James was asked about bang seats, Jez's quick facts had to be quick - as the support band were just about to start kicking out some beats; and the quiz made a triumpant* return.  Plus we hear a snippet from our interview with ex Wessex pilot and current BBMF Bomber Lead Flt Lt Neil 'Faz' Farrell.*Triumphant in Rob's view - no one else was impressed -  nor will you be!

A massive thank you to all our listeners. So many wonderful words across social media about the return of Top Landing Gear this week.

After we mentioned it in last weeks episode we thought it only right to repeat our Audacious Aviation Podcast and 2020 interview with Hawker Hunter pilot Alan Pollock.

A brand new TLG episode will be dropping next Tuesday. 

As we continue to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, we have the perfect guest for our Top Landing Gear ‘Battle of Britain Special’Full Flaps podcast. It’s aviation historian and BoB specialist Dilip Sarkar MBE.

Having been fascinated by the Second World War for a lifetime, Dilip Sarkar has been prolific in writing works focused on the Battle of Britain - particularly the human element of the stories. He has become one of the world's authorities on this moment of history. 

Having written over 40 books on the subject and being honoured with an MBE for services to Aviation History it was said by Battle of Britain fighter ‘ace’ Wg Cdr George Unwin DSO DFM, ‘If you want to know anything about the Battle of Britain and the Few, don’t ask us, ask Dilip!’

You can order his books at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk. Also check out his YouTube channel: Dilip Sarkar MBE: Sharing History. 

This week’s podcast drops in a very timely manner as we release the first of our episodes  marking the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict. Specifically this week’s episode features the magnificent Avro Vulcan and the Black Buck Raids flown by our guest Martin Withers. The first raid, with Martin flying Vulcan XM607, set out from Ascension Island on the 30th April 1982, dropping its 21 1,000lb bombs on Stanley Airfield in the early hours of the 1st May. It is one of the most extraordinary stories in modern aerial warfare, not least because of the massive distances involved. In fact at the time Black Buck 1 was the longest bombing raid ever undertaken.

We hear a clip of Martin in this episode, but his full interview will become available in a ‘2-stage’ Full Flaps edition: in Pt 1 Martin talks at length about the raid; in Pt 2 he shares the joy of displaying Vulcan XH558. As usual we’ll have the usual TLG stuff: Ask James, Jez’s Quick Facts all about his favourite aircraft of all time, (the Vulcan), and the TLG Quiz. What more could you want? (Don’t answer that!)  

Welcome to Top Landing Gear Full Flaps, where we bring you the most thrilling stories and captivating interviews from the world of aviation. Today, we are thrilled to present our full-length interview with none other than Bizjet pilot extraordinaire, Mark Blois-Brooke.

Our hosts, Rob and Roy, had the privilege of meeting Mark in his operating base at Farnborough Airport, the largest and most prestigious business aviation airport in the UK. With his extensive experience and expertise, Mark regaled us with his fascinating tales of life in corporate aviation, leaving us on the edge of our seats.

And if that wasn't enough, you can now dive deeper into Mark's fascinating life with his book "Life in a Tin" available now for aviation enthusiasts and adventurers alike. So buckle up, and get ready to take off on an unforgettable journey with Mark Blois-Brooke and Top Landing Gear Full Flaps! Buy Mark's book HERE

Welcome to Top Landing Gear Full Flaps and the second part of our interview with Tony Hoskins who is restoring a rare photo reconnaissance Spitfire PR4 to full flight.

Back in 2018 Tony and his team recovered the wreckage of Spitfire AA810 from a mountainside in Norway where it had laid undisturbed for 76 years having been shot down on a mission to photograph the battleship Tirpitz. The pilot Sandy Gunn bailed out but was later captured and sent to Stalug Luft III to become one of those immortalised in The Great Escape.

Tony's aim is that 810 should become a flying memorial to the men and woman of the Photograph Reconnaissance Unit during World War Two. And as well as restoring the aircraft is campaigning to have a permanent monument to the PRU erected in London.

We visited Tony at Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight where 810 is being painstakingly restored. In this episode we take you around the workshop where you can hear how the restoration is taking shape. If you missed last weeks episode, please listen back to part one as Tony talks us through his ambitions for the project and the fascinating story of a very rare Spitfire and it's pilot. 

Please visit to https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk to find out more and  how you can support this incredible project.

You can also purchase Tony’s wonderful book ‘Sandys Spitfire’, order signed prints of the aircraft or even have your name  engraved forever on the engine cowling HERE

We are delighted to have with us this week a man who certainly knows his way around an airshow. Not only is he a display pilot with the Army Air Corp Historic Flight and Chairman of the Historic Aircraft Flight he is also CEO of the British Airshow Display Association AND The Voice of numerous airshows up and down the county. With over 4000 hours on more than 20 different aircraft the Top Landing Team chat with airshow legend George 'Smokey' Bacon.

 

 

Every so often our imaginations are fired by someone doing something extraordinary, something so audacious that it’s cemented into folklore. Our latest podcast, ‘Aviation’s Most Audacious Feats’ touches on some of the most outrageous escapades ever to unfold, from the fearless wingwalker of the 1920s who changed an aircraft’s wheel in mid-air, to the brilliant and heroic life-saving exploits of a Royal Navy helicopter crew in the Falklands Conflict. Some of the stories had us spellbound, while others had us rolling around with laughter.

 

Our special guest managed to do both those things, by telling us how he created his own legendary moment in April 1968, when he flew his Hawker Hunter fighter jet through Tower Bridge in London. Flt Lt Alan Pollock of No1 Sqn RAF, was incensed that as defence cuts bit ever harder, the RAF was denied a flypast to mark its 50th anniversary. So Pollock decided to let the Government of the day know just how he, and many others felt, by buzzing Westminster before heading off down the Thames at zero feet and about 400 miles an hour. It’s an extraordinary story, and his various capers during his time with the RAF are the stuff of legend. Needless to say Alan is a most engaging character.

 

This episode runs a little longer than usual, but we hope you’ll forgive us, it’s just that the stories were too good to cut. So be amazed and be amused in equal measure. And remember Alan Pollock’s full interview will be available a week after our main episode drops.

We’re delighted to be back with a brand new series of podcasts. This series is built around our recent trip to Lincolnshire, Bomber County, and our visits to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Typhoon Squadrons at RAF Coningsby, our Dam Busters tour at RAF Scampton, our microlight and gliding adventures, and a dinner to remember at our base for the trip, The Petwood Hotel, which was once the Officers’ Mess for 617 Squadron, the Dam Busters.

But our first episode is all about the Avro Lancaster, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, and about one Lancaster in particular, NX611 ‘Just Jane’, which is being restored to flight at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby. Our special guest is Andrew Panton, the man behind this exciting project.

We also have all our usual features, including Ask James and Jez’s Quick Facts, and there’s quite a turn up for the books in the outcome of the hugely popular and always highly anticipated Top Landing Gear Quiz. Plus Roy updates us on his impressive progress in going for his microlight licence, but embarrassingly admits that when he was taken for an adrenaline flight in an aerobatic Eagle biplane, he asked to go home early. It’s a crying shame. Despite that, we do hope you enjoy listening. It can only get better…

Our very first Top Landing Gear Full Flaps episode, featuring the full length interview with Concorde Captain John Hutchinson.  

John talks with Rob about his experiences flying Concorde. They discuss the aircrafts development, his training and how much fun she was to fly in the air. He also reminisces about the joy of keeping an 'open cockpit' and retells some superb stories about the more notable of his passengers.

John also discuses his brush with death in 1968 on BOAC flight 172.

 

 

 

 

The nation came together over 4 days in June to mark the extraordinary milestone of HM The Queen's 70 year reign.  One of the highlights of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations was the flypast over London of 70 aircraft from the Royal Navy, the Army and of course the Royal Air Force who flew 15 Typhoons in formation as the number '70'. Among them was Sqn Ldr Zane Sennett, who described to TLG in fascinating detail what it was like to fly in this mass formation, and how the whole operation was devised, planned, rehearsed and eventually executed with the eyes of the world, and of The Queen, upon them. 

We’re continuing with our trip to Lincolnshire, Bomber County, where we’ve been focussing on the Avro Lancaster. But in this episode we move right up to date with our visit to RAF Coningsby, one of the RAF’s Typhoon bases where our host for the day, Flt Lt Nick Callinswood, gave us incredible access as we explored and sat in an operational Typhoon, and gave all four of us instruction in the Typhoon flight simulator.

So we’ve divided the full flaps episode into two parts as there’s so much great stuff: the tour around the aircraft will be part one, or the leading edge slat, the flight sim experience part two, the trailing edge.

In the studio, James is interesting again when we ask him a question, and tells us that a Typhoon is faster than a Puma. We also talk about personalised aircraft registrations; and Ron Goodwin’s estate benefits nicely from Jez’s Typhoon Quick Facts which were so long, the entire Battle of Britain them tune had to be played twice.

The ever popular, ever brilliant but testing quiz turns typically niggly, with more needle than you’d find in your grandmother’s sewing kit, as Jez and James continue to try and stitch each other up. But we think the clip in the Typhoon hangar at RAF Coningsby will make the pain of listening to all that other nonsense worth your while. Please enjoy. We did. 

On our recent visit to Bomber County, Lincolnshire, the TLG team visited RAF Scampton, home to 617 Squadron and from where, in May 1943, 19 specially converted Lancasters set out on that historic raid. 

This is our FULL FLAPS tour around the Scampton Heritage Centre, which included sitting at the desk of Wing Cdr Guy Gibson in the very office from where he planned and ran Operation Chastise, and touring the original hangars where those Lancaster's were prepared.  

Huge thanks to our wonderful guide Colin Clitheroe, a volunteer whose incredible knowledge, passion and warm humour made this an unforgettable experience. As the MOD has confirmed it will be selling RAF Scampton, the Top Landing Gear team urge you to visit the heritage centre as soon as possible AND lend your backing to the Save Scampton campaign. We'll be talking to the campaign's founder in the next Pod. 

Welcome to Part Two of our Full Flaps interview with bestselling author and historian Rowland White. Previously best known for his edge of the seat blockbuster (and Jez's favourite book of all time!) Vulcan 607.  He has now turned his attention to another airborne operation with the gripping account of the role that the Sea Harrier and its pilots played during the Falklands conflict. Today he talks to us in depth about this incredible new book Harrier 809. So in depth, that we've split the interview into two parts so you've time to go and buy the book and read it before next week!!

 You can get all of Rowland's books, including Harrier 809 and Vulcan 607 right here! 

After several hi-octane podcasts celebrating the magic of the Merlin-powered Avro Lancaster, and the roar of the mighty Eurofighter Typhoon, we’re back with, not so much a bang, but definitely not a whimper either, in fact more of a whoosh. This week the TLG team goes gliding.

None of us knew quite what to expect ahead of our gliding debuts, but, as you’ll hear in our Full Flaps episode, we loved it! We hope this episode will open your eyes, as it did ours, to the glory of gliding, and the thrills it brings. It’s about far more than just genteelly floating through the air enjoying the view, although if that’s what you want it is one of life’s great airborne experiences. But it provides drama and excitement too, and as we discovered courtesy of our exuberant and generous hosts at Trent Valley Gliding Club at Kirton-in-Lindsey (www.tvgc.org.uk), there are things you can do in a glider you might never have thought possible.

 

#gliding #trentvalleyglidingclub #avgeek #avglider 

 

In part two of our interview with Martin Withers, he relives the joy of displaying what was the last surviving Vulcan, XH558. It was an unexpected and hugely welcome chapter to his flying career after he had flown two of the historic Black Buck Raids during the Falklands Conflict in 1982. That was the only time the Vulcan had been used in anger as a bomber, and came right at the end of its RAF career. But the RAF kept two Vulcans for public displays, XL426 and XH558, known as the Vulcan Display Flight, which lasted until 1992. 558 then had a new lease of life with the Vulcan To The Sky Trust, giving countless enthusiasts many more years of breathtaking displays, many of them flown by our guest, the legendary Martin Withers. 

This week on Top Landing Gear we're turning the clock back to 1969 with our FULL FLAPS unedited interview with the WINNER of the 1969 Daily Mail Air Race - Lieutenant Commander Peter Goddard. 

He tells us about his career in the Royal Navy and how he managed to get from the top of the Empire State Building to the top of the Post Office Tower in London (now the BT Tower) in 5hrs and 11 mins. 

Once you have listened to the Podcast search 'The First and the Fastest' on Youtube for a wonderful 20 minute documentary of the race from 1969. You will not be disappointed! 

And if you've enjoyed what you've heard please subscribe, leaves us a review and tell your friends about Top Landing Gear. 

Happy Christmas! And we're ending 2020 and Series 2 with a real highlight. A Full Flaps interview with the brand new Red 1 - Team leader for the mighty Red Arrows -  Squadron Leader Tom Bould. 

As Team Leader, Tom is primarily responsible for all aspects of the display, from running the training programme to choreographing the show. He leads the nine-aircraft aerobatic display.

After being streamed to fly fast-jets in the Royal Air Force, Tom was selected to be a ‘Creamie' qualified flying instructor’ - a term given to pilots who are traditionally selected to become flying instructors due to being above average through their advanced flying training. He was subsequently chosen to be the Tucano display pilot in 2010.

Tom completed tactical weapons training and was chosen to fly the Typhoon. During his frontline tour, Tom had several deployments to the Falkland Islands as well as flying in exercises in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

Tom was selected for the Red Arrows for the 2015-2017 seasons and became a member of the Synchro Pair for 2016-17. Highlights include a tour to China and Pacific region in 2016 and a Middle East visit in 2017.

Promoted to Squadron Leader, Tom became a Flight Commander on IV(AC) Squadron at RAF Valley teaching the next generation of fast-jet pilots in the Hawk T2.

Re-joining the Red Arrows, the 2021 season will be his first year as Red 1 and Team Leader.

Huge thanks to Tom and mighty Red Arrows for this interview. We can't wait to see them in 2021 when things get back to normal. Thanks for listening. we'll be back with a brand new series in the spring. 

 

 

 

Hello and welcome to our second Full Flaps episode featuring the fabulous ‘Just Jane’ NX611 Avro Lancaster based at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.

In this second bonus episode the TLG team are allowed inside the Lancaster… James takes the captains seat and is put in charge of the brakes. While Just Jane’s owner and museum visionary Andrew Panton gives us an interior tour of the aircraft and talks us through the engine start up. (whilst looking nervously at James)

The episode ends with a 5 minute uninterrupted sound recording of the four Merlin engines being fired up and Just Jane taxying off. Spine tingling.

The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. is re-open now and after 2020 needs your support. Visit the museum or book your once in a lifetime, bucket list, Taxi ride experience today! Let's get Just Jane in the air once again!!! 

 

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

There are those whose sole reason for attending an airshow is to watch and hear the old piston-engined fighters and bombers from WWII, and indeed few could argue with their reasoning. But for others, and I suspect the majority of airshow-goers, one of the greatest thrills is seeing the Typhoon being put through its paces, accompanied by the crackling roar of its twin jets rasping through the air. RIAT aside, there’s not a lot of heavy metal at British airshows these days, so long may the Typhoon continue to thrill us.

We caught up with 2021 Display pilot Flt Lt James Sainty, whose spectacular exhibition of speed,  power and agility creates a sensory overload. 

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

Regular listeners to TLG will know that our aviation expert James Cartner is a former RAF Puma pilot. As such he has some kind of weird chip on his shoulder about the mighty Chinook, alleging that all any Chinook crew will talk about is how much it can lift. For the rest of us, and I suspect for James as well although he’d hate to admit it, the Chinook is an incredible aircraft, and its impressive display has long been a crowd favourite. We managed to persuade Chinook Display Captain Matt Smyth, or Smitty, to talk to us, despite James’s grudging hostility. I jest of course, and in fact during our 4 days in Bournemouth we became  great friends with the whole Chinook display team .. well, we like to think we did…    

Welcome to Top Landing Gear and our bonus edition of Full Flaps from Dunsfold Aerodrome. In our previous episode we spoke with Aviation Filming's owner Mike Woodley. In this episode we make our way out onto the apron and get guided tour around the three BA Boeing 747s with Aviation Filming Aerial Coordinator and Pilot Jamie Chalkley.

 

 

Following our Boeing 747 ‘Queen of The Skies’ episodes is our FULL FLAPS extended interview with David Williams. A captain with Virgin Atlantic, who in 2014 was involved in a major incident when the 747-400 he was flying developed an unprecedented systems failure resulting in only part of the landing gear locking down for landing. David tells us in jaw-dropping detail how, for over three hours, he tried literally to shake the gear down by flying extreme manoeuvres never before experienced on a 747 laden with passengers. Indeed they weren’t even in the training manual. It didn’t work. He explains how he eventually nursed the aircraft back to Gatwick, but with so many systems malfunctioning, including braking, there was real concern as to what outcome awaited him, his crew and 447 passengers, one of whom was his own daughter. It’s a riveting account, never before told in such detail. The whole interview on Full Flaps will have you flabbergasted. Listen, and be amazed.    

Welcome to part two of our ‘Ask James’ Christmas Special, where our aviation expert James Cartner endeavours to answer at least some of the wonderful questions our listeners have sent in. (You’ve sent in so many great questions we’ll do some more in the New Year.) And if you did send one in, stay tuned as we’ll announce who’s won the prize for the best question as judged by us.

We hit a spectacularly low point with our aviation themed Christmas cracker ‘jokes’, and presents are handed out to one and all… well to everyone apart from Rob who did the handing out. But to be honest he does look more like Father Christmas than any of the others. And of course the pod comes to a scintillating climax with the Top Landing Gear Christmas Quiz! The guys love it!

Do make sure you’ve got enough of your favourite tipple or some kind of sedative to help get you through this episode. And just to let you know, there will be one more podcast before Christmas with a man in a red suit. All is revealed in this festive frolic. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas from all of us at Top Landing Gear! 

 

 

 

#avgeek #aviation #chinook #RAF #Spitfire #Hawker #askjames #boeing777 #Toplandinggear #malaya #twoGs 

Hello and welcome to Top Landing Gear, the aviation podcast for everyone. Join Rob, Jez, James and Roy as we learn about the glamorous world of business jets and hear a snippet of next weeks interview with Falcon 7X Captain and Chief Pilot for TAG Aviation, Mark Bois-Brooke. 

On this extended Full Flaps edition we are absolutely thrilled to be chatting to Ex Red Arrow, Sqn Ldr Dave Thomas.  Dave joined the Red Arrows in 2001 as Red 2 (The easy side!) and then progressed to Synchro Pair (Red 7) and then finally Synchro Lead – Red 6 – in the 2004 Season!

After joining the Royal Air Force in 1988 as an Airman - Dave progressed to Pilot and joined the Reds from the Harrier Force – where he had excelled as a Qualified Weapons Instructor – undertaking Reds selection in 2001.  In our interview he chats to the whole Top Landing Gear team all about a tour with the Red Arrows - including selection, the work up, displays, World tours, what happens when things go off plan and finally leaving the team after his final display.

The interview is so compelling we have split it into two parts.

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

One of the most eye-catching solo displays at UK airshows is the ultra high-energy performance by Rich Goodwin in his Pitts Special. A former RAF Tornado pilot, Rich has been performing aerobatics for over 30 years, and his phenomenal display has spectators gasping in disbelief as he hurls his tiny Pitts Special Muscle Biplane around the sky. Rich is also passionate about building and modifying these biplanes, and as well as talking to us about his display, he told TLG about some very exciting, and unusual plans for the future. 

In our final interview from our trip to Lincoln the TLG team talk to Flight Lieutenant Neil 'Faz' Farrell inside the iconic BBMF hangar at RAF Coningsby.

As we walk around Lancaster PA474 Neil tells us about his experiences as Bomber Leader, what it's like flying the Lancaster and about his other roles in the RAF such as flying the E-3 Sentry and instructing others to fly the E-3, Lancaster and Dakota. 

We would like to thank Neil and everybody at RAF Coningsby and BBMF for all their time and help in allowing us such incredible access. We heartily recommend a trip to the BBMF visitor centre - access by guided tour only - Book your trip now!

Hello and welcome back to Top Landing Gear after a bit of a hiatus during the summer. But we haven’t been totally idle in that time. Having said that we’re not launching the new series just yet. 

This episode, to be brutally honest is unashamedly about creating a bit of self-publicity. As you have no doubt seen via our vast social media empire, the Top Landing Gear team recently appeared on the popular channel 5 quiz show Eggheads. How did we do? Well we're not at liberty to divulge that information until after it airs on Friday 14th October (630pm STREAM here Channel 5) So enjoy this summer catch up episode in the meantime...

If you discovered us on Eggheads here is a taste of what we do. An aviation podcast for everyone. Think Top Gear with wings, and always with a quiz at the end. 

Please subscribe and leave us a review if you've enjoyed it. All our previous episodes and interviews are available wherever you found this podcast.

 

 

This week on Top Landing Gear we’re turning the clock back to 1969, a hugely significant year for aviation and aerospace, with the first flights of Concorde and the 747 Jumbo Jet, and of course the first man on the moon. But it was also the year of the Daily Mail Transatlantic Air Race, probably one of the last great aviation adventures. 

 

The race was between the top of the Post Office Tower in London (now the BT Tower), and the top of the Empire State building in New York, in either direction. The fastest crossing of all was achieved by an Observer in a Royal Navy Phantom, and he is our very special guest. Lieutenant Commander Peter Goddard’s story of the race and the preparations that went into it are something to behold. Peter will be coming up later after our usual features: Ask James, Jez’s Quick Facts - all about the Air Race, and of course the highlight of every episode – The Top Landing Gear Quiz.

In this 40th anniversary year of the Falklands Conflict we devote two Full Flaps editions to Martin Withers who flew Avro Vulcan XM607 on the historic Black Buck Raids on Stanley Airfield. Martin and his crew were actually the reserve crew for the mission, but when the primary aircraft went u/s, Withers and XM607 immediately stepped up to carry out one of the most extraordinary, not to mention longest bombing raids of all time. In part one Martin talks to us in detail about the build-up to the mission, training for in-flight refuelling which was to be an integral part of the mission, the mission itself and the aftermath. It is a story of legend told by a legendary figure who made aviation history. 

Welcome to our full length interview with Emma Brealey, director of the magnificent Petwood Hotel in Lincolnshire. During the Second World War it served as the officers' mess for a number of RAF squadrons including 617 Squadron - The Dambusters.

Petwood's ties with the RAF are particularly strong and it continues to host squadron reunions and gatherings. The hotel also boasts a wealth of memorabilia, and as you'll hear from Emma some wonderful stories. 

WARNING! This interview was conducted before, during and after a delicious dinner with Emma in the squadron bar. As such it starts well but the TLG teams ability to remain coherent was severely compromised!! Look out for the bloopers at the end!

Visit the magnificent Petwood Hotel this year and make it the perfect base for a wonderful aviation themed holiday in 2021  https://www.petwood.co.uk/

 

 

We delivered our last podcast - as in most recent -back in May 2023 - when we were in the middle of series 5. We were literally on our way to Roy's studio to record our next editions when he told us not to bother - because his house was being razed to the ground after a tumble direr caught fire.   Because of that and Roy's constant touring with his band Scouting For Girls, this is the first time we've been able to get back together. So here's a quick catch-up with the 4 of us with all our latest news and some of the aviation headlines that have caught our eyes in recent months.   Thank you for sticking with us, or if you're new to TLG - welcome - have you any idea what you're letting yourself in for?!

 

We’re now well in to 2021 so we thought it was high time we produced our first podcast of the year. And how timely, just as Boris announces the roadmap out of Lockdown, we’ve recorded a Lockdown Special with our favourite aviation-themed films, books, TV programmes, websites and podcasts which we hope will inspire you as you look to fill some of those dreary lockdown hours, days, nights, weeks. I know. It’s almost over. We should have done this ages ago. But we didn’t. Sorry.

This edition has all the usual nonsense, including a really uplifting Ask James about how the pandemic is affecting aviation now and going forward. Even Jez’s Quick Facts struggle to raise much of a smile. But they are good. And quick … ish. But as ever, the real joy explodes with The Quiz! Fun, laughter, high quality competition are just three of the things we really wish we could have achieved. But we tried. We hope you’ll try equally hard to enjoy the podcast. Go on. Make an effort. We’ll also be posting additional recommendations for aviation-themed entertainment on the socials.

Top Landing Gear Series 3 proper will start airing in April. Although it might be May. It all depends on our road / route map.

 

This week's special guest created his own legendary moment in April 1968, when he flew his Hawker Hunter fighter jet through Tower Bridge in London. Flt Lt Alan Pollock of No1 Sqn RAF, was incensed that as defence cuts bit ever harder, the RAF was denied a flypast to mark its 50th anniversary. So Pollock decided to let the Government of the day know just how he, and many others felt, by buzzing Westminster before heading off down the Thames at zero feet and about 400 miles an hour. It’s an extraordinary story, and his various capers during his time with the RAF are the stuff of legend. Needless to say Alan is a most engaging character.

 

The nation came together over 4 days in June to mark the extraordinary milestone of HM The Queen's 70 year reign.  One of the highlights of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations was the flypast over London of 70 aircraft from the Royal Navy, the Army and of course the Royal Air Force who flew 15 Typhoons in formation as the number '70'. Among them was Sqn Ldr Zane Sennett, who described to TLG in fascinating detail what it was like to fly

in this mass formation, and how the whole operation was devised, planned, rehearsed and eventually executed with the eyes of the world, and of The Queen, upon them.  

In the May of 1930 Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from London to Darwin. In doing so she inspired generations of women to realise their own dreams. One of those women was Amanda J Harrison, who last year set out to retrace Amy’s epic journey in her De Havilland Tiger Moth. But Amanda’s story is about far more than taking on one of aviation’s greatest challenges. 

She has severe dyslexia, and a couple of years ago following the death of her father, Amanda was diagnosed with breast cancer; both life changing events occurring in a cruelly short space of time. She decided that life was there to be lived, and that’s when she planned her epic flight. Amanda’s story will delight, enthral and uplift you. Hear her interview in full on Top Landing Gear, and be truly inspired.  

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

No airshow would be complete without the intrepid AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers who’ve been thrilling airshow crowds all over the world since they were founded back in 1984. They fly the Boeing Stearman, a biplane trainer from the 1940s, with the wingwalkers climbing from the open cockpit onto the top wing to perform various moves, while the aircraft perform aerobatics in close formation, at speeds of up to 150mph and pulling up to 4G.

Unfortunately on Day Three of the Air Festival, one of the aircraft sustained a technical malfunction during the display, and pilot Dave Barrell did a brilliant job of successfully ditching the aircraft in Poole Harbour, saving his own life and that of wingwalker Kirsten Pobjoy. Her great friend Emma Broadbent was the wingwalker on the other aircraft, flown by former Red Arrow and Jaguar Display pilot Andy Cubin, who circled overhead for some time, but landed back at Bournemouth unaware of the outcome of the crash. Needless to say there was huge relief when word got back that Kirsten and Dave were safe and sound.

Our interview with Kirsten, Dave and Andy was recorded the day before the incident, hence there’s no reference to it.  

 

 

What can we say? We missed you... And just couldn't wait for the start of Series Two before we talked again. So we got together to discuss recent aviation events including Virgin Galactic's plans for a new Mach 3 supersonic aircraft, the horrific 737-800 crash in Kerala and what we have planned for the Autumn... AND... No quiz! 

Huge thanks to everyone who has listened and supported us this year. We have been astonished at the numbers of downloads this summer. See you in September for our Battle of Britain special. 

Welcome to Top Landing Gear and our final episode of the series, one to put a spring in your step if you’re heading off on your summer holidays. As we are all too well aware, the aviation sector has struggled to bounce back from the pandemic, resulting in thousands of delays and cancellations. From pandemic to pandemonium; it’s a pantomime farce only not as entertaining! 

What will be entertaining is our special guest, celebrity aviation expert Jeremy Spake who will share his wit and wisdom, and tell us how best to approach our travel plans this summer. 

Jeremy’s knowledge was so impressive and his passion so infectious that Rob invited (forced!) him to join the quiz. How did he do? Listen to the end to find out if he beat TLG's very own aviation expert James Cartner.

 

 

With the Curling Brothers unavailable, Roy And James got together to mark the 85th anniversary of the first public display of the Supermarine Spitfire prototype K5054.

We catch up on the latest aviation news, answer a superb 'Ask James' question and conduct arguably the best Top Landing Gear quiz ever! 

It is also the perfect excuse to repeat our interview with the Spitfire pilot Jim Schofield. Chief pilot at the Boultbee Academy Where YOU can fly in a Spitfire!

Jim has flown over 100 types and a century of front-line fighters: 1917 Bristol Fighter, SE5a, Spitfire, Mustang, Viggen, Jaguar, Harrier, Tornado, Gripen, Typhoon, F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and F-35. He was one of the first pilots to land an F-35 on a ship at night. He is a UK and US instructor, a display pilot evaluator, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, father of two and a lovely lovely  man! 

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

 

Both the RAF and the Royal Navy took part in the flying display at Bournemouth, as did the Army, who were superbly represented by the Tigers Free-fall Parachute Display Team. These guys from the Princess of Wales’s Regiment and Queens Division do this in their spare time as parachuting isn’t part of their normal army life – that tends to be left to the Parachute Regiment. But they’re all highly qualified, as to be a display jumper you need to have an A-Licence which you can only get after a minimum 200 jumps. Private Will Simms from the team was kind enough to drop in on us the morning after a particularly Top Landing himself on Bournemouth Beach the previous day.  

With the Avro Lancaster celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021, what better time to feature this iconic aircraft on Top Landing Gear. The whole of series three is built around TLG’s road trip to Bomber County, Lincolnshire, which is the base not only for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and their Lancaster, PA474 ‘City of Lincoln’, but also for another very special Lancaster which could be joining the BBMF Lanc in the skies in the not too distant future.

The aircraft in question is NX611 ‘Just Jane’, which is being restored to flight at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby. It is already providing taxy runs for the public, and the hope is that one day it will carry passengers aloft in what would be the experience of a lifetime. The man behind this thrilling project is Andrew Panton, and he is our guest in this Full Flaps edition. He tells us the very personal story of how the whole thing started and just what is involved in getting a World War II heavy bomber back into the skies.

There’s lots more going on at East Kirkby too, and over the course of this two-parter Andrew fills us in on everything that they’re striving to achieve. In Part II Roy, James, Jez and Rob were lucky enough to climb aboard Just Jane on the move and share their boyish excitement about getting up close and personal with not just one, but two historic WWII aircraft at this wonderful wartime airfield.  

Welcome to episode four of Top Landing Gear where we are featuring the top national aerobatic team in the world (well we think so anyway...) The Red Arrows. We'll be joined by former synchro pair leader Squadron Leader Dave Thomas who talks about his time with the Reds and explains what it takes to become a member of this elite squad and how they fly some of those jaw dropping stunts. Look out for his full (flaps) interview next week. 

This episode of Top Landing Gear might in itself not be worthy of going down in history, but it’s all about one of the greatest inventions of the modern age, something that changed the world forever – the jet engine. And our guest is no less a person than Ian Whittle, the son of the man credited with that invention - Sir Frank Whittle. You’ll hear a clip of our interview with Ian here, but not before you’ve heard a uniquely informative Quick Facts from Jez on what is a pretty colossal subject. And the quiz returns to Rob’s safe hands after James made a brave, almost successful stab at it on our previous pod. And by the way, that will never happen again! So I hope you are feeling reassured enough to enjoy this edition – and remember to look out for the Full Flaps edition for the full length interview with Ian Whittle.  Enjoy!

Welcome to Top Landing Gear Full Flaps and our full length interview with Mike Woodley, owner of Aviation Filming Ltd based at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey. 

The company specialises in aviation content for film and TV, including a huge number of the Bond films. Among Aviation Filming's fleet are three former BA Boeing 747s which are regularly used as film props and a very famous Douglas Dakota. 

We met up with Mike in his office beneath the control tower of Dunsfold in May 2023 to hear some of his incredible stories about the film and aviation industry. Enjoy! 

Welcome to TLG and to our series of interviews from the 2021 Bournemouth Air Festival.

With the 2021 airshow season in the UK drawing to a close, what better time to speak to Red 6, Squadron Leader Jon Bond, as he brings the curtain down on his 4 year stint with the Red Arrows. As Red 6 ‘Bondie’ is Synchro Leader, and also choreographed a brand new manoeuvre for the Reds this year called Boomerang. We also spoke to former Red 1, now OC the Red Arrows, Wing Commander David Montenegro, and Red 10, Squadron Leader Adam Collins.

We were lucky enough to interview many more of the pilots who took part in this years hugely successful Bournemouth Air Festival. We'll be putting these out as podcasts in the coming days and weeks so keep your eyes peeled.

 

Welcome to the second magazine episode of Series Three, all about the magnificent county of Lincolnshire and its long-standing aviation connections.

Lincolnshire was the base for our incredible T.L.G trip last year where we visited NX611 'Just Jane' at the Lincolnshire Heritage Aviation Centre (see the last episode!), visited the BBMF and the Typhoon squadron at RAF Conningsby, watched the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton, and even got a chance to go gliding and microlighting. (These episodes coming soon!) 

This episode focuses on 'Bomber County' and an establishment we regard as the spiritual home of Top Landing Gear - The wonderful Petwood Hotel. A enchanting timeless place to visit and stay with enormous links to the RAF dating back to the WW2 when it was requisitioned as an officer's mess and became home to 617 squadron - The Dambusters l

Our special guest is the hotel's director and TLG friend Emma Brealey. 

The Petwood is open now and makes the perfect base to explore Lincoln's distinguished aviation heritage. We urge you to visit! www.petwood.co.uk

Welcome to the Pilot episode of Top Landing Gear 

Four friends invite you to join them as they get together to discuss their joint passion – aviation. (It’s the only thing they have in common; one is a pop star, another a TV presenter. There’s also a proper pilot, and … unique amongst probably any podcast anywhere -  a fencer.)

TLG is not just for the converted aviation enthusiast. The tone and fun of TopLandingGear gives it a broad appeal way beyond the avgeek, in much the same way as a popular motoring programme might attract more than just petrol-heads.

And if aviation IS your thing, then our TopLandingGear Full Flaps episode is for you, where the weekly interviews with our special guests will be aired in full.

 So grab your favourite tipple, and enjoy the company of Rob, Roy, James and Jez in this highly sociable half-hour podcast.  

TopLandingGear – ready to roll.

 

Hello and welcome to TLG and our Full Flaps interview with Chris Parry, a RN Observer on HMS Antrim’s Wessex 3, known as Humphrey. Chris is a fascinating character, and some of the stories he tells us here about what went on down south during the Falklands Conflict 40 years ago, defy belief, not least the insertion and rescue of an SAS party on the Fortuna Glacier on South Georgia in the most unbelievably treacherous conditions. The fact that Chris also fired the first shots of the war to disable the Argentine submarine the Santa Fe is almost a footnote. The interview is full of the most incredible anecdotes, and it’s also fascinating to hear Chris’s thoughts on the current state of the British military 40 years on, and his views on the developing situation in Russia. We recorded Chris’s interview on April 20th 2022, 40 years to the day since he and the crew of Humphrey were briefed for that extraordinary operation involving the SAS which would take place just hours later. Hold onto your hats and settle in for an utterly riveting ride.

Last week we left you on a cliffhanger! This week Sqn Ldr Dave Thomas reveals all! 

After joining the Royal Air Force in 1988 as an Airman - Dave progressed to Pilot and joined the Reds from the Harrier Force – where he had excelled as a Qualified Weapons Instructor. Dave joined the Red Arrows in 2001 as Red 2 (The easy side!) and then progressed to Synchro Pair (Red 7) and then finally Synchro Lead – Red 6 – in the 2004 Season. 

In our interview he chats to the whole Top Landing Gear team all about a tour with the Red Arrows - including selection, the work up, displays, World tours, what happens when things go off plan and finally leaving the team after his final display.

This is the second part of our interview from last week. Please like, share, subsume and rate if you have enjoyed it. We would love to hear from you. 

After Roy and James tried to go it alone in the previous pod, Top Landing Gear is back at full strength for this one. Throughout this series we’ve been focussing on the Avro Lancaster which this year celebrates its 80th anniversary. And this episode features the Lanc’s most famous mission of all, Operation Chastise, ‘The Dam Busters Raid’. 

On our recent visit to Bomber County, Lincolnshire, the TLG team visited RAF Scampton, home to 617 Squadron and from where, in May 1943, 19 specially converted Lancasters set out on that historic raid. Jez outlines exactly what was involved in one of his best ‘Quick Facts’ to date, yet despite his extensive research he bombed somewhat in the TLG ‘Dam Busters’ Quiz.

We’ll play a clip of our tour around the Scampton Heritage Centre, which included sitting at the desk of Wing Cdr Guy Gibson in the very office from where he planned and ran Operation Chastise. Our Full Flaps edition will cover that visit in full, and in a bonus episode we’ll hear from Annette Edgar who’s launched an ambitious campaign to save historic RAF Scampton as a heritage site, following its scheduled closure in 2022. 

Welcome to our second FULL FLAPS Eurofighter Typhoon episode.

During our trip to RAF Coningsby the TLG team was given unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Typhoon operation. In this second episode you can hear Rob flying the Typhoon sim under the expert instruction of our host Flt Lt Nick Callinswood who went above and beyond in making sure we got more from our visit than we could ever have hoped for.

We had so much fun that we thought it deserved two episodes, so make sure you check out last weeks episode too! Huge thanks to Nick and everyone at RAF Coningsby. 

Welcome to Top Landing Gear as we turn our attention to an airfield that is close to all of us, both emotionally and geographically: Dunsfold Aerodrome, home of the Hunter and the Harrier.

It was also used as the studio and test track for BBC Top Gear (a poor man's version of Top Landing Gear - wheels instead of wings!), home to the sadly defunct annual Wings and Wheels airshow, and the base for Aviation Filming, which provides aircraft and facilities for the film and television industry, including most of the Bond films. It's run by our splendid guest, Mike Woodley.

Hello and Welcome to TLG and to the second stage of our Full Flaps interview with Ian Whittle, son of Sir Frank, the man who invented the jet engine. Ian told us so much in part one, you’d hardly believe there’d be more – but there is – and we couldn’t let an opportunity like this pass us by. So here once again is Ian talking to James Cartner and me Rob Curling at his Surrey home, almost 85 years to the day since the first running of Sir Frank Whittle’s revolutionary invention.

Join the Top Landing Gear team as they are given a tour of Croydon Airport by A380 Captain Ian Walker, former chairman of the Croydon Airport Trust.    Opening in the 1920s, Croydon was London's, indeed the UK's main international airport. Arguably the birthplace of commercial air travel, it was also the starting point for many of aviation's historic records, including those set by Amy Johnson.    Visit https://www.historiccroydonairport.org.uk/ to find out more, book your own visit and discover how you can support or volunteer for the Trust. 

Top Landing Gear is back... (Well it will be tomorrow on TLG Tuesday!) Here's a quick overview of what we've got coming up over the coming weeks.

If you have a topic that you think we should cover this year or a question for our Ask James segment we would love to hear from you. Contact us via our socials or send us an email at info@toplandinggear.com

Until Tomorrow!

 

 

Welcome to our FULL FLAPS Eurofighter Typhoon episode.

During our trip to RAF Coningsby the TLG team was given unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Typhoon operation. Coningsby is one of two RAF stations in the UK which operates the Typhoon in the QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) role, safeguarding UK airspace. We toured the hangars, sat in cockpit of an operational Typhoon, and were given a highly detailed explanation of everything that makes this spectacular aircraft such a potent weapon. We were also each allowed to fly the Typhoon sim under the expert instruction of our host Flt Lt Nick Callinswood who went above and beyond in making sure we got more from our visit than we could ever have hoped for.

We had so much fun that we thought it deserved two episodes, so you’ll have to wait until next weeks to see how we got on in the simulator. Huge thanks to Nick and everyone at RAF Coningsby. 

Join Roy, Jim & Jez in the pub after watching a screening of the new Lancaster movie. It was produced by the same people who gave us 'Spitfire' in 2018 - The film that made Jez cry in the cinema - Would Lancaster have the same effect? 

Jim also talks about how the airlines dealt with the increased Half-Term holiday demand. (Answer - not very well) and Jez gives us a quick review of Top Gun: Maverick. 

Rob was supposed to be with us but Roy accidentally bought the tickets for the wrong day - Sorry Rob! Normal service will resume this Friday with our magazine episode dedicated to Frank Whittle and the Jet Engine. 

 

 

Seasons Greetings, and welcome to the first of our Top Landing Gear Christmas Specials!

Our next two episodes are devoted to our aviation expert and pilot James Cartner. By ‘devoted’, what we really mean is James will be taking centre stage answering the many excellent questions our listeners have sent in, as well as some of our own. And of course we are all extremely devoted to Jimbo. What James doesn’t know about aviation could be written on a piece of paper stretching from the earth to the moon and back, and back again. But he sounds convincing and we believe everything he says. Jez’s Quick Facts about James sound more like a wedding speech, but nevertheless, James’s life has been so very nearly almost interesting. As always the undoubted highlight of the podcast is our Christmas themed quiz, which you would think would give Roy and Jez a decent chance of at least being competitive with our expert James. You would think. Anyway, pour yourself several really strong sherries before listening, and with luck you’ll sleep through the whole thing.

Part two follows next week, when we’ll be announcing the winner of the best question to have been submitted. I mean, it’s like Christmas has come early. Enjoy!    

Welcome to Top Landing Gear and the first episode proper of Series Five. Along with our usual catch up and 'Ask James' feature we talk aerial reconnaissance and hear the remarkable story of a very special Spitfire.

We speak to engineer and aerial restoration specialist Tony Hoskins who shares the incredible story of Spitfire AA810, a photo reconnaissance PR4 which was lost over occupied Europe whilst on the hunt for the German battleship Turpitz. He recalls the story of its remarkable pilot Sandy Gunn, who would be later immortalised in the mass escape from Stalag Luft III, and tells us about the aircraft's recent discovery in Norway and its painstaking relocation and planned restoration to flight. 

Please visit the Spitfire AA810 project page, a project dedicated to the memory of all the men of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit who risked, and gave, their lives during the second world war. 

We’re delighted to finally get series 4 of our aviation podcast Top Landing Gear up and flying – at last! We’re kicking off this first episode with a look back at some of our favourite topics and guest interviews from our first three series. There are two reasons for this: firstly they’re worth hearing again; secondly we weren’t organised enough to come up with a new subject in time. So for this week please enjoy, no really please try, our ‘Best of’ episode, including clips from our interviews with Alan Pollock of Tower Bridge Hawker Hunter fame, Amy Johnson re-creator Amanda J Harrison, David Williams’s heroic landing of a damaged fully-laden Virgin Boeing 747, and Andrew Panton, the man behind the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and Lancaster ‘Just Jane’. We’ve also done a retro quiz where the team was asked questions they’ve all heard before. Do you think it made any difference…? 

And next week we’ll have the first of our Falklands guests in this 40th anniversary year of the conflict, with Vulcan 607 pilot Martin Withers. Following that, Chris Parry joins us to talk about his extraordinary experiences with ‘Humphrey’ the Wessex 3 which operated off HMS Antrim.  And there’ll be more to come, including the son of Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine, about both his and his father’s remarkable lives in aviation. So please do look out for us @TopLadingGear and on our website www.TopLandingGear.com.   

On Saturday 5th December 2020, retired BA Boeing 747-400 G-BNLY made its final flight from Cardiff to Dunsfold aerodrome in Surrey. This aircraft was destined for the scrapheap, but because it is one of BA’s ‘retro jets’, Lima Yankee is painted in the iconic Landor livery, there was an enthusiastic campaign, which Top Landing Gear signed up to, to save it. Then the excellent news reached us that Mike Woodley of Aviation Filming at Dunsfold, had taken ownership. Mike kindly invited Top Landing Gear to be present on this auspicious occasion, where we caught up with BA 747 pilot Mags Sefari who was on the crew that delivered her that day, and a couple for whom Lima Yankee holds a particularly special place in their hearts. So we hope you’ll enjoy listening to what we think is the perfect good news story for Christmas. Speaking of which, to all our listeners and subscribers, have a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.   

Top Landing Gear is back with series 2, kicking off with a momentous moment in history – The Battle of Britain.

2020 marks its 80th anniversary - the Battle of Britain not Top Landing Gear - and if there are any gaps in your BoB knowledge, then Jez’s ‘quick’ facts will fill in every detail.

We’re delighted the aviation historian and Battle of Britain specialist Dilip Sarkar MBE has agreed to be our special guest; he’s written more about the Battle of Britain than any other person through first-hand accounts forged by his own friendships with ‘The Few’. We will also hear from some of those heroic pilots in person, including a Luftwaffe ME109 pilot, from interviews Rob did twenty years ago during the 60th anniversary.

In other news Roy is fascinated by the noise aircraft toilets make, and James sniffs an opportunity to open up and dump a load of toilet-based facts on us. Yes Top Landing Gear is back, washed and sanitized with a freshness we hope you’ll find… er, refreshing. Enjoy.

This week’s edition of Top Landing Gear goes back in time 90 years to explore the story of one of the great aviation pioneers.  Join Rob, Roy, James and Jez for a look at the incredible Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo, and we mean solo, to Australia.  We find out about her aircraft the tiny Gipsy Moth, how she got into aviation and the remarkable tale of her journey from Croydon, South London to Darwin, Northern Australia. Discover the Amy Wave and why Roy has one, what Amy did during the war and the story of her mysterious demise.

Don’t forget our regular Ask James feature where we test if Jim really does know what he’s talking about.  And of course the TLG quiz, in which the team are tested on this week’s subject and in which one team member smashes the others after a totally unfair disqualification in the last episode!

Then of course there is our interview, this week with the inspirational Amanda J Harrison and her daring attempt to recreate Amy Johnson’s record in her own Tiger Moth.  If you listen to just two things this month, make sure its Top Landing Gear and the Full Flaps interview with Amanda.

Episode two out 2nd June and the Full Flaps interview out 9th June.

 Top Landing Gear? -  Goodness me yes!