BBC Series Wings

Major Larabee · 18 July 2006, 02:35 PM

"Wings" was a BBC TV series that ran for 2 series in the UK in the seventies, it traced the life of RFC sergent pilot Alan Farmer from his early days learning to fly on Boxkite and Bleriot to his joining a squadron in France flying BE2's. The mojority of the flying shots were done with R/C models that were designed and construced by my Uncle, David Boddington. Some fullsize a/c were used, namely the Boxkite and Bleriot of the Shuttleworth collection, an Eindecker and tigermoth from Personal Plane services at Booker and last but no means least our very own BE2 replica that is currently under rebuild to flying condition, see www.biggles-biplane.com for more details.

Vin · 18 July 2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Larabee

.. The mojority of the flying shots were done with R/C models that were designed and construced by my Uncle, David Boddington. .

He did a good job. The flying scenes portray instability, noise and discomfort, quite different from the glamour portrayed in other WW1 aviation films.

buzz1941 · 18 July 2006, 06:21 PM

Start harrassing Sir Beeb. When "Flyboys" comes out they might change their mind.

Major Larabee · 19 July 2006, 04:16 PM

The third series was going to be the intoduction of 1 and a half strutters and pups. We still have a set of wing ribs for the full size Strutter rep, would have been good but unfortunately it was srapped

PC777 · 19 July 2006, 04:29 PM

It would be nice for us early air war aficionados if someone like Mr Peter Jackson would do a modern series along these lines with all the resources that he has to hand in NZ. In fact filming it all in NZ would probably be doable as well.

Perhaps a story from the Central Powers side! What with all those Dr I’s lying about over there….

PC

Vin · 20 July 2006, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Larabee

The third series was going to be the intoduction of 1 and a half strutters and pups. We still have a set of wing ribs for the full size Strutter rep, would have been good but unfortunately it was srapped

Any idea why it was scrapped, Major ? It was such a good series. Here it was shown on Sunday nights immediately followed by When the boat comes in

Breguet · 20 July 2006, 03:48 AM

Yes it was most unfortunate that it finished when it did. I would have liked them to go right through the war. The series was reminiscent of the first part of the "Martin Falconer" series of books written by John Harris (BE 2's & EIII's - The Fledglings, then Pups and DIII's - The Professionals, then Camels and DVII's - The Victors and then off to Russia - The Interceptors.) I believe a the Major is working with BBC archives to try and locate the original tapes. Now that would be loverly!!

25 July 2006, 08:13 AM

Breguet! I have a set of the episodes but I'm missing the final ep of season 1 and the first ep of season 2. Do you fancy a trade!?

Breguet · 25 July 2006, 03:47 PM

I certainly do - let's take this PM so we don't destroy everyone with their jealousy

Major Larabee · 26 July 2006, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

Any idea why it was scrapped, Major ? It was such a good series. Here it was shown on Sunday nights immediately followed by When the boat comes in

Basicaly came down to costs i belive.We have been working with the Beeb archived to try and find the original tape's. No luck yet, but there are quite alot of archive to look through!