Top Landing Gear

Air Vice Marshal (retired) Graham Williams - Cold War RAF Fighter & Fast Jet Test Pilot

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 

An RAF Fighter Pilots life during the Cold War - Air Vice Marshal (retired) Graham Williams

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

Rolf Richardson - The Vickers VC10 & The 1969 Daily Mail Air Race FULL FLAPS II

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

 

Peter Goddard - The Phantom and the 1969 Daily Mail Transatlatic Air Race FULL FLAPS

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. 

The Phantom and the 1969 Daily Mail Transatlantic Air Race

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.

Harrier 809 and Rowland White FULL FLAPS Part Two

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! 

Harrier 809 and Rowland White - FULL FLAPS INTERVIEW

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! 

The Sea Harrier and Rowland White

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 Boeing 747 - FULL FLAPS - Interview with 747 pilot, Captain David Williams

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.    

The Boeing 747 - Queen of The Skies - Jumbo Jet

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.