Last of the Dambusters

[Rover 11]

Yesterday, Les Munro 89, who is the last surviving pilot from the dambusters raid in 1943, did a tandem skydive in New Zealand. Also on the load was his 81 year old partner Christine.
He is a humble man who shys away from publicity. The press was not invited. However I feel that he would have no issue with the wider skydiving community having knowledge of his latest exploit.
I have a photo with him and my 5 year old son. In the future I'll give my son a book to read.
I believe Peter Jackson - Lord of the Rings fame - is remaking a 1955 movie of the raid. Those of you who know nothing of the raid will be able to learn about it when it comes out. It is an epic story.

2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

[shropshire 0]

One hopes that the landing was uneventful (once... no extra skips or bounces).

Did they swoop the pond?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[airtwardo 7]

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One hopes that the landing was uneventful (once... no extra skips or bounces).

...and not spinning backwards at high speed during exit!


Too cool, THAT would be a logbook autograph to treasure!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[Andy_Copland 0]

Good stuff.

1338

People aint made of nothin' but water and shit.

Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

[ryoder 1,590]

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...and not spinning backwards at high speed during exit!

Hey!
It only happened that one time when Fred was standing on my shoelace, so could you please stop bringing it up?

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[Amazon 7]

I remember the old movie from the 1950's about their exploits and Barns Wallis who came up with the idea.

Those were men of substance and valor who definitely made a difference to the Allied war efforts.

Edited to add a website for those who never heard of this group of men.

http://www.dambusters.org.uk/

[kallend 2,113]

It is interesting to compare the dialog of the last few minutes of the original 1977 Star Wars movie with the last few minutes of the 1953 Dambusters movie.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[SethInMI 174]

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In the future I'll give my son a book to read.

That is so cool. Reading that book growing up was one of many inspirations to go into engineering. I still remember one light fore and one aft set so the intersection indicated the correct height. So simple, so effective. Brilliant!

It's flare not flair, brakes not breaks, bridle not bridal, "could NOT care less" not "could care less".

[shropshire 0]

I find it hard to belive that anyone could have NOT heard of those great men.... What do they teach in schools these days?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Amazon 7]

Hell ... they certainly would not teach that in most schools here in the US.. BUT if more people would watch the History Channes's that sort of thing has been on numerous time.. Sure as hell betterr than watching friggin "reality" shows

[DougH 270]

When I was in HS 8 years ago they had cut WWII down to one day in history class, 8 years later it wouldn't suprise me if it only got half of a class period.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[ZeG 0]

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I find it hard to belive that anyone could have NOT heard of those great men.... What do they teach in schools these days?

Actually I was even at the damsite

Edit: If you want to see what the dam looks like today, let me know and I can email you some pics. It got restored in a very nice way.

[shropshire 0]

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Hell ... they certainly would not teach that in most schools here in the US.. BUT if more people would watch the History Channes's that sort of thing has been on numerous time.. Sure as hell betterr than watching friggin "reality" shows

Amen to that.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Amazon 7]

HOLY shit..... I couldnt tell my spelling was THAT bad last night.

[stefd 0]

Langar which is my DZ in the UK, was a Lancaster base during WW2. They lost over 250 aircrew and I often think of these guys who took off from the same runway as I am doing but did not return. We had the last remaining UK flying Lancaster do a flypast a couple of years to commemorate the construction of a memorial that had been erected. There are some good photos in the control tower cafe of Langar over the years. It finished up as a canadian transit airbase for equipment being shipped into Germany in the 1950's and 60's.

[Lastchance 0]

100% AGREED! I hate reality TV and love history TV.

[squarecanopy 0]

Hey thanks for letting us all know. The Dambusters were a brave bunch and a group I admire greatly. I encouraged my youngest son to do a school report on them about 6 or 7 years ago and he got an "A" on it in part because it was such a unique and interesting story. I was pleased because he learned something of significance about an important time in world history. Thanks again!

Just burning a hole in the sky.....

[shropshire 0]

Respect :-1st Dam....

On a lighter note ..... clicky

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Rover 11]

For those of you in the UK. Les has left and is on his way to England for the 65th anniversary of the raid in May at 617 squadron so you might get to see him on your local news.

2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.