Just been reading about Alan Brooke and Churchill flying around in an Avro York. Not being a plane nut I wasn't sure what one was. Had a quick Google and found it here. Royal Air Force Lyneham - XXIV (24) Sqadron Credits Anyone have more info on Churchill's York with some interior views? Aha, Churchill's chair. http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/1-b/avro/Winston%20Churchills%20chair%20from%20an%20Avro%20York.jpg from here.Avro Heritage Centre
The York LV633 named 'Ascalon' and a C54 Skymaster EW999 were assigned to Churchill. Have you seen the series "Churchill's Bodyguard" (there's a book of the same name too)? The detective, Hickman, relates many stories about Churchill's flying habits. One story centers on the efforts of Churchill's staff to persuade him not to travel long distances by plane because of the risks involved (as opposed to by ship). Worth catching on UKtv History if you can.
Kyt, Watched the odd tit-bit of that series now and again. Read in AB's diary that AB out a rocket up the dectective's arse in Turkey once for not doing job properly.
Kyt, Watched the odd tit-bit of that series now and again. Read in AB's diary that AB out a rocket up the dectective's arse in Turkey once for not doing job properly. What was the date of the incident (I don't remember the Turkish incident from the series, but will look out for it when the series is ineviatbly repeated on UKtv History) A good synopsis: Guarding the bulldog - Sunday Times - Times Online Poor Hickman often got it in the neck for things that were out of his control - more often than not Churchill's fault (Hickman was often left out of the decision making processes and yet was held responsible for Churchill's safety at all times). It really is worth getting the book, because it's the series tie-in, and it seems that Churchill confided in Hickman a lot.
Wasn't it the Casablanca conference or some such when Churchill decided to go swimming in the sea and took a shortcut back to the villa, despite being warned anyone on that land would be shot on sight? Churchill was given a dressing down by the young American Captain in charge of security. Churchill then defended him to the captain's superiors. And all this depsite Hickman's warnings it wasn't safe to swim etc?
AB War Diary page 374 30 January 1943. They were drawn up on an open plain in a train supposedly surrounded by Turkish soldiers. AB did a quick check on them and found them hiding under blankets in heavy rain. He looked for the PM's detective who he found in the dining car feeding, more concerned with his own comfort than PM's saftey. AB told him security was very poor and should do something about it. The detective insolently replied why should he work night and day. AB replied he'd been traveling in the same comfort as the rest of the party and as far as AB was aware hadn't actually started work yet.
Firstly, my apologies for being a complete dipstick. I've been saying Hickman when I meant Walter Thompson (Hickman was the writer of the biography). Second - I love diaries for the way people interpret incidents. From what I have seen of the TV series, and read elsewhere, Thompson doesn't come across as abrasive as AB describes. As for his working hours, he'd often be on call 24/7, and had often to cope with Churchill's idiosyncratic working and personal habits.
Today's newspaper articles and news about the Berlin Airlift, prompted me to read up on the Avro York; I was especially interested to read about "Ascalon", WSC's York. Does anyone know what the communication arrangements were in this a/c? Did it have just the standard T-1154/R-1155 transmitter and receiver? Or was more sophisticated equipment in place? How about cipher equipment when WSC was on the move? Was he fed with Ultra? Was the crew drawn from the Royal Flight? Comments greatly appreciated ... M
A little information on the Avro York, Which was used extensively by the British for the Berlin Air lift. Winston Churchill's LV 633 "Ascalon"- the third prototype York and the first of the type with triple fins - had square windows instead of the usual round ones. It was allocated - but never carried - the civil registration G-AGFT. Other Avro Yorks became the VIP transports of Lord Louis Mountbatten ( MW102 ), Field Marshall Smuts ( MW 107 ) and HRH The Duke of Gloucester ( MW 140 ) RAAF Museum: RAAF Aircraft Series 2 A74 Avro York Avro York - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Introduction Regards Tom
Thanks for the info and links regarding the York. I think a York was one of my first Dinky Toys. I'll be keeping a look-out for details of the comms set-up on WSC's York and will report back. But perhaps there will be a reply here ... Guess they've been making much of the anniversary of the airlift in Berlin. M
Mike, Yes it started last year, but this year I believe will be the last especially due to the fact that the Airport at Templehof is now closed and due for redevelopment. The buildings will be reused but the airfield and land enclosed is huge and there are various plans being put forwards at the moment. There had been a strong movement to stop the closure including a vote. Unfortunately not enough people turned out to vote and the decision to redevelop was won by default. Most people I know thought that the airport was ok, similar to Londons city airport, but the safety first prevailed and a jewel is lost. I just hope that the city start tours of the underground factory which would I think interest a lot of visitors and help generate lost revenue from the airport. Regards Tom
He flew back and forth to France in 1940 a couple of times in a De Havilland Flamingo, I believe. Neat plane. de Havilland Flamingo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
