My Mother and other strangers

[MikeyB-17]

Just watching the first episode-set in Northern Ireland during WWII when the 8th came to town. Shots of what I assume to be Sally B overhead but not much else in the way of aircraft. Some nice looking A-2's, supplied by ELC I believe, and a crew member in a D-1-not the norm, but we know it did occur. The base so far only appears to have about half a dozen personnel, but perhaps that will change. Nothing glaring that I could see-I guess what I'm really after is Peter's opinion, since it's his neck of the woods.

 

[colekwok]

I will probably catch it on iPlayer. Those jackets were actually on sale with the ELC roadshow in North London. I am still waiting for the Mighty Eight to be made.......

 

[Roughwear]

I liked the atmosphere and the ELC jackets even if the plot was rather slow moving. One of the guys was wearing an infantry piped hat. The jeep looked post War to me. The most obvious mistake was the Lieutenant who was shot down on a night raid in a B-17 when the USAAF were only conducting daylight raids. As far as I'm aware B-17s were not actually used at this training station in WW2.

 

[PADDY_M]

Lots of little errors as Andrew pointed out but often you just have to take these things with a pinch of salt (& a stiff marguerita ! ) as we all know by now that there's often little effort invested in the details we love to see.
There seemed like little variety in the badging of the A2s with uniformed pilot wings in incised leather on every A2.
One hopes it will mature & develop with stronger storylines
Looks to have been possibly filmed around Strangford Lough or Lough Neagh & maybe the Ulster Folk Museum (for the village)...?

 

[Peter Graham]

The jeep looked post War to me. As far as I'm aware B-17s were not actually used at this training station in WW2.

Andrew, the Jeep was WW2, or possibly a postwar French Hotchkiss, although the only way to tell is by looking at the data plate. The station in the series is fictional. It's described as station 328. I don't know where the real station 328 was, or even if there was one, but it's based on station 238, USAAF Cluntoe in Co Tyrone which was a combat crew replacement centre which did indeed train B-17 crews. In fact the crew of Memphis Belle trained rookie crews for a time before their return to the States. As mentioned in the series, a lot of local farmers had their farms and property requisitioned to build the airfield and feelings ran high in the area. Cluntoe airfield today is very well preserved as it's in such a rural location that very little redevelopment has taken place and I've explored the site several times and also seen it from the air a few years back while having a flying lesson. As far as the series itself goes, I try to avoid period dramas, especially local ones, but the subject matter obviously attracted me so I tuned in. It's a bit dull and cliche ridden, isn't it. Publicans wife falls for handsome officer. Local bumpkins beat up the uppity Yank, etc etc. Hopefully it will develop into something more interesting with more focus on the base but I'm not holding my breath. Paddy, it's Strangford Lough although it's meant to be Lough Neagh. Here's an article about Cluntoe airfield. http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/tyrone/cluntoe_airfield_ardboe.shtml

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks for this Peter. Let's hope the series picks up pace a little as it goes on.

 

[MikeyB-17]

I imagine they'll do what we're getting a lot of with Poldark , which of course is set and filmed down my way. One minute they're down near Land's End, the next frame they're 50 miles away up on the North Coast somewhere, or at Charlestown just down the road from me. Obviously if you're not from the area you don't realise.
I agree Peter that the plot doesn't seem terribly original so far-it's already obvious who's going to shack up with who. Still, it's a series on a subject many of us have an interest in, and we don't get too many of those.

 

[Marv]

I thought it was quite dull to be honest, let's hope the remaining four episodes pick up a bit.

 

[Steve27752]

I thought it was quite dull to be honest, let's hope the remaining four episodes pick up a bit.

I agree, I thought it was boring. A2's looked good, as did the other uniforms. Apart from the fact that the A2's had embossed and strip name tags.

 

[John Lever]

Haven't seen it yet but did watch Close to the enemy, set in 1946 about the secret service attempts to turn a German scientist. Think I spotted a couple of Aero's being worn.
Quite a dark thriller, liked it.

 

[Steve27752]

Haven't seen it yet but did watch Close to the enemy, set in 1946 about the secret service attempts to turn a German scientist. Think I spotted a couple of Aero's being worn.
Quite a dark thriller, liked it.

I've not watched it yet, but I think it will be more interesting.

 

[Marv]

Haven't seen it yet but did watch Close to the enemy, set in 1946 about the secret service attempts to turn a German scientist. Think I spotted a couple of Aero's being worn.
Quite a dark thriller, liked it.

I've not seen that either and wasn't even aware of it so thanks for that John, i'll be sure to give episode one a watch.

 

[PADDY_M]

Just watched that post WW2 one too. Storyline is stronger than the Irish one. But... I think when companies like HBO create wonderful pieces like BoBs and Boardwalk Empire with all the detailing (right down to hairstyle ) it sets a bar of all-round authenticity that others rarely match up to these days sadly. And possibly most watchers don't notice anyway.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Anyone discovered this wonderful TV channel http://talkingpicturestv.co.uk/schedule/
Great selection of old movies

I can recommend "The Way To The Stars" John Mills, Micheal Redgrave, great film, lots of original flight clothing, shown last week but the channel does repeat films so watch out for this one

 

[MikeyB-17]

'The way to the stars', a classic but possibly slightly less well-known film. Some rare footage of fairly seldom-seen aircraft too, like Bostons and Ansons. One of my favourites, must watch it again-in fact I'll seek out that channel and see if I can catch it, cheers for that Ken.

 

[Marv]

just watching the second episode, 25 mins in and it's dull as dishwasher, not an A2 in sight.
however, close to the enemy is actually very good and after two episodes I'm getting quite hooked.

 

[PADDY_M]

I'm done with watching that Northern Irish soap opera too. At least I gave it a two episode shot. Hey Ho!

 

[Roughwear]

It was indeed very slow moving and not a patch on "Close to the Enemy".

 

[Steve27752]

I gave up after the first episode. Close to the enemy seems more promising.

 

[Cobblers161]

Close to the Enemy is excellent, as are most Poliakoff tv dramas. It seems that his central character is more often than not a building/structure, I love the way he employs them as the centre piece. Dancing On The Edge made great use of Wilton's Dance Hall.

Glorious '39 is well worth a watch although Paddy you may be a little upset with the clothing ;-)