You lot like a whinge...

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8 years 9 months

Posts: 251

It's disheartening to see on the morning after the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, that the front cover of all the daily news papers feature the new Labour Party leader.

This was their [not the media's] finest hour.

And after watching the hastily edited Channel 4 coverage of Dermot O Dreary at Goodwood for the commemoration of the event, I feel I'm on a one way ticket on the Flypast Forum misery train. Very poor Britain, very poor.

Original post

Member for

17 years 6 months

Posts: 9,739

It was interesting that this year the media made a bit of fuss about 'the hardest day'; I don't recall much, or any, mention of that before in the mainstream media.

Member for

15 years 7 months

Posts: 674

Given the amount of film footage Channel 4 must have shot on Tuesday one hopes they could offer a better version , or DVD ? at a later date.

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12 years 11 months

Posts: 6,535

Piston

You are so right. I'm glad it wasn't just me. And as for the aptly named O'Dreary....!

The planning and organisation that went into the whole event is beyond praise.

Member for

11 years 5 months

Posts: 11,141

Totally agree with your last sentence, but as for the programme presentation, who the hell is that bloke, anyway...?

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9 years 5 months

Posts: 172

I thought he was a poor choice as host when C4 announced the coverage. Alas I was proven right.

Profile picture for user paul1867

Member for

11 years 4 months

Posts: 1,431

We may whinge a lot but the experts here does mean we do get our facts right. I haven't seen any of the media coverage as I was fortunate enough to be near Duxford but I can imagine. Without meaning to bang on it does seem from the reports that commentators like the sound of their own voice and feel the need to keep talking to cater for any people with a low attention span. Technical commentators do not seem to have the knowledge like say Raymond Baxtor had, or is that just looking back through rose tinted goggles?

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13 years 4 months

Posts: 411

75 years of the RAF?

I thought it was an article about Prince Harry?

James

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15 years 7 months

Posts: 674

Was he the "hairy ginger nut" I thought he was still a serving member of the Armed forces. ACC helicopter pilot ? If so surely a lesson in hair and beard grooming is required.

Member for

16 years 2 months

Posts: 2,248

The editing of the Channel 4 program felt rushed, for example the Mk XI and Hurricane being shown in flight as the commentary went on then later being shown taking off. They tried to make it look and feel real time even though the program was recorded, they came close but failed in my opinion.
The presentation was ok, O'Leary came across as very excited and enthused, more so than James Holland in my opinion although that is not to say Holland did not show enthusiasm, surely excitement and enthusiasm are to be welcomed?
Those criticising the choice of presenter may wish to give the following thoughts some consideration; Raymond Baxter and his ilk are largely dead so un-available to present programs today, there are few if any experienced commentators on any subject with the expertise and knowledge to enthral the public and also please the enthusiasts (BBC athletics commentary today may be a notable exception) and finally many who would criticise O'Leary will also bemoan a supposed lack of interest and knowledge the youth of today have for bygone times, what better way to attract a new, younger generation than have the program fronted by a well known, popular and thoughtful professional who manages to display great enthusiasm and respect whilst encouraging and allowing the veterans and other notable experts to speak and educate them / us?
I was rather energized in a negative way when the BBC reporter, who was reporting in real time, identified the same XI and Hurricane pair as two tandem seat Spitfires.
Do you have eyes man? The shape is different, that is one way of knowing things are not the same object you imbecile. I understand that the chap was clearly not a specialist but it's not that hard. Felt too much like wanting to be able to say Wing Commander Neil is in one of those aircraft.

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11 years 5 months

Posts: 11,141

Raymond Baxtor had, or is that just looking back through rose tinted goggles?

No, it's remembering standards as they were!!!:D

Member for

16 years 2 months

Posts: 2,248

Was he the "hairy ginger nut" I thought he was still a serving member of the Armed forces. ACC helicopter pilot ? If so surely a lesson in hair and beard grooming is required.

http://www.princehenryofwales.org/prince-harry/biography/military-career

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/media/press-releases/prince-harry-leave-the-armed-forces?__utma=1.1491897386.1442397919.1442397919.1442397919.1&__utmb=1.2.10.1442397919&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1442397919.1.1.utmcsr%3Dgoogle%7Cutmccn%3D%28organic%29%7Cutmcmd%3Dorganic%7Cutmctr%3D%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=78453524

Do try and keep up.

I'm sure you'll be apologising shortly.

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,208

75 years of the RAF?

Was he the "hairy ginger nut" I thought he was still a serving member of the Armed forces. ACC helicopter pilot ?

Oh dear. It seems many here are as hazy about the facts as the media they love to deride.

Pot, meet kettle.

Member for

11 years 5 months

Posts: 11,141

Snafu - I think the problem is that in general documentary presentation has changed from being interesting and informative to loud, excitable and sometimes informative to meet the assumption that viewers and especially younger ones have low attention spans. So you end up in a vicious circle of increasing entertainment and diminishing quality of information to the detriment of everyone.

Member for

20 years

Posts: 1,587

The event was staged in commemoration of 'The Few' and was planned to fly over as much of the south east and sector airfields as possible. It was not intended to be a public event at Goodwood. They released free tickets anticipating 3000 attendees. Instead 32,000 free tickets were issued. The car park for staff supporting the event looked to have well over 100 cars in it. There were catering vendors and a fleet of courtesy vehicles for those with difficulty walking.. Marshals at gates and safety and security staff.
It was fantastic to be allowed into the airfield perimeter, to see the 30+ aircraft dispersed on the Airfield and to watch the take offs and fly bys. It wasn't an airshow but it was not advertised as such. Many of the aircraft will be at DX this weekend for a formation fly past...

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 333

Was he the "hairy ginger nut" I thought he was still a serving member of the Armed forces. ACC helicopter pilot ? If so surely a lesson in hair and beard grooming is required.

you know what?, I thought exactly the same!, when did the British army let you walk around with 3 days growth and sport a mop of hair like that?

Member for

17 years 11 months

Posts: 2,024

you know what?, I thought exactly the same!, when did the British army let you walk around with 3 days growth and sport a mop of hair like that?

Dreadful, whetever next eh? Chaps wandering around with their top buttons undone or some such scruffiness? :)

Member for

16 years 2 months

Posts: 2,248

you know what?, I thought exactly the same!, when did the British army let you walk around with 3 days growth and sport a mop of hair like that?

Oh dear. On ops would be one answer.

Another would be he isn't in the British Army so what does it matter what the British Army do or don't do?

Ignorance is not an excuse.

Member for

13 years 4 months

Posts: 411

Oh dear. It seems many here are as hazy about the facts as the media they love to deride.

Pot, meet kettle.

Well spotted, you are of course correct, well done you. Perhaps my confusion derives from so much of the reporting being about something (someone) else than the subject. I for one would much rather have heard a veteran talking about his experiences or more detail about the event itself than watch Harry wandering about - it might have kept me right about the events title too! :-)

Pot/Kettle

Member for

12 years 11 months

Posts: 6,535

75 years of the RAF?

I thought it was an article about Prince Harry?

James

You are spot on. Talk about 'arslikhan'

Stephen Bungay or James Holland would have been a much better choice for presenter rather than the dreary and repetitive O'Dreary.

Member for

16 years 2 months

Posts: 2,248

Snafu - I think the problem is that in general documentary presentation has changed from being interesting and informative to loud, excitable and sometimes informative to meet the assumption that viewers and especially younger ones have low attention spans. So you end up in a vicious circle of increasing entertainment and diminishing quality of information to the detriment of everyone.

Wouldn't disagree with that. Didn't find the Channel 4 program to be particularly that way inclined.
For me, given it was only an hour, it was a fairly well balanced mixture of information and displaying the events of the day. Little if any hyperbole, the segments with Harry were well done with him coming across very well (I'm a less than closeted republican at heart) and appropriate respect and reverence shown to the veterans, aircraft and events of the day 75 years ago.
I thought some of the shots of the aircraft left a little to be desired but I'm not a cameraman or aware of the challenges that were faced. However at times I couldn't shake off the feeling that the full picture was being missed, there were few shots that gave an impression of the number of aircraft for example.