The Damcasters - The Aviation History Podcast

This week, we examine the mysterious crash of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator AL-523 on July 4, 1943, which claimed the life of General Wladyslaw Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister in Exile. Chris Wroblewski and Garth Barnard, authors of the book "Sabotage! An In-Depth Investigation of the 1943 Liberator Crash that Killed Polish General Sikorski " join me to delve into the myriad of conspiracy theories that have surrounded this incident for decades and the theory my guests have to explain what happened.Buy Sabotage! An In-Depth Investigation of the 1943 Liberator Crash that Killed Polish General Sikorski from The Damcasters bookshop in the UK and support the show: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781911667902Follow the Sabotage! Facebook page for all the latest developments here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563813795339The Grub Street Publishing page for Sabotage! is: grubstreet.co.uk/product/sabotage-signed-copy/Garth's Twitter is: x.com/garthbarnardGarth's website can be found at: https://aviationresearch.my-free.website/Chris' LinkedIn is: www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wroblewski-62b0ba38/-----------------------------------------------------🛫 Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3 + VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt, and receive a personalised welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:27 The Begining of the Investigatio15:36 The B-24 Liberator Overview20:59 Sikorski's Last Evening27:15 The Pilot, Edward Prashal28:15 The Crash Events34:53 Conspiracy Theories Emerge43:39 Early Theories and Investigations46:39 Investigative Theories Evolve56:29 The Working Theory1:07:23 The Book and Its Insights1:11:04 Upcoming Episodes and Closing Remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🛫Join us as Joe Wilding helps us explore the store of the McDonnell-Douglas F-110A Spectre, which became the legendary F-4 Phantom II, filmed at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum. We have a look at how the lessons learned in the development of the F-101 Voodoo shaped what could be the perfect fighter aircraft.Find out more at the Wings Over the Rockies website: https://wingsmuseum.org/Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Wings_MuseumFollow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/-----------------------------------------------------🛫 Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3 + VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt, and receive a personalised welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------Chapters0:00 Introduction3:16 Design Features of the F412:41 Air Force Adaptations and Tail Hook14:26 Lessons Learned from the F418:51 The MiG-23: A Contemporary Comparison20:41 Final Thoughts on the F-101 and F-4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Wilding returns to explore the rich history of the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, filmed at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum. We discuss the significance of the F-101's twin-engine design, comparing it with other Century Series aircraft and shedding light on its influence on the F-4 Phantom's design.Find out more at the Wings Over the Rockies website: https://wingsmuseum.org/Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Wings_MuseumFollow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/-----------------------------------------------------🛫 Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3 + VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt, and receive a personalised welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------Chapters0:00 Welcome to the Damcasters3:25 The F-101 Voodoo Uncovered10:15 Behind the Scenes at Wings Museum10:51 Unique Tail Features of the F-10115:12 Tail Layout vs. Performance23:51 Lessons Learned for the F-4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

✈️ This week, we examine the Wings Over the Rockies Museum's Rockwell B-1A Lancer in depth. Joe Wilding explains the differences between the B-1A and the operational B-1B and highlights the design changes made to the A-model to accommodate the evolving role that the B-model continues to fulfil today.Find out more at the Wings Over the Rockies website: https://wingsmuseum.org/Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Wings_MuseumFollow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/-----------------------------------------------------🛫 Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3 + VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt, and receive a personalised welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------Chapters0:01 Introduction1:43 Exploring the B-1A Aircraft3:46 Transitioning to the B-1B5:45 Ejection Mechanisms Explained8:39 The Importance of Wing Design11:34 Overview of the Aircraft Structure17:04 Discussion on Bomb Bays27:32 Features and Capabilities of the B-129:35 Conclusion and Acknowledgments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

✈️Stewart Bailey is the Curator of the Wings Over the Rockies museum in Denver, Colorado. Join us as he discusses Lowry Air Force Base's history and the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum's amazing aircraft collection.Find out more at the Wings Over the Rockies website: https://wingsmuseum.org/Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Wings_MuseumFollow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/-----------------------------------------------------🛫 Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3 + VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt, and receive a personalised welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------Chapters0:26 Introduction1:36 Stuart Bailey's Journey in Museums5:30 History of Lowry Air Force Base8:01 The Museum's Unique Aircraft Collection15:22 Challenges of Aircraft Curation17:42 Impact of COVID-19 on the Museum21:05 The Space Side of the Museum25:27 Apollo Boilerplate and Its History28:23 Hidden Gems in the Museum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don Bennett was rated by the future Bomber Command boss, Arthur Harris, as "the most efficient airman" he had ever known. In part two of our chat with Bennett's biographer, Ian Campbell, curator of the Bennett/Vial Archive at the Queensland Air Museum, we get into the incredible record-breaking flights Don flew in Mercury and his return to the RAF at the outbreak of war.Relentless Skies: Volume 1 - The Most Efficient Airman (1910-1942) by Ian Campbell is out now! Buy your copy from The Damcasters bookshop and support the pod (UK only): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781923020641-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://www.twitter.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction01:57 The McPherson Trophy Race04:49 Meeting Ly, the Swiss Governess08:47 Leaving the RAF For Imperial Airways14:44 The Golden Age of Flying Boats18:28 The Mayo Composite Aircraft23:26 Record-Breaking Trans-Atlantic Flight28:04 The South Africa Record Attempt36:58 The North Atlantic Ferry43:09 Ian's Upcoming Talks45:40 Wrap and End of Year Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Air Vice Marshall Don Bennett CB, CBE, DSO was a singular man. His story of leading the Path Finder Force in the Second World War has gone down in legend. But what led him to that command? Ian Campbell, curator of the Bennett/Vial Archive at the Queensland Air Museum, has published the first volume of his biography of Bennett, Relentless Skies, which is superb. Ian joins us to discuss Bennett's life and career as we look at the making of the man who would become one of the RAF's foremost commanders.Relentless Skies: Volume 1 - The Most Efficient Airman (1910-1942) by Ian Campbell is out now! Buy your copy from The Damcasters bookshop and support the pod (UK only): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781923020641-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction01:43 The Author's Perspective05:33 Exploring Don's Early Life09:13 The Transition to Aviation12:02 The Challenge of Writing17:02 Understanding Don's Character19:28 The Relationship with Risk22:33 Capturing Don's Early Years26:08 The Path to Aviation Career36:24 The Arrival of Arthur Harris41:01 Achievements and Licenses43:17 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did cultural perceptions influence Western assessments of Japanese military potential? Justin Pyke joins us to discuss the Allies' capabilities assessments of Japan in the years before hostilities started in December 1941. Join us as we delve into the intelligence failures and misconceptions that contributed to the underestimation of Japanese air power leading up to World War II.Join us on BlueSky!Justin Pyke - https://bsky.app/profile/justinpykehistory.bsky.socialThe Damcasters - https://bsky.app/profile/damcasterspod.com-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro and 100th Episode!02:44 Understanding Capability Assessments13:28 Japan's Aviation Development Post-WWI19:46 Role of Military Attachés in Intelligence28:05 Impact of Foreign Assistance on Japanese Aviation33:58 Cultural Perceptions and National Characteristics41:00 Conclusions on Pre-War Assessments51:54 Japanese Aviation Development in the 1930s59:15 Observations from the China Conflict1:10:04 Misconceptions and Intelligence Failures1:20:24 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🛫Visit the Ekster website today via my partner link: https://partner.ekster.com/Damcasterspod and use my code THEDAMCASTERS to get up to a 55% discount in the Ekster Black Friday Sale!!!-----------------------------------------------------Join us for Part 2 of our look at the Combat Bullseye tests with author Chris Gibson. Phase 2 of Combat Bullseye would see the Covair B-58 Hustler used as a conventional bombing platform as both a pathfinder and solo bomber. But, another aircraft was looming on the horizon, the General Dynamics F-111A. This would be the Hustler's last chance to prove itself and be deployed to Southeast Asia.🛩️Check out The Aviation Historian here: https://www.theaviationhistorian.com/🛩️Buy Chris Gibson's latest book, They Also Served - RAF Reconnaissance and Support Projects since 1945 here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781800353084Head to the Boney Abroad Bookshop today! 10% of each sale (UK Only) goes to supporting the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro and Ekster Ad Read02:30 The Hustler as Formation Bomber08:16 The Hustler as Conventional Bomber20:01 Solving TAC's SEAD Problem25:19 B-1 Segway!30:37 Potential B-58 Deployment41:27 Wrap Up and Become a Damcasteer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🛫Visit the Ekster website today via my partner link: https://partner.ekster.com/Damcasterspod and use my code THEDAMCASTERS to get up to a 55% discount in the Ekster Black Friday Sale!!!-----------------------------------------------------Join us for Part 1 of our look at the Combat Bullseye tests with author Chris Gibson. In 1967, the US Air Force's Tactical Air Command reached out to their counterpart in the Strategic Air Command for some help. Bombing results in North Vietnam were poor, and the F-4s, F-100s and F-105s were suffering losses. Could SAC's speedy Convair B-58 Hustler be the answer? The Combat Bullseye tests would find out. 🛩️Check out The Aviation Historian here: https://www.theaviationhistorian.com/🛩️Buy Chris Gibson's latest book, They Also Served - RAF Reconnaissance and Support Projects since 1945 here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781800353084Head to the Boney Abroad Bookshop today! 10% of each sale (UK Only) goes to supporting the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro and Ekster Ad Read03:13 TAC's Situation in Vietnam08:40 Combat Bullseye Begins12:58 Enter The Hustler!22:18 The Birth of the Slime Light25:37 Fighting Together33:27 Preview of Part 2 - The Conventional Hustler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------Welcome to a new show on The Damcasters, where Andy Wright of Aircrew Book Review and I will discuss the latest in aviation books!🛩️Check out the Aircrew Book Review site here: https://aircrewbookreview.blogspot.com/🛩️Join the Aircrew Book Review Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aircrewbookreview/🛩️Follow Andy on Twitter/X here: https://x.com/aircrewbookrevuBook Review 1 - Stanford Tuck by Helen DoeBook Review 2 - From Biplanes to Fast Jets by Ken AedyBook Review 3 - Solo 2 Darwin by Amanda HarrisonBook Review 4 - Admiral VAT Smith by Graeme LunnBook Preview - Relentless Skies by Ian CampbellHead to the Boney Abroad Bookshop to grab your copy of all the books we discussed today! 10% of each sale (UK Only) goes to supporting the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum-----------------------------------------------------👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro02:22 What does a Book Editor Do?28:35 Book Review 1 - Stanford Tuck35:03 Book Review 2 - From Biplane to Fast Jets39:46 Book Review 3 - Solo 2 Darwin44:22 Book Review 4 - Admiral VAT Smith49:12 Book Preview - Relentless Skies58:30 Wrap Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for Part 3 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the evergreen B-52 Stratofortress!🛩️Watch all of our Boeing's Fortresses mini-series as they drop here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpytFew7euhmG92JX9NVUkl4ZbgZ7VmSU🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/podcast/100-years-of-civil-aviation-with-ben-skipper/🛩️Buy Ben's Flight Craft books from Pen and Sword at The Damcasters Bookshop (UK Only) here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad👉Follow Ben on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/WriteBenSkipper👉Follow Ben on Bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/benskipper.bsky.social👉Visit Ben's Fallout Substack here: https://fallout.substack.com/ -----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction03:31 The Road to the Forever Bomber23:33 The Sublime B-47 Stratojet45:45 The Competition from the B-156:37 The New Engines75:55 Conclusion to Boeing's Fortresses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for Part 2 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the remarkable B-29 Superfortress! Ordered from Boeing's drawing board and costing $3b in 1940s money, the delivery system for the atomic bomb cost even more than the weapon itself. But that is only part of the remarkable tale Ben Skipper has to share with us.🛩️Catch all the Boeing's Fortresses Mini-Series as they drop here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/tag/boeing-fortresses/🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/podcast/100-years-of-civil-aviation-with-ben-skipper/🛩️Buy Ben's Flight Craft books from Pen and Sword at The Damcasters Bookshop (UK Only) here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad👉Follow Ben on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/WriteBenSkipper👉Follow Ben on Bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/benskipper.bsky.social👉Visit Ben's Fallout Substack here: https://fallout.substack.com/ -----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction02:12 The B-29's Origins08:58 Design Challenges13:52 Curtis LeMay Returns21:16 The Battle of Kansas24:20 Engine Issues and Production30:48 Flying The Hump34:17 Psychological Impact on Japan42:33 Special Weapons49:26 Hiroshima and Nagasaki63:27 Legacy of the B-29 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for Part 1 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the incredible B-17 Flying Fortress!🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://youtu.be/upQyb-yEvzc🛩️Catch all the Boeing's Fortresses Mini-Series as they drop here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/tag/boeing-fortresses/🛩️Buy Ben's Flight Craft books from Pen and Sword at The Damcasters Bookshop (UK Only) here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad👉Follow Ben on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/WriteBenSkipper👉Follow Ben on Bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/benskipper.bsky.social👉Visit Ben's Fallout Substack here: https://fallout.substack.com/ -----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction06:09 The Flightcraft Series Explained10:12 The Road to the B-1716:07 The B-17 in RAF Service20:25 USAAF Arrives in England28:40 B-17 in Combat30:48 The B-17's Adaptability43:45 B-17 Variants50:13 The B-17's Legacy59:44 Conclusion and B-29 Teaser Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following an uncomfortable debate about a news article in Aeroplane Monthly on Duxford's future plans, Matt reflects on how the Avgeek community communicates. He also looks at the challenges of online discourse within the aviation community, the need for constructive criticism and civil debate, what that means for our aviation publications and how he will try to engage with everyone going forward. NOTE: I made this a full-numbered episode in the end!★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 The Duxford Dilemma: A Community in Conflict09:42 Navigating Online Discourse in Aviation17:48 The Future of Aviation Museums and Community Engagement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tuesday, 19th September 1944, was Black Tuesday for the 1st Airborne Division trying to take and hold the road bridge at Arnhem. It was the day Operation Market Garden failed. Comedian and historian Al Murray joins us to discuss the efforts of the RAF's 38 Group to resupply the Paras and understand why the defeat still grips us 80 years later.★Buy Arnhem: Black Tuesday by Al Murray at The Damcasters bookshop here (10% of each purchase supports the pod) UK only: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9780857506566★Follow Al on Twitter/ X here: https://x.com/almurray★Follow Al on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thealmurray/★Check out the Walking The Ground YouTube channel here:  @WW2WalkingTheGround ★Listen to Stanley Maxted's BBC report from Arnhem during the 3rd Lift here: https://open.spotify.com/track/5foDTOMqjvpSmb1a16IxyY?si=d3a8345a19cf4c86★Get your 909 Apparel now! https://www.909apparel.com/★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 Introduction02:03 Al Murray - Why Arnhem?05:40 Writing Black Tuesday14:08 Lack of Airpower Over Arnhem21:34 38 Group - RAF Transport Command26:07 Pima Visit Ad - VC-118 Liftmaster29:27 38 Group's War Con't33:37 The Failed 2nd Lift37:57 The 3rd Lift40:36 David Lord's VC52:35 The Book Escapes59:20 Wrap Up and Become a Damcasteer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1945, the RAF and USAAF flew two remarkable operations. Mana and Chowhound were missions to deliver food and vital medical supplies to break the 'Hunger Winter' famine in Occupied Holland. A truce with the Nazis was agreed and the bombers flew unopposed to drop their vital cargo. In Hilversum, south of Amsterdam, was 14-year-old Lucy Hanson, who saw food fall from the sky. Today Lucy joins us to tell her incredible story of life under Nazi occupation and the day she no longer feared the bombers.★View the Nationaal Archief 'Hongerwinter' photo collection here: https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/zoeken?activeTab=photos&resultsPerPage=48&rm=gallery&searchTerm=hongerwinter★Be sure to check out the  390th Memorial Museum's website at https://www.390th.org/★Watch our tour of the 390th's B-17G I'll Be Around here: https://youtu.be/cR6J_ZPC0ys★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://www.x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 Introduction02:11 Life Under Nazi Occupation12:18 The Hunger Winter17:08 NASA's SOFIA Aircraft at PASM20:16 Food Falling From the Sky29:27 British Tanks Arrive in Hilversum36:42 Reflections on the B-1738:44 Conclusion and Become a Damcasteer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Propwash is the summer Festival of the Air at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome and we were delighted to be there! Following the museum's CEO Ian Flint's kind invitation to visit, we headed out to Essex to see First World War aircraft flying, tour the museum, its exhibits and, of course, indulge in the museum's renowned quiche. Join us as we tour Stow Maries and discover a true gem of destination.★Support the Stow Maries Crowdfunder here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-story-alive ★Visit the Stow Maries website here: https://www.stowmaries.org.uk/ ★Follow Stow Maries below:  @stowmariesgreatwaraerodrom7220https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039140355023https://www.instagram.com/stowaero37/https://x.com/StowAero★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseumMusic:Greg McKay - Not Giving Up (Instrumental)Polychroma - Secondary Plotline (Instrumental)★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 Welcome to Stow Maries00:33 Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 Walkaround01:23 Museum Introduction and the First Blitz05:47 Nieuport 17 Walkaround07:14 The Women of the Great War08:19 Tiger 9 Flightline Walk09:39 The Machinery of Stow Maries11:36 BE2 and Nieuport 17 Display12:57 The Turbulent Display Team14:08 Could Boney Be a Great War Aviator?16:38 The Flying Gear of WW118:28 World Without Wires Exhibit23:59 Piper Cub Display25:20 Susane Tells Us About The Activities Available to Stow Maries31:18 The Suffolk Spitfire Display33:39 The Pulveriser Cockpit35:00 37 Squadron's Office38:00 Please Support Stow Maries! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 10th of August 1944, Harry Hardy joined 440 "City of Ottawa" Squadron RCAF in Normandy, flying Hawker Typhoon 'Bombphoons'. Harry flew 96 sorties (missions) through France, Belgium and Holland and was the pilot of The Pulverizers. In 2006, Harry gave this talk to the Royal Canadian Legion in White Rock, BC.The original footage has kindly been allowed to be reproduced here by his grandson, Rick Tunstall, and the Hardy Family.You can watch Harry give his presentation and see his slides on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/4LXDacpBH30Harry's chapter about his wartime experiences from his autobiography can be read on our website here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/harry-hardy-dfc-hawker-typhoon-pilot/To learn more about all the Canadian Typhoon Pilots, please visit The Typhoon Project website by historian Anne Gafiuk: https://thetyphoonproject.org/navigation.htmlThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#Catch-22 is one of Scott Marchand and I's favourite books, so when the opportunity came up to chat with Stoney Stonich, who, as a young pilot, signed on to be one of the B-25 pilots for Mike Nichols' adaptation in 1969, we jumped at the chance. Stoney tells us all about the production, the challenges and the excitement of filming aerial scenes, including THAT hair-raising takeoff and hanging out with the late great Bob Newhart. Stoney also is a T-6 man and helped form the North American Trainer Association. He has had quite the career, and it was fantastic to chat with him on The Damcasters.Images: © Stoney Stonich unless otherwise statedAll clips of Catch-22 © Paramount Pictures★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 Introduction03:44 Stoney's Start in Aviation04:53 Joining Catch-2210:10 Arriving on Set in Mexico15:03 Shoot the Take-Off Scene19:28 Frank Tallman and the Dummy21:34 The Death of Johnny Jordan24:16 Pima Air and Space Museum's VC-118 Liftmaster27:37 Life on the Catch-22 Set and Bob Newhart33:09 Stoney's T-6 and the North American Trainer Association40:42 Catch-22's B-25 Legacy45:36 Wrap Up and Become a Damcasteer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.