"Mrs. Smythe's Undies" (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

Constable: "Flying Officer Cattermole? Mrs. Smythe whose house is a mile from the airfield just rang up the station to complain that when you bailed out of your "Spit" a while ago, you and your parachute took out her morning laundry and she is demanding an apology forthwith."

F.O. 'Moggy' Cattermole: "Tell the widow Smythe not to get her knickers in a knot. It was either her backyard or farmer Jones pig pen. Which do you think she would have chosen?"

 

[Rob]

Nice pic Randy, how nice is that new ambulance eh?

Rob

 

[Doughboy]

Really nice pic....just finished reading Bishop's "Fighter Boys." Great book.

 

[PolarBear]

Nice pic Randy, how nice is that new ambulance eh?

Rob

It's a honey. I no sooner had it out of the box and had to put it in front of the camera. I am looking forward to the RAF Austin truck too and those WAAF figures. I hope we'll have a stretcher crew eventually.

Randy

 

[wwiibuff]

Nice photo Randy. That ambulance does look nice. Just might have to pick me up one of those.

 

[jazzeum]

Speaking of putting a book together, Randy, you could do a very nice and varied one of all your vignettes from the different manufacturers. Could have a lot of appeal across many company lines

 

[mikemiller1955]

Beautiful shot, figures and vehicle Randy...

I even loved the text...very nice...

 

[HAWKEYE]

great picture, really shows off the beauty of the pieces, andy should put this picture to use

 

[REVWARBUFF]

That is awesome Randy!! Nice dialog too!

 

[lancer]

Constable: "Flying Officer Cattermole? Mrs. Smythe whose house is a mile from the airfield just rang up the station to complain that when you bailed out of your "Spit" a while ago, you and your parachute took out her morning laundry and she is demanding an apology forthwith."

F.O. 'Moggy' Cattermole: "Tell the widow Smythe not to get her knickers in a knot. It was either her backyard or farmer Jones pig pen. Which do you think she would have chosen?"

LOL. Definitely the laundry. Nice job. -- Al

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Good stuff, that RAF ambulance is tops as is the entire RAF line........glad I've got one!!! Perhaps that English Bobby is next on my list. For anyone still wanting that version of the ambulance you better hurry up, there aren't many left.

 

[Harry Faversham.]

"They used to say women and kids first."

"Did they, but they can't fly Spitfires can they?"

Actually... Moggy flew a Hurricane!​

 

[PolarBear]

"They used to say women and kids first."

"Did they, but they can't fly Spitfires can they?"

Actually... Moggy flew a Hurricane!​

For the Piece of Cake TV series they all flew Spits, of course. Probably easier for production than the Canes.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Constable: "Flying Officer Cattermole? Mrs. Smythe whose house is a mile from the airfield just rang up the station to complain that when you bailed out of your "Spit" a while ago, you and your parachute took out her morning laundry and she is demanding an apology forthwith."

F.O. 'Moggy' Cattermole: "Tell the widow Smythe not to get her knickers in a knot. It was either her backyard or farmer Jones pig pen. Which do you think she would have chosen?"

Dear "PolarBear":

Most splendid photo and write up!

"Iron Brigade"

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Congratulations to Polar Bear on his excellent photography and storytelling skills… I am a big fan of his creativity and work—keep ‘em coming!

On the related subject of “Moggy” Cattermole… Derek Robinson’s outstanding novel of the Battle of Britain “Piece of Cake” is, at least in my humble opinion, the finest piece of fiction to have been written on that aerial conflict. The characters… the pilot… the factual details… and the black humour make it a “must-read” for any aficionado of “The Battle”.

Back in 1989 (I think) it was turned into a great 6 parts television mini-series and a book was released about the making of the TV series. Lots of gen and background info about how they brought “HORNET SQUADRON” alive for the small screen.

When it came to aircraft they had a problem… In the book Hornet flies Hurricanes in both France and Britain. At the time of filming only 3 “flyers” were available in the U.K…. Two of which belong to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight… No can use! Considerably more flyable Spitfires were on hand and the film people managed to get hold of five from various private collectors. Five Spits however hardly make up a squadron so the decision was made to build six more non-flying replicas. One of these replicas was fitted with an engine and could “taxi” around an airfield… two others had smaller engines that could at least rotate the propellers… and the final three were merely static background dressing. The film crew christened them… “Trundler”… “Rollers” and “Plonkers”.

On the German side… even more difficulties… In 1968 the Spanish Air Force provided the makers of the movie “Battle of Britain” with 28x Hispano “Buchons” (license-built Me109’s) and 36 Casa 211’s (again license-built He.111’s). “Piece of Cake” managed to get just 3! As for Heinkels… “PoC” shot some footage of the Confederate Air Force one in Texas… utilized a dismantled one in England for a “crash victim” and used a few “out-takes” from the “Battle of Britain” movie.

I love, as you might imagine, the book and the television film and would heartily recommend both to all and sundry!

Pip, pip and Tally Ho!
Andy C.

 

[Guy]

Excellent work Randy.Nice dio. At least you took care of hiding the ground base of the figures. Looks more realistic ; I like the story behind it. It gives full meaning to your dio.
A diorama based on a true story and on historical facts ( that is always what I do)is more interesting and so much closer to reality.
Within a forthnight I will finish two more vignettes about the battle of the bulge.I will put the pictures ( and the story behind the scenes) on treefrog as soon as they become avialable.
Well done , keep up the good work
guy

 

[Mitch]

Another nice set up.
Mitch

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hi Guys,

Congratulations to Polar Bear on his excellent photography and storytelling skills… I am a big fan of his creativity and work—keep ‘em coming!

On the related subject of “Moggy” Cattermole… Derek Robinson’s outstanding novel of the Battle of Britain “Piece of Cake” is, at least in my humble opinion, the finest piece of fiction to have been written on that aerial conflict. The characters… the pilot… the factual details… and the black humour make it a “must-read” for any aficionado of “The Battle”.

Back in 1989 (I think) it was turned into a great 6 parts television mini-series and a book was released about the making of the TV series. Lots of gen and background info about how they brought “HORNET SQUADRON” alive for the small screen.

When it came to aircraft they had a problem… In the book Hornet flies Hurricanes in both France and Britain. At the time of filming only 3 “flyers” were available in the U.K…. Two of which belong to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight… No can use! Considerably more flyable Spitfires were on hand and the film people managed to get hold of five from various private collectors. Five Spits however hardly make up a squadron so the decision was made to build six more non-flying replicas. One of these replicas was fitted with an engine and could “taxi” around an airfield… two others had smaller engines that could at least rotate the propellers… and the final three were merely static background dressing. The film crew christened them… “Trundler”… “Rollers” and “Plonkers”.

On the German side… even more difficulties… In 1968 the Spanish Air Force provided the makers of the movie “Battle of Britain” with 28x Hispano “Buchons” (license-built Me109’s) and 36 Casa 211’s (again license-built He.111’s). “Piece of Cake” managed to get just 3! As for Heinkels… “PoC” shot some footage of the Confederate Air Force one in Texas… utilized a dismantled one in England for a “crash victim” and used a few “out-takes” from the “Battle of Britain” movie.

I love, as you might imagine, the book and the television film and would heartily recommend both to all and sundry!

Pip, pip and Tally Ho!
Andy C.

Andy,

I enjoyed Derek Robinson's books immensely (although Moggy was my least favorite character), but in my opinion far and away the best historical fiction on the Battle of Britain/RAF is James Holland's books "The Burning Blue" and "Silver Wings". I also thought Frank Bernard's RAF trilogy was better than Robinson's efforts.

 

[oberstoskar]

I downloaded the tv series and still finding time to watch it. I received the raf ambulance today and it's excellent!

Hi Guys,

Congratulations to Polar Bear on his excellent photography and storytelling skills… I am a big fan of his creativity and work—keep ‘em coming!

On the related subject of “Moggy” Cattermole… Derek Robinson’s outstanding novel of the Battle of Britain “Piece of Cake” is, at least in my humble opinion, the finest piece of fiction to have been written on that aerial conflict. The characters… the pilot… the factual details… and the black humour make it a “must-read” for any aficionado of “The Battle”.

Back in 1989 (I think) it was turned into a great 6 parts television mini-series and a book was released about the making of the TV series. Lots of gen and background info about how they brought “HORNET SQUADRON” alive for the small screen.

When it came to aircraft they had a problem… In the book Hornet flies Hurricanes in both France and Britain. At the time of filming only 3 “flyers” were available in the U.K…. Two of which belong to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight… No can use! Considerably more flyable Spitfires were on hand and the film people managed to get hold of five from various private collectors. Five Spits however hardly make up a squadron so the decision was made to build six more non-flying replicas. One of these replicas was fitted with an engine and could “taxi” around an airfield… two others had smaller engines that could at least rotate the propellers… and the final three were merely static background dressing. The film crew christened them… “Trundler”… “Rollers” and “Plonkers”.

On the German side… even more difficulties… In 1968 the Spanish Air Force provided the makers of the movie “Battle of Britain” with 28x Hispano “Buchons” (license-built Me109’s) and 36 Casa 211’s (again license-built He.111’s). “Piece of Cake” managed to get just 3! As for Heinkels… “PoC” shot some footage of the Confederate Air Force one in Texas… utilized a dismantled one in England for a “crash victim” and used a few “out-takes” from the “Battle of Britain” movie.

I love, as you might imagine, the book and the television film and would heartily recommend both to all and sundry!

Pip, pip and Tally Ho!
Andy C.