Yes Cem an amazing British achievement, which thank goodness always comes to the forefront in times of national crisis. Although the long term effects on German industry in the Ruhr Valley was limited, this raid did untold good for the morale of the British public and proved we were now able to hit back at Nazi Germany after so many early setbacks and huge disappointments. The end of WW2 could be envisaged, with the Germans now losing on every front.
I have lost count how many times I read the book, watched the film, and thought about the tremendous bravery of all the pilots, including Wing Commander Guy Gibson.
I felt then , and still feel even more now, the honour that I had the privilege of actually being in the same room as Sir Barnes Wallis when I visited the BAC Brooklands, Surrey, site with a school trip in 1967 when they were manufacturing the wings for Concorde. An absolutely fascinating man who explained to our group about future supersonic flight, and showed us a model of his SSC craft for the generation after Concorde! He was still then alive with excitement and pure enthusiasm about aircraft, along with the wonders of aeronautical engineering 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
..............and in honour of 617 Squadron, to the men who were the Dambusters, and the 53 crew who never returned:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7Si2H479Es[/media]
Crikey Lizzie, I was there as well, was a 1st year apprentice with BAC at the time, and we were all up there to see the facilities for making Concorde. (Actually made parts for it some years later, at Hurn)
Also, we were privileged to be presented with our official 'end of apprenticeship papers' (passing out) documents (after a real 5 year apprenticeship!!) by none other than 'tin legs' Douglas Bader at Weybridge, where all the final year lads were treated to a buffet and presentation. (Got his autograph on my Indentures too!) Sadly, no pictures tho'
Amazing stuff.... 
Wow Dodger!! 
It is a small world! 
Apart from seeing the great man and being amazed at everything we saw, I will never forget one very incedental thing. As we passed a worker putting, what looked like, a large paint tin in the boot of his car, our guide for the day said to us something like "See that?! That chap has a can of stuff to be used on Concorde worth £50!!" Goodness knows what "the stuff" was, perhaps you know Dodger, but £50 in 1967!!! 
A year later I was working for £5 10s 0d a week, so it was no small value 
Oh, and Douglas Bader!! Another man and a half, but apparently was respected by many who knew him, but not loved! Could be very abrasive according to what I have heard, but may not be true. Still a great hero though whatever!!
Probably the special sealant ('Thiokol' used for sealing the joints between parts of the airframe, flexible yet pressure resistant. (knew one guy who actually repaired the soles of his shoes with it!
)
As for Doug Bader, I seem to remember he was quite relaxed and chatty that day, talked to most of us at the buffet afterwards, willing to have his photo taken and sign autographs. Looked very stern and cold, but was quite interested in us lads (& lasses, there were a few female apprentices,) wishing us well, and answering questions.
Those two days, plus actually going to see the maiden flight of the British Concorde were major highlights of my apprenticeship. (Was also very lucky to grab flights in a Canberra, and a Folland Gnat as well in what was a very interesting apprenticeship, during a great time for british aviation)
Author
Topic: historical engineering success.. (Read 1068 times)