Best Flying Fortress Podcasts (2024)

1
The Last Airworthy Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer at GossHawk Unlimited - Part 2 34:27

14m ago34:27

34:27

David and Lindsey Goss run the fantastic GossHawk Unlimted in Casa Grande, Arizona. There they build incredible warbirds like Fw-190s (see part 1!) and care for the world's last airworthy Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer. Join us as Lindsey shows us around the Privateer and find out how you, if you are an engineer, are wanted at GossHawk ★Listen to pa…

1
Building Focke-Wulf Fw 190s at GossHawk Unlimited - Part 1 47:39

27m ago47:39

47:39

Father and daughter team David and Lindsey Goss run one of the world's leading warbird restoration and maintenance companies, GossHawk Unlimited. Back in February, they kindly welcomed us to have a tour around the shop, learn about how GossHawk came about and, this week, what goes into rebuilding Focke-Wulf Fw-190s. Next week, we tour the world's l…

1
The Lives of Jerrie Cobb with Mary Haverstick 55:08

4d ago55:08

55:08

When filmmaker Mary Haverstick started pre-production on a film about the Mercury 13, which selected and tested women for spaceflight, she knew the key was the legendary Jerrie Cobb. Mary's relationship with Cobb led to her uncovering much more about the aviator and a trail that led to the CIA and the Kennedy assassination. Mary's 10-year journey r…

1
Night of the Intruders 47:56

13d ago47:56

47:56

In this episode, we tell the story of the Night of the Intruders, when Luftwaffe fighters followed a stream of American B-24 Liberator bombers back to England and shot them out of the sky as they tried to land. It was a disastrous end to Mission 311, which took place on 22 April, 1944, less than two months before D-Day. The raid saw 824 Mighty Eigh…

1
NASA's Airborne Telescope SOFIA with Dörte Mehlert 58:25

11d ago58:25

58:25

SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, was a joint program by NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR which put a 2.5m reflecting telescope in the back of an ex-Pan Am Beoing 747SP. Dr Dörte Mehlert, head of education and public relations at the German SOFIA Institute (DSI), joins us to take us through the incredible discoveri…

1
Boeing NB-52A "The High and Mighty One" Cockpit Tour 26:48

28d ago26:48

26:48

The oldest Boeing B-52 Stratoforetress in the world, 52-0003 "The High and Mighty One", has just been lovingly restored at the Pima Air and Space Museum and is now on public display once again. On our recent visit, Matt and aircraft designer Joe Wilding (who is also a fabulous Damcasteer on Patreon) were allowed to crawl around the aircraft and che…

1
7 Minutes in Hell with Dr Philip Blood 1:26:28

1M ago1:26:28

1:26:28

On the 80th Anniversary of the last major RAF Bomber Command attack on Aachen (11/12 April 1944), Dr Philip Blood returns to discuss the raid that lasted all of 7 minutes. For those on the ground, it would be seven minutes in hell. Phil takes us through the raid and the implications of the orders for it, as well as the wider context that has become…

1
Pima's Convair B-36J Peacemaker 7:07

1M ago7:07

7:07

Convair's B-36 Peacemaker was intended as an intercontinental bomber and was the size of a small continent. Join us for this bonus episode as the Pima Air and Space Museum's CEO, Scott Marchand, as he tells us the tale behind the museum's monstrous B-36J 52-2827 “City of Fort Worth”. Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum through the lin…

1
S2, E21: A Change in the Air 1:06:24

1M ago1:06:24

1:06:24

The men of the 300th Bombardment Group, including Jack, are uplifted by some long-awaited good news. This positive development sparks a wave of jubilation among them, lifting their morale to new heights. In light of this newfound optimism, the men decided to throw a grand celebration, serving as both a morale booster and Tommy's bachelor party. The…

1
The B-17G Flying Fortress and Painted A-2 Flying Jackets of the 390th BG Memorial Museum 59:39

2M ago59:39

59:39

We return to the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum to tour their Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 'I'll Be Around' with the museum's Business and Operation Manager Alex Chambers and Executive Director Bill Buckingham. While this B-17 didn't see combat, her service history makes her a unique survivor. We then head upstairs with Director of Archives and C…

651
The Frankenplanes of the Pima Air and Space Museum 33:30

2M ago33:30

33:30

This week, we explore the fascinating background of aircraft that have undergone restoration, rebuild, or are newly built, focusing on their representation in museums and the complexity of their historical authenticity. We highlight the stories of four specific aircraft in the museum's collection: the Bristol Bolingbroke, the Curtiss P-40E Warhawk,…

701
Designing the Adam A500 with Joe Wilding 38:22

2M ago38:22

38:22

Friend of the show Joe Wilding returns to discuss the first aircraft we worked on as an aircraft designer, the Adam A500. Conceived as a composite business aircraft, Joe takes us through the process that went into the design and the features, and issues, the aircraft faced. Images: Erik Johnson ★Follow Joe on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/joe_wil…

1
Target Berlin 48:55

2M ago48:55

48:55

In this episode, we tell the story of the first American daylight bombing raid over Berlin, which took place on March 4, 1944. The mission was led by the 95th Bomb Group – the only Eighth Air Force Bomb Group to receive the Distinguished Unit Citation three times. We visit the Red Feather Club at Horham in Suffolk – including the Blue Lounge dance …

1
Behind the Scenes at the Pima Air and Space Museum with Andrew Boehly 49:20

2M ago49:20

49:20

Pima's Director of Collections, Andrew Boehly, takes us on an in-depth look at the Pima Air and Space Museum's vast collection and brings out some of the hidden gems of the Pima collection. Also, Boney realises he's been doing something silly... ★Check out 909 Apparel's full range of great aviation-themed t-shirts, hoodies and more here: https://li…

1
S2, E20: Girl Crazy 1:02:36

3M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Tommy faces a pivotal life choice with conflicting implications, while Jack grapples with the challenges of healing and recovering from his recent loss. Meanwhile, The Boss receives a wake-up call that prompts reflection and action. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism by privately messaging me throu…

1
Battle of the Bombers 49:31

3M ago49:31

49:31

In this episode, we visit the American Air Museum at Duxford for a hotly contested debate: which was the best WW2 heavy bomber? Was it the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress or was it the Consolidated B-24 Liberator? The museum is home to the biggest collection of American military aircraft on public display outside the USA. And it is the only place in th…

1
Focke-Wulf's Savage Airliner with Matthew Willis 1:11:50

3M ago1:11:50

1:11:50

The Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor was a savage airliner. Kurt Tank's elegant design evolved from a luxurious civil aircraft into a feared maritime reconnaissance bomber and transport aircraft. Naval air historian Matthew Willis joins us to look at the operational life and legacy of the Condor. ★Buy Matt's book, Eagles of the Luftwaffe: Focke-Wulf Fw 200…

1
Masters of the Air SPOILER FREE Review 28:32

4M ago28:32

28:32

Welcome to the SPOILER FREE Damcasters review of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hank's new Apple TV+ war series, Masters of the Air. In this review, Boney looks at the first two episodes, out on the 26th January, and his feelings about the series. Get subscribed for episode deep dives each week! Many thanks to the Apple TV UK Press Team for all their hel…

1
Precision with James Rogers 1:15:31

4M ago1:15:31

1:15:31

War historian James Rogers joins us to discuss his new book, Precision: A History of American Warfare, as we look into what precision actually means and what lengths have been gone to achieve it over the last 100 years. ★ Follow James on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jamesrogershistory/ Check out James' website at: https://www.jamespatton…

1
Masters of the Air 45:39

4M ago45:39

45:39

The 100th Bomb Group is probably the most famous bomb group of them all – and the focus of the Stephen Spielberg / Tom Hanks TV mini-series Masters of the Air. Nicknamed the Bloody Hundredth, it had a 'bad luck' reputation, sustaining heavy losses of men and planes on numerous disastrous missions. But just how unlucky was the 100th Bomb Group? What…

1
The First World War Ace on Film with Abby Whitlock 1:36:26

4M ago1:36:26

1:36:26

How has the portrayal of the fighter pilot on film reflected and refined the image of the pilot we know today? Military historian Abby Whitlock joins us as we look at the OG flying films Wings (1927), Howard Hughes' Hell's Angels (1930) both Dawn Patrols (1930 and 1938) and Aces High (1976) to see how the First World War in the air shaped the image…

1
Ask Me Anything with The Damcasters' Host Matt Bone 1:01:35

4M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

Host Matt Bone tackles a variety of topics from a different perspective, adopting an 'Ask Me Anything' format. Following a brief discussion about delayed scheduling and cyberpunk 2077, Matt responds to listeners' questions via Patreon and Twitter. The conversation ranges from general queries about Matt's background and interest in the Typhoon to mo…

1
2024 Kick Off and Under An English Heaven 13:45

5M ago13:45

13:45

We are back! It is a new year, and I'd love your feedback as the planning spreadsheet gets filled up. There are also updates to our Patreon levels, so now is a great time to become a Damcasteer! Plus, with Masters of the Air mere weeks away, we highlight a great novel of the 8th Air Force, Robert Radcliffe's Under An English Heaven. ★Become a Damca…

1
S2, E19: The Reason 52:46

5M ago52:46

52:46

Jack and the "Load of Bull" crew found themselves grappling with an onslaught of loss as the day unfolded into a tumultuous mix of stress, horror, fierce battles, and heart-wrenching tears. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism by privately messaging me through one of the various SNAFU Social Media Pa…

1
'Everything that will fly' 47:45

5M ago47:45

47:45

The 'maximum effort' mission on Christmas Eve 1944 was the biggest ever by the Eighth Air Force. This was the Mighty Eighth's 760th mission – with 2,046 heavy bombers and 853 fighters taking to the sky. It meant "everything that can fly, will fly" as the USAAF entered the Battle of the Bulge to protect Allied troops from the Nazi war machine. It wa…

1
The Black RAF Experience with John Concagh 1:19:35

5M ago1:19:35

1:19:35

Historian John Concagh joins us to look at the experience of Black volunteers in the RAF in the Second World War. This episode delves into the experiences of Black West African and Caribbean volunteers in the RAF during WWII. John explains their hardships, victories, and post-war influence in their home countries' fight for independence. ★Follow Jo…

1
Flying into a Mushroom Cloud with Dr Kit Chapman 1:05:42

6M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

Dr Kit Chapman, a science historian from Falmouth University, takes us into the historical context and significance of atomic cloud sampling, a dangerous method employed during the Cold War era. The focus is on the Ivy Mike nuclear test in 1952, where pilots flew into a thermonuclear bomb cloud to gather data, contributing to element discovery and …

1
Mythbusting the Convair B-58 Hustler with Col George Holt Jr. USAF Rtd. 44:51

6M ago44:51

44:51

The Convair B-58 Hustler is regarded as one of the USAF's missteps in strategic bomber design from the 1950s and 60s. The claims that it was expensive and dangerous to fly led to its removal from service in the 1970s in favour of the Boeing B-52. But is that really the case? Former B-58 Navigator/Bombardier Col. Geroge Holt Jr. Rtd. joins us to ref…

1
S2, E18: The Bomb Run 53:22

5M ago53:22

53:22

Jack and the rest of the "Load of Bull" crew are selected to fly a long-range mission that pushes them to their limits. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism by privately messaging me through one of the various SNAFU Social Media Pages. Also, check out our website for more information such as bonus ma…

1
The Pathfinder Mystery 38:52

6M ago38:52

38:52

In this episode, we visit the crash site of a top-secret B-17 Flying Fortress which went down soon after take-off in November 1943. The B-17F Flying Fortress 42-5793 was among the most secret aircraft of its kind – one of the first American bombers fitted with a new type of radar. The plane crashed only minutes into what should have been a flight f…

1
Lockheed Blackbird with Paul Crickmore 1:07:49

6M ago1:07:49

1:07:49

Paul Crickmore has been chronicling the story of the Lockheed Blackbird family of aircraft, the A-12, YF-12 and SR71, for over 35 years. Paul has had incredible access to the designers, maintainers and pilots of the Blackbird over the years. Paul joins us today to tell us some of the stories he has captured in his final book, Lockheed Blackbird: Be…

1
Aerobatics with Mélanie Astles 42:58

6M ago42:58

42:58

Mélanie Astles is a remarkable aerobatics pilot, is also the only woman to have won a Red Bull Air Race event at Indianapolis in 2017 and has just placed 5th at the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in Las Vegas for Team GB. A passionate advocate for aviation and an ambassador for the Pima Air and Space Museum, it worked out that when Mel popp…

1
What the IX Troop Carrier Command Did Next with Adam Berry 1:27:01

6M ago1:27:01

1:27:01

Following their eventful dropping of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions on D-Day, the IX Troop Carrier Command's C-47s were not ideal. Historian Adam Berry joins us to discuss the resupply operations in Normandy, the incredible medical evacuation flights, Operation Dragoon and the resupply of the 101st in Bastogne as we look at what the IX TCC d…

1
Was The Bristol Blenheim Really That Bad with James Jefferies 49:53

7M ago49:53

49:53

Friend of the show, historian James Jefferies joins us to discuss the much maligned Bristol Blenheim. When the aircraft was developed, the Blenheim was faster than the RAF's latest fighters. But, come the outbreak of war, fighter design and the environment the Blenheim would be operating in would be very different. So, was the Blenheim really that …

1
Fly Girls with Keith O'Brien 1:01:21

7M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Amelia Earhart looms large in aviation history, but she was one of a cohort of incredible female flyers in 1920s America who fought hard to break the mould and show that they could out-fly and out-race the men at their own game and, in Louise Thaden, would claim their highest prize. In Fly Girls, New York Times bestselling author Keith O'Brien look…

1
his Majesty's Airship with S.C. Gwynne 55:59

7M ago55:59

55:59

The R101 was the great hope for Imperial Air Travel in late 1920s Britain. The brainchild of Christopher Birdwood Thomson and the Imperial Airship Scheme, R101 was the government-backed of the two grand airships, the other being the Barnes Wallis-designed R100, that were to whisk the great and good between England and India. S.C. Gwynne joins us to…

1
Mosquito with Rowland White 58:44

7M ago58:44

58:44

On Wednesday 21st March 1945, the RAF's 140 Wing of De Havilland Mosquito FB.VI fighter bombers, with an escort of Mustangs, attacked the Shellhus in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Shellhus was the HQ for the Gestapo in Denmark, and most of the Danish Resistance's top men were within its walls. The low-level attack would be the last in a series flown by …

1
'Pegs' the Two-Seat Hawker Hurricane with Hurricane Heritage 56:22

8M ago56:22

56:22

Hurricane Heritage has the incredible job of operating the world's only two-seat Hawker Hurricane, BE505 'Pegs'. Starting life as a Canadian Car and Foundry-built Mark XII with the RCAF serial AG287, the aircraft was converted and restored to a Mk.IIB 'Hurribomber' configuration in 2007. Just before the pandemic hit, her second conversation to a tw…

1
S2, E17: The Party 1:03:15

8M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Jack, and the rest of Load of Bull attend a party on base, and old flames get rekindled. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism by privately messaging me through one of the various SNAFU Social Media Pages. Also, check out our website for more information such as bonus material or Merch by clicking her…

1
100 Years of Civil Aviation with Ben Skipper 1:11:05

8M ago1:11:05

1:11:05

Civil aviation is a vast undertaking and one that kept me in and out of trouble for 20 years of my working life. Author Ben Skipper has taken on the task of looking at the subject from the 1919 Paris Convention through to the end of the 747's service. From monks jumping off towers through Olive Beach being a badass to what comes next, join us as we…

1
The RAF Museum with CEO Maggie Appleton 1:01:13

8M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

The RAF Museum sites at Hendon in London and RAF Cosford in the Midlands are home to a collection that tells the century-old story of the RAF. It is where my obsession with the Hawker Typhoon began and where I returned a couple of weeks ago to chat with the museum's CEO, Maggie Appleton. The RAF Museum has a broad story, so how does the museum mana…

1
Flying B-17s with the 390th Bomb Group with Col Richard Bushong 1:16:48

8M ago1:16:48

1:16:48

Every Thursday, Col. Richard Bushong heads over to the 390th Memorial Museum and holds court under the nose of the museum's B-17 Flying Fortress and answers questions for all the visitors who approach him. Dick is well placed to answer them as he flew 28 missions with the 8th Air Force's 390th Bomb Group in late 1943 and early 1944. At 100 years yo…

1
The 390th Memorial Museum with Bill Buckingham 50:36

9M ago50:36

50:36

The 390th Memorial Museum is a museum within the Pima Air and Space Museum dedicated to the memory of the men of the 390th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force who were based at Framlingham in Suffolk. Bill Buckingham is the museum's Executive Director. Bill kindly sat down with me during my visit to Pima to discuss the museum, the 390th and what the me…

1
Schweinfurt-Regensburg - August 17, 1943 49:43

9M ago49:43

49:43

It was the Mighty Eighth's most ambitious mission yet: a twin-strike into the heart of Nazi Germany. This dual-pronged raid on August 17, 1943, saw more than 350 B-17 bombers despatched to bomb the cities of Schweinfurt and Regensburg. The goal was to strike a major blow against the Nazi war machine by taking out three ball-bearing factories at Sch…

1
Empire Flying Boats at War Part 3 with Phil Vabre 55:44

9M ago55:44

55:44

As the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, their forces raced south towards Australia. The evacuation towards Australia would prove costly for the Empire Class flying boats of Qantas. In part 3 of our look at the Empire flying boats, Phil Vabre tells us about the attacks on Darwin and Broome and his research into uncovering the fate of Circe. You can …

1
Empire Flying Boats at War Part 2 with Phil Vabre 55:55

9M ago55:55

55:55

Continuing the story of the Empire Class flying boat, Phil Vabre returns to tell us about how Qantas were able to continue operating services in the Far East as the war in Europe started to get closer to home. You can catch part 1 here: https://shows.acast.com/the-damcasters/episodes/647e11bc73919c0011b58b36 ★You can learn more about the Civil Avia…

1
Flying the F-105 in Vietnam with Maj Gen Russ Violett 1:03:05

10M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Maj Gen Russ Violett (Rtd) had a 30-year career with the USAF, flying multiple types, including the North American F-100 Super Sabre (in which he had a 2-minute flight before punching out!) and the fantastic Republic F-105 Thunderchief, the Thud. The Thud always brought Russ home in 126 missions over Laos and Vietnam. Our discussion covers the tact…

1
S2, E16: The Dilemma 48:50

9M ago48:50

48:50

Jack, for the first time, leads Load of Bull on a Mission to Homberg, Germany, where his leadership capabilities are gravely challenged. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism by privately messaging me through one of the various SNAFU Social Media Pages. Also, check out our website for more information…

1
Classic British Jets Collection Open Day 35:11

10M ago35:11

35:11

On the 29th April 2023, the Classic British Jets Collection re-opened their doors at their Buntingthrope base for the first time this side of the pandemic. Dave Thomas and the team kindly invited me up to chat with the team and see jet fuel turned into sweet, sweet noise. The aircraft that you will hear, in the order they pop up in the podcast, are…

1
The Many Bombings of Aachen with Dr Philip Blood 2:55:23

10M ago2:55:23

2:55:23

On the night of the 13/14th of July 1943, RAF Bomber Command returned to the German city of Aachen again. This time they were carrying what they termed an "arson load". The attack created a firestorm that would take over a day to burn out and kill hundreds. Eleven days later, Operation Gomorrah, the firebombing of Hamburg, was carried out. Historia…

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