@lottie4133 Thank you, glad you enjoyed watching the video. I take it you are the young lady with the dog that l had a pleasant conversation with about Dr Who today? Do please share any of our videos and maybe subscribe to get notified of any new videos we post. Thanks Gary
Thank you for taking the time to comment on one of our most watched videos, and after 6 years since posting it l have finally got round to making a follow up video that will be appearing on the channel soon. It's like nothing we have attempted before and even Granville's 'cloth' makes an appearance, so stay tuned 🙂
@andtheotherone Hello Stepan Sorry for the delay in replying, but l'm in the middle of making two new videos at the moment so been busy with those two projects...but l really appreciate you taking the time to comment and pleased you enjoyed the last video we made, do please feel free to share if you so wish and keep a look out for our next video. Yes it was good to meet and chat with you and when l get 5 minutes l will take a look Gan Jing World. Thanks again. Gary
I remember going into the main building as child and seeing Viscount planes under the "wings" also remember going up the spiral staircases. They then built a new travel centre to the left
Thank you for taking the time to comment on one of our most watched videos, and after 6 years since posting it l have finally got round to making a follow up video that will be appearing on the channel soon. It's like nothing we have attempted before and even Granville's 'cloth' makes an appearance, so stay tuned 🙂
About 1967 dad and me turned up in a blue Ford Popular leopard skin seat covers ... 979 FOE ... to meet my aunt uncle and son waiting for them to get off a BEA Viscount ( under the right “wing” of the building)waiting at the glass double doors.. guarded by a guard... dressed in a kind of maroon uniform flat peaked cap gold trim and seeing them walk from the plane across the tarmac through the glass “wall” ... she in a mustard Jackie Kennedy two piece suit and matching peaked cap ...just flying in from Paris . Stayed with us for around a week then taking them to Snow Hill Station to catch a Blue Pullman ... via Manchester to Paddington . Remember climbing the stairs at Snow Hill onto the platform. Only seemed to wait for about 15 minutes then the train turning up. Seen them board and waved goodbye as they disappeared through the link tunnel to Moore Street then beyond then onto visit London , onto Heathrow and Venice then back to The States . I know the same feelings as yourself about the old building as often walk down to see “The Old Girl” and have the same memories of the winding stairs to the observation level .Only thing I don’t remember is what time of year that they came... must have been early summer .. One final comment is that I now don’t live that far from Elmdon but grew up in Sparkbrook and the flight path out of Brum was about a mile from the back of the house... BUT .. could hear that trademark sound of the Turbo Props of the Viscount. Oh memories of childhood 😊
Hi Mark Sorry for the delay in replying, but I've been recovering from the worst case of food poisoning in 25 years (courtesy of a well known take away food outlet). Thank you for taking the time and for the attention to detail in your comment left here. It was fascinating to read and just the sort of feedback and memories l hoped the video would generate. When l look back now on the making of the video there were times when l could of easily thrown the towel in (see our outtakes video 'Passport To The Past TAKE 2' to get an understanding on this), but glad now l persevered as in your case the video is still being found and enjoyed . Thank you again for your comment, it was much appreciated. Gary
Great job mate well done, I used to have a series lll back In 1966 it was a1958 column change with an overdrive on third and fourth gear. Forgive me for saying this are you sure yours is not a series lllB because I thought that models with those rear wings was only on the lllB models, mine never had that type. of rear wings but i stand corrected.
Hi Geoff It's pleasing to know this video is still being found and enjoyed...its one of my favourites. Thank you for taking the time to comment, its much appreciated. Gary
Thank you for taking the time to comment on one of our most watched videos, and after 6 years since posting it l have finally got round to making a follow up video that will be appearing on the channel soon. It's like nothing we have attempted before and even Granville's 'cloth' makes an appearance, so stay tuned 🙂
Great video and really enjoyed watching!. I’m too young to have ever flown out from the original terminal but I did work next door in the Argosy Building for ‘Elmdon Cargo Handling’ for many years. I remember as the office junior in 1996, posting the mail from the office in that post box daily on my way home. Not sure when it would have last been used though. I left that job in 2007 and the ‘cargo centre’ has changed quite a bit since then. Glad the building was saved from demolition.
Pleased you enjoyed the video (also check out 'Return To Elmdon Airport ', you may enjoy that too). Great, finally some feedback regarding the Elmdon Terminal 'Post Box' and someone who used it regularly too, 1996 then...interesting. The old terminal building is stunning to look at, l just hope it stays protected and eventually is put to good use, a local heritage and events centre maybe, with restaurant/cafe and aircraft viewing point...lets hope so anyway.
Two quick memories. Approx 1968, sat in the rear seat of my father’s VW 1303 beetle as we moved along the A45. I recall the green airport beacon flashing BIR in Morse code _ … .. ._. It always was a compelling part of my journey to watch and decode the flashes. Fast forward to 1999, ( I’d been flying for Monarch , Flying Colours and JMC. ) With 2600 hours of right seat time, Training Standards Captain Roger Chandler gave me my command on the wonderful JMC Boeing 757. Happy days. Superb Elmdon memories.
Nice to know this video is still being found. In 1968 l was a 9 years old aircraft enthusiast sat in the rear of my late fathers Hillman Minx going along the A45 and l too can recall the flashing green airport beacon, although l must confess l had no idea it was putting out the morse code for Birmingham Airport, you live and learn. Nice to get a comment from an actual pilot who has flown out of and into Elmdon/Birmingham airport, made my day you have. Great aircraft the Boeing 757, distinctive vivid green tail you had with JMC if l recall? Please share the video if you so wish and check out some of our others, most but not all have an aviation related theme ...you may enjoy 'Return To Elmdon Airport' too. Thanks Gary
Hi Sally Its nice to have a second family member leave a comment on here about your Grandad Phil 'Bill' Lane. To be able to put the actual voices to some of the people shown in the video was a real highlight for me, as the tape recording l made at the Serck factory all those years ago must be unique and the only ones in existence. I liked your Grandad and got on well with him, once you got to know him and saw past what some might see as being 'grumpy' in nature he was fine with you, l was even brave enough once to play an April Fool on him, l don't think anyone else dared to. Obviously for the video l had to keep the conversation your Grandad was having 'work related', but l have several other recordings of him talking in general, so maybe one day you will get to hear those too. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Gary
Thank you Ian, pleased you enjoyed watching the video, its very different to what we normally do but we wanted it to be something that hopefully people would be touched by and for Keith to be remembered ....he was a dear and very special friend, do please share this video if you so wish . Thanks again. Gary
Thank you Gary for a quirky and interesting video, you have certainly put in a fair bit of time and effort, well done! I worked at Elmdon in the summer of 1968, straight out of school. I joined a team of temporary workers, mainly Uni students, that were taken on for the busy summer period. We were given the title of General Airport Hand, and our duties were varied! The first day I was given a pair of overalls that were far too big for me, and was instructed to go and polish the brass floor hinge plates at the main door (the one you couldn't enter in the video) while passenger streamed through to catch flights. I remember one of the passengers was my old english teacher and he remarked "I always knew you would go a long way!" Other tasks were polishing the terminal floors and inspecting the runways, when on night shifts, to portering and loading baggage into aircraft. Being small and lean in stature, but able to carry more baggage than my body weight, often earned me very good tips! Notable passengers that I portered for were Cilla Black, Enoch Powell and the Maharishi. At one stage I was even given the job of redecorating the Airport Director's office, as I recall just below the control tower. I think I am correct in saying it was the first year that BEA introduced JET services between Birmingham and Paris. Very exciting, as I think up until then we only had a range of PROP driven aircraft. I was offered a full time job, but elected to pay ten pounds and migrate to Australia! Thanks for the memories and I do remember the post box.
Hi Ian Thank you and what a fascinating comment you have left, so much 'behind the scenes' info about the place and yourself working there that l'm sure others will find interesting too, not sure what Enoch Powell would have to say about things in general today, did Cilla Black sing to you? Pleased you enjoyed watching the video, its good to know its still being found and watched. l just felt something needed to be done for RU-vid as there was very little on there about the old Elmdon terminal building and the surrounding area, l do try and give my videos a 'quirky' look and feel to them, not everyone picks up on that. It was an extremely difficult video to get filmed, you may want to watch our follow up video "Return To Elmdon Airport TAKE 2" that highlights some of those difficulties and features outtakes from the many hours of filming there. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gTcREp4lVsk.htmlsi=fANKQGUlKt6ezgfX I'm partially dyslexic so any long bits of dialog to camera has to be learnt parrot fashion, like leaning the words to a song when l have sung with the band...l'm never really happy with my reading of voiceovers for videos as they always sound a bit 'staged', why a lot of the time the videos are manly a visual affair , like our Poppy 100 tribute and our latest video that you may enjoy watching...its one of my favourites - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-co6wYFQzec4.htmlsi=Wrvu5U6X38OJNeML Not sure WHERE you are based now, but please feel free to share any of our videos and leave further comments if you so wish, it all helps. Many thanks again, made my day you have. Gary
@@timeslip9 Hi Gary, I live in Hobart, Tasmania. In 1971 I spent a year on the Tasmanian 'outpost' of Macquarie Island and in 1979 I was given the opportunity to join an RAAF airdrop flight to the island. I wish I had had a video camera, but alas no, only my trusty Super 8. The one and only video I have put RU-vid was of this flight. I should have done a TAKE 2, but that was not possible!!! You will see what I mean ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4FHGWu0821w.html
@ianmarchant2250 What fantastic Super 8 footage that is, all at low level from the back of a Lockheed Hercules (great camerawork too as it must have been as windy as hell?) What was being dropped - l couldn't see anyone on the ground? You were all on safety harnesses l take it? Superb visibility from the Hercules' greenhouse like cockpit, what a great old workhorse the C130 was/still is, we get the occasional American C130 overhead at times here (Solihull) I think the RAF only recently retired the last of their Hercules. Hobart Tasmania you're based, do you every get to see any Tasmanian Devils?
@@timeslip9 that's very kind of you Gary. As I recall it wasn't too windy, but very noisy. Yes we did have a harness on when in the back of the plane. We were using "Dizzy Lizzies" to drop mail and a few urgent items, to about 15 people on the ground. As the items can drop quite hard, people keep out of the drop zone on the isthmus. I spent a memorable year on the island in 1971, but did have the luxury of mail drops then. They became more a training exercise for the RAAF, but were dropped after a year or two when it was thought they were have serious impacts on the local wildlife. Yes we do get to see Tassie Devils occasionally, although as you may have heard their numbers have been impacted by a dreadful facial tumour disease?
Brings back memories. We used to fly from there every summer to Mallorca, Dad used to drop us all off in front of the terminal with all the luggage and then go and park the car. I remember the BEA Viscounts. We flew on Aviaco DC9s, Iberia Caravelles, and once I think even by Dan Air Comet. I think there were just two gates, A and B.
I was a Serck Heat Transfer Apprentice from September 1973. Moved to Aircraft Equipment Division Drawing Office at the end of my Apprenticeship in1979. I was a Draughtsman, Designer and Project Engineer in the Design department, and when i retired in 2017 I was the Engineering Manager at Meggitt (our latest owners). I had a wonderful career of nearly 44 years working for Serck. Watching your video brought back so many happy memories of the place and the people (I am even in a couple of your photographs), thank you.
Hi Paul Its Gary here, can l say that l had almost given up on receiving a comment such as yours on here, just fantastic so thank you. You say that your in a few of my photographs? Well looking at them again my best guess is that your stood in the shot at 26.33 with Brian/Bryan Bateman? l do recall all the faces, but not all the names...can you help with a few ...like the two two guys stood with Bob Bromley? And the chap in the checkered jacket to the left of Jonny Richmond? Dave Goodwin maybe? Do you know the names of the girls standing together, one l'm sure was Denis Letch's secretary? I have made contact with several people from those days since l posted the video . but mostly from the shop floor, Dave Hall who is also in one of the photographs being the exception. When l joined Serck in 1975 most of the chaps on the shop floor were 50 + plus then, so sadly now most are probably no longer with us, Bill Lane if you remember him passed away almost 20 years ago now, his daughter told me recently. I decided to make the film as l was surprised to see there was absolutely nothing what so ever about Serck AED Birmingham video wise on the internet, let alone their rich history regarding some of the most iconic aircraft that this our once great county produced. During the filming of the video l actually drove to both Meggitt sites in Coventry, the old factory and the new business park location site too, to see if l could get to see any of you there. l couldn't get past the reception/security check point and nobody would come out to see me. l had all the photos and video footage with me too...crazy. You can probably fill in a lot of the gaps for me working at Serck for 40+ years, as l only lasted till 1982 before being made redundant, BTR cull maybe? So you must have been very good at your job. Does the name Steve Preston ring any bells? l have tracked him down recently too,his old boss being George Nash on inspection when based at Greet. Thanks again for making yourself known, how did you find the video? Look forward to hearing from you again. Gary
Hi, Gary, Thanks for replying to my comments, hopefully I will have some answers for you. Yes, you are correct in the picture at 26.23 - I (Paul Guggiari, with the glasses) am standing second right to Brian Bateman (Product Support Manager), next to June Davis, I think the man immediately next to Brian is an Apprentice (Simon springs to mind but I am not sure). I was about a year into joining Aircraft Equipment Drawing office as a Draughtsman after finishing my Apprenticeship if these pictures were 1981. I worked alongside Brian for many years before his retirement. He is now 87 years old, and I spoke with him yesterday and told him to look at your video. Whilst talking with Brian he informed me that Arthur Betteridge is now 93 years old. Other names in the photographs I can remember are: 26.01 - The man with the blue armed hand on his face is Ron Wills, Drawing Office Manager (my boss at the time). 26.05 - I think this is Pat Maddox (I have forgotten her then married name). The lady to her left is indeed Dennis's secretary Jackie Westwell (I think this name is right but not 100% sure). 26.16 - The four ladies are: June Davis, Pat Maddox, Jackie Westwell and the fourth could be Sue Barnes (who did work in this area for a time, but again not 100% sure). 26.22 - The two men on the left are Jem Hobin, who was Apprentice the same year as me, and I think was working in Quality at this time, and Harold Cooper (Contracts). 26.28 - Is me far right standing under the plant. 26.38 - The man far left next to John Richmond is John Felton (Sales Manager) who sadly passed away the December before Covid. 27.02 - The man third from the left is Don Williams who worked with Bob Bromley. I cannot remember the name of the man far right. 4.18 - This photo from the shop floor has Steve Preston in as you know, but in the middle at the back in the white coat and checked shirt is Eric Grosvenor. Eric moved to the Isle of Wight a number of years ago, and we used to see him every year while visiting our caravan. Sadly he passed away just before Christmas 2023. Anyone reading this, please accept my apologies if I have got anyone's name wrong above, although whilst looking at these pictures it only feels like yesterday, it is testing the old brain cells as it really is over 40 years. Dave Hall was still doing Contract work for Meggitt when I took early retirement (at 60) in 2017. Steve Preston I have seen in recent years at re-union curry nights that we have, unfortunately curtailed somewhat by Covid . I am not surprised you couldn't get in at Coventry. Even in the few years since I have retired lots of the people i knew have left, and even the few left probably started well after these photographs. My Projects Team Leader who I worked with for many years Ateeq Khaliq is one of the few still there. but Ateeq only started in the late 90's. I found out about this video from my friend Malcolm Spalding (we started as Apprentices together in1973 for SHT). Malcolm had a similar career path to me, as he became Engineering Manager at Serck Heat Transfer. He was actually commenting on a facebook post about Serck tubes, and attached to the comments was your video, which he then forwarded to me. Do you know the actual dates of the photos I have commented on? This video has brought back so many happy memories of my career with Serck. Being cheeky, is there anyway I could have a copy of any of the pictures I have commented on, and the one with Eric Grosvenor in? A bit of history you may or may not know (very condensed). BTR created an Aerospace group, in which Aircraft Equipment Division were placed and renamed 'Serck Aviation' Serck Heat Transfer remained in the commercial side of BTR, and at this point we really became two different Serck entities. Over the years Serck Heat Transfer evolved and different Divisions were sold off. Serck Aviation were also sold to Venture Capitalists before eventually being bought by Meggitt Aerospace (where they still are). Hope the above is of interest to you Gary. Kind Regards Paul Guggiarid
@paulng57 Hi Paul Thank you for taking the time to provide all those missing pieces to my Serck jigsaw, its a pity when l was doing the voiceovers for the video l couldn't recall more names of the people shown in the 'office' photographs... that's because having worked myself with Bill Lane and Eric Smith in the office on the shop floor. So pleased that Brian Bateman is still with us and he's had chance to watch the video, l liked Brian. He was the sporting type too, he was 4th into bat and l played opening bat for the Serck Office Staff Cricket team against the Shop Floor, he was a good batsman (still have the score card for one of the games, Brian scored 48 not out and l scored 34 not out), l have some photos too of the game....send him my regards will you. Arthur Betteridge is 93 now....just amazing...is he still up and about do you know? Harold Cooper and John Felton's names l now recall. Regarding the girls, now that you have said their names l can now place them to the faces, Jackie Westwood definitely rings a bell, she appears twice in the video...did you spot that? Shame about Eric Grosvener, so he just missed out seeing the video, tall guy he was l remember him being on Inspection. I met Dave Hall last year to talk about the video, Rod Blackstaffe gave me his contact details, it was great to see them both again. What happened to Bob Bromley ? Regarding me knowing the actual date l took the office photographs, well l can't say precisely, but my best guess would be between January - September 1981, in the video the one calendar definitely shows Jan 1981 and the cricket match photos (on a diff roll of film) are dated Oct 81 although the game was played on 2nd September 1981 at the Pickwick Cricket Club. lf you look there is a second calendar in the video on the wall next to Dave Hall...which if the month was visible would date the office photos to both the month and year...but we can't see the month on it unfortunately....and l can't have taken them much later than Sept 81 as l was made redundant in early 1982. We had the photographs digitally reproduced from the old 35mm negatives so l can sort those out for you. The whole project took 18 months to complete, all the filming, me writing all the dialoge, getting it superbly edited by Lucy Holland and then for me to read and record all the voiceovers, not an easy task for me as l'm partially dyslexic, why my reading is very measured on the video....but if l hadn't taken all the photos and made the audio cassette tape recorings who else would? There would be nothing at all on the internet anywhere. I'm so pleased now l took the time to make the video and that it has brought back happy memories for you and maybe a few more yet if you can help share it? I just need the identity of the Serck Mystery Hawker Typhoon solving now and l will be a happy chapie. Maybe after this and your reply on here we can communicate by e mail or Facebook? Thanks Gary
@paulng57 Hi Paul As l don't personally use Facebook email will be the best way to communicate l think. I will ask Lucy Holland who is our brilliant editor on the videos to message you on facebook on my behalf and supply you with my e mail address, so you can reply to my last RU-vid comment by e mail then, looking forward to it. Thanks Gary
Another remarkable video Gary, I'm sure Keith would wholly approve. Losing people we're close to is never easy but you can reminisce with the photos and memories you have together. Great story and sound as always, making you feel like you're right there with you, very well done to you and Lucy for a splendid production.
Hi Oli Always good to hear from you and pleased you liked the video, a very different looking video but sometimes its good to show that you CAN push in a different direction and not be content on becoming a 'one trick pony'. I will never know for sure what Keith would of made of it, but at times it was like he was there looking over my shoulder when we were on location shooting it, like to think so anyway. Although this is the FINAL Timeslip9 video (how on earth could we give Keith's channel a more fitting end) l will keep you posted on that possible aircraft restoration collaboration video we talked about recently. Thanks again. Gary
A very nicely video collage looking back to a by gone time which we will never see again when our once great nation had a single purpose before society allowed itself to become fragmented as it is now. RIP to all those that when before us and would wonder how we allowed all this
Thank you Peter, nice of you to comment. Keith was a very special friend to me and will be much missed and always remembered ...forever on video now too. Gary
Bonjour Je m'applle Gary, that's my best French sorry. Thank you so much for commenting from across the Channel and pleased you enjoyed the video. As a Dr Who fan can l ask what you thought of the use of an old telephone box as our version of the Tardis? I thought it may be too risky regards BBC copyright if we had use an old Police Box, although to be fair l'm not sure where the nearest one would be regards filming. The video features a Spitfire , interestingly a Spitfire did appear in series 31 of Dr Who, episode 3 l think. Merci
@timeslip9 Bonjour Gary, merci d'avoir répondu - et ne vous inquiétez pas - cela se traduit pour moi 🙂 Oui, j'ai beaucoup apprécié votre vidéo. La cabine téléphonique est très britannique - un choix parfait pour remplacer le Tardis, tu devrais être le nouveau Docteur.
@@BastienDubost I'm probably a little too old now to play Dr Who, but please do share the video if you know of any other fans or 'Who Groups' that may be interested in watching the video. Thanks Gary
A sad but lovely video Gary, I'm sure he'll never be far away. Goodnight Sweetheart was one of my favourite series - its a shame they don't repeat it, you've done a great job referencing that in your own inimitable style. I have just one question - how do you steer a phone box?! Sending my best wishes for the new year.
Good to hear from you and yes, l would like to think that Keith is never very far away. Keith and l both liked Goodnight Sweetheart too, if you take a look in the comments you will see one from the actual director of the programme itself, but you will have to read my reply to work out which one, a great compliment from him, Keith would be thrilled. And to reply to your excellent question asking "how do l steer an old Telephone Box?" (which has made me smile all day) 'Mind over Matter' would have to be my answer...l do have an old classic car steering wheel in the shed, but l think l would have been given some rather funny looks with that in the phonebox too.
Thank you for taking the time to comment, l always appreciate it when people do. Pleased you enjoyed watching the video which was very challenging to make, walking up and down the High Street in a Trilby Hat and carrying a gas mask holder caused a few raised eyebrows, not to mention me standing in an old telephone box talking on a fake telephone that wasn't connected, what we go through sometimes to bring these videos to the screen, well worth it in this case though for Keith.
Recognizing your name off the Goodnight Sweetheart Facebook group after seeing it appear many times as a director of the BBC programme l cant tell you how flattered I am and how much your kind words about our video means to me in relation to my late best friend Keith Hale, l know he would have be absolutely thrilled that you had taken the time to comment. Keith and l both loved the programme, and it formed the basis of our story line , along with hints to other favourites like Dr Who, The Prisoner and Randall & Hopkirk (DECEASED) l wonder if you had the same problem on location getting the shots needed without 'every day modern life' spoiling the scene?
Singer, presenter and now time traveller - is there no end to your talents Gary? Beautiful tribute to Keith and all his fave shows - I remember watching The Prisoner and wanting to be in 'The Village' !
Hi Mary I retired the singing voice a few years back now, l just didn't want to look and sound past my sell by date on stage....many do. I do enjoy the presenting side of things but the challenge of actually acting a part (in this case the nameless/non talking time traveller) was a little daunting and new to me. l played it safe with no actual lines to say on location...my 'thoughts' you hear were added in post production . Please you enjoyed the video and yes l liked 'The Prisoner ' too, have been to Portmerion a few times in North Wales where it was filmed in 1967 l think , No 6 played by the great Patrick Mcgoohan.
@mary_wright This was a one off adventure for me as the Time Traveller with no name, no seriously you wouldn't believe just how long some of the '1940' scenes took to film. In the video you see me leaving the old telephone box, there is a road that runs behind it (seen in the end credits) l must have left that telephone box over 25 times before we got the shot required of showing no 'modern' cars in the background, this happened on many many occasions while filming.
@@mary_wrightHi Mary The likes of the BBC and film companies would pay to have the road/location closed/cordoned off (have seen them do it myself) a real luxury that 👍
Thanks for commenting Rob. Photographs are great yes, they are captured moments frozen in time that unlike ourselves never age, they hold great memories too.
Sending my condolences to you Gary, it's never easy losing a close friend, but you've done him proud here - looks like he had great taste in TV programmes. I'm getting Back To the future vibes too?
Thank you for your condolences and kind words they were very much appreciated. Yes l hope Keith would like what we have put together for him. I just couldn't resist paying homage to 'Back To The Future' so very well spotted...did you manage to identify any of the other 'hidden hints' Gary
Pleased you enjoyed the video, one obviously l hadn't planned on making, but once l decided it was something l really wanted to do it was how do we make this something different and as best as we possibly could, l hope we have achieved that in Keith's memory. Gary
Hi Gary. That was a cracker of a video. Really enjoyed watching that, although obviously tinged with sadness. What a beautiful way of remembering a dear friend. Loved the intriguing time-traveller spy theme. Well done mate. Keith would've been proud. Take good care of you & yours. Keep in touch. Matt. 😃👍
Hi Matt When we met last week l told you this video was going to be very different to all the rest, always a risk going out on a limb, so really pleased you enjoyed it. Tinged with sadness yes while we were filming/working on it but at the same time happy in knowledge that we were doing our very best in Keith's memory. Being a Time traveller gave me the opportunity to bring Bertie the Westie back one final time too. Thanks again Gary
Hi Matthew Recently there has been a Steve Mulvale commenting on one of the Serck threads on a Birmingham facebook page, saying he worked for Serck around 1974....l started in 1975...now l know its an unusual and rare surname, so thought you may be interested. Gary
Hello, Gary here, Please help me to give Keith Hale my best friend of 38 years and 'Mr Timeslip9' the best possible send off by watching, commenting, liking and sharing this video. Also if you could find time to read the video description about the making of the video and why. Thank you
This, one of my favourite videos, was originally posted late on New Years Eve 2022, so for this, its second time around, the video gets the full Christmas treatment. One for all the family - l hope you enjoy watching it. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas. Gary
I remember the old Elmdon building in the 60s. On a Sunday , as a family , we would often pay a visit and enjoy the large grassy area and watch the planes taking off, sadly no longer there. The Royal Warwickshire flying club used to be based there as well if I remember correctly. A far cry from what we see now, happy memories ✈️🛩🛬🚁
Its pleasing to know the video is still being found and enjoyed, and as your a Villa fan you may want to check out or latest video on this channel, there is a Aston Villa link within it if you keep watching.
42:29 as much as I dislike planes on poles this hunter looks stunning displayed like this, especially at night! Great video, we need to remember heritage like this and servicemen like Cecil 👏🏻
Thank you for taking the time to comment, especially mentioning about the Hawker Hunter, so few people have, which has surprised me...we really thought it was something extra special...l mean how often does something like that turn up whilst filming a video ?... said it many times before, these days l really don't know what people want or see as interesting or visually entertaining in a video. The tribute to the young Typhoon pilot was l think the perfect ending for the video, also 'out of the blue' too it was...but again very few people in the comments actually reference it...so thank you for mentioning Sergeant Cecil Francis Beechey .... 'Lest We Forget'
@@timeslip9 it's a great video, more like a documentary - its all great but those are the bits that really stood out as special to me. Keep up the good work 👍🏻
Thanks Graham, pleased you enjoyed the video, I've been working my way through some of your excellent 'Old RAF Airfields REVISITED'. Have you one on Little Rissington? l remember going there on a School careers trip around 1974, l recall a Spitfire on a pole, The RAF Vintage Pair of Vampire & Meteor in one of the hangers and Jet Provosts and Vickers Varsity's everywhere...those were the days. I think its half a new housing estate now.
All this superb work was done OUTSIDE? What could you achieve if you had a garage? The chromium plating looked as if it was already in excellent condition.
Thank you! Watching your video brought back some very happy memories of cycling to Elmdon as a schoolboy in the early 50’s and spending many a Saturday afternoon plane spotting from the terminal building! I remember seeing the Viscount’s and Dakota’s leaving and arriving, but if I remember correctly there was a regular flight from there by a De Havilland Rapide passenger biplane which always fascinated me! Happy days!
Hello Anthony It's always good to see the Elmdon Airport video still pulling in viewers who then go on to make a comment, such as yourself. Looking back all the hassle of trying to get it filmed at the time seems worth it now when getting a response to it such as yours ...do check out our second Elmdon video, the making of the first...l did doubt my sanity at times. You mentioned two of my late father's favourite commercial aircraft, the DC3 Dakota and the delightful De Havilland Rapide, you possibly had the best of decades visiting Elmdon in the early 1950's, why l wanted to recreate that time with the classic cars and a trilby hat. I have attached a link to our latest video, see if that takes provides you with another trip down Memory Lane too? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6T-ItjMoUiw.html Do please share the video if you so wish and leave another comment too as they are always very much appreciated. Gary
Just a tip which might lead to solving the identity of your mystery tiffy...try RAF museum Hendon,ask if they have the typhoon serial number LogCards for DN R aircraft serial range .if surviving documents it might list unit/location during 43/45 period.. Any clue on photo regarding season of the year of the open day?autumn?spring?summer? Stab in the dark..but 43(aircraft still restricted secret),44 (high demand for DDay), so mid 45 to post war event more likely? Great video by the way, historic content human history. And yes well known British name in aviation business.
Thank you for taking the time to reply, l thought that the video had stopped being watched and attracting comments... could this finally be the way of solving the identity of the Serck mystery Hawker Typhoon? I do have contacts at both the Hendon and Cosford RAF Museum sites so will certainly be asking the question about the serial number logcards (you're the first to suggest this line of enquiry, l wasn't aware there was such a thing). The photograph of the Typhoon displayed at the Serck Birmingham factory site gives very little away regards the year and season, no trees for a start to help out there. The only clue date/year wise can be found inside the Serck marquee, the photo showing Guy Gibson standing alongside King George VI has to have been taken after the 16th May 1943, the date of the actual Dams Raid itself. If, as has already been suggested, that the Typhoon displayed at the Serck factory was either a replica (very unlikely in my opinion) or a trials/test aircraft on loan after being repaired by Hawker this then would explain the lack of squadron codes, suggesting it never saw squadron service, l will update you if l hear anything back from the RAF Museum. Pleased you enjoyed the video, do feel free to share it if you so wish as it all helps to get the word out. Regards, Gary
Really fascinating video Gary, I can see why it took 18 months, a lot of hard work and research gone into that. Lovely tribute to the Typhoon pilot at the end ❤ Nicola & Poppy
Hello Nicola & Poppy Thank you for taking the time to comment. Pleased you enjoyed watching the video, l do feel it is our best work to date, it has so many different elements to the story, few surprises along the way too. I can't see there being another video now, certainly not on this scale anyway. Don't forget to watch the Bertie the Westie Christmas video too . Thanks again. Gary
I can remember going on my first Holiday abroad from Birmingham Airport to Ibiza flying with Spantax Airways, the Building looked small from the outside but was like Dr Who's Tardis seemed bigger inside and with the extra departure lounge built on the left hand side of the original building as you look at t from the front , on the return flight the aircraft landed on the Runway that crossed from the Railway line towards the A45 Coventry Road, on landing just missing the overhead wires on the electrified railway line we landed and just stopped before the Coventry Road, very worrying at the time, but did a number of flight abroad from the original Airport but when the new airport opened it was such a difference. My self and a mate used to go to the airport bar for a Sunday night drink and remember the original BOAC New York Flight and Air India flights coming in, but as years went on it was found that a larger Airport was required especially when ownership of the Airport passed from Birmingham City Council to the newly formed West Midland Metropolitan County Council in the 1970's and the other thing that has changed was the Birmingham Coat of Arms on the front of the Building, that is the original Coat of Arms with a crown in the center, when Birmingham took over Sutton Coldfield around 1974, instead of a crown a Bishops Mitre appeared.
Peter Thank you for your wonderfully detailed worded description of Elmdon Airport. It's nice to know that 3 years after it was filmed/edited and posted this video is still encouraging people to take a nostalgic trip down 'Memory Lane'. I like the 'Dr Who' analogy, it would be the great Jon Pertwee playing the time travelling Time Lord around the time you describe l think (l did a bit of Timetraving myself in the video if you noticed?) it was great fun to do. You have an eye for detail regarding such things as the Birmingham Coat of Arms. I wonder if you would be kind enough to cast your eyes over our latest video offering, l will attach the link. I look forward to hearing from you again and your detailed comment on it too. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6T-ItjMoUiw.html Thanks again. Gary
Epic watch Gary, great video. What a place to work - like many others i'd not even considered the 'human' element to planes, the obviously forgotten people making components. I do hope you manage to figure out which typhoon it is 🤞🏻 J
I'm so pleased you have highlighted in your comment the very often forgetten 'people' of the factories. During the Second World War Serck's Aircraft Equipment Division employees helped keep thousands of Spitfires, Hurricanes, Lancaster's, Mosquitos and Typhoons in the air, as indeed did Rolls Royce, but unlike Rolls Royce the Serck name and its workers are little known about, l hope this video in some small way has helped address this. Re: identifying this particular Hawker Typhoon, l will forever live in hope, l have several lines of enquiry out at the moment, l will update the video if l have any luck. Gary
A short update on the identity of the Serck mystery Hawker Typhoon. Apparently every Hawker Typhoon aircraft built was issued with a 'Movement Identity Card', that would have had recorded on it such things as what squadrons it was sent to and if it had been repaired or modified. Maybe, just maybe one aircraft was loaned out to Serck for the companies Open Day and the good news is that it looks like these 'Movement Identity Cards' still exist and are held at the RAF Museum, Hendon....a lead l will naturally be following up....so keep your fingers crossed and watch this space....thank you again for your interest.
Some sad news, our video technical guru and my best friend for 38 years Keith Hale sadly passed away recently with the cremation being held today (25th July 2023) His name would often appear in the end credits, as it does for the final time on this video, which l'm pleased to say he did manage to get to see posted before he passed away. He had a brilliant technical mind and would solve problems that would take me forever. l've always said l just did the easy bit of talking to the camera, something he tried to avoid at all cost if he possibly could, in fact l think Keith only ever appeared very briefly in one of our videos. The name 'Timeslip9' was his idea and it just stuck...so as a little tribute to Keith we have changed the thumbnail today, showing Keith where he felt most comfortable - sat behind his computer. He will be much missed and always remembered. Gary
Yes, it's certainly worth taking a night time look, the colour changes are even more stunning when you're actually there in person. Just be mindful that we speeded the process up a tad for the video.
I'm so pleased that you and Bill's family have got to see the video, l just wish your Great Grandad was still around to see it too. Can l ask you what its been like for you and the family seeing and actually hearing your Great Grandad's voice again? I think the audio cassette tape recordings l made are probably the only ones in existence anywhere in the world, Bill thought l was crazy at the time making the recordings and taking photographs of him, l told him "one day Bill you will be famous" and 40 years later he is, being seen and heard by thousands of people the world over, as you said its just amazing. Thank you for getting in touch, its made all the hard work of the last 18 months making the video worthwhile. Gary
As a proud Canadian i'm following Ian's restoration closely, good luck to the English restorers also. Its great to see pictures of inside the factory, the people who were skilled in making the parts deserve credit too and are all too often overlooked (including by me) What a moment to have the last post played at the graveside, never forget the ones who gave everything. Brilliant video
Its always nice to hear from video watchers far away, so you being a proud Canadian pleases me greatly, can l ask how did you pick up on the video? I too keep a close eye on Ian from Typhoon Legacy, what a magnificent job he's doing on 'JP843', he has watched this video and left a comment on here too which is great. At an early stage l contacted both Typhoon Restoration groups and asked if both wanted a mention, both agreed, but so far only Typhoon Legacy and Ian have responded on here re the video, theres still time though for the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group restoring RB396. Pleased you liked the playing of the 'Last Post' at the end of the video, a very moving moment that brought the whole cemetery to a standstill, l will never forget it. Please feel free to share the video if you so wish, it all helps to get the word out. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Gary
@@timeslip9The video was suggested, I have watched a few of your others too. Its great seeing Ian's project develop, clearly done for the love of the aircraft and the respect and remembrance of the brave boys that flew them, you not hearing from the other group doesn't surprise me, but maybe I'm biased being Canadian. I will certainly send to friends that I know will appreciate watching.
@@troy_riversI have always found Ian at Typhoon Legacy very approachable and willing to engage. He has recently been experimenting with a LIVE style format of video presentation, as the editing of videos can be such a time consuming exercise, told him that if we were local to him we would offer our video making service for free, be an honour to be part of his amazing Hawker Typhoon project.
@@timeslip9you'd make a formidable team with Ian! I'm unsure how the live video format works, are the videos available to watch back after the live stream stops? A lot of people will miss out because of time differences if not.
A short update on the identity of the Serck mystery Hawker Typhoon. Apparently every Hawker Typhoon aircraft built was issued with a 'Movement Identity Card', that would have had recorded on it such things as what squadrons it was sent to and if it had been repaired or modified. Maybe, just maybe one aircraft was loaned out to Serck for the companies Open Day and the good news is that it looks like these 'Movement Identity Cards' still exist and are held at the RAF Museum, Hendon....a lead l will naturally be following up....so keep your fingers crossed and watch this space....thank you again for your interest.
