RAF Icons

[TrebleB]

I'm not sure you are getting the point..... JPA is an icon on the desktop yes, but not an icon FOR the RAF....DT_Xtremez_06:

 

[Get Tae]

A Ret Sqn Ldr who lives in a small village in SW Scotland is an RAF icon for me.
S/L George E Pratt DFC with Bar.
During WW2 he flew his Lancaster back to England with ever member of his crew dead and the kite shot to ribbons.
They dont make them like that anymore. RESPECT

 

[skevans]

I would say that the most archetypal image for England is

Nelsons Column
A sentry on Guard at Buck house
A london bus
The Spitfire


Coincidentally they are all military.... wel maybe not the bus, but thats probably the next strike we will cover !

 

[gemarriott]

I agree that the Lancaster Bomber deserves a high placing but, Wing Commander Guy Gibson has to be right up there too.

My other icons are Group Captain Bader and Air Chief Marshal Dowding.

Bader was an inspiration true but he was also a bit of a cnut, he inspected 23 sqn just afrter they got phantoms and pulled one of the guys up for long hair and he had been a civvy for a quarter of a century.

One old gentleman I know through the RBL was a sumpy on Gibson's sqdn before he formed 617 and he informs me he was an absolute bastrd to everyone including his own crew. Again he was and remains an inspiration but it goes to show even the greaest of heroes can be flawed.

Strangely I have never heard a bad word soken about Cheshire or Johnson both every bit the hero.

As for RAF Icons, all the above, spitfire, hurricane, lancaster,phantom, Buccaneer,vulcan and nowdays chinook and harrier.

 

[sumps]

For me I will start with the Bristol Fighter

A fantatic piece of craftmanship (with some still flying today)

Next from the same stable the Bristol Beaufighter (Known as, whispering death to all those on the wrong end of it!!!)

The last is joint between the contender and the victor - The Bristol 188

OK - so it didnt make it into service but it would have run out of fuel just as fast as the victor of the Air Staff Requierment competition

- I give you...The EE Lightning

 

[Get Tae]

View attachment 576

Nuff said!

 

[shettie]

Get tae - Can't fault it - stunning aircraft! - Late 70's one of them scared the cr4p outta me on otterburn range - came over a hilltop a little higher than the roof of my puddle jumper!

 

[shiny_arse]

I'm not sure you are getting the point..... JPA is an icon on the desktop yes, but not an icon FOR the RAF....DT_Xtremez_06:

Yeah I know (I'll let you do the voice), however at this minute in time it's all ours, ours, ours and I've not exactly heard the Navy clamouring to get their hands on it. God bless them they won't know whats hit them. Imagine there is going to be a load more volunteers for submarine duties shortly.

"JPA is coming, DIVE DIVE DIVE