walshie Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Did anyone see this program last night on Channel 4? Engineers recreated an escape plan from 1941 using a glider! It worked, but with all modern equipment and testing techniques and obviously no-one was going to shoot them if they were spotted. I can possibly imagine digging a tunnel to escape somewhere, but the guys who planned this had to make a 2 seater glider in a 7ft room out of bits they nicked over the course of 10 months, and build a runway out of tables on a steep roof in the dark! The plan was never completed as they were sussed before they could use it, but hats off to them. They had more balls than I'll ever have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussexboy Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I think you will find that Colditz was liberated before they could use it. Cracking programme though. Makes you wonder what you would have done in the same circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Colditz was AFAIK populated by officers, all of whom would have had a good (often private) education and would have been supremely confident individuals. Added to that the rebellious streak that they must have had to be sent to Colditz in the first place. It must have been a melting pot of ideas. Fascinating place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I think you will find that Colditz was liberated before they could use it. Cracking programme though. Makes you wonder what you would have done in the same circumstances. My mistake. You're right. The yanks took that one and only photo of the plane still in that little room, and no-one knows where it went after that. The interview with the two old boys who designed it was good. One said he was sure it would have flown, and the other smirked and said he was sure it would come to earth one way or the other. They were still prepared to give it a go though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Didn't they make a replica once and flew it? I'm sure I saw a documentary on that once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Didn't they make a replica once and flew it? I'm sure I saw a documentary on that once. Yes. that was the program last night. Flew safely to the field the other side of the river. Mind you, that was with modern material, equipment and know-how and without having to do it "in secret". Amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Used to really enjoy watching the original early 70,s tv series ...and then try to replicate the escape plans in the school playground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 (edited) Used to really enjoy watching the original early 70,s tv series ...and then try to replicate the escape plans in the school playground Didn't the teachers get the hump when the other kids fell down the tunnels? I bet your mum was cheesed off with your pockets and socks full of earth too. Edited August 14, 2012 by walshie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Yes. that was the program last night. Right so, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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