Hawker Typhoon RB396 - Resurrecting a Forgotten Legend and WWII veteran stories

[@Simonize41]

Who balled their eyes out when Bernard took to the sky in the Hurricane? I can only imagine what emotions and memories came flooding back to him. You might have been doing your Job, Bernard, but without you and your fellow pilots (and the other armed forces) I might not be here today. I can never thank you all enough for that. God bless you Bernard, and a belated Happy Birthday.🎂🍻

[@ptonpc]

It got really dusty in here when he was flying. Thank you Bernard and your comrades for all you have done.

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

Hear, hear. I cried on my laptop's keyboard when he did that roll and came back up with a huge smile on his face. Also when he beamed as he did that low level fly-past back at Duxford, you could SEE the brave young pilot in his massive smile. Forever young, and forever Blue Skies. FULL of respect sir ! (My late dad was in 66Sqdn during BoB)

[@me109g4]

Guilty.

[@malcolmgibson6288]

Glad I wasn't alone. Was I imagining it or did Bernard look younger when he got out.

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

@@malcolmgibson6288 I felt exactly the same. When he did that roll, his whole face lit up and from then on it looked like the young flyer in him had reawoken ? Brought tears to my eyes and loved to see him eternally young, and above all, a flyer.

[@preonmodel9906]

I had an Airfix Hurricane that I built with my Dad. I cracked the canopy and cried my eyes out so he wrote a letter to them and they sent one in the post for free… Thanks Airfix .

[@Dzordzikk]

I am incredibly happy that a man like Bernard got the recognition and the opportunity to fly a Hurricane. The UK owes a lot to people like him. I am proud that Czech pilots helped win freedom for your country. I wish the best of luck to your project and I hope Bernard will live to see Typhoon fly again and he will be able to be there. I wish him good health. With tears in my eyes, good luck from the Czech Republic.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thank you.

[@0159ralph]

Bernard is one peace of the greatest generation. Today He's literally the few that's now left that saved humanity. God bless all of the allied airmen that fought in Europe and the PacIfic.

[@gicase9599]

It's incredible, Bernard doesn't flinch during the Hurricane acrobatics. At a hundred years old it's great, Glory to them!

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

He is incredible :)

[@IPMI_pascal_fanti]

Hurricane and Thyphoon have always been my preferred fighters from WWII

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Help us make this one a reality, we need support to continue the rebuild, every little helps.

[@carrickrichards2457]

My uncle was killed in a Typhoon in 1943, last seen pulling away from his target, a V1 ramp. He knew the odds and apparently had the shakes in the months before. Family recall he'd said the thing that frightened him most was trialling the typhoon as a glider tow.

[@InternationalBritishModeler]

Oh, my word, I'm just seeing this video for the first time, I guess living in the USA now, videos like this one from the UK don't appear in my news feed and recommended videos to watch. That aside, to see Bernard just a few days short of his 101st birthday climb into that Hurricane and take to the skies again... wow, what an incredible emotional moment that must have been for him with memories of the 1940's flooding back to him. I know the emotions of watching it happen in this video made the emotions flood from me. What an amazing man, and he looks in great shape for his years! Bravo Bernard and thank you for your service at a very critical time within British history!

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

He is amazing. And it's him, and his comrades, especially those who didn't get to live to 100+, that this project exists - to remember them.

[@janlindtner305]

Thanks to Bernard and all the others who made it possible for us today, to live in a free world! 👍❤

[@Georgeconna32]

Yeah and look what is happening....

[@janlindtner305]

@@Georgeconna32 Freedom is not given; but it must also be defended. Totalitarianism must be crushed when it reveals its ugly face. Each generation is going to bring fuel to the fire. We have just enjoyed the peace dividend since the fall of the Berlinwall.

[@oreticeric8730]

@@Georgeconna32 : USA and Ukranian New Nacism ( with EU off course)?

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Sadly while the European fascists were stopped (or boxed up in Iberia) the Russian fascists had only just got started. Here’s hoping the Ukraine with our help can beat back the fascist monster.

[@janlindtner305]

@@Dave5843-d9m 👍

[@murrayshanaughan2650]

It was a privilege to watch this video. I laughed and cried at the same time seeing Bernard. Jolly good chaps!

[@Russell-ic3ml]

Fantastic British heroes & some others 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@richardbrighton3381]

Typing this through teary eyes. What a wonderful poignant moment to see Bernard taking to the skies once more, the pure joy on his face tempered by the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A wonderful project to get a Typhoon flying again, I wish you all the best of luck.

[@looneylozzer]

My father has a hawker tempest in his barn in France. It crashed in a field on my grandfathers farm in Normandy in late 1944. My grandfather recovered it to his barn and it’s sat in there since then. No one came for it or enquired about it and after the war moved on and ended, my grandfather was told he could keep it! After grandad passed away it was passed to dad and now me.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Really, and..... Still there, awaiting ¿?

[@garybrindle6715]

Incedible....thats a surprise...

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Please could you contact us about this on: [e-mail] We’d love to know more

[@johncrispin2118]

Thanks interesting indeed. I believe both kermit weeks and Nick Grace are attempting a Tempest rebuild, but think they are Mk11s with the Centaurus. Hope you would consider parting with any useful bits for these restorers.

[@onceamoth]

👀!!!

[@micksmith7587]

The look on Bernard's face made me well up, he was back in his twenties again wonderful ❤❤ Thank you sir for you and your comrades sacrifice 🙏

[@steveshoemaker6347]

As a former fighter pilot in my 80's good luck in the build....Thanks..... Shoe🇺🇸

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thanks but unfortunately we can't build it with luck, we just need cash. If everyone who wanted to see it fly chipped in a small amount, she'd be airborne in no time!

[@davecroad6277]

A true hero what a wonderful thing to do to mark his 101st birthday and to put a typhoon back in the air where it belongs is brilliant

[@bikes02]

As others have said watching Bernard flying again, I was thinking to myself I wonder what was going through his mind. You could see the pure joy on his face. Because lets face it, if it wasn't for people like Bernard and all of the millions of others, men & women alike who did what they did we could all well have been speaking German. Our late Queen was right to call them 'The greatest generation'

[@davidreed526]

As the people of Ukraine currently fight for their very existence and as a son of a English mother and an American father who both serverd in England in their respective militarys during the second Word War; well done honoring and preserving not only that aircraft but most importantly reminding us all and hopefully generations to come the impact and horrors of War. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@markgadsby5568]

Agree… but the poor people of Ukraine are presently being used as pawns and killed by our current governments to weaken Russia. I am proud of what the WW2 generation achieved but ashamed of our current governments.

[@iantaylor1748]

The sight and sound of one of these aircraft taking to the skies again would be truly thrilling. I’ve always felt this was a sad gap in the flying war bird inventory. Thank you for posting.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

It's just the funding stopping it being in the air already, the more support we can have the sooner she will be taking to the air again.

[@stevem7868-y4l]

I found that quite emotional, with Bernard flying in the Hurricane at 100, plus years, the stuff he possibly remembered, and experienced in that flight, must of been awesome

[@TeemarkConvair]

indeed , i felt the same emotions,,,

[@gerokron3412]

As I heard the story about the gifted engine - new old stock, factory-sealed - I burst out in crazy laughter that lasted 10 minutes. The chances to get *anything* new old stock for a WW2 airplane are close to zero today. The idea, that you could dig out a new engine from a basement storage is simply absurd. The fact, that it actually happend BLOWS MY MIND . I can´t even fathom the ammount of happyness hormones that must have filled the guts of all involved in that project. A truly unconceivable Story indeed. Thx for that video.

[@lornespry]

I did. And I'm sure like many others I could not hold emotion back when I saw Bernard's smile beaming across his face after the roll. And yes, he did look younger after the flight. You could see it in his walking gate - more spry than before.

[@platonicincubi1679]

The Typhoon has always been one of my favourite aircraft of ww2 ever since i read The Day of the Typhoon when i was a child. It will be fantastic to see this aircraft fly again.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Fantastic book. With support from everyone who wants to see her fly, we will succeed.

[@dukecraig2402]

Not only that but the great Ken Adams of James Bond fame flew them in the war, Ken was the set designer on the Bond movies, without him we wouldn't have iconic things like hollowed out volcanos for the evil madmen to use as a lair.

[@oreticeric8730]

@@dukecraig2402 : The evil madman , like Demment Biden , Penispianist Zelensky and All Comand Staff NATO ?

[@anthonywilson4873]

Great book recommend it. This book closes down any History revisionist who try to minimise the Typhoons ground attack capability. Written by a Pilot who was there flying Typhoons in that critical area D Day to entering Berlin period.

[@concernedcitizen1634]

Ken Adams flew for 609 Sqn

[@andybarratt0704]

What a wonderful video. God bless you Bernard. What a lovely gesture to take him up in the Hurricane. An incredible and humble man. Thank you for you servive sir.

[@babuzzard6470]

Bernard looked like he was 21 again, what a great story and project, greetings from Australia.🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@StephenGreenvideos]

Brilliant documentary on the Hawker Typhoon and those that flew it. I had the great privledge of interviewing a Typhoon pilot for a film I made. It was one of the most moving experiences I've had. We will remember them.

[@AntonyBall-hm4jo]

Well done to all regarding this project. And thank you for honouring Bernard - the look on his face as you/he did the fly by was epic - he looked 20yrs old again. Just as a family connection with the RAF, my grandfather was a front gunner in Sunderlands throughout WW2 (volunteered early '39 through to '46) - one of the unsung heroes and took it in his stride - never claimed his campaign medals (he didn't want them), which made me appreciate him even more - I feel very privileged to have known him (plenty of stories)...and he was the perfect grandfather.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

he felt it too :)

[@MD-sl3he]

I have just purchased my Hawker Typhoon RB396 watch from Avi-8 and am glad I did as some of the proceeds help this restoration ❤

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thank you

[@timjohnson67]

A fantastic project, more than time for the Hawker Typhoon to be fully recognised for it's pivotal role. Bernard Gardiner is so much to be admired and thanked, along with his comrades, for doing his job so well when his country and the free world needed it so much.

[@BrianWMay]

Wonderful. Thanks. I found it quite dusty while watching that man's face and eyes seeing what was such a distant memory.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Defintely dust in the room.

[@stevecallagher9973]

Hello from New Zealand! Best wishes for your project and I shall drop in to say hello next time I am in Blighty. One thing about the Typhoon, even standing static no other aircraft has never looked like a London Bouncer!

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Let us know. Supporters get access to the physical rebuild, otherwise it's not viewable, if you're not already signed up do have a look on our website. Added bonus in that you will be physically contributing to the rebuild happening.

[@kymvalleygardensdesign5350]

A brilliant film thank you, I bet Bernard could have flown that Hurricane himself, I cannot wait to see the Typhoon completed 😀

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Neither can we, just comes down to raising the funds. The sooner that can be done, the sooner she will be in the air!

[@SanetWorkGroenewald]

This will be an amazing and wonderful project to get the Hawker Typhoon back into the air after so many year's. Thanks to all involved in rebuilding this forgotten icon of WW2, She will be a great delight flying at airshows, there's no doubt about that. Thank you Sir Bernard for your sacrifice and bravery during the war to take on the FW190, the Tiger tanks and the Buzz bomb rockets of the Germans. Like so many others that is not with us today you all gave your everything to help win the war. Thank to all involved that made the special arrangements so that Sir Bernard could fly in the two seat Hurricane again. I thank you all and Salute to the Typhoon pilot's.

[@Luddite1]

I’ve always loved the unsung hero aircraft and the pilots who flew them , hawker built amazing aircraft! The typhoon family started out with some real issues but it turned out to be a hell of an aircraft and seeing one flying is something I look forward to very much !!!

[@paulbrennan3996]

Total respect to Bernard one of a few good old school Gentlemen Who are still alive Who where the difference between giving the world 🌎 freedom and a darker place the world 🌎 could of been . BRAVO 👏 Bernard 🤝🙏

[@Hawkertempest1]

I must say I welled up when I saw Bernards face light up when flying in that Hurricane. I can only imagine what must have been racing through his mind as he travelled back in time. Priceless.👍

[@farrier53]

Incredible project & video. Well done !! Greetings from Canada !

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thank you very much!

[@richardserridge2767]

What a lovely man Bernard is! So humble and still on his feet at 101! So glad he got to fly in the Hurricane again. He looked perfectly at home again!

[@johnphillips519]

I have always loved the look of the Hawker Typhoon and have never understood why it never got the recognition it so deserved.

[@wkdmrtease81]

Beautiful thing you did for Bernard and what a great cause !

[@beagle7622]

My father was in line to be transferred to Typhoons in the 2nd Tactical Air Force in early 1944A Wing Commander on one of the Mustang III squadrons picked him up instead. My mother was certainly relieved by that. That was real life back then for these pilots, surviving one day to the next.

[@isgray]

At RAF Hendon, the H24 used to be displayed in all its glory close to the front of the Lancaster. When I went back a few years ago it was moved to the back of the hanger and almost hidden away! Anyway, good luck with the rebuild. I cant wait to see and hear it. And Bernard - and your chums- thank you, you brave, brave people.

[@stephenconnolly3018]

The star of the show was Bernard at 101 years old flying in Hurricane and I think there was a bit about a team rebuilding a Hawk Typhoon I'll be watching this video again. 10 out 10.

[@Dave5843-d9m]

It’s great to see the Air Training Cadets (ATC). It’s available to anyone from age 13. Potentially a way into a wonderful career.

[@raypurchase801]

*Air Training Corps.

[@pappy883]

Gods speed Bernard, Thank you for the Tears of joy. ❤

[@garynew9637]

A Canadian bloke is restoring a typhoon. Typhoon Legacy.

[@onceamoth]

He has a great channel about it on youtube

[@concernedcitizen1634]

He is building a 609 Sqn Typhoon

[@oldbloke8816]

The smile on his face says it all!

[@kelberutagori2578]

Even if I write a thousand words, it still won't come close to the pride and respect I have for everyone involved in this and any other project to keep this memory so important to all of us alive. Congratulations to everyone who is fighting, despite all the difficulties, to keep the memory alive. 🇧🇷

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thank you. If you'd like to sign up as a supporter and help us get this rare bird in the air, you can do so via our website: www.hawkertyphoon.com

[@ZantiMisfit198]

The Hawker Typhoon is one of the greatest & unappreciated combat aircraft of WW 2. The line from Saving Private Ryan "Their tank busters sir, P-51's" always makes me cringe and a little bit angry. I always say to myself when ever I see that movie they should've high quality CG'ed Hawker Typhoons for that scene.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Or funded the rebuild of a genuine flying example. In the scheme of film budgets it would be nothing. We're here when Hollywood is ready.

[@petermcgarrymusicandflying]

And I must say how brilliant Hurricane is in a two seater. Great job !

[@1chish]

Blimey this 76 year old ex crab shed a tear when Bernard took to the skies again. I just wonder what went through his mind as that merlin fired up - lost friends, near misses, good times, bad times. Well done Sir hope you enjoyed a very well deserved tribute. And good luck to all in this long overdue project. Anyone else note the current Typhoon pilots were all dressed in WWII style uniforms including the Navy chap?

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

That’s the current No1 dress uniform, largely unchanged since WWII.

[@johnnyrvf]

I’ve been a member of Hawker Typhoon RB396 since the beginning.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thank you for your support 👏

[@johnjusko4789]

God bless this man who had fought in WW2 and he is one of only a few legends in his own time.

[@kwaka0211]

My uncle Paul flew Typhoons - My father said he came home on leave after flying Hurricanes in Africa as he had been given the opportunity to fly Typhoons in exchange for a further two weeks leave... After training, he was posted to his new squadron based in Belgium. He was shot down and killed as he attacked the railway marshalling yards at Osnabruck on 24/02/1945. He was 21 years old and had been flying for 4 years - virtually unheard of for a fighter pilot. He is buried at Reichswald cemetary on the Dutch / German border. He is buried next to a bomber gunner aged 17. He is Pilot Sargeant Augustine Paul Mann.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Wonderful history. You may be interested in our Platinum support package, one of the primary benefits is a namespace on the finished aircraft. A number of veteran families have signed up to this to ensure their relation's name goes on the finished aircraft, to be part of the memorial. Details are on our website in the "support us" section. www.hawkertyphoon.com

[@concernedcitizen1634]

What Sqn did Sgt Mann fly for?

[@CoalMiningTown]

@@concernedcitizen1634 According to the website Royal Air Force Commands FLt/Sgt A.P. Mann flew with 181 Sq.

[@dalj4362]

Awesome Bernard!. Your the best generation this country has ever had!

[@Gorbyrev]

Fabulous news and greatly moving. Well done.

[@bollybon7916]

The thought of seeing one of these beasties in the air... and I hope that when it does fly, the story tellers then begin to fill in the glaring gaps in the history of WWII. The contribution these kites made in operations like D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge are largely unknown to anyone who has not researched, and it's a story that deserves to be told.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

That’s the whole reason we are doing what we’re doing. We need support to make it happen though 👍

[@mambastu]

Great video. Can't wait to see her fly and listen to that Napier Sabre for the first time.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

With support from everyone who wants to see her fly, she will...

[@robleary3353]

Brilliant!. Seeing that look on his face priceless. Must have been an emotional day!. Thankyou to all those who served. Lest we forget.

[@gordonbartram4606]

Inspiring video, wonderful seeing Bernard at 101 in the cockpit of the Hurricane.

[@stevecurd3944]

Absolutely fantastic dedication,my Grandfather was a aircraft maintenance tech at Biggin Hill during The Batlle of Britain & always praised the Hurricane,he used to have part of the tail section of a HE-111 with part of the swastika on it which was shot down close to biggin hill which hung in his garage for years until he donated it to the IWM Duxford,its great to see the Typhoon will restored to its former glory & its history told

[@dagarlook1]

At last. Taken so long for people to wake up. This plane and it's history deserves all the credits possible. So happy if I will see this magnificent machine fly again. I will not finish until the incredible crew who flew her are hailed! A masterpiece flown by heroes!!

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

If you'd like to support us to help us get her in the air, please visit our website. The more people who support, the sooner she will be in the air.

[@dagarlook1]

I will, but not too much. 100 euros. I know it's not much but so far this is all I can do)-:@@HawkerTyphoonRB396

[@moffatt43]

Like many others, I was having a moment of tears when Bernard took to the Skies in the Hurricane,what a truly amazing Gift for that Young Man ( And I say Young because he was transported back to the age he was when he first went up training in a Hurricane ). His Face and Smile said it all,you could see the memories flooding through him through his facial expressions. No doubt he was probably remembering some of his Mates who sadly never returned Home. I Grew Up not far from Duxford, so I grew up under the sound of the Merlin’s but the most important part for me growing up was the respect and recognition and remembrance of all those people who Flew during World War Two and of all those people who kept their Aircraft flying,obviously Duxford was a Major Base and many a Pilot never returned but we need to remember all those American Crews as well and the Canadian,Polish and Commonwealth Pilots. If you have never been to Duxford it’s well worth the visit and to learn more about our History ( without those Pilots and Crews ) we probably wouldn’t have a History and we would probably be speaking German !!. If you visit Duxford,please take the time to visit the American War Memorial in Madingly,just outside of Cambridge and pay your respects to those who fought and gave the ultimate Sacrifice. It will make you Cry there and it will make you realise the numbers of American Service Personnel who Gave their lives. Thank you for your service Bernard and a belated Happy Birthday. I’m looking forward to seeing you see the Typhoon when she’s ready . God Bless You Sir

[@SpitfireCGI]

A great presentation on the restoration of the Hawker Typhoon and Bernards face when you arranged for him to fly in the Hurricane was emotionally something else. He looked so happy to be in the air again, especially when it barrel rolled, what an allround incredible gentleman he is .Here at SpitfireCGI we will always do our best to represent the Hawker Typhoon through social media whenever we can, as we know a little bit about its story too .The Hawker Typhoon should be brought much more into the spotlight and the public eye and what you are all doing is going to make that happen and that is very exciting .This will be the ultimate tribute to the aircraft and we wish you all the very best and can't wait to see RB396 fly again.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thank you :)

[@tango6nf477]

60 plus years ago when I was much younger, I read a book about British aircraft of WW2. It told about the Spitfires, Hurricanes etc which were great but the one that really stood out was the Typhoon and I fell in love with it there and then. I went to Woolworths the following Saturday with my half a crown (2 shilling and sixpence or 12 1/2 p in modern money) and bought an Airfix model of the "Tiffy" which hung from my bedroom ceiling. It was a thug of an aircraft, built like a battleship of the air and in my opinion not ugly at all. You have my greatest respect for what you are achieving, I wish you well and hope I can live long enough to see your aircraft fly,

[@luckyguy600]

Excellent. Bernard must have been one Happy Pilot. After all those years, combined with an age that few obtain. Yes. One Happy Pilot.

[@brycenew]

Brilliant(!!) video. May this project become a complete success! And may the whole story of the Hawker Typhoon become well known and rightly revered.

[@givingisbetterthantaking..829]

Truly inspiring ,thanks to those who served and contributed, Rick from USA. ( I nearly shed a few tears , also).

[@SunKing968]

THANKS BERNARD!

[@kevinwilliams1602]

I do sincerely hope that Bernard will still be with us when that wonderful Warbird takes to the skies again!!

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

The more people who contribute and help us on that mission, the more chance there is!!

[@hassocks1206]

Bernard, thank you for your service Sir.

[@tullochgorum6323]

Mad respect for the Typhoon ground-attack pilots on the Western Front. One of the most dangerous roles in the air force, but also one of the most vital. It must have taken unimaginable courage to dive into intense flak day after day...

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

...and yet still they did it! Brave men. A different breed.

[@jimramsey8887]

Great Comment below Thanks. It also had this effect on me. The VT is also inspiring and will be a great memorial to the hundreds of very brave young men who gave their lives for us all.

[@MatsGarage]

As a fan of the Tempest and by association the Typhoon from reading the book The big show by Pierre Closterman at age 12 it was really amazing to see this pop up in my feed. Thank you for your work to restore this great machine.

[@jasonpierce-newmodelbarmy3394]

Congratulations on a superb presentation. Hopefully this will generate the extra support that you all richly deserve. Well done guys. Best regards, Jason, Lifetime (silver) group member.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thank you Jason, and thank you for your support!

[@pilatus0285]

Bonsoir, C.H.A.P.E.A.U ,Merci pour cette belle vidéo ,qui m'a fait brillé les yeux;lors du vol du Jeune homme de 101 ans.MERCI aussi pour la reconstruction de bel avion .Bien cordialement .1 fan de R.A.F et de ses nombreux Pilotes de toutes Nation .M.A Good evening, C.H.A.P.E.A.U, Thank you for this beautiful video, which made my eyes shine; during the flight of the 101-year-old Young Man. of all Nation .M.A

[@brianperry]

An uncle who was a bomber pilot in WW2 made models of a Typhoon and a Mosquito in the later part of the war.. He died in 1951 after an accident on a motorcycle so l never really knew him. However, as a child in the fifties l remember seeing both models in my grandparents display cabinet...A lasting remembrance of their dead son..

[@beekiebiddyboo]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@SirGregg]

That Hurricane looks surprisingly good with the double seating. It hasnt thrown the proportions out. Unlike the Me 262 with a twin cab that spoils the lines of the Swallow.

[@sbrutcher]

Best of luck with this project! I’ve loved the Typhoon since I was a kid and I’d love to see one flying again. Such a great tribute to the brave men and women who flew it.

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

Thanks, if you'd like to support us in our endeavour then that would help, unfortunately we can't build her on luck -if we could she would have been flying years ago!

[@hughjohnston]

Lovely presentation giving respect to the people who flew this awesome beast in combat. Your project of an airworthy Typhoon is one of the most challenging imaginable, the napier sabre engine was notoriously complex and unreliable and I would love to see such a monstrosity powerful iconoc engine brought to life again , " what a noise "

[@mellbenham6809]

If I'd been a pilot in WW2 I'd definitely wanted to be a Typhoon pilot a truly great plane and a serious amount of firepower.

[@George-er9te]

Read "The Big Show" by Pierre Closterman &" Rendezvous with Fate,"by Raymond Lallemant both French pilots who flew tiffies & tempests .When wanting volunteers for tiffies most spitfire pilots refused ,a large number who did were commonwealth & foreign one of the best was Belgian Manu Geerts.

[@beatglauser9444]

It is always incredible to see how humble and sometimes even shy some real war heroes are. It is obvious that Bernard is an absolutely lovely person! I remember when I was in Hendon and very old and frail veteran in a wheelchair was guided to the Lancaster and he sat under the plane. It was obvious how emotional this guy was remembring his missions over Germany and his comrades. You had to observe him carefully. Just like Bernard those WW2 veterans are actually very quiet and they hate to show off. The Typhoon (and the Tempest as well) were always among my absolutely favourite warbirds. The only question is: will this ressurrected plane not be to rare and valuable to be displayed in the air?

[@HawkerTyphoonRB396]

The aircraft is being built to fly, to fly it is the ultimate memorial to the crews and that's what this is about.

[@honahwikeepa2115]

Brilliant video. I've always loved the Typhoon since I was a kid reading the family encyclopedia collection. It just looks like a muscle man among planes.

[@johncrispin2118]

Thanks great presentation. I do hope there is some cooperation with RB396 project and Typhoon Legacy in Canada. He (Ian) also has a restorable Sabre, and a stash of freshly made drawings. To fly would they not have to have at least two engines each ? Love to see both of them take to the air. Much prejudice against the sleevevalvers despite the last developments which really were more or less abandoned due to the jets. good luck all. Bernards flight was real lump in the throat stuff, he looked so at home.

[@tomwellard8234]

Watching Bernand sitting in the Hurricane brought a lump to my throat and my eyes started to well up ,a well deserved treat for Bernard god bless you sir

[@MrPossumeyes]

What a lovely gift to give an old codger!

[@thomasmcbride582]

What a great tribute to a true hero who serve with homer I salute you god bless you ❤

[@johndonlon1611]

Amazing story. Thanks for posting.

[@petethescalemodeller6130]

That smiles says it all .. FANTASTIC :)

[@vinmar4551]

God Bless You war heroes past and present!

[@timwingham8952]

God bless him and all those who gave so much for us. Bravo to them all.

[@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968]

Thank you Bernard. The smile upon your face after that victory roll was priceless. For just a second, the youthful you shone back at us from a time long gone.

[@rustykilt]

Their Generation has all but passed into history. Few remain to tell their story. I can only imagine the thoughts going through Bernards mind as he gazed from the Hurricane cockpit, the rush of memories as a young pilot. We must never forget that freedom comes at a price and never take it for granted.

[@thethirdman225]

Really? What about those tens of thousands who went off to war in Iraq and Afghanistan repeating the same mantra?

[@rustykilt]

@@thethirdman225 so?

[@thethirdman225]

@@rustykilt So everyone has their own different reasons for going to war. If you talk to anyone who has done it, they don't say things like 'Freedom ain't free', which was the slogan the Americans used as a recruitment tool in 2003. They sure didn't come back saying that. Slogans only stop people from thinking clearly.

[@rustykilt]

@@thethirdman225 When it comes to defending your country you have to choose whether you are content to endure an invasion or want to preserve your way of life. I think in my case that would be democratic freedom and my way of life as is the case in my country. Sending troops to another country politically certainly does not engender any thoughts of fighting for freedom. i suppose the American civil war or war of independence had nothing to do with fighting for freedom or way of life..or did it?

[@thethirdman225]

@@rustykilt Those are uniquely American terms of reference. They don't apply to me or anyone I know.

[@anthonywilson4873]

There is the Typhoon project ongoing in Canada. Excellent work all round.

[@GGdeTOURS37]

Those guys were incredibly courageous and much respected by the fighter's pilots which would not have exchanged their place with them for anything in the world because the Typhoon missions were almost suicidal. Indeed the typhoon had most of the time to go down straight and dive on something nobody speak about anymore but which terrorized all the pilots without exception: THE FLAK!

[@mikeschillinger4427]

Very touching and a lovely presentation. Very fitting to the pilots.

[@officialbritishtaxpayer5609]

What a superbly produced film! You are obviously very professional and bound to succeed. LOvely to see the grin on Bernard's face!

[@johndavey72]

What a wonderful man ........."l was just doing my job " l'm sure your'e aware of lan Slater of Typhoon Legacy in Canada who seems to be single handedly rebuilding JP 843 . And of course the late , great Roland "Bea" Beamont who made a huge contribution to bringing this brute of an aircraft into service. If l have the funds to contribute then l won't hesitate to dig into my pockets . Thankyou for sharing .

[@infeedel7706]

My dear departed Uncle Harold flew Typhoons as a Sergeant pilot, it was no sparkling white wine affair.

[@jonathanvince8173]

This is amazing.