Top Landing Gear

The UK's number 1 aviation podcast on iTunes -
with a pilot, a pop star, a presenter and a fencer

Latest Releases - Series 5

Dunsfold Aerodrome: Home of the Hunter and the Harrier


Welcome to Top Landing Gear as we turn our attention to an airfield that is close to all of us, both emotionally and geographically: Dunsfold Aerodrome, home of the Hunter and the Harrier.

It was also used as the studio and test track for BBC Top Gear (a poor man's version of Top Landing Gear - wheels instead of wings!), home to the sadly defunct annual Wings and Wheels airshow, and the base for Aviation Filming, which provides aircraft and facilities for the film and television industry, including most of the Bond films. It's run by our splendid guest, Mike Woodley. 

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Series 5 - Episode 3
The Historic Croydon Aerodrome - Full Flaps - Tour of Croydon Airport


Join the Top Landing Gear team as they are given a tour of Croydon Airport by A380 Captain Ian Walker, former chairman of the Croydon Airport Trust.

Opening in the 1920s, Croydon was London's, indeed the UK's main international airport. Arguably the birthplace of commercial air travel, it was also the starting point for many of aviation's historic records, including those set by Amy Johnson.

Visit https://www.historiccroydonairport.org.uk/ to find out more, book your own visit and discover how you can support or volunteer for the Trust. 

Series 5 - Episode 3
The Historic Croydon Aerodrome

After last week's catch up - we return to our regular format with a look at London's first international airport - London Croydon. We discuss how this important hub lead the world in a number of aspects and laid out the template for all future airports.

Some interesting Ask James questions are tackled, Jez's quick facts are possibly factual, Roy keeps glancing across from the studio to his house to see if the tumble drier is still on.... oh - and there is a quiz!

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THE YEAR: 2024 - AND TOP LANDING GEAR IS BACK!


We delivered our last podcast - as in most recent -back in May 2023 - when we were in the middle of series 5. We were literally on our way to Roy's studio to record our next editions when he told us not to bother - because his house was being razed to the ground after a tumble drier caught fire.

Because of that and Roy's constant touring with his band Scouting For Girls, this is the first time we've been able to get back together. So here's a quick catch-up with the 4 of us with all our latest news and some of the aviation headlines that have caught our eyes in recent months.

Thank you for sticking with us, or if you're new to TLG - welcome - have you any idea what you're letting yourself in for?! 

Series 5 - Episode 2 - Full Flaps
Private Jet Pilot Capt Mark Blois-Brooke FRAeS

In this Full Flaps edition, Roy, Rob and Jez travel to the home of private aviation in the UK - Farnborough, to talk to Capt Mark Blois-Brooke all about his life in the hectic world of Private Jets. He has many incredible stories and he shares some of those with our podcast! Mark has written a book about his life called "Life in a Tin" - available online HERE

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Series 5 Episode 2 - Private Jets


Join Rob, Jez, James and Roy as we learn about the glamorous world of business jets and hear a snippet of next weeks interview with Falcon 7X Captain and Chief Pilot for TAG Aviation, Mark Bois-Brooke.  All the usuals are there - including Ask James, some quick facts and even the quiz - yes that has survived this long!

Series 5 Episode 1 - Full Flaps - Tony Hoskins - Restoring Sandy’s Spitfire - Part 2



In this second part of our interview with Tony Hoskins,who is restoring a rare photo reconnaissance Spitfire PR4 to full flight, we take you around the workshop where you can hear how the restoration is taking shape. If you missed last weeks episode, please listen back to part one as Tony talks us through his ambitions for the project and the fascinating story of a very rare Spitfire and it's pilot.

Please visit to https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk to find out more and how you can support this incredible project.

You can also purchase Tony’s wonderful book ‘Sandys Spitfire’, order signed prints of the aircraft or even have your name engraved forever on the engine cowling.
!

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Series 5 Episode 1 - Full Flaps - Tony Hoskins - Restoring Sandy’s Spitfire - Part 1


In this Full Flaps episode we hear the first part of our interview with Tony Hoskins who is restoring a rare photo reconnaissance Spitfire PR4 to full flight.

Back in 2018 Tony and his team recovered the wreckage of Spitfire AA810 from a mountainside in Norway where it had laid undisturbed for 76 years having been shot down on a mission to photograph the battleship Tirpitz. The pilot Sandy Gunn bailed out but was later captured and sent to Stalug Luft III to become one of those immortalised in The Great Escape.

Tony's aim is that 810 should become a flying memorial to the men and woman of the Photograph Reconnaissance Unit during World War Two. And as well as restoring the aircraft is campaigning to have a permanent monument to the PRU erected in London.

We visited Tony at Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight where 810 is being painstakingly restored. Here in part one, Tony talks us through his ambitions for the project and the fascinating story of a very rare Spitfire and it's pilot.

Please visit to https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk to find out more and how you can support this incredible project.

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Series 5 - Episode 1 - Aerial reconnaissance and Restoring Spitfire AA810


Welcome to Top Landing Gear and the first episode proper of Series Five. Along with our usual catch up and 'Ask James' feature we talk aerial reconnaissance and hear the remarkable story of a very special Spitfire.

We speak to engineer and aerial restoration specialist Tony Hoskins who shares the incredible story of Spitfire AA810, a photo reconnaissance PR4 which was lost over occupied Europe whilst on the hunt for the German battleship Turpitz. He recalls the story of its remarkable pilot Sandy Gunn, who would be later immortalised in the mass escape from Stalag Luft III, and tells us about the aircraft's recent discovery in Norway and its painstaking relocation and planned restoration to flight.

Please visit the Spitfire AA810 project page, a project dedicated to the memory of all the men of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit who risked, and gave, their lives during the second world war. 
https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk/

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Series 5 - Catching up on the latest aviation news and looking ahead to Series Five


Hello and welcome back to Top Landing Gear. The aviation podcast for everyone. After several months in the wilderness we’re back with a brand new series. Today we catch up on the latest aviation news and look forward to what’s coming up in Season Five of www.toplandinggear.com

Series 5 - Preview

Top Landing Gear is back... (well it will be on TLG Tuesday!) Here's a quick overview of what we've got coming up over the coming weeks.

If you have a topic that you think we should cover this year or a question for our Ask James segment we would love to hear from you. Contact us via our socials or send us an email at info@toplandinggear.com

Until then! 

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