A series of uniquely crafted aviation focused podcasts that look at the people, history, technology and its social impact during its rather short existence.
The videos are a mix of work by two generations of filmmakers, Jim and Bruce Reilly. Jim Reilly was a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force that had an amazing career flying during WWII, the Malayan Emergency, the Konfrontasi and the early days of Air Sea Rescue. Bruce, his son, has worked all over the world as an aircraft maintenance engineer and safety systems specialist.
This is another one of those stories that you accidently come across when you are doing research. It was another topic around my father's time as a Royal Air Force pilot, but this was the early years when he joined what was then the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
I was wondering what the process was when it came to the selection process, especially as he was in one of the reserved occupations (coal mining) so he did not have to join up to fight.
I hope you enjoy the story.
Soundtrack - Double Crossed in Johnson City by American Legion courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
25 Jul 2026
Episode 6 - The Throat Microphone
It was a very different time and the helicopter was still very much an experimental aircraft. So the pilots that had to fly these underpowered, unreliable and hard to fly helicopters in Malaya had to adapt to the conditions.
In this video we look at the throat microphone, which first came into widespread use during the Second World War. It was used in noisy environments such as tanks and aircraft.
Soundtrack - Double Crossed in Johnson City by American Legion courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
18 Jul 2026
Episode 5 - Who Was Charles Taylor?
This is the first in our series that looks at the world of aviation maintenance and all those questions that you have about aviation. It is named in honour of Charles Taylor, who you will find out all about in this first episode.
16 Jul 2026
Bonus Episode #1 - Is This a Gyroplane, Autogyro or Helicopter?
Every once in a while we will launch a bonus episode. It will usually have something to do with a recent or upcoming episode, or just a story or topic that we hope that you will enjoy.
This short bonus episode is one on a favourite topic of mine, rotary wing aircraft such as helicopters and autogyros. Hopefully this will answer the question in the title.
11 Jul 2026
Episode 4 - Why do You Pull Down Towards You?
We discover that when you pull that oxygen mask down towards you, a fire which burns at around 200 degrees Celsius is ignited in the passenger service unit above your head.
These rather incredible devices have saved many lives, but unfortunately, they have also been the cause of one of the world's worst airline disasters (more about that in a future video).
Music by Printers Alley | Roots and Recognition | courtesy of epidemicsound.com
6 Jul 2026
Episode 3 - The First Aircraft in Persia
Aviation and the Middle East are very much in the news these days and this story is about this region of the world and early aviation. I came across this story when I was interviewing Lord Weir about the Weir Groups involvement in rotary wing flight. I will not spoil the story, but it does involve a very adaptable British engineer with a very much can do attitude.
30 Jun 2026
Episode 2 - Three Questions About Drones
This film is based on an old 1950s newsreel that looks at what many would say is an early type of drone. It answers the following questions. Is the ’drone’ in the newsreel the first drone? If not, what was the first drone and why are they called drones?
Music by Andres Cantu | Ice Hot Temperament | courtesy of Epidemic Sound
29 Jun 2026
Episode 1 - A Framed Memory
A Framed Memory is a short film that looks back over 70 years of a friendship between the Reilly family and a friend that they brought into their home during the Malayan Emergency.
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