Aviation was a passion of Tony’s from a very young age. He was always keen on joining the RAF and enlisted with the volunteer reserve. He has happy memories of the training and the thrill of flying, especially his first time in a Spitfire. Tony recalls in tense detail his first encounter with the Luftwaffe and how he survived a miraculous landing in the sea, something for which he was never trained. At the age of 21 Tony travelled to Durban to become a flight instructor. He remembers this time of adventure in a new country with great fondness although it comes to a somewhat sticky end when Tony is lucky to escape a court martial for crashing a Tiger Moth. More luck is on Tony’s side when his restlessness at being sent back to the UK threatens to see him in trouble again but an amenable Station Commander looks out for him and recommends Tony join the Bomber Command. Tony does so and volunteers for 617 Squadron, aka The Dambusters. Tony was well aware of the squadron’s reputation and, seeing it as a great honour to join, works incredibly hard to maintain those standards. He talks in detail about his training and the mission to take out the German Bismarck-class battleship Tirpitz. Tony dedicates this interview to Bomber Command and reflects on the airmen whose lost lives are now commemorated with a memorial in London, a fitting tribute which means the cost of war should not be forgotten.

In this honest interview, Paul talks candidly about his personal experiences of flying for the RAF. Upon Chamberlain's announcement of war, Paul remembers not feelings of fear or dread, but rather somewhat of a celebration, as he recalls commemorating the occasion by opening a 'decent bottle of wine'. John would then go on to join the RAF where his first real engagement with the enemy was during the Battle of Britain where he fought with 501 squadron against the Germany's Luftwaffe. Interestingly, Paul remarks that he actually enjoyed being a part of the Battle of Britain, although it's clear he felt sorry for the other pilots flying the Fairey Battles. During this interview, Paul reflects on his time serving the RAF, he reminisces about some of the friendships he made and unfortunately, the death he faced at every corner. John emerged from the Battle of Britain a new man, he was awarded 8 kills, 2 probable's and 11 damaged, yet despite this, Paul remains modest about his achievements. After his time with the 501, Paul would move on to serve with the 229 where he spent 3 years out in the Middle East where he was not permitted to return home once. He later tells his scary and exhilarating story fighting in Malta where he barely survived his encounter with the Axis forces.

Jimmy Taylor joined the RAF at 19 to avoid being drafted into the army or working in a coal mine. Motivated by his passion for aviation, he secretly enlisted at a recruiting centre in Reading. His training took him across the UK and eventually to Canada and the United States. Jimmy experienced the harsh discipline of American military training, but despite these challenges, he excelled and became an instructor. He volunteered to instruct American cadets, as the RAF needed to supply 10% of its graduates to train new students. Jimmy trained 20 cadets, enjoying every moment, especially teaching formation flying and buzzing the airfield with his students beside him. In October 1943, he returned to England. His role in the Second Tactical Air Force involved long-distance reconnaissance, mapping future battle areas and updating outdated maps with accurate photographs. While weather often hindered flights, he maintained a vigilant watch over German jet airfields, which included managing risks from German radar detection. On one occasion, while photographing airfields near Rhina, he experienced engine failure and opted to bail out, eventually landing in a field in occupied Holland. After avoiding capture, he planned his escape westward toward Utrecht, aware of the dangers posed by locals and the ongoing German occupation.