Warbird Information Exchange

Was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight part of the opening ceremonies yesterday?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

No, just the Red Arrows. However, the musical repertoire did include the Dam Busters March and the OMD track "Enola Gay", so that probably pi$$ed off the Germans and Japanese! Ah, the Olympic spirit, I love it!

Don't know- I was subjected to NBC's trainwreck of a broadcast, so I couldn't tell you. What I can say, however, is that between the Queen becoming the oldest and unquestionably most prestigious Bond Girl, Mr. Bean and the LSO, and the incredible, amazing, jaw-droppingly awesome spectacle of the opening ceremonies, all British subjects should be extremely proud of their country and fellow countrymen today. What a thoroughly enjoyable and impressive show.

Lynn

PS: I knew it!!! I could have sworn I heard OMD, by the time I ran back into the room I had missed that clip... but they then played The Prodigy and Underworld for the Queen, something which makes me chuckle every time I think about it. Boyle made some absolutely fantastic choices for the British music segments, IMHO.

Anyone else pick up on the hat tip to the Floyd? During the helicopter trip from Buckingham Palace to the stadium, the helo passes over a certain powerplant in East London with four distinct white chimneys and look! a tethered floating pig balloon as the music slips into the reprise between 'breathe' and 'On the Run' for about 3 seconds.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Have to say, as a Brit, I think it was really well done. We sat down to watch it convinced it would be cringe-worthy, but were pleasantly surprised. Well done all involved.

The only way to have topped that would have had the BBMF Spitfires downing a Buchon trailing smoke, over London. But I guess that's not in the spirit of the occasion........

As a Brit ex-pat I can only say "WTF did I watch???"

Outstanding camera work managed to catch this guy as the Germans marched past...

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

He must be from the progressive side of the party(left arm)

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

He's doing the Olympic salute. In the '36 Olympics the French did the same thing and got put in Hitler's movie about it, setting off a firestorm about how they were Nazi's. They weren't, and he isn't. It's fallen out of favor after the war because of the repeated mistaken assumption that the waver is a nazi, as in this case. Although I think he's using the wrong hand.

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

I heard a rumor that the 'timeline' of British history in the ceremony was to include a depiction of trench warfare and even British WW2 troops storming across the area to recall WW2 and then have the BBMF fly over at that point. But more PC-minded heads prevailed and the more distasteful parts of what Brits are justifying proud of got swept aside.
I thought it was odd that they went from WW1 vets to the 1960s, if the rumor isn't true...

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Both my wife and I spotted the flying pig
Loved the foundry and the forging of the rings. Visually stunning!

Someone told me there was something in the opening ceremony about the UK's health care system? Maybe he was pulling my leg though as I didn't watch.

There was, it was also the most cringeworthy part, although it did allow JK Rowling and numerous Mary Poppins to take part.

The World War commemoration was there but in a subtle way, as Elgar's Nimrod is the traditional background music to the Remembernce day service.

Loved it - the British put on a great show! And yes, I did see the Pig and thought I heard a couple of Pink Floyd tunes in the opening music. However, I understand there was a tribute to the 7/7 victims that was cut from the US broadcast.

Tom P.