quote:

Originally posted by olroy:
I fold. Who's Franz von Werra?

Oh, just another famous pilot who had a pet lion for publicity purposes.






I just thought one good thread drift deserved another.

It is a family legend, albeit of doubtful provenance, that he was shot down over the North Sea by one of my father's cousins, Zdzisław H, RAF Squadron 303, the "Kosciusco Squadron" while he was squadron commander. He was reluctant to claim official credit for the kill, as it was not witnessed. He was noted for his solitary missions, and was KIA soon after. The official German version is that von Werra disappeared over the North Sea. Supposedly, the claim gained some strength after the war when German records show that von Werra disappeared the same day my father's cousin told the story to his mates.

Either way, they both were aces of some consequence. von Werra was noteworthy for his escapes from British and Canadian prison camps prior to his return to the Fatherland by way of Mexico and South America. I believe there was a movie.

I recall an interesting radio interview with Zdzisław. His first name is pronounced “Gee-shew” as I recall.

The interview was recapping a dog fight with Zdzsilaw H painting a verbal picture, “There was a faulker in front of me a faulker below and to more faulkers off to the right.”

At this point the radio announcer nervously and quickly interrupted to tell the listeners that the Faulker is a well known German aircraft.

Zdzislaw responded, “Sure, but these faulkers they was flying Messerschmitts.


Timothy

I shoulda stayed in bed this morning.

quote:

Originally posted by timnlana:
I recall an interesting radio interview Zdzisław H. His first name is pronounced “Gee-shew” as I recall.

The interview was recapping a dog fight with Zdzsilaw H painting a verbal picture, “There was a faulker in front of me a faulker below and to more faulkers off to the right.”

At this point the radio announcer nervously and quickly interrupted to tell the listeners that the Faulker is a well known German aircraft.

Zdzislaw responded, “Sure, but these faulkers they was flying Messerschmitts.


Timothy

Tim, that story goes back to WW I, when Zdzisław was just a lad, and the pilot interviewed was surrounded by Fokkers.

Interestingly enough, I attended a one-month Fokker class that was taught by both a Dutchman and an American. The Dutchman pronounced it Fock-er and the American insisted on Foke-er. Some snickered on hearing the Dutchman's pronunciation, and others rolled their eyes at the American's Bowdlerization of the Dutch name.

There was a Focke-Wulf 190 in WWII, which could be worked into the joke.

quote:

Originally posted by timnlana:
The interview was recapping a dog fight with Zyzsilaw H painting a verbal picture, “There was a faulker in front of me a faulker below and to more faulkers off to the right.”

quote:

Originally posted by bill h:
There was a Focke-Wulf 190 in WWII, which could be worked into the joke.

I love this site.

I woulda pegged that car as the Denbeigh Super Chauvinist Mk IV...

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I woulda pegged that car as the Denbeigh Super Chauvinist Mk IV...

The Denbeigh SC has never been photographed. It was surrounded by such a supernatural aura of mechanical malfeasance that no camera ever functioned anywhere near it. Telephoto lenses only served to concentrate the force, often doing permanent damage to the camera.

The Denbeigh only existed in drawings, which did not do justice to the car, almost making it appear cartoon-like.

Bummer. And I've been on the waiting list since '68...

This is remarkable, how do you guys know all this sh*t (stuff). I am almost 59 years old and I haven't gained all this knowledge... but I can play an F6/9 chord.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bowers:
This is remarkable, how do you guys know all this sh*t (stuff). I am almost 59 years old and I haven't gained all this knowledge... but I can play an F6/9 chord.

Comfort youself in the knowledge that on Karaoke night at the Elks, I get free drinks all night for NOT singing. That makes my singing career more remunerative than my guitar career.

ancient thread but here's the answer..

Topper Car ?

Pretty neat