I remember reading about a fall out with D Bader & RST.DB felt 8 mc guns on the Spitfire was ok but RST wanted cannons because he felt not enough damage was inflicted on enemy planes with guns only.I think RST was right.
Could you imagine the stories from both men I even heard the story of Franz stigler a Flying mate and friend of Gallant Franz stigler is on youtube amazing story and a surprize to it
Many thanks for posting this. I have never seen these images before...fantastic!
RRST has been a hero of mine since I was a young lad (and that wasn't yesterday). One of my prized possessions is a signed letter of his dated 19th December 1973, in which he replied to one I had send him some weeks previously. We, the British people should never forget that we owe Wing Commander Tuck and his like a great debt.
@VerityFrances hi, my grandfather Harry HILLMAN,was your grandfathers LAC(Mechanic),he told me many a good story about R S Tuck,they were good freinds
@msouzafon agree mate . he was my grans favourite, she was Irish, and he flew in 602 City of Glasgow Squadron,as did Pierre Closterman. All great men and worthy of the title HERO
Thanks a lot for uploading this video! This guy inspired my nich 20 years ago, after reading his memories. I've never seen him moving or talking before!
Thank you for posting this video of one of my absolute heroes. without a doubt he would have been the highest scoring RAF pilot of WW2. A true hero and a gentleman, never shot down by another pilot who suffered from airsickness in his training days
Technically, he was shot down though. On more than one occasion he either was forced to bail out or crash land because of damage inflicted by an enemy aircraft.
I have read his book a few times. I think I would have really liked him if I had a chance to get to know him. The things he did and went through is nothing short of unreal. Hollywood could not have written his story any better!
If you consider Galland and his Teutonic chums heroes, you are of course free to do so. May I just remind you that he did his utmost to enforce a bestial regime that inflicted untold cruelty on countless millions and would have enslaved Britain like they did mainland Europe. If you want to consider him a hero, you go ahead and do it.
If only these gallant Heroes were still with us...What stories they could tell first hand to youngsters(and adults)of Today...some still are ! But Robert Roland Stanford Tuck is my Raf Hero...If he had not have been captured he may have ended up Top Ace scorer of the War. Great Post. Tally Ho !
Nice upload!!. I also read the Larry Foster biography of Tuck (and others: Closterman, Paul Richey,Hans U. Rude,l....), it's fantastic. Greetings from Spain!
thank you for putting this on here. I read the Larry Foster biography of Tuck. He was an amazing man and in my opinion a true British legend. I actually wrote a screen play just because it would be great to see a movie about him.
Nice upload. You don't see many copies of "Fly For Your Life" signed. What a presence Bob had. The story of how he received his scar is amazing. Your video is a delight.
Holly crap!!! At the end their are several of my child hood heroes gathered!!! Bader, Tuck and Galland! I am not given to false worship but I can honestly say that if I was at that gathering tears would be in my eyes, and my jaw would be on the floor. These are VERY VERY BRAVE and perhaps even brilliant men!
Indeed aerodynamic1, Fly For Your Life was a great book. If you have done so you might also want to read " Der Ertsen und der Letzen ", General Galland's book ( English version is called " The First and the Last ". It's also an excellent history and give some great insight into Lutwaffe operations. Wing Commander Bader's book is entitled " Reach for the Sky ".
I highly recommend all of these books to any aviation history buff. Wing Commander Bader's book is also an excellent read ( though I personally disagree with his concept of the Big Wings during the Battle of Britain ). But I have the benefit of years of hindsight and aviation history. He was doing what he did on the spot. He was a great man.
I have a letter written to my father ...from his brother who was a serving R.A.F plt officer..in the 79th night fighter squadren ...which mensions TUCK arriving at the base in early 1941... to give a moral boost to the Pembrey (SOUTH WALES)According to the letter...he was a "GOOD TYPE"..And he raised the sprit`s of our lad`s..
Excellent , thanks for that , i don't think he was involved in the Italian action at the beginning tho ; it was his squardon , he didnt fly on that occasion .
Yes, and in a typical British understatement, he alluded to his incredible career as being lucky.
He spent a lot of his life after the war helping former pilots who had been burned. He said that he was lucky that his Hurricane never caught fire and that he felt it was his duty to help those who hadn't been as lucky.
I have another of Tuck's bios "Fly for Your Life" by Larry Forrester. Another great read; this battle was well documented. "Cowboy" Blatchford had a difficult time with those Fiats!
Thanks for your info Broaster, I went out and bought Fly for Your Life based on your recommendation, and it is, as you say a great read. Pictures in it too...cheers!
Brilliant! Thank You for this. Tuck has long since been a hero of mine but since he was such a private man and not one for the 'celebrity' life of a Battle of Britain pilot there is little footage of him. This is fantastic. Thanks again!
I met Stanford Tuck & Adolf Galland when in flight clearance at Gatwick over 40 years ago. Galland flew a Bonanza in those days I don't think that Tuck had a current licence at that time although it appeared he flew with Galland. Bader on the other hand flew actively with Shell but was a strangely abrasive man, unlike Tuck who was the consummate gentleman . Galland had an impish sense of humour and the two got on well. We forget these men were really scarred by what they went through.
Met Galland at Harlingen TX CAF Airshow, he was sitting all alone and it was hot, I had a tray of beers for my passengers on an MU-2, asked him if he would like one, 'Ya!'
He autographed a small postcard of his Me-109 and I asked him if he really said "Get me a Sqdrn of Spitfires" to Goring at height of BoB. He said yes, I asked "what did he do after you said that? He said "He never spoke to me again...for the rest of the war"
This has been flagged as spam show
I am unbelievably lucky to have been given a 40th anniversary book & info on the first Spitfire flight... it gets better.... it has been signed by:
-Douglas Bader
-Bob Stanford Tuck
-Jeffrey Quill - test pilot
how much do you think this book is worth? :S
CutByAngels 2 weeks ago
I remember reading about a fall out with D Bader & RST.DB felt 8 mc guns on the Spitfire was ok but RST wanted cannons because he felt not enough damage was inflicted on enemy planes with guns only.I think RST was right.
compster48 8 months ago
Pride does not any higher than my admiration of these superb men
I am currently reading First Light Geoffrey Wellum and will be buying the DVD
George Fryer Blewbury England
blewburyfudge 10 months ago
Could you imagine the stories from both men I even heard the story of Franz stigler a Flying mate and friend of Gallant Franz stigler is on youtube amazing story and a surprize to it
freakyflow 10 months ago
Almost unwatchable due to being too damn wonderful.
EnglishG3nt 1 year ago
Many thanks for posting this. I have never seen these images before...fantastic!
RRST has been a hero of mine since I was a young lad (and that wasn't yesterday). One of my prized possessions is a signed letter of his dated 19th December 1973, in which he replied to one I had send him some weeks previously. We, the British people should never forget that we owe Wing Commander Tuck and his like a great debt.
thelonegroover 1 year ago
@thelonegroover - Amen to that.
Froghood1 1 year ago
Thanks for this BG - RST was my Grandfather's cousin so it is great to see him in action!
cigreen68 1 year ago
@cigreen68 RST was my grandfather!
VerityFrances 1 year ago
@VerityFrances hi, my grandfather Harry HILLMAN,was your grandfathers LAC(Mechanic),he told me many a good story about R S Tuck,they were good freinds
nickyb1972 10 months ago
Thank you for this, BG-it's wonderful to see Bob Tuck, and this film gives us a very rare (and fleeting) look at Joyce, the love of his life.
killingamps 1 year ago
Nice vid. Tuck didn't lead the action against the Italians though , he wasn't in it .
redzzed 1 year ago
@msouzafon agree mate . he was my grans favourite, she was Irish, and he flew in 602 City of Glasgow Squadron,as did Pierre Closterman. All great men and worthy of the title HERO
Mell1888 1 year ago
Thanks a lot for uploading this video! This guy inspired my nich 20 years ago, after reading his memories. I've never seen him moving or talking before!
Tuckie 2 years ago
Fantastic Thanks very much.
xxmarkpipxx 2 years ago
Thank you for posting this video of one of my absolute heroes. without a doubt he would have been the highest scoring RAF pilot of WW2. A true hero and a gentleman, never shot down by another pilot who suffered from airsickness in his training days
Mell1888 2 years ago
Technically, he was shot down though. On more than one occasion he either was forced to bail out or crash land because of damage inflicted by an enemy aircraft.
aerodynamic1 1 year ago
I have read his book a few times. I think I would have really liked him if I had a chance to get to know him. The things he did and went through is nothing short of unreal. Hollywood could not have written his story any better!
c9ari 2 years ago
I'm amazed that I can't seem to find any other interviews with this exceptional man. Anyone know of any others?
TR4man 2 years ago
Robert Stanford Tuck Didn't like the limelight however him and gallant were asked to help in the making of "The battle of britain" movie
freakyflow 2 years ago
The use of the word 'heroes' when applied to idiots like David Beckham etc is shocking......
Robert Stanford Tuck and those like him are heroes and deserve the utmost respect.
Hoovercat 2 years ago 9
Names like Stanford, Gallant, Franz stigler, great stories and acts of heros in a time of death and sadness
freakyflow 2 years ago
If you consider Galland and his Teutonic chums heroes, you are of course free to do so. May I just remind you that he did his utmost to enforce a bestial regime that inflicted untold cruelty on countless millions and would have enslaved Britain like they did mainland Europe. If you want to consider him a hero, you go ahead and do it.
Froghood1 2 years ago 2
If only these gallant Heroes were still with us...What stories they could tell first hand to youngsters(and adults)of Today...some still are ! But Robert Roland Stanford Tuck is my Raf Hero...If he had not have been captured he may have ended up Top Ace scorer of the War. Great Post. Tally Ho !
dustyndirk 2 years ago
Jolly spiffing show, old boy. Top hole.
kealyc 2 years ago
Nice upload!!. I also read the Larry Foster biography of Tuck (and others: Closterman, Paul Richey,Hans U. Rude,l....), it's fantastic. Greetings from Spain!
SpitfireMkVII 2 years ago
thank you for putting this on here. I read the Larry Foster biography of Tuck. He was an amazing man and in my opinion a true British legend. I actually wrote a screen play just because it would be great to see a movie about him.
stu111352 2 years ago
Would also like to add that IMAO this is one of the best videos up on YT. Bob's first name was actually Roland I believe.
minutegongcoughs 3 years ago
Full name was 'Robert Roland Stanford Tuck'.
4272Hero 2 years ago
It was actually Roland Robert but most of the time it's printed as Robert Roland.
celticghirl88 2 years ago
Nice upload. You don't see many copies of "Fly For Your Life" signed. What a presence Bob had. The story of how he received his scar is amazing. Your video is a delight.
minutegongcoughs 3 years ago
phenomenal video, absolutely great
tedd909 3 years ago 2
Tucks Luck
modelleg 3 years ago 2
Holly crap!!! At the end their are several of my child hood heroes gathered!!! Bader, Tuck and Galland! I am not given to false worship but I can honestly say that if I was at that gathering tears would be in my eyes, and my jaw would be on the floor. These are VERY VERY BRAVE and perhaps even brilliant men!
PhotogsHangar 3 years ago 5
amen, sir.
Litvak, Budanova, Richtofen.
vapormissile 11 months ago
Awesome stuff! Thank you for posting it.
dinodaveb 3 years ago 2
Yes, hoadmaback. Being a WWII aviation buff ( I don't consider myself a true historian, but an avid buff ) I recognized General Galland immediately.
Rikki0 3 years ago
Comment removed
aerodynamic1 3 years ago 2
Indeed aerodynamic1, Fly For Your Life was a great book. If you have done so you might also want to read " Der Ertsen und der Letzen ", General Galland's book ( English version is called " The First and the Last ". It's also an excellent history and give some great insight into Lutwaffe operations. Wing Commander Bader's book is entitled " Reach for the Sky ".
Rikki0 3 years ago 2
I highly recommend all of these books to any aviation history buff. Wing Commander Bader's book is also an excellent read ( though I personally disagree with his concept of the Big Wings during the Battle of Britain ). But I have the benefit of years of hindsight and aviation history. He was doing what he did on the spot. He was a great man.
Rikki0 3 years ago
Watch as Bader wobbles on his artificial legs. What great men both he and Tuck were.
jrussell4711 3 years ago
interesting...thanks for posting.
Jonny2Jags 3 years ago
Robert Stanford Tuck's autobiography is a must read - an absolute classic!
ispiffey 3 years ago 2
I have a letter written to my father ...from his brother who was a serving R.A.F plt officer..in the 79th night fighter squadren ...which mensions TUCK arriving at the base in early 1941... to give a moral boost to the Pembrey (SOUTH WALES)According to the letter...he was a "GOOD TYPE"..And he raised the sprit`s of our lad`s..
coolpilot007 3 years ago
Excellent , thanks for that , i don't think he was involved in the Italian action at the beginning tho ; it was his squardon , he didnt fly on that occasion .
redzzed 3 years ago
This is fabulous footage, thanks.
Tuck wrote a great autobiography of his war years called "Tuck's Luck". It's an amazing story and a great read.
stormbringerII 3 years ago
Yes, and in a typical British understatement, he alluded to his incredible career as being lucky.
He spent a lot of his life after the war helping former pilots who had been burned. He said that he was lucky that his Hurricane never caught fire and that he felt it was his duty to help those who hadn't been as lucky.
Bullettube 3 years ago
I have another of Tuck's bios "Fly for Your Life" by Larry Forrester. Another great read; this battle was well documented. "Cowboy" Blatchford had a difficult time with those Fiats!
Broaster07 3 years ago
Thanks for your info Broaster, I went out and bought Fly for Your Life based on your recommendation, and it is, as you say a great read. Pictures in it too...cheers!
stormbringerII 3 years ago
Nice, very nice!
Mushrooms?!
SmiertSpionem 3 years ago
Brilliant! Thank You for this. Tuck has long since been a hero of mine but since he was such a private man and not one for the 'celebrity' life of a Battle of Britain pilot there is little footage of him. This is fantastic. Thanks again!
celticghirl88 3 years ago
I met Stanford Tuck & Adolf Galland when in flight clearance at Gatwick over 40 years ago. Galland flew a Bonanza in those days I don't think that Tuck had a current licence at that time although it appeared he flew with Galland. Bader on the other hand flew actively with Shell but was a strangely abrasive man, unlike Tuck who was the consummate gentleman . Galland had an impish sense of humour and the two got on well. We forget these men were really scarred by what they went through.
Skiriderdude 3 years ago 3
Met Galland at Harlingen TX CAF Airshow, he was sitting all alone and it was hot, I had a tray of beers for my passengers on an MU-2, asked him if he would like one, 'Ya!'
He autographed a small postcard of his Me-109 and I asked him if he really said "Get me a Sqdrn of Spitfires" to Goring at height of BoB. He said yes, I asked "what did he do after you said that? He said "He never spoke to me again...for the rest of the war"
HisMajestyOKeefe 3 years ago 3
thankyou sir
tutor4011 3 years ago
Well done with this. Excellent footage and a great historical record. Where on earth do you dig them up??
gjlindrouin 3 years ago
Encore, BG , that man!
brenssel 3 years ago
Amazing. Thank u!!
gregersgram 3 years ago
great vid thanks
timberwolf7102james 3 years ago
Thanks again, BG. Anything on Douglas Bader?
MikeNC2371 3 years ago
No interviews, only the famous shot of him lifting his leg into his Spitfire
Bomberguy 3 years ago 2
I saw Douglas Bader on Parkinson once in the 70's.
organicpaul 3 years ago
The man standing to the right of Adolf Galland in the painting sequence was Douglas Bader.
tragicrequiem 3 years ago
thanks bg..as usual, very interesting
snottspott 3 years ago
Really excellent footage, highly appreciated as ever!
Thank you Sir.
omepeet2006 3 years ago