Dambuster Fred Sutherland Passes Away

Dambuster Fred Sutherland died on Monday 21 January, at the age of 95. He was one of the only two survivors of the men who flew on the Dams Raid in May 1943. Sutherland was the front gunner in the aircraft piloted by Les Knight, which dropped the 'bouncing bomb' which broke the Eder Dam.

A comprehensive story including interviews with family and friends can be found on the Dambusters Blog (click to go to the blog).

Mosquito Takes To NZ Skies After $10m Refit

Movie "Lancaster Skies"

The movie "Lancaster Skies" has now been released and DVDs are available for those interested. Details are available by going to this link - Lancaster Skies Website

In the meantime you can click on the picture below for the latest official trailer.




And If you want to hear those glorious engines one more time here is a link to an instragram post with a video of a Lancaster flying low overhead - Lancaster Makes a Noise. 
(Thanks to Michael Rossiter for these links)

Biblical Explanation of Life Cycles...

There is a long tradition of publishing humorous stories in Odd Bods publications and here is one that the likes of Walter Eacott would have surely deemed appropriate to tickle our fancy. Thanks to Peter Randell for the story.

On the first day, God created the dog and said: "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?

And God said that it was good.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God again said that it was good.

On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said "That's kind of hard to want me to live for sixty years.

How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed it was good.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

 Life has now been explained to you. There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service. If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch.

Raphael Sponsor Reports - Supporting Disadvantaged Children.

Friends of the Odd Bods support three children at the Raphael Ryder Cheshire centre in India and here are the latest reports on Asma, Sarthak and Abbas.

The Friends contribute to the upkeep of these children from Association funds and a number of members supplement with additional contributions.

Remembrance Day At Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital

Friends of the Odd Bods attended the service held on Friday 9th November at the Austin Hospital/Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and rekindled our strong association with this site. 

An Odd Bods plaque is located in the memorial gardens of the hospital while the old Odd Bods banner is proudly displayed in the foyer. Links to Odd Bods co-founder and past Secretary, George Smith and past President, Walter Eacott ,can be found on the walls.

Current President, Bruce Waxman, and Treasurer, Gary Elliott, attended this years service and we thank them for these photos.

Artistic Tribute On Remembrance Day

The end of WW1 is celebrated on Remembrance Day 11th November in many ways including the Friends of the Odd Bods participation in a service at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital last Friday.

But an English artist has created a display in a Slimbridge Churchyard that has emotions running around the globe for its stunning portrayal of soldiers standing at their graves. The life-size figures of 11 men have been placed in Slimbridge churchyard in Gloucestershire. 

Friends Contribute To Ryder Cheshire Organisation

Friends of the Odd Bods continue a long association with Ryder Cheshire and their excellent support work in third world countries. Our latest donation of $750 comes from Association funds and specific contributions from members.

Link to Ryder Cheshire website.

A Great Lancaster Photo

Thanks to Michael Rossiter for this shot.

Annual Subscriptions Now Due

Dear Friends,

It is time for Friends Of The Odd Bods Inc. to attend to its financial needs and collect subscriptions for the year 2018.

At the last committee meeting, the Association decided to leave its Annual Subscription at $25.00.  Cost increases in some areas of operation have been partially offset by the gradual transition from hard copy newsletters to emails and the consequent savings in printing and postage.

As previously announced, we have dispensed with subscriptions for former veteran members of the Odd Bods (UK) Association who have been automatically transferred to Friends Of The Odd Bods Association as have widows of members.

Please complete the subscription form (click here) and send your fee at the earliest opportunity so that we can continue the work of Pressing On... Remembering.

It would be appreciated if you could complete payment by 19th October 2018.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd)

President

FRIENDS OF THE ODD BODS ASSOCIATION INC.
1/10/2018

Members with an email address will have received this advice via email.

Bomber Command Winter Get Together

Spitfire (2018) A New Documentary

A new documentary on the legendary Spitfire is receiving acclaim for its combination of modern and historical footage as well as the interviews with veterans. Click on the photo for a view of the official trailer.


We thought that one of the online comments about the trailer deserved repeating -

"If the Spitfire was a woman, she'd be Miss World - it's that beautiful!"

Thanks to Michael Rossiter for the link.

Some Other WWII Aircraft

One of our members commented recently that some of our famous WWII aircraft just don't get enough exposure so here are a few shots to help redress the balance.

Short Stirling

Handley Page Halifax MK111

Mitchell B-25

Vickers Wellington

Any others you would like us to show?

Bomber Command Commemorative Service 2018

Jack Bell, Robyn Bell, Jan Dimmick, and Gerald & Faye McPherson were among attendees at this year’s commemorative service at the Shrine.

The Aircraft shown in the top graphic is a Short Stirling 1 of No149 (East India) Squadron RAF at Mildenhall, Suffolk, England circa 1942. A posthumous Victoria Cross was awarded to Flight Sergeant R.H.Middleton, RAAF for his part on a raid by 149 Squadron Stirlings on the night of 28^th-29^th November 1942.

New Movie - Lancaster Skies

Michael Rossiter has sent us this link to a trailer for an upcoming movie that will likely interest all members.

Ryder Cheshire Newsletter

Friends of The Odd Bods Association Inc are proud supporters of The Ryder Cheshire Foundation and the great work it does in India Australia and Timor-Leste to reduce suffering for the disadvantaged. The May edition of their Red Feather Newsletter can be found by clicking on the graphic above.

Aviation Themed Condiments

Mustang Dijon Mustard, Lancaster Seeded Mustard, Hurricane Horseradish, and Spitfire Hot English Mustard are all real-life award-winning condiments made right here in Australia.

They came to our attention when President, Bruce Waxman, brought some samples for us to try at the recent AGM. They weren’t on the agenda but they did receive compliments from attendees after the meeting.

The manufacturer, The Regimental Condiment Company, is a family business located in Daylesford, Victoria, and they have a broad range of military themed chutneys and relishes, jams and jellies, and sauces. We love the line about their mustards and horseradish – “This range pays tribute to the fearless aviators and their famous aircraft.”

If you are interested in any of their products you can order online at www.regimental.com.au

Memphis Belle Placed On Public Display

The famed B-17F “Memphis Belle” has been put on public display at the WWII Gallery of the National museum of the US Air Force in Dayton Ohio.

The “Memphis Belle” and its crew became iconic symbols of the heavy bomber crews and support personnel who helped defeat Nazi Germany. The Memphis Belle was the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to return to the United States after completing 25 combat missions over Europe during World War II. The USAAF chose the aircraft for a highly-publicized war bond tour from June-August 1943, and its crew was celebrated as national heroes. The aircraft and crew were also the subject of two widely-seen Hollywood movies (one in 1944 and another in 1990).

Thanks to Terry Maher for this story.

Activities of The Friends

At our AGM held on 20/5/2018 the following Statement of Activities was presented by Secretary Peter Randell for the year 2017.

Last Dambuster Flies In Lancaster.

Squadron Leader George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, the last British Dambuster, recently flew on board the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) Lancaster for a historic flight to mark the raid’s 75th anniversary.

Here is the link to the video - https://www.facebook.com/thelincolnite/videos/1783001945072590/

Thanks to Michael Rossiter for the link.