Best Swift Aircraft Podcasts (2025)

1
Spacewoman Film Review: A Superb Space Documentary 17:39

Play Pause

9d ago17:39

17:39

Col. Eileen Collins, USAF Rtd., had a fantastic career before joining NASA. Her dream to go to space led her to become not only the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle but also the first woman to command a space mission. In Spacewoman, a new documentary directed by Hannah Berryman, Eileen's career and its impact on her family are brought to ligh…

1
British Jets of the 50s! - Part 2: Hunters, Swifts and Lightnings 35:25

30d ago35:25

35:25

In part two of our look at "The British Century Series" (not a thing), Joe Wilding and I continue iour look at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum in West Sussex, England's collection and move onto the backbone of the RAF jet fighter force in the 1950s, the Supermarine Swift, English Electric Lightning and the incredible, wonderful and frankly pe…

1
British Jets of the 50s! Part 1 - Early Engines, Meteors and Vampires 39:12

1M ago39:12

39:12

When Joe Wilding and I first took a look at the US Air Force's Century Series 18 months ago, we always wanted to take a look at their British equivalent, and now we have! In part one of our look at "The British Century Series" (not a thing), Joe and I convened at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum in West Sussex, England and had a look at some o…

1
Folland Gnat Jet Restoration at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum 11:05

1M ago11:05

11:05

Our tour of the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum continues as we check out the progress on the restoration of the former Red Arrow support aircraft, Folland Gnat T.1 XR571, and the recently completed De Havilland Vampire T.11 XH313. Visit the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum website here: https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/ Facebook: https://www.face…

1
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum Tour 55:10

2M ago55:10

55:10

The Tangmere Military Aviation Museum is a gem of a museum located on a corner of the former RAF Tangmere, just outside Chichester, West Sussex. On a surprisingly sunny Sussex day, marketing manager Julian Bridle kindly showed us around some of the gems of the collection, including my favourite Hawker Hunter, the bright red 1953 air speed record-br…

1
Poor Little Lambs: The Making of Black Sheep Squadron 36:33

3M ago36:33

36:33

Author Stephen Chapis, whose new book, Poor Little Lambs, The Baba Black Sheep Story, joins us to discuss the making and flying of NBC's short-lived 1976 TV Show, Black Sheep Squadron. Stephen shares his journey rediscovering the series and interviewing pilots to capture their thrilling experiences. As his book releases for the 49th anniversary of …

1
Rolls-Royce Collection Tour at Aerospace Bristol 37:56

3M ago37:56

37:56

After many years out of the public's view, the Rolls-Royce Aerospace Collection has a brand new home at Aerospace Bristol and thanks to the fantastic team at the museum, we got to have a quick look around this historic collection of Bristol and Rolls-Royce aero engines. Visit the Aerospace Bristol website: https://aerospacebristol.org/ https://www.…

1
Aerospace Bristol Tour with Sir Iain Gray 44:40

3M ago44:40

44:40

Bristol has been a vibrant hub for British aviation since aircraft first took to the United Kingdom's skies. While the skies of the West Country no longer hum to the aircraft and engines produced at Filton, Aerospace Bristol houses that history in an accessible and vibrant way. The Bristol Aero Collection Trust chair, Sir Iain Gray kindly showed us…

1
The Aviator and the Showman with Laurie Gwen Shapiro 1:05:36

4M ago1:05:36

1:05:36

The life and legacy of Amelia Earhart are framed by her disappearance on July 2, 1937. However, in her new book, The Aviator and the Showman, author Laurie Gwen Shapiro examines Earhart's remarkable accomplishments beyond her mysterious disappearance in 1937, focusing on her pioneering role in aviation and the significant impact of her marriage to …

1
Spitfires with Becky Aikman 52:56

5M ago52:56

52:56

In 1942, a group of American women arrived in Liverpool, England. This group of aviatrixes, led by the remarkable Jackie Cochran, were joining the Air Transport Auxiliary to help deliver the latest aircraft to frontline RAF Squadrons. Author Becky Aikman joins us to discuss these intrepid women and their legacy. Buy Spitfires: The American Women Wh…

1
The Bristol Brabazon with Alan J Porter 1:01:00

5M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

The Bristol Brabazon was conceived at the height of the Second World War. With the tide of the conflict turning, the British Government set up a committee to examine the nation's future civil airliner needs post-war. The Brabazon I was the first aircraft specified and the first to fly. Its legacy is complicated, and author Alan J Porter joins us to…

1
Pima Air and Space Museum Pubcast! 53:37

6M ago53:37

53:37

As Scott Marchand and Andrew Boehly, CEO and Director of Collections of the Pima Air and Space Museum, respectively, were in town, I had to drag them to the pub to find out what the future holds for the expanding Museum. With the arrival of Philippine Mars, the opening of the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum, and a raft of projects on the go, Scott a…

1
Eagle Days with Victoria Taylor 1:16:51

6M ago1:16:51

1:16:51

In an Aviation Show first, we teamed up with Paul Woodadge of @WW2TV to do a multi Live Stream! This is the audio from our discussion with Dr Victoria Taylor. Victoria joins us to discuss her new book, Eagle Days: Life and Death for the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. Eagles Days looks at the long summer of 1940 from the other side of the chann…

1
The Sinking of the Cap Arcona: 3rd May 1945 16:08

6M ago16:08

16:08

80 years ago, on the 3rd May 1945, Hawker Typhoons of the RAF's 2nd Tactical Air Force attacked German shipping in Lubeck Bay, north of Hamburg. They succeeded in sinking three large ships and damaging another. Tragically, these ships were crammed with Concentration Camp prisoners that had been evacuated from the Neuengamme concentration camp; over…

1
Beechcraft Heritage Museum Tour - Part 2 50:53

7M ago50:53

50:53

🛩️Welcome to part 2 of our tour of the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee, with Museum President, Charles Parish. In this episode we look into Beechcraft's WW2 aircraft like the venerablke AT-11 and bring the story up to date with the latest Beechcraft aircraft. 🛩️Visit the Beechcraft Heritage Museum website at: https://beechcrafthm…

1
Beechcraft Heritage Museum Tour - Part 1 43:00

7M ago43:00

43:00

🛩️The Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee, is my new favourite aircraft museum in the world. The museum is dedicated to the story of the Beechcraft and Travel Air brands and the incredible couple that drove the brand forward, Walter and Olive Ann Beech. Museum President, Charles Parish, very kindly gave us a tour around this huge col…

1
National Museum of the Marine Corps Tour 55:57

8M ago55:57

55:57

Just down the road from Washington, DC, is the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia Triangle. Here, they tell the story of The Corps, from its founding to its future. Dr Larry Burke is the aviation curator, and he showed us what goes into telling the tale of Marine Corps aviation before handing off to the arms and armor curator, my buddy…

1
Caring for Space Shuttle Discovery 45:24

8M ago45:24

45:24

Dr. Jennifer Levasseur, the Space Shuttle and International Space Station curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, joins us for a walkaround Space Shuttle Discovery in her home at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. Jennifer tells us all about caring for objects as big as a Space Shuttle and as personal as the watc…

1
Conserving Aerospace History At the National Air and Space Museum 39:54

8M ago39:54

39:54

🛫 Join us on Patreon! Join from just £3 + VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt, and receive a personalised welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/theaviationshow ----------------------------------------------------- Malcolm Collum, Chief Conservator at the Air and Space Museum, joins us to discuss the nuanced…

1
A Wander Around The Udvar-Hazy Center 1:15:21

8M ago1:15:21

1:15:21

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. To call it an annex is misleading, this place is massive! Home to an incredible collection of aircraft, this episode, our 101st, is just me trying to talk you around the place while trying to take it all…

1
Our 100th Episode at the National Air and Space Museum 38:31

9M ago38:31

38:31

Here it is, our 100th Episode! And the first under the new name! In February, my daughter and I headed to the USA and visited several aviation museums to celebrate reaching our 100th episode. So went for the OG of museums for the 100th, the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. While it is still undergoing the renovations, i…

1
Welcome to The Aviation Show 2:28

9M ago2:28

2:28

We are re-branding and broadening out! The Damcasters is no more, welcome to The Aviation Show. This video explains why I've changed the name and we also have a sneak preview of our #CentennialSeries of episodes, which we filmed in the USA in February. Exciting times! ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫 Join us on Patreon! Join …

1
The Cartoonist of Stalag Luft III 48:21

9M ago48:21

48:21

🛫Ben Smotherman was a B-17 pilot who was shot down on his 7th mission over occupied Europe in 1943. He was captured and ended up in the POW camp Stalag Luft III. While he was interned, he drew and painted his experiences in the camp. He also created the intrepid war correspondent Penny, the star of one of the camp newspapers comic strips. His daugh…

1
Sabotage! The Death of General Sikorski 1:12:41

10M ago1:12:41

1:12:41

This week, we examine the mysterious crash of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator AL-523 on July 4, 1943, which claimed the life of General Wladyslaw Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister in Exile. Chris Wroblewski and Garth Barnard, authors of the book "Sabotage! An In-Depth Investigation of the 1943 Liberator Crash that Killed Polish General Sikorski "…

1
The F-110A Spectre - The Century Series Revisited 21:26

10M ago21:26

21:26

🛫Join us as Joe Wilding helps us explore the store of the McDonnell-Douglas F-110A Spectre, which became the legendary F-4 Phantom II, filmed at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum. We have a look at how the lessons learned in the development of the F-101 Voodoo shaped what could be the perfect fighter aircraft. Find out more at the Wings Over the Ro…

1
The F-One-Oh-Wonder - The Century Series Revisited 25:04

10M ago25:04

25:04

Joe Wilding returns to explore the rich history of the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, filmed at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum. We discuss the significance of the F-101's twin-engine design, comparing it with other Century Series aircraft and shedding light on its influence on the F-4 Phantom's design. Find out more at the Wings Over the Rockies websit…

1
The Mach 2 Secrets of the B-1A Lancer 30:18

10M ago30:18

30:18

✈️ This week, we examine the Wings Over the Rockies Museum's Rockwell B-1A Lancer in depth. Joe Wilding explains the differences between the B-1A and the operational B-1B and highlights the design changes made to the A-model to accommodate the evolving role that the B-model continues to fulfil today. Find out more at the Wings Over the Rockies webs…

1
Curating Wings Over The Rockies 33:00

11M ago33:00

33:00

✈️Stewart Bailey is the Curator of the Wings Over the Rockies museum in Denver, Colorado. Join us as he discusses Lowry Air Force Base's history and the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum's amazing aircraft collection. Find out more at the Wings Over the Rockies website: https://wingsmuseum.org/ Check out their YouTube channel here: https:…

1
The Most Efficient Airman - The Life of Don Bennett 49:57

11M ago49:57

49:57

Don Bennett was rated by the future Bomber Command boss, Arthur Harris, as "the most efficient airman" he had ever known. In part two of our chat with Bennett's biographer, Ian Campbell, curator of the Bennett/Vial Archive at the Queensland Air Museum, we get into the incredible record-breaking flights Don flew in Mercury and his return to the RAF …

1
Relentless Skies - The Life of Don Bennett 44:48

12M ago44:48

44:48

Air Vice Marshall Don Bennett CB, CBE, DSO was a singular man. His story of leading the Path Finder Force in the Second World War has gone down in legend. But what led him to that command? Ian Campbell, curator of the Bennett/Vial Archive at the Queensland Air Museum, has published the first volume of his biography of Bennett, Relentless Skies, whi…

1
What the Allies 'Knew' About Japan in 1941 1:23:03

12M ago1:23:03

1:23:03

How did cultural perceptions influence Western assessments of Japanese military potential? Justin Pyke joins us to discuss the Allies' capabilities assessments of Japan in the years before hostilities started in December 1941. Join us as we delve into the intelligence failures and misconceptions that contributed to the underestimation of Japanese a…

1
The B-58 vs the F-11 - Combat Bullseye Pt.2 43:27

12M ago43:27

43:27

🛫Visit the Ekster website today via my partner link: https://partner.ekster.com/Damcasterspod and use my code THEDAMCASTERS to get up to a 55% discount in the Ekster Black Friday Sale!!! ----------------------------------------------------- Join us for Part 2 of our look at the Combat Bullseye tests with author Chris Gibson. Phase 2 of Combat Bulls…

1
Could The B-58 Have Served In Vietnam? Combat Bullseye Pt.1 35:24

1y ago35:24

35:24

🛫Visit the Ekster website today via my partner link: https://partner.ekster.com/Damcasterspod and use my code THEDAMCASTERS to get up to a 55% discount in the Ekster Black Friday Sale!!! ----------------------------------------------------- Join us for Part 1 of our look at the Combat Bullseye tests with author Chris Gibson. In 1967, the US Air For…

1
The Aviation Book Review! with Andy Wright 1:00:19

1y ago1:00:19

1:00:19

🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters ----------------------------------------------------- Welcome to a new show on The Damcasters, where Andy Wright of Aircrew Book Review and I will discuss th…

1
Boeing's Fortresses Part 3 - The B-52 Stratofortress 1:19:02

1y ago1:19:02

1:19:02

Join us for Part 3 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the evergreen B-52 Stratofortress! 🛩️Watch all of our Boeing's Fortresses mini-series as they drop here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpytFew7euhmG92JX9NVUkl4ZbgZ7VmSU 🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://www…

1
Boeing's Fortresses Part 2 - The B-29 Superfortress 1:08:16

1y ago1:08:16

1:08:16

Join us for Part 2 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the remarkable B-29 Superfortress! Ordered from Boeing's drawing board and costing $3b in 1940s money, the delivery system for the atomic bomb cost even more than the weapon itself. But that is only part of the remarkable tale Ben Skipper has to share with us. 🛩️Catch all the Boeing's Fortres…

1
Boeing's Fortresses Part 1 - The B-17 Flying Fortress 1:01:47

1y ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Join us for Part 1 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the incredible B-17 Flying Fortress! 🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://youtu.be/upQyb-yEvzc 🛩️Catch all the Boeing's Fortresses Mini-Series as they drop here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/tag/boeing-fortresses/ …

1
Navigating the Duxford Debate 25:31

1y ago25:31

25:31

Following an uncomfortable debate about a news article in Aeroplane Monthly on Duxford's future plans, Matt reflects on how the Avgeek community communicates. He also looks at the challenges of online discourse within the aviation community, the need for constructive criticism and civil debate, what that means for our aviation publications and how …

1
Arnhem: Black Tuesday with Al Murray 1:01:21

1y ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Tuesday, 19th September 1944, was Black Tuesday for the 1st Airborne Division trying to take and hold the road bridge at Arnhem. It was the day Operation Market Garden failed. Comedian and historian Al Murray joins us to discuss the efforts of the RAF's 38 Group to resupply the Paras and understand why the defeat still grips us 80 years later. ★Buy…

1
Operation Chowhound with Lucy Hanson 41:29

1y ago41:29

41:29

In 1945, the RAF and USAAF flew two remarkable operations. Mana and Chowhound were missions to deliver food and vital medical supplies to break the 'Hunger Winter' famine in Occupied Holland. A truce with the Nazis was agreed and the bombers flew unopposed to drop their vital cargo. In Hilversum, south of Amsterdam, was 14-year-old Lucy Hanson, who…

1
Propwash Airshow at Stow Maries 34:02

1y ago34:02

34:02

Propwash is the summer Festival of the Air at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome and we were delighted to be there! Following the museum's CEO Ian Flint's kind invitation to visit, we headed out to Essex to see First World War aircraft flying, tour the museum, its exhibits and, of course, indulge in the museum's renowned quiche. Join us as we tour Sto…

1
Harry Hardy DFC - Hawker Typhoon Pilot 28:29

1+ y ago28:29

28:29

On the 10th of August 1944, Harry Hardy joined 440 "City of Ottawa" Squadron RCAF in Normandy, flying Hawker Typhoon 'Bombphoons'. Harry flew 96 sorties (missions) through France, Belgium and Holland and was the pilot of The Pulverizers. In 2006, Harry gave this talk to the Royal Canadian Legion in White Rock, BC. The original footage has kindly be…

1
Flying Catch-22 with 'Stoney' Stonich 47:06

1+ y ago47:06

47:06

#Catch-22 is one of Scott Marchand and I's favourite books, so when the opportunity came up to chat with Stoney Stonich, who, as a young pilot, signed on to be one of the B-25 pilots for Mike Nichols' adaptation in 1969, we jumped at the chance. Stoney tells us all about the production, the challenges and the excitement of filming aerial scenes, in…

1
Save Stow Maries! with Ian Flint 32:49

1+ y ago32:49

32:49

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is the largest surviving Great War aerodrome in Europe, and it needs your help! Following roadworks that blocked access to the museum, they need your support to survive the funding black hole caused by the hole in the road. The Museum's CEO, Ian Flint, joins us to discuss Stow Maries' history and hopeful future. ★Sup…

1
Episode 34 Brian Whittle 32:53

1+ y ago32:53

32:53

Today's chat is with MSP Brian Whittle, former Olympian and international athlete, best known for his exploits in the Team GB 400m relay squad in the 1980's and 1990's. What’s that got to do with aviation? Take a listen to this episode to find out. #inspiringaviation #inspiringpeople #olympian #athlete #relay #aviation #generalaviation #msp #scotti…

1
Episode 33 Young Voices, Student Jacob Haseldine talks about aerospace and his view of the future. 26:05

1+ y ago26:05

26:05

Full time student Jacob Haseldine discusses student life and how his fascination for the final frontier is directing his ambitions. This is the second 'Young Voices' special edition of the Podcast in which Mike talks to young people about their ambitions, desires and achievements in relation to aviation and aerospace. Whether they are still in educ…

1
The Challenger Disaster with Adam Higginbotham 1:06:39

1+ y ago1:06:39

1:06:39

It has been nearly 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into its 10th flight on January 28, 1986, killing her crew and shocking the world. Author Adam Higginbotham's new book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, looks at the long chain of events that led to the Challenger disaster and it…

1
Episode 32 Young Voices. 17 year old Amelia Richardson talks about her passion for flight 30:52

1+ y ago30:52

30:52

Full-time student Amelia Richardson explains how a she has managed to fly a jet, become a gliding instructor and how aviation has become the focus of her life. This is the first in our 'Young Voices' special editions of the Podcast in which Mike talks to young people about their ambitions, desires and achievements in relation to aviation. Whether t…

1
The F-35 Trillon Dollar Trainwreck with Bill Sweetman 1:00:16

1+ y ago1:00:16

1:00:16

The Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II is slated to be the mainstay of the US Air Force and NATO's air forces for years to come. But as Bill Sweetman, veteran aerospace journalist and independent analyst, dissects in his new book, "Trillion Dollar Trainwreck: How the F-35 Hollowed Out the United States Airforce", the program's lack of oversight and …

1
The Future of the A-10 with Col. Nick 'Stoli' Radoescu 49:55

1+ y ago49:55

49:55

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, the Warthog, has been earmarked for retirement for over a decade, but what is happening today with the men and women who keep the Hogs flying into their sixth decade? Col Nick 'Stoli' Radoescu is the commander of the 355th Operations Group based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. He oversees the operations …