Introduction

Wings is a drama series about the Royal Flying Corps that ran on BBC television from 1977 to 1978.

It stars Tim Woodward as Alan Farmer, a young blacksmith turned fighter pilot in the First World War. Nicholas Jones played his teacher and mentor, Captain Triggers and Michael Cochrane played his upper-class friend, Charles Gaylion, who began a relationship with Farmer’s girlfriend while Farmer was believed dead, shot down over France.

Outline

The series reveals that the British pilots are struggling with aeroplanes which are unreliable and inferior to the German machines and with an Establishment that classes voicing an opinion to that effect as being tantamount to cowardice. The airmen must also face the resentment of British soldiers who see them having an “easy” life. The rigidity of the British class structure is highlighted when Farmer becomes an officer in the second series – he faces resentment from some officers because of his class and NCOs because of his new rank. The series takes great care with historical accuracy, covering the early days of the parachute, the fitting of weaponry to British biplanes (lacking the Germans’ interruptor gear, they had to be fired at an angle rather than between the propeller blades) and the horrors of trench warfare. Wings depicts a Britain that is, in some areas, struggling to adapt in the face of change, at a period that was a turning point for many people’s way of life.

Cast

• Nicholas Jones as Captain Owen Triggers
• Tim Woodward as 2nd Lieutenant Alan Farmer
• Michael Cochrane as 2nd Lieutenant Charles Gaylion
• David Troughton as Lieutenant Richard Bravington
• Sarah Porter as Lorna Collins
• Roger Elliott as Sergeant Mills
• Anne Kristen as Molly Farmer
• John Hallam as Harry Farmer
• Reg Lye as Tom
• Michael Jayes as 2nd Lieutenant Michael Starling
• Graham Wyles as Roger Pearson
• Celia Bannerman as Kate Gaylion (series 1)
• Julia Carey as Kate Gaylion (series 2)

Actors who played small parts in the series and later became well known in bigger roles included Anthony Andrews, Simon Cadell, Jane Lapotaire and Tim Pigott-Smith.

Production

The book BBC VFX (Mat Irvine and Mike Tucker) states that few First World War aircraft were still airworthy at the time of production so the majority of flying shots were achieved with 1/6 scale radio-controlled models under the guidance of long-time model aircraft expert David Boddington alongside Derek Piggott and Tony Bianchi. Piggott served as a stunt pilot during the filming of the 1966 movie The Blue Max.

Release

The first series was screened on BBC1 on Sundays from 02 January 1977 to 20 March 1977. The second series was shown on BBC1 on Thursdays from 05 January 1978 to 30 March 1978.

Wings Series

• Series 01 (1977):
  • Episode 01: The Volunteer.
  • Episode 02: Never Turn Back.
  • Episode 03: Welcome to France.
  • Episode 04: Business As Usual.
  • Episode 05: Speaking From Experience.
  • Episode 06: Over The Top.
  • Episode 07: Time Out of War.
  • Episode 08: The Hunters.
  • Episode 09: New Deal.
  • Episode 10: The Burning Question.
  • Episode 11: The Prisoner’s Friend.
  • Episode 12: Welcome Home.

• Series 02 (1978):
  • Episode 01: Forward Action.
  • Episode 02: Zeppelin.
  • Episode 03: Another Country.
  • Episode 04: Transfer.
  • Episode 05: Stunt – Or Die!.
  • Episode 06: Dawn Attack.
  • Episode 07: Machine-Gun Post.
  • Episode 08: Officers and Gentlemen.
  • Episode 09: Guardian Angel.
  • Episode 10: The Price.
  • Episode 11: Mutiny.
  • Episode 12: No Medals.
  • Episode 13: Heroes.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Peter Cregeen … (5 episodes, 1977-1978)
  • Peter Jefferies … (6 episodes, 1978)
  • John Sichel … (5 episodes, 1978)
  • Jim Goddard … (4 episodes, 1977)
  • Desmond Davis … (2 episodes, 1977)
  • Gareth Davies … (1 episode, 1977)
  • Donald McWhinnie … (1 episode, 1977)
  • Tom Sichel … (unknown episodes)
• Producer(s):
  • Peter Cregeen … producer (26 episodes, 1976-1978)
• Writer(s):
  • Barry Thomas … (creator) (18 episodes, 1977-1978)
  • Barry Thomas … (writer) (10 episodes, 1977-1978)
  • Arden Winch … (writer) (7 episodes, 1977-1978)
  • Julian Bond … (writer) (6 episodes, 1977-1978)
  • Gidley Wheeler … (writer) (2 episodes, 1978)
• Music:
  • Alexander Faris … (24 episodes, 1977-1978)
• Cinematography:
• Editor(s):
  • Larry Toft … (12 episodes, 1977)
  • Tariq Anwar … (12 episodes, 1978)
  • David Thomson … (1 episode, 1978)
  • Roland Tongue … (1 episode, 1978)
• Production:
  • BBC
• Distributor(s):
  • BBC
• Release Date:
  • Series 01: 02 January 1977 to 20 March 1977.
  • Series 02: 05 January 1978 to 30 March 1978.
• Running time: 50 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)