CONTAINS SPOILERS but this series is unlikely to be seen in any guise again
Roy Marsden is one of those actors to whom the gods have not been kind. In this story about a fledgling independent air transport company operating in the United Kingdom during post World War II austerity he turns in a very fine performance. One of a new breed of men emerging during these troubled times. From a working class background, destined to be 'factory fodder' in the normal course of events. But snatched from this fate by war and given the chance to fly. Upon finding himself still breathing upon the cessation of hostilities he resists the efforts of his 'betters' to return him to 'his proper place'
Many returning servicemen were reluctant to return to the monotony that had been their fate prior to the war and sought a better existence. But not many of them went as far as purchasing an ex RAF transport command aircraft to realise their ambitions.
The death of Ruskin's war time public school educated officer comrade in the opening episode during a criminal escapade seems to affirm the idea the post world age will require something other than the right 'school tie'.
The dowdy appearance of most of the characters is a nice touch. These were lean years for many Britons. Except for the casualties and the fighting very little else had changed. The UN mandate situation in what was to become Israel figures in one episode with a British soldier exacting retribution upon Ruskin whom he views as the type of 'chancer' responsible for the death of a comrade.
Verging upon bankruptcy and heavily indebted to a racketeer ( ably played by Terence Rigby, ' Z Cars', 'Get Carter' ) Ruskin is finally saved by money earned from flights during the historic Berlin airlift. The price to be paid would appear to be his marriage. Marsden's own wife, Polly Hemmingway also playing his screen spouse.
A series set against, and accurately depicting, a brief period in the United Kingdoms history of very little interest to those who did not live through it and the rest of the world.
Roy Marsden is one of those actors to whom the gods have not been kind. In this story about a fledgling independent air transport company operating in the United Kingdom during post World War II austerity he turns in a very fine performance. One of a new breed of men emerging during these troubled times. From a working class background, destined to be 'factory fodder' in the normal course of events. But snatched from this fate by war and given the chance to fly. Upon finding himself still breathing upon the cessation of hostilities he resists the efforts of his 'betters' to return him to 'his proper place'
Many returning servicemen were reluctant to return to the monotony that had been their fate prior to the war and sought a better existence. But not many of them went as far as purchasing an ex RAF transport command aircraft to realise their ambitions.
The death of Ruskin's war time public school educated officer comrade in the opening episode during a criminal escapade seems to affirm the idea the post world age will require something other than the right 'school tie'.
The dowdy appearance of most of the characters is a nice touch. These were lean years for many Britons. Except for the casualties and the fighting very little else had changed. The UN mandate situation in what was to become Israel figures in one episode with a British soldier exacting retribution upon Ruskin whom he views as the type of 'chancer' responsible for the death of a comrade.
Verging upon bankruptcy and heavily indebted to a racketeer ( ably played by Terence Rigby, ' Z Cars', 'Get Carter' ) Ruskin is finally saved by money earned from flights during the historic Berlin airlift. The price to be paid would appear to be his marriage. Marsden's own wife, Polly Hemmingway also playing his screen spouse.
A series set against, and accurately depicting, a brief period in the United Kingdoms history of very little interest to those who did not live through it and the rest of the world.