FERRY COMMAND
CBC makes the stories of Ferry Command come alive
From October 23 to November 2, 2006

In November 1940, seven Hudson bombers, flown by civilians, successfully made the flight from Gander to Ireland, ushering in a new era in aviation history. This Atlantic Ferry Organization team became the core of RAF Ferry Command, which, by 1945, had flown 20,00 aircraft from Newfoundland to Britain, helping turn the tide of war. While their story has largely faded from history, those who survived remember those days clearly.

In addition to the CBC Television 2-part drama Above and Beyond, CBC Newfoundland and Labrador makes the stories of Ferry Command come alive again with a line-up of unparalleled programming. Tune in, listen and log on for a complete schedule of documentaries, news and online features.

Below you will find programming information for both CBC Television and CBC Radio

Watch CBC Television

Here and Now (5-part series)
October 23-27 at 6:00 p.m. (NT) / 5:30 p.m. (AT) in most of Labrador

This five-part news series takes a look at the real heroes who risked their lives flying bombers into the unknown across the dangerous North Atlantic. Using actual footage from the era and interviews with some of the Ferry Command crew still living, reporter Lynda Calvert takes viewers into their story: their triumphs and their tragedies.

Above and Beyond (2-part drama)
Sunday, October 29 - Monday, October 30 at 8:30 p.m. (NT) / 8:00 p.m. in most of Labrador
On November 10th, 1940, seven aircraft left an airstrip in the middle of nowhere and in the course of an 11-hour journey, their crews changed history.

Find out more about Above and Beyond

Related external link: Pope Productions

A Good Flight (1-hour documentary)
Sunday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m. (NT) / 1:00 p.m. (AT) in most of Labrador
A Good Flight tells the story of Walter Jones' exploits with Ferry Command and how that high-risk operation helped develop many of the things today's airline passengers take for granted. A one-hour documentary produced by CBC Newfoundland and Labrador, A Good Flight illustrates how modern weather forecasters, air-traffic controllers and even space explorers owe a debt to the pioneers of Ferry Command.

Ferry Command (1-hour documentary)
Thursday, November 2 at 8:30 p.m. (NT) /
8:00 p.m. (AT) in most of Labrador
At the beginning of the Second World War, aircraft produced in North America were shipped across the Atlantic. Ever-present enemy submarines and battleships made the crossing dangerous and the supply sporadic. The Atlantic Ferry Organization, a civilian aviation team, had the vision, spirit and determination to devise a plan that saw the aircraft flown from North America to Europe. Directed by John Doyle and produced by Pope Production, Ferry Command portrays their efforts and resolve in overcoming natural, human and technological obstacles.

Listen to CBC Radio

The Morning Show (5-part series)
October 23-27
St. John's Morning Show: 8:10 a.m. (NT)
Central Morning Show: 7:45 a.m. (NT)
West Coast Morning: 8:10 a.m. (NT)
Labrador Morning: 7:45 a.m. (AT) in most of Labrador / 7:15 a.m. (NT)
Who were the pilots of Atlantic Ferry Command and why did they sign up? Was it for money, love or adventure? In this 5-part series, journalist Kevin Harvey travels from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia to find the memories and the stories of those who flew in the Atlantic Ferry Command.

On the Go
Atlantic Air-lift: The Story of Ferry Command (2-part documentary)
October 26 & 27 at 5:00 p.m. (NT) / 4:30 p.m. in most of Labrador
This 2-part radio documentary tells the story of this remarkable operation that altered the course of the war and launched a new era in aviation. Produced by the award-winning Chris Brookes Atlantic Airlift recounts the all-civilian operation of flying ferry bombers from the California factories through Canada and across the North Atlantic to Britain.

Related external link: Battery Radio