The Damcasters - The Aviation History Podcast

Matt Bone
  • 5.0 (6)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Damcasters - The Aviation History Podcast

Welcome to The Damcasters, a podcast covering aviation history from when Pontius was a Pilate to today and beyond, brought to you in association with the Pima Air and Space Museum.Every week, we will be taking a fresh look at the history of both civil and military flying, from the earliest days of people jumping off of rocks and hoping to survive to the latest in unmanned flight. While it is inevitable that we will we can get a bit avgeek-y, we aim to be as inclusive as possible so that if you have even a passing interest in flight, we will have something for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The Cartoonist of Stalag Luft III

    5 DAYS AGO

    The Cartoonist of Stalag Luft III

    🛫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 daughter, astronaut Dr Jan Davis, joins us to tell us about her father through the pages of his war log. 📖Get your copy of Air Born: Artistic Musings of a WWII Pilot and POW by Jan Davis from Ballast Books here: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/air-born-artistic/ 📖Get your copy of Air Born: Two Generations in Flight by Jan Davis from Ballast Books here: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/air-born/ Visit Jan's website at: astronautjandavis.com Follow Jan on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/AstronautJanDavis/ Follow Jan on X here: https://x.com/astro_jan ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫 Become a Damcasteer today 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/thedamcasters ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://x.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- 0:01 Welcome to the Damcasters 2:35 Meet Ben Smotherman 20:30 Life in Stalag Luft III 31:47 The Adventures of Penny 44:22 The Journey Home 47:10 Wrap Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  2. Sabotage! The Death of General Sikorski

    JAN 30

    Sabotage! The Death of General Sikorski

    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 " join me to delve into the myriad of conspiracy theories that have surrounded this incident for decades and the theory my guests have to explain what happened. Buy Sabotage! An In-Depth Investigation of the 1943 Liberator Crash that Killed Polish General Sikorski from The Damcasters bookshop in the UK and support the show: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781911667902 Follow the Sabotage! Facebook page for all the latest developments here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563813795339 The Grub Street Publishing page for Sabotage! is: grubstreet.co.uk/product/sabotage-signed-copy/ Garth's Twitter is: x.com/garthbarnard Garth's website can be found at: https://aviationresearch.my-free.website/ Chris' LinkedIn is: www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wroblewski-62b0ba38/ ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫 Become a Damcasteer today 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/thedamcasters ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://x.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:27 The Begining of the Investigatio 15:36 The B-24 Liberator Overview 20:59 Sikorski's Last Evening 27:15 The Pilot, Edward Prashal 28:15 The Crash Events 34:53 Conspiracy Theories Emerge 43:39 Early Theories and Investigations 46:39 Investigative Theories Evolve 56:29 The Working Theory 1:07:23 The Book and Its Insights 1:11:04 Upcoming Episodes and Closing Remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 13m
  3. The F-110A Spectre - The Century Series Revisited

    JAN 23

    The F-110A Spectre - The Century Series Revisited

    🛫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 Rockies website: https://wingsmuseum.org/ Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Wings_Museum Follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/ ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫 Become a Damcasteer today 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/thedamcasters ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://x.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909  Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- Chapters 0:00 Introduction 3:16 Design Features of the F4 12:41 Air Force Adaptations and Tail Hook 14:26 Lessons Learned from the F4 18:51 The MiG-23: A Contemporary Comparison 20:41 Final Thoughts on the F-101 and F-4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  4. The F-One-Oh-Wonder - The Century Series Revisited

    JAN 16

    The F-One-Oh-Wonder - The Century Series Revisited

    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 website: https://wingsmuseum.org/ Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Wings_Museum Follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/ ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫 Become a Damcasteer today 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/thedamcasters ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://x.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909  Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- Chapters 0:00 Welcome to the Damcasters 3:25 The F-101 Voodoo Uncovered 10:15 Behind the Scenes at Wings Museum 10:51 Unique Tail Features of the F-101 15:12 Tail Layout vs. Performance 23:51 Lessons Learned for the F-4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  5. The Mach 2 Secrets of the B-1A Lancer

    JAN 9

    The Mach 2 Secrets of the B-1A Lancer

    ✈️ 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 website: https://wingsmuseum.org/ Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Wings_Museum Follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/ ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫 Become a Damcasteer today 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/thedamcasters ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://x.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909  Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- Chapters 0:01 Introduction 1:43 Exploring the B-1A Aircraft 3:46 Transitioning to the B-1B 5:45 Ejection Mechanisms Explained 8:39 The Importance of Wing Design 11:34 Overview of the Aircraft Structure 17:04 Discussion on Bomb Bays 27:32 Features and Capabilities of the B-1 29:35 Conclusion and Acknowledgments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min
  6. Curating Wings Over The Rockies

    JAN 2

    Curating Wings Over The Rockies

    ✈️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://www.youtube.com/@Wings_Museum Follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wingsmuseum/ ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫 Become a Damcasteer today 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/thedamcasters ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://x.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/@PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2025 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- Chapters 0:26 Introduction 1:36 Stuart Bailey's Journey in Museums 5:30 History of Lowry Air Force Base 8:01 The Museum's Unique Aircraft Collection 15:22 Challenges of Aircraft Curation 17:42 Impact of COVID-19 on the Museum 21:05 The Space Side of the Museum 25:27 Apollo Boilerplate and Its History 28:23 Hidden Gems in the Museum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  7. The Most Efficient Airman - The Life of Don Bennett

    12/12/2024

    The Most Efficient Airman - The Life of Don Bennett

    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 at the outbreak of war. Relentless Skies: Volume 1 - The Most Efficient Airman (1910-1942) by Ian Campbell is out now! Buy your copy from The Damcasters bookshop and support the pod (UK only): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781923020641 ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫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 ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://www.twitter.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Introduction 01:57 The McPherson Trophy Race 04:49 Meeting Ly, the Swiss Governess 08:47 Leaving the RAF For Imperial Airways 14:44 The Golden Age of Flying Boats 18:28 The Mayo Composite Aircraft 23:26 Record-Breaking Trans-Atlantic Flight 28:04 The South Africa Record Attempt 36:58 The North Atlantic Ferry 43:09 Ian's Upcoming Talks 45:40 Wrap and End of Year Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  8. Relentless Skies - The Life of Don Bennett

    12/05/2024

    Relentless Skies - The Life of Don Bennett

    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, which is superb. Ian joins us to discuss Bennett's life and career as we look at the making of the man who would become one of the RAF's foremost commanders. Relentless Skies: Volume 1 - The Most Efficient Airman (1910-1942) by Ian Campbell is out now! Buy your copy from The Damcasters bookshop and support the pod (UK only): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781923020641 ----------------------------------------------------- 🛫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 ----------------------------------------------------- ✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials! Website: https://pimaair.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpace https://www.instagram.com/pimaair https://x.com/pimaair https://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum 👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International ----------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Introduction 01:43 The Author's Perspective 05:33 Exploring Don's Early Life 09:13 The Transition to Aviation 12:02 The Challenge of Writing 17:02 Understanding Don's Character 19:28 The Relationship with Risk 22:33 Capturing Don's Early Years 26:08 The Path to Aviation Career 36:24 The Arrival of Arthur Harris 41:01 Achievements and Licenses 43:17 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
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About

Welcome to The Damcasters, a podcast covering aviation history from when Pontius was a Pilate to today and beyond, brought to you in association with the Pima Air and Space Museum.Every week, we will be taking a fresh look at the history of both civil and military flying, from the earliest days of people jumping off of rocks and hoping to survive to the latest in unmanned flight. While it is inevitable that we will we can get a bit avgeek-y, we aim to be as inclusive as possible so that if you have even a passing interest in flight, we will have something for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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