as i have a speedbird one on its way ive been looking to see if i could find a picture of the watch issued to boac pilots is it the IWC Mark XI?
has anyone got one or pictures of it in use?
the tz speedbird looks great in comparison i am sure i will love it when it arrives.
would i be correct in assuming speedbird was the code name given to boac?
i found this very interesting article on the military side which had the MOD spec and names a bonklip bracelet and a nylon strap option which i guess is the pre nato strap a we know it.
will google some more. ive found some great old BOAC clips of the aircraft etc. very nostalgic if a little before my time :wink:
http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/wagn ... ark.XI.htm
James Dowling had one for sale a few years ago, if you e-mail him he might be able to help (he seems to post on MWR) I'm pretty sure only the case back is different from the military version.
edit: via Google
https://www.iwc.com/lecture/library/_pdf/mark11a-en.pdf
Couple of recent threads on the subject from MWR
http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthre ... light=boac
This one was initiated by me to satisfy my curiosity.
http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthre ... light=boac
this is a fantastic article on the mk2 it explains clearly many things
i now see why a nato has the extra band loop and the advantages of the bonklip.
have a read it hooked me thanks for the other links
https://www.iwc.com/lecture/library/_pdf/mark11a-en.pdf
going to see if i can find a bonklip it looks practical if ugly
Isn’t this a gorgeous pic of the SB III?
Since I won my SB III I’ve been doing some look around. In answer to your question, this came up this morning (also shown in one of the links above):
This is where the name comes from
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t= ... 8077&rid=0
… from here:
An outstanding value...Speedbird III
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t= ... id=4667548
And check out this page …
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t= ... id=4668111
Congrats for getting an SB1. They seem to be holding their price well.
john
THIN is the new BLACK
thanks ive been watching a lot of old boac vids on you tube havent spoted a watch yet
found this one last night and forgot to bid it went very cheap
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT
Caseback and dial (no phaeon) different to RAF Mark 11. There was an interesting discussion on MWR recently.
Speedbird is the callsign for BA aircraft, don't know about BOAC.
Speedbird was actually the callsign from the BOAC days.Originally Posted by RAB
It was also on the tails of BOAC aircraft. Here it is on my favourite airliner:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/BOAC/...1cc79ab8156428
I flew over 80,000 miles on Boac before I was twelve, flying out to Japan and back six time a year :shock: !!
and they say todays pilots look young :lol:
Soapy
You will love your Speedbird 1, I spent hours in the cockpit as a child talking to the pilots and navigators, was one of the reasons I got my Speedbird 1.
Those happy days spent in the cockpit are now gone for this generation of children :(
it arrives tommorow i cant wait :D
here is some great nostalgia for you,it realy was a different world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJkdEieokjA
these are the most impressive photos ive seen yet
http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthre ... =speedbird
And, as I understand it, until recently (possibly still?) there was a small Speedbird painted just behind the cockpit on BA aircraft.Speedbird was actually the callsign from the BOAC days.
There are a few on eBay. Genuine Bonklips come up roughly once or twice a week an sell for a slight premium. You may be able to get better value by buying a vintage West End watch (from Singapore, Thailand, etc.) with a Bonklip-style bracelet, but make sure the lug width is what you need.going to see if i can find a bonklip it looks practical if ugly
I got a Bonklip style bracelet via the West End watch route and it's ideal for my 1971 stainless steel/brown dial Seiko Bell-Matic.
thanks mark i forgot to bid it went for £16 on a nice looking watch :o
up early waiting for the post to arrive
maybe thats why so much flipping its the excitement of the chase :lol:
I think the Speedbird symbol is neat.
john
THIN is the new BLACK
hasnt arrived they are looking for it, supposed to be here before 1pm grrrr
yes i think that logo is a good un
the speedbird has landed :wink:
What do you think about then? Give us the meat.
john
THIN is the new BLACK
first thoughts?
perfect clear/sterile dial
size and heft superb [not to small and does not need to be larger]
feels right on the wrist
not sure about saphire after having so many acrylic dials
case finnish as i like
one thing i would change?yes the hands frame [edge] should be white or same colour as lume, you cant see the black tip against the dial
wooden box=classy
dog tag wont wear it :wink:
52 of 300 exclusive. how many of a limited edition rolex/omegas did you say?
finally who is lars jakobson [the name on the box] i expect the first owner are you out there?
The original Speedbird symbol came into being when Imperial Airways became British Airways* prior to WW2 and has now mutated to this,
[attachment=0:3ttm8h9d]British-Airways-logo.gif[/attachment:3ttm8h9d]
Once christened by a disgruntled BA employee at a pre flight briefing as the 'Germaloid Cream Flash' the new Speedbird symbol grew like the Phoenix from the ashes of the disasterous late 1990's 'World Image' livery that was much derided by the then Baroness Thatcher and can be seen on the fuselage positioned above and to the rear of the flightdeck (cockpit) on all BA aircraft.
The former B.O.A.C. radio Speedbird call sign is now used by all BA aircraft.
Lovely Watch soapy, Enjoy!
* Imperial Airways begat British Airways which begat B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. which then combined again to become the British Airways that we all love or otherwise of today. I've left out BSAA, Northeast, Cambrian, BCal and others that were absorbed into the behemoth as its all to complicated, no offence meant to any former employees of these airlines.
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