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Living legend of aviation.

(76 Posts)
Whethertomorrow Thu 11-Jan-24 20:15:09

Has anyone else seen this?

Apparently instead of a serious astronaut being recognised, it’s going to Harry.

He was only a helicopter pilot for a short while surely not a living legend.

I have respect for anyone who masters the art of flying as I certainly wouldn’t be able to do it but to describe Harry as a living legend!

I wonder who puts him forward for these bizarre awards. Is he putting himself forward? Do you think he would turn it down if he realises that people think he’s ridiculous.

I suppose it’s on a par with new years honours where actors/singers get rewards for acting/singing, where ordinary people get ignored for working hard for genuine charities.

Grrr. I get so annoyed at this flummery.

What do you all think.

Iam64 Thu 11-Jan-24 20:25:42

No surprise thst I’m not surprised the DM gave this huge coverage or that this will be yet another thread full of antiHarry posts
Not this one. Some folks decided to give him an award. Their choice and it bothers me not a jot

Marydoll Thu 11-Jan-24 20:26:14

My husband told me about this today, I thought he was joking!

Urmstongran Thu 11-Jan-24 20:32:40

Seems a bit pointless to me. But hey I don’t move in those circles so what would I know?

welbeck Thu 11-Jan-24 20:38:04

who said the americans don't have a sense of irony ?

RosiesMaw Thu 11-Jan-24 20:40:37

Was William not also a helicopter pilot? (Air Sea Rescue , then East of England flying ambulance)

I wonder if all the RAF pilots who flew missions in Afghanistan received similar awards - not disputing their bravery, but surely they were doing their job.

Callistemon21 Thu 11-Jan-24 21:31:37

The "Living Legends of Aviation" are remarkable people of extraordinary accomplishment in aviation including: entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, astronauts, record breakers, pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots. The Legends meet yearly to recognize and honor individuals that have made significant contributions in aviation.
living-legends-of-aviation.myshopify.com/

I suppose Harry qualifies in the category of celebrities who have become pilots or vice versa.

It seems a bit of a tenuous link but who said the americans don't have a sense of irony?

Callistemon21 Thu 11-Jan-24 22:55:37

Retired British Army Colonel Richard Kemp also lashed out, claiming the awards were about 'celebrities massaging each other's egos'.

He added: 'It is obviously because of who he is - not what he did. An Apache is crewed by two people - a pilot and a gunner. Harry was a gunner. He was number two in the aircraft.'

Apparently he beat Tim Peake to win the award 😂😂😂

It has to be the joke of 2024 so far!

Cold Thu 11-Jan-24 23:13:32

I think this is one of those "celebrity" US "awards" that you in effect have to buy. Celebrities get awards in return for a generous donation to the organization.

Grantanow Fri 12-Jan-24 00:19:33

Ridiculous.

Chestnut Fri 12-Jan-24 00:30:35

Cold

I think this is one of those "celebrity" US "awards" that you in effect have to buy. Celebrities get awards in return for a generous donation to the organization.

Spot on! I realised immediately it was a glitzy US award therefore Tim Peake would not even be in the running.

It might be a joke to us but probably less so to them, as they love dressing up and prancing down the catwalk. Any excuse.

RosiesMaw Fri 12-Jan-24 07:48:38

Harry wasn’t even a pilot (although admittedly qualified) in Afghanistan

Retired British Army Colonel Richard Kemp told The Sun: “I can think of many people who did pretty extraordinary things while serving in the armed forces which would be much more deserving of an award like this. An Apache is crewed by two people – a pilot and a gunner. Harry was a gunner. He was number two in the aircraft.”
Does that make him a “living shooting legend” ?
This last bit says it all I expect we will see Harry throwing some moves as his mother did with John all those years ago.
“The ceremony next Friday will be hosted by John Travolta

RosiesMaw Fri 12-Jan-24 07:49:30

Apologies Callistemon for repeating what you wrote, great minds and all that? 🤣🤣

fancythat Fri 12-Jan-24 07:55:25

It is a sick joke.

The joke is on ordinary people.

Urmstongran Fri 12-Jan-24 08:02:12

Apparently wife no.2 of Jeff Bezos has been awarded one.

Lexisgranny Fri 12-Jan-24 08:13:49

How distasteful. I would have hoped that he would have had the integrity to quietly decline the award. If it was ‘bought’ it smacks rather of desparation.

I can imagine the number jokes that will be circulating around British army messes this weekend, and cartoonists must be delighted.

Grandmafrench Fri 12-Jan-24 08:30:33

Well, he is living and I suppose he does take lots of flights - so maybe he (almost) deserves the ‘award’’.

Sparklefizz Fri 12-Jan-24 08:40:57

Lexisgranny

How distasteful. I would have hoped that he would have had the integrity to quietly decline the award. If it was ‘bought’ it smacks rather of desparation.

I can imagine the number jokes that will be circulating around British army messes this weekend, and cartoonists must be delighted.

He has already shown over the last few years that he has no integrity Lexis

merlotgran Fri 12-Jan-24 12:05:22

I wonder what uncle Andy thinks of it?

Anniebach Fri 12-Jan-24 12:51:31

Andrew was Navy

Smileless2012 Fri 12-Jan-24 13:00:33

Oh dear, accepting an award that you don't actually qualify for smacks of desperation doesn't it.

merlotgran Fri 12-Jan-24 13:15:00

Yes I’m aware of that. He flew Sea King helicopters in far more dangerous situations than Harry ever found himself in.

merlotgran Fri 12-Jan-24 13:15:42

My post was to Anniebach

M0nica Fri 12-Jan-24 13:43:15

Iam64 No anti-Harry posts yet. Just people wondering about the mentality of Americans, where everyone is can be a living legend if they are prepared to pay enough and those prepared to buy it.

Prince Harry's military experience should always earn respect. He was a helicopter pilot in a war situation and from all one has seen and read since, was an excellent officer respected and liked by those he commanded and who has shown a real loyalty thse who served in Afghanistan and suffered injuries. Why he now has to tour the receptions of tinseltown collecting tinsel I do not know.

I might say that while Prince Andrew also served in wartime. Unlike Harry, he was cordially disliked by all those who served with him.

Anniebach Fri 12-Jan-24 14:53:19

Yes MOnica but a naval officer?

Harry = Legend ? no

Has Harry become above criticism?