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Living legend of aviation.

(77 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.

wildswan16 Fri 12-Jan-24 15:17:14

If he had any sense he would humbly decline the award.

Iam64 Fri 12-Jan-24 17:00:09

Thanks MOnica - good points

People may believe the way he’s discussed issues within his family to be inappropriate, self indulgent, just plain wrong. That’s a discussion to continue. Where I struggle is with statements like ‘ he’s shown he has no integrity.’ I don’t agree that he has shown he has no integrity in every area of his life. Such a damning cruel thing to say about a man who clearly struggles at times about some things

Jaxjacky Fri 12-Jan-24 17:05:54

I have heard ‘leg end’ used to describe someone who’s a bit of a prat.

merlotgran Fri 12-Jan-24 17:11:47

Jaxjacky

I have heard ‘leg end’ used to describe someone who’s a bit of a prat.

😂😂

Callistemon21 Fri 12-Jan-24 17:37:58

Anniebach

Yes MOnica but a naval officer?

Harry = Legend ? no

Has Harry become above criticism?

Yes MOnica but a naval officer?

Some Naval officers are very experienced and accomplished pilots. A branch of the Royal Navy is called the Fleet Air Arm and they have aircraft carriers.

Callistemon21 Fri 12-Jan-24 17:39:52

He was a helicopter pilot in a war situation

Monica if you read earlier posts by RosiesMaw and me you will see that Harry was not a helicopter pilot in a war situation. He was the gunner, not the pilot.

Callistemon21 Fri 12-Jan-24 17:42:05

That is not an anti-Harry post btw.
It is a correction of the facts.

It's a ridiculous award anyway.

Jaberwok Fri 12-Jan-24 18:15:10

Harry was not particularly well thought of in Afghanistan. He was considered a liability and was kept well back from any serious action, guarded by Ghurkas. 'Bungalow' wasn't a nickname lightly given!! He was a gunner not a pilot and helped in recovering the wounded and flushing out any remaining enemy and killing them, a point which he has made clear. Had he been a pilot he would have been flying the helicopter not wielding a gun shooting the enemy!! Apparently you don't actually buy this award, but you do have book a dinner table, costing $75 to qualify for an award!
Prince Andrew was far more involved as Navy Pilot (the Fleet Air Arm) and in far more danger than Prince Harry ever was. He conducted himself extremely bravely. What's happened since is a tragedy.

Lexisgranny Fri 12-Jan-24 18:37:54

Weren’t we told before of an award that had been ‘bought’ . Surely one of the worst examples of self aggrandisement?

Though not a Royalist, I really do prefer the quiet way that William just got on with his role as an air rescue pilot and later an air ambulance pilot. He has felt no need to regale us with the number of lives he saved.

blue25 Fri 12-Jan-24 18:40:46

How can he not be embarrassed to receive it? He’s done absolutely nothing to deserve this award. He really does live in a bubble.

merlotgran Fri 12-Jan-24 18:43:49

blue25

How can he not be embarrassed to receive it? He’s done absolutely nothing to deserve this award. He really does live in a bubble.

Maybe for once he won’t be scowling or looking bored.

Anniebach Fri 12-Jan-24 18:46:38

True Jaberwok I new one of his bodyguards

JaneJudge Fri 12-Jan-24 18:50:04

I thought this would be for an engineer tbh

M0nica Fri 12-Jan-24 19:24:34

Anniebach* No, Harry is not above criticism and I l criticised him for this latest bad decision, but the fact that someone makes many mistakes should never be allowed to overwrite their successes and Prince Harry was good and respected army officer.

Yes, Prince Andrew was a naval officer, but what difference does that make? Unlike Harry he was not liked by those in the navy at the time that had any contact with him.

Anniebach Fri 12-Jan-24 19:33:27

MOnica you see this award as a success I do not

merlotgran Fri 12-Jan-24 19:36:51

M0nica

Anniebach* No, Harry is not above criticism and I l criticised him for this latest bad decision, but the fact that someone makes many mistakes should never be allowed to overwrite their successes and Prince Harry was good and respected army officer.

Yes, Prince Andrew was a naval officer, but what difference does that make? Unlike Harry he was not liked by those in the navy at the time that had any contact with him.

I don’t think Andrew’s lack of popularity has anything to do with this.

His role as a decoy pilot was far more dangerous, luring Exocet missiles away from HMS Invincible. He was also involved in rescuing some of the crew from a ship which had been hit.

I bet the men who were finally winched to safety didn’t give a stuff about whether or not the pilot was popular.

Norah Fri 12-Jan-24 19:41:07

Jaberwok Apparently you don't actually buy this award, but you do have book a dinner table, costing $75 to qualify for an award!

Interesting.

One wonders what Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Lauren Sánchez, (in the links provided) accomplished for the award?

Callistemon21 Fri 12-Jan-24 19:46:38

John Travolta is qualified to fly jets, including jumbo jets. He owns several aircraft, including a Qantas 707 jet.

$75? That's peanuts to these people.

Smileless2012 Fri 12-Jan-24 19:48:34

John Travolta flew his private jet to deliver aid to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, with his wife.

Callistemon21 Fri 12-Jan-24 19:49:04

Tom Cruise didn't fly the jets in Top Gun although he is a qualified pilot.

It's all rather ridiculous.

Iam64 Fri 12-Jan-24 20:16:41

Anniebach, I don’t speak for MOnica of course. You suggest she sees this award as a success.
I don’t see it as a success or a failure. It’s some American thing. I agree with MOnica’s summary of Harry’s army career.

Anniebach Fri 12-Jan-24 20:20:29

Yes Iam64 it is an American celebrity parade.

Freya5 Fri 12-Jan-24 20:56:15

M0nica

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.

PA served his country, whatever the likes or dislikes of the man, he did his bit in far more harrowing circumstances.
From a serving RAF FS , PH was an arrogant so and so, unless you were in his little clique.

welbeck Fri 12-Jan-24 21:10:16

agree with Jaberwok.

imaround Fri 12-Jan-24 21:28:24

Wow, one would have thought that the average American knew anything about this award based on some posts here. Some American thing indeed. confused No one here, except maybe John Travolta and Tom Cruise, have ever even heard of this until this moment.