The Dam Busters (1955)

John Fraser: Flight Lieutenant J. V. Hopgood, D.F.C.

Photos 

Quotes 

• Gibson : Sir, have a drink to celebrate. We've done the trick!

  Group Capt. Whitworth : What trick?

  Gibson : Flying at 150 feet. No need for altimeters. No need for anything else.

  Group Capt. Whitworth : Well, how's that?

  Gibson : Why, SIMPLE! A couple of spotlamps. One in the nose and the other in the belly. Trained to shine down and meet together at 150 feet below the aircraft.

  Flight Lt. J.V. Hopgood, DFC : All you've got to do is watch through the cockpit blister and keep the two spots plumb together on the ground, or the water, and there you are at 150 feet. Accurate to an inch!

  Group Capt. Whitworth : Yeah, but that would mean carrying lights right into the attack!

  Flight Lt. H.B. Martin, DSO, DFC, AFC : Well, that's better than finishing up in the drink.

  Group Capt. Whitworth : That's wonderful! How did you think of it?

  Gibson : Oh genius, pure genius. We gave the idea to Farnborough and they did the rest.

  Flight Lt. D.J. Shannon, DSO, DFC : Still need a bombsight that'll work at low level.

  Flight Lt. D.J.H. Maltby, DSO, DFC : And when are we going to get the real bombs.

  Gibson : [Takes Whitworth aside]  You know it's getting on these fellows' nerves not knowing a damn thing about anything.

  Group Capt. Whitworth : I know. But the old boy's got new trials on Friday. You ought to go down again. He's pretty sure it'll work this time.

• Gibson : Well, the sixpenny bombsight works and the spotlamps work. We've flown two thousand hours, and dropped a good many more than two thousand practice bombs. The specially converted aircraft start arriving tomorrow. So, from now until the word "go" I want you to practice flying them at your all-up proper weights.

  [indicates Young] 

  Gibson : You can work that out, Dinghy. Don't forget that some of the armour's been taken out. And don't exceed 63,000 pounds or otherwise we shan't get off.

  [looks around] 

  Gibson : Any problems?

  Squadron Leader H.M. Young, DFC : You want the front gunner to stay in his turret the whole time?

  Gibson : Oh yes, he'll have to deal with the flak guns.

  Squadron Leader H.M. Young, DFC : The trouble with that is his feet.

  [mimics with fingers] 

  Squadron Leader H.M. Young, DFC : They dangle in front of the bomb-aimer's face. How about fixing up some stirrups to get his feet out of the way and make him more comfortable?

  Gibson : That's a good plan.

  Squadron Leader H.E. Maudslay, DFC : Have you any idea when we're going, sir?

  Gibson : Probably within a week. But, keep it under your hats! You won't have to put up with being called "the armchair squadron" much longer

  Squadron Leader H.E. Maudslay, DFC : Two months without an operation is getting us stalejake now.

  Flight Lt. J.V. Hopgood, DFC : There was damn near a riot yesterday when somebody in 57 Squadron started it again

  Flight Lt. H.B. Martin, DSO, DFC, AFC : Our fellows would feel better if they blew off steam

  Gibson : [grins]  Alright, the next time somebody starts being funny, have a riot.

  [assembled pilots laugh] 

  Gibson : Alright, that's all.

  [pilots get up to leave] 

• Gibson : [Gibson calls around to the pilots as the attack starts]  "P for Popsie", are you there?

  Flight Lt. H.B. Martin, DSO, DFC, AFC : OK, Leader.

  Gibson : Hello, "M Mother" are you there?

  Flight Lt. J.V. Hopgood, DFC : I'm here, Leader

  Squadron Leader H.M. Young, DFC : Here, Leader.

  Flight Lt. D.J.H. Maltby, DSO, DFC : Here, Leader.

  Flight Lt. D.J. Shannon, DSO, DFC : Here, Leader

  Squadron Leader H.E. Maudslay, DFC : Here, Leader.

  Flying Officer L.G. Knight, DSO : Here, Leader.

  Gibson : Hello, all Cooler aircraft. I'm going in to attack. Stand by to come in in your order when I tell you.

• Gibson : [as Gibson heads in to attack]  Hello "M for Mother" stand by to take over if anything happens.

  Flight Lt. J.V. Hopgood, DFC : OK, Leader. Good luck!