Colonel Culpeper's Flying Circus Reporter IAN WOOLDRIDGE
Less than one hour's plane ride from J.R.'s home town, Dallas, there is the most unusual air force in the world. Nearly 100 bombers and fighters from World War II wait in readiness for the scramble that will never come; they form the Ghost Squadron of the Confederate Air Force. Under their commander, Colonel Jethro E. Cul peper. the 7,000 colonels - there are no other ranks - keep their aerial armada in the skies over Texas' ' To perpetuate the spirit that kept the free world free '.
Not all the colonels are Americans: HRH Prince Philip and Battle of Britain ace, Sir Douglas Bader , are among the illustrious British names.
Last October the air force put on its annual show of strength at command HQ. As the Heinkels and Messerschmits, Spitfires and Mustangs, Liberators and Flying
Fortresses took to the skies, the colonels reminded the world once again of a time when 'America was great .
Photography EUGENE CARR BRIAN MARDEN-JONES
Film editor PETER GOWER Producer TONY SALMON Series editors ANTHONY ISAACS PETER JONES