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15 Minute Drama: Writing the Century 19

Tracy Wiles

Christine Absalom

Patrick Brennan

Susie Riddell

Amaka Okafor

Joe Sims

Sam Alexander

Don Gilet

Peter Singh

Deeivya Meir

15 Minute Drama: Writing the Century 19: Episode 1: Girl Meets Plane

Drama: Biographical

Writing the Century 19

Episode 1

Episode 1: Girl Meets Plane

Girl Meets Plane

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, Writing the Century 19, Girl Meets PlaneClose menu

Diane Samuels' story of Joan Allen and her solo flight from England to Singapore in 1948.

By Diane Samuels. In 1948 Joan Allen flew her daring solo flight half way across the world. This trip of a lifetime takes Joan back to her old haunts in Singapore.

In October 2003 the Antiques Roadshow featured the 
flight journals of Joan Allen who had served with the ATA 
during the Second World War. But there had been 
another intriguing find. Hidden in a metal flight box
under Joan's stairs was another flight journal. 
It recorded the solo flight that Joan had undertaken in 1948 
in a 2 seater Angus Fairchild aircraft from England to Singapore.

Diane Samuels' 'Tiger Wings' makes a leap of imagination
from this true-life source and gives wing to Joan's remarkable
achievement that might so easily have vanished into the mists
of the past.

Episode One - Girl Meets Plane
Episode Two - Vive La France
Episode Three - Middle East
Episode Four - Oranges and Pearls
Episode Five - Tiger Beer Girl

Joan Allen ................................ Honeysuckle Weeks
Wiggs/Mme Carter/Mrs Reed .... Tracy Wiles
Maud .................................. ... Christine Absalom
Mr McCowan/Hotelier................ Patrick Brennan
Becky Sharpe/Martha................ Susie Riddell
Young Woman ......................... Amaka Okafor
Young Man/Stevens ............. .... Joe Sims
Jacques/Cpt Harkness............... Sam Alexander
Gemile/Airport Mangager ........... Akbar Kurtha
SAA Pilot/Jack Roche ............... Don Gilet
Abdul ....................................... Peter Singh
Moiter/Mr Daniels ...................... Angelo Paragoso
Shreela/Clemmie Daniels ........... Deeivya Meir

Directed by Tracey Neale

Diane Samuels has written many plays for both radio and stage including the award winning 'Kindertransport' which has been produced all over the world and is a text studied in schools.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Drama by Diane Samuels inspired by Joan Allen's 1948 solo flight from England to Singapore

Drama by Diane Samuels inspired by the flight journals of Joan Allen which recorded the daring solo flight she undertook from England to Singapore in 1948

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Writing the Century 19

Episode 1: Girl Meets Plane

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