[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by Eat.Sleep.Race

That was quite the long read lol!! Seems like you had a lot of fun, nice BMW

Eat.Sleep.Race,

First, I like your user name (although the priority order may need adjustment!)

Second, yep, it was a long tour and a long report--and that's only Part I!

Third and last, the 335i is a great car. It does most things very well, and many things spectacularly (including acceleration and handling). Of course, opening the trunk while the top is down generally provokes laughter from anyone standing nearby…

Rick

[tc535i]

love these threads, thanks so much!

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by miker2013

amazing read, i learned a lot from it as well... thanks

miker,

My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I learned a lot myself from the trip, since I knew practically nothing about the Catskills before. Fascinating place.

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by 2mnycars

incredible travel tale! Read every word. One day we'll load up the little car and come see this territory.
Thanks very much. Hat is off to you my friend.

Originally Posted by 2mnycars

Bismark was leaving harbour. Royal Navy sailed to intercept. One vessel carried the Faireys. Cdr Goddard was in one.

his torpedo disabled the Bismark. Hit the rudder. It sailed in circles.

My Father and Cdr Goddard had known each other for years. He played rugby for England. His son and I played football together one year. Then we started skiing together.

Father, Terry, bought the MG coupe as his son's first car. It was the first car I drove with manual transmission.

They never talked of their wartime experiences until much later. My Father edited 4 volumes of Salty Dips, and wrote/published Orian, Mighty Warrior.

Dave,

Thanks! I hope you and your wife get to visit the Catskills (and other parts of the U.S.) sometime soon.

Great story about Terry Goddard. I knew he participated in the attack on the Bismarck, but I hadn't realized that his torpedo was the one that disabled the battleship's rudder. Fantastic!

Of course, it's also amazing that the antiquated little Swordfish was ever used in World War II at all, let alone so effectively. I suppose that low-power biplanes could launch from (and land on) aircraft carriers pretty easily, but still…

Here are vintage and modern photo's of Commander Goddard's Swordfish.





Long live the Royal Navy!

Rick

PS: Just in case anyone is wondering, note the following connection between the Commander's Swordfish and BMW:

• BMW produced a 2-litre, 6-cylinder automobile engine prior to World War II. It was used to power the famous BMW 328 sports car along with other models.
• The Bristol Aeroplane Company also produced automobiles. After World War II, the company purchased the rights to BMW's pre-war 2-litre six and began manufacturing it in England. Among other notable cars, this engine was used in the Arnolt-Bristol and the Frazer-Nash, both of which had very successful racing histories.
• The Fairey Swordfish biplanes were powered by Bristol "Pegasus" 9-cylinder radial engines.

Please be sure to pass all of this along to your spouses and friends. You, too, can be the hit of any party!

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by tc535i

love these threads, thanks so much!

tc,

You're quite welcome!

Rick

[Needbmwpartzz]

Good read!
I love this area of NY....very beautiful and wonderful place to enjoy the bmw.....I hope to further explore this area one day as you have.

[BenTrovato]

This was excellent! Well written and I love the contrasting photos of past and present. The way you wrote and presented the pictures can almost make one feel like they were on the journey with you. Fantastic!

[Longdoggy]

Great read! The 'skills are a very pretty region of the state!
May I suggest if your doing another research/road trip up this way you do one on the Hudson River Valley? Lots of historic landmarks, beautiful roads with scenery unsurpassed by many locations in the northeast.
Having grown up and living in the area I know a bit, but I am always up for learning more and your research combined with documentation of old and present is top notch!
My dad use to play in a band in the Catskills resorts back in the 50's. I will share this read with him, perhaps you documented one he once spent some summers at.
Thanks!
Edward

[DaveL--2mnycars]

Thanks for the special Swordfish photos.

Last I checked, Commander Goddard was alive. My Father passed away in 1993. Brook's Bay, Lake Opinicon.

[zamboni]

Excellent write up can't wait for part II.

[Deluxx3]

Always love reading your threads, Rick!
Thanks

[latum]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing

[nicksm3]

Holy cow what a great read! My family and I have 16 acres in Greenfield Park ..yes we are "Ukrainian" ..footsteps from Skyway camp grounds and 2 miles from Yogi bear. I grew up in Ulster County and Sullivan ..being a Yonkers Westchester boy I enjoyed my summers up in those parts. Wurtsboro for Danny's burgers, Ellenville for CYM camp..STEWARTS malted milkshakes..then my family's place for serious escapades of dirtbiking and 4 wheeling. Oh can't forget Ice Caves Mountain and Sam's point up route 52.
I highly invite all to these parts, great history, awesome campgrounds, great roads for twisty's ...really so much to do. I'm heading up next weekend

[CRtoE92]

Great reading Thank you for sharing!

[billiebob]

Fantastic read!

[Matski]

Lovely feature RickF... easy on the HDR photography though!

[363ny]

Rick - that was a fantastic read! My parents took me to the Concord when I was a kid - (30+ years ago).

[wassystyle]

Rick,

Middletown, NY wow I grew up there and my mother still lives there. It's funny I can't tell you how many times I have passed that train station now library. Reading this post makes me what to hop on an airplane, go get some home cooking and take a drive...... Thank you for the trip down memory lane!

[angler]

Thanks for sharing, beautiful journey!

[3s4u2]

Great Job and Thank you...

[teezee]

Love these reports. I have driven through many of these areas but you see stuff most of just pass by or simply don't take the time to find. Thanks for your posts!

We're heading down to eastern MD for a long weekend, staying in Easton. Your reports from that area are what gave me the impetus to visit.

[Micura]

Amazing!