Piece of Cake is a 1988 British six-part television serial depicting the life of a Royal Air Force fighter squadron during the Battle of Britain .
It covers the period from the day of the British entry into World War II through to one of the toughest days in the Battle of Britain (7th September 1940). The series was produced by Holmes Associates for LWT for ITV and had a budget of five million pounds.
The series begins in September 1939 on the day that war is declared. Squadron-Leader Ramsey is working furiously to whip Hornet Squadron into shape. Having just landed after a practice flight, Ramsey accidentally taxis his Spitfire into a slit-trench and his angry impatience causes him to fall from the aircraft and fatally fracture his neck. His temporary replacement is Australian pilot Fanny Barton who is uncertain about his capabilities for such a role (in the book, Barton is from New Zealand). A tragic mistake is made when Barton leads a patrol to intercept what they are led to believe is a German attack and he shoots down a bomber, which is later identified to be a British Blenheim, killing the pilot in the process. New Squadron Leader Rex arrives, and Barton is sent away to face a court of inquiry. Rex is immediately popular as he provides his pilots with many luxuries whilst demanding strict discipline and adherence to textbook tactics in return.
Starring: Jack McKenzie, Tim Woodward, Stephen MacKenna, David Horovitch and Tom Burlinson
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