Vickers FB5 2345

the film I was thinking of was Shout at the Devil released 1976, set in WW1. The biplane used was in Portugese markings.

Ok found it…
BAPC.123, ZS-UHN, “P641”, Vickers FB.5 Gunbus replica, 1186/2, 1975, small components only remained – stored, Cranfield, b), stored 03.90 …

Vickers FB.5 Gunbus fsm. 1186/2. ZS-UHN. A.Topen. Cranfield. (Built IES Projects Ltd 1975). (As “P641”) (Built for “Shout at the Devil” film)

so perhaps it was a full scale mock up that I saw hung on the cinema frontage? Although it did have a South African reg.

Have a look half way down this webpage for “Shout at the Devil” Gunbus photos and video clip:

http://ships.bouwman.com/DH-1/Shout%20At%20The%20Devil.html

the film I was thinking of was Shout at the Devil released 1976, set in WW1. The biplane used was in Portugese markings.

Ok found it…
BAPC.123, ZS-UHN, “P641”, Vickers FB.5 Gunbus replica, 1186/2, 1975, small components only remained – stored, Cranfield, b), stored 03.90 …

Vickers FB.5 Gunbus fsm. 1186/2. ZS-UHN. A.Topen. Cranfield. (Built IES Projects Ltd 1975). (As “P641”) (Built for “Shout at the Devil” film)

so perhaps it was a full scale mock up that I saw hung on the cinema frontage? Although it did have a South African reg.

Have a look half way down this webpage for “Shout at the Devil” Gunbus photos and video clip:

http://ships.bouwman.com/DH-1/Shout%20At%20The%20Devil.html

the film I was thinking of was Shout at the Devil released 1976, set in WW1. The biplane used was in Portugese markings.

Ok found it…
BAPC.123, ZS-UHN, “P641”, Vickers FB.5 Gunbus replica, 1186/2, 1975, small components only remained – stored, Cranfield, b), stored 03.90 …

Vickers FB.5 Gunbus fsm. 1186/2. ZS-UHN. A.Topen. Cranfield. (Built IES Projects Ltd 1975). (As “P641”) (Built for “Shout at the Devil” film)

so perhaps it was a full scale mock up that I saw hung on the cinema frontage? Although it did have a South African reg.

the film I was thinking of was Shout at the Devil released 1976, set in WW1. The biplane used was in Portugese markings.

Ok found it…
BAPC.123, ZS-UHN, “P641”, Vickers FB.5 Gunbus replica, 1186/2, 1975, small components only remained – stored, Cranfield, b), stored 03.90 …

Vickers FB.5 Gunbus fsm. 1186/2. ZS-UHN. A.Topen. Cranfield. (Built IES Projects Ltd 1975). (As “P641”) (Built for “Shout at the Devil” film)

so perhaps it was a full scale mock up that I saw hung on the cinema frontage? Although it did have a South African reg.

I think this photo was taken at the Farnborough SBAC display September 1966

For a full history of the aircraft you can check here:

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/collections/aircraft/aircraft-history/73-A-1066%20Vickers%20Gunbus.pdf

I think this photo was taken at the Farnborough SBAC display September 1966

For a full history of the aircraft you can check here:

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/collections/aircraft/aircraft-history/73-A-1066%20Vickers%20Gunbus.pdf

The Gunbus was also used for a Candid Camera sequence at Southend where they pulled a couple out of the queue to get aboard a recentlly delivered Channel Airways BAC 111 and told them it was overbooked but they had got a replacement aircraft especially for the pair of them. They took them across to the light aircraft park and showed them the Gunbus.
All was cleverly filmed from a very rough looking Commer walk through van and the Gunbus flew out after filming finished. The Gunbus must have done a lot of cross country flights to and from shows – something which would never even be considered now with a rotary engine.

The Vickers Gunbus at Dunstable Downs / London Gliding Club, sometime in the late 1960s. I was there, but as a young lad and can only remember this, plus a Mustang flying there. Sorry about the poor quality!

Hi Folks,

I think that somewhere in my fathers standard 8 film collection is some film of it at Biggin Hill?

It also appears very briefly in the movie ‘Oh What a Lovely War’

Steve

Hi

Found these two taken at Yeovilton around 1968ish

Sorry about the quality hope they are of interest

Roger

There was a film made called ‘Gunbus’. The replica DH2, which was owned by Russavia at the time. It was converted by EMK into a Gunbus for the film. Then back into a DH2 afterwards. They also built a non flyer for the film. This is now at Sywell.
The Grumman Duck was used in the film ‘Murphys War’ when Peter O Tool attacked a U Boat. This was on TV last weekend.

Dave

Help me solve a Gunbus puzzle, I spotted a Gunbus fastened to the front of the big cinema in Leicester Square London ages ago. My spotter logs are hidden away , but dont ever recall finding out which one it was. Could it have been used in that film where the Tallmantz Grumman Duck attacked a German cruiser up a tropical river?

Gentlemen,

Thank you again for your offers, they are much appreciated, but to my surprise I’ve been contacted off-board and sent a photo of the original aircraft from a private collection. I’m pretty sure it was taken at Farnborough shortly before 2345 was taken on strength by 18 Squadron. Oh yes, and it does have a roundal!

Brian

I have some somewhere that Dad took at Dunstable.

Thank you for all your replies gentlemen, and I’d very much appreciate seeing any unpublished photographs. Dave’s comment about the heavy landing is particularly apt since the first entry in ‘my’ observer’s logbook records a 1 hour 45 minute patrol on 28 November 1915 which ended in a forced landing.

As a matter of interest would the roundal have been displayed on the fuselage at this time?

Brian

Useful if you know it was registered GATVP,
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Vickers-FB-5-Gunbus/1698915/L/
and..
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1275405/

I have a couple of pics of it at Cranfield, but you will have to wait until they surface!

I’m pretty sure I have some colour slides of it at the London Gliding Club display packed away somewhere safe.

Mike

Now, somewhere, buried in my late Fathers photo albums, I’m sure I have a photo of the FB5 taxiing at Dunstable. I’ll have to have a good dig around; from memory its not a particularly good photo, but you might find it interesting all the same.

I dont have any picture’s of it but it flew at Dunstable at at thje gliding club air display. Where it damaged one of its front skid’s on a heavy landing.

Dave