Folks,
There is an online dispute on a forum about the aircraft in “The Shoes Of A Fisherman”, with many stating the aircraft is the Italian Piaggio PD.808. This aircraft design was bought from Douglas, but failed for any orders primarily because North American got the USAF orders for the Sabre which made it more less costly than the Douglas design. Piaggio only flew the first aircraft in 1965 and the movie was made in 1968. Seems pretty close in the time frame. But who knows, maybe Piaggo was looking for some free publicity.
Anyone have a clue?
Jack E. Hammond
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By: J Boyle - 21st February 2011 at 17:33
Francillon’s epic McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920, Vol. 1 (Putnam 1988) states the plane only got as far as a design concept before being sold to Piaggio.
Since Douglas never built a prototype, I don’t think it competed against the Sabreliner (Sabre is the fighter) for the USAF UTX contract…issued in 1956.
In fact, it didn’t fly until 1964, long after the T-39 (ff 1958) had been bought by the USAF and brought to the civilian market.
Like the DH 125, it was powered by Vipers.
Twenty-nine were built, 25 Italian military aircraft, two prototypes and two civil examples.
By: Newforest - 21st February 2011 at 15:21
The film is called ‘The Shoes of the Fisherman’ and as the film was made in Italy, it would be a good guess that the aircraft is the PD.808.
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February 21, 2011 at 2:28 pm