I am doing some research for a forthcoming book on aviation films so may be asking forumites for a lot of answers to questions over the next few months. My first question concerns the fitting of dummy nose guns to the Mosquitos used in the 1964 film ‘633 Squadron.’ The accepted wisdom is that a curved piece of material complete with 4 dummy 0.303 Brownings was affixed to the perspex nose cones of the TT35s used in the film,secured with two nuts and bolts . However study of photos and screen caps show that some Mosquitos actually had four holes drilled in the nose perspex and gun barrels fitted. Am I correct in assuming that the ‘curved piece of material’ method was only used in the airworthy Mossies (to lessen the damage to the nose cone) while the ‘four holes’ method was used in the three static /taxying Mosquitoes TT35s as they were going to be destroyed in the production.
Can anyone confirm what material was used for the curved piece to which the nose guns were attached? Was it wood or fibreglass , did they have to take a plaster cast of the nose perspex, and what were the dummy guns made of? If you watch the 1965 episode of ‘The Avengers’ , ‘The Hour That Never Was’ (which was filmed at RAF Bovingdon) and can be viewed on ‘Daily Motion’ , at 17 minutes 30 seconds there are scenes of Mosquito RS712 clearly showing the dummy nose guns. The paint has been removed from the flat section of the nose cone to permit Steed to look out. In the book ‘De Havilland Mosquito an Illustrated History’ by Ian Thirsk , page VI of the colour plates shows RS712 at Bovingdon during the making of ‘Mosquito Squadron’ in 1968 . The paint is still missing from the flat panel on the nose cone . Was the paint reinstated for filming? Also were dummy nose guns fitted to the two TIIIs used in ‘633 Squadron’ and RR299 in ‘Mosquito Squadron’ and how was this done? . Lastly am I correct in assuming the ‘nose guns firing’ sequences in ‘633 Squadron’ were achieved using ‘gas guns’ which worked via Acetylene gas.Thanks for your help. Colin
By: colin.barron - 27th February 2016 at 13:11
The FB Mark VI Mosquito had a shorter bomb bay capable of carrying two bombs. The aircraft used in the film were mainly TT35s with a full length bomb bay capable of carrying four bombs. In Frederick E Smith’s 1956 novel of ‘633 Squadron’ and subsequent sequels it was explained that the Mosquitos were a hybrid type with a full-length bomb bay,two short barrelled 20mm cannon and two 0.303 Brownings.
By: colin.barron - 27th February 2016 at 13:06
Thank you for this explanation. When I attended the September 1999 conference on the film at Duxford there were some B & W photos of these ‘flats’ but obviously sitting in a studio. I had no idea they were used at Bovingdon. Thanks for the information.
By: Trolly Aux - 27th February 2016 at 07:58
One thing i noticed whilst watching this film last night……..
Would the pilot have actually pressed the bomb release button or would that have been someone elses job?
Sorry to hijack i was just curious
I think the bomber would of had a bomb aimer in the glazed nose, the cannon set up I would hazard a guess the Copilot or Captain would do it.
It all seems a bit Filmy that sequence.
Did those Fighter versions carry bombs in a bomb bay ?
By: Propstrike - 27th February 2016 at 00:13
. Bovingdon was also used for ‘The Liquidator’ I believe (which had some Vickers Valiant sequences). Some articles have also claimed that some sequences for ‘Battle of Britain ‘ were filmed there. I think this in incorrect though the aircraft used in ‘Battle of Britain’ were moved to Bovingdon for a while in the autumn of 1968 as they couldn’t stay at Duxford any longer.
There was filming undertaken at Bovingdon for BoB, in particular the sequence when smoking He111 descends over a central London skyline.
This scene was a ‘flat; on hoarding and scaffold, erected on the NW corner of the airfield, with numerous takes being filmed. There are photos in circulation.
By: R4118 - 26th February 2016 at 18:30
One thing i noticed whilst watching this film last night……..
Would the pilot have actually pressed the bomb release button or would that have been someone elses job?
Sorry to hijack i was just curious
By: colin.barron - 26th February 2016 at 10:30
Thanks for your replies. I am very familiar with the Strathallan museum as I am Scottish. I saw RS712 flying from Strathallan at the 1976 and 1977 air displays. It looks as though the paint was removed from the bomb aimer’s panel of RS712 for ‘The Avengers’ episode and it stayed that way until the aircraft was painted silver after its arrival at Strathallan in late 1975. I don’t remember any ‘nose art’ on ‘633 Sguadron’ or ‘Mosquito Squadron’ Mossies other than swastika kill markings. Bovingdon was also used for ‘The Liquidator’ I believe (which had some Vickers Valiant sequences). Some articles have also claimed that some sequences for ‘Battle of Britain ‘ were filmed there. I think this in incorrect though the aircraft used in ‘Battle of Britain’ were moved to Bovingdon for a while in the autumn of 1968 as they couldn’t stay at Duxford any longer.
By: Olympus - 25th February 2016 at 23:05
At the risk of crashing this thread………..does anyone have pictures of any of the nose art worn during the film. I have a model decal sheet that seems at odds to the limited glances you get in the film.
By: Mothminor - 25th February 2016 at 21:48
I can’t actually answer your question, Colin, but I obtained this photo, which may be of interest, some years ago. I cannot remember where from so cannot credit it to anyone and will remove it if necessary –
This photo I took in 1975 when RS712 arrived at Strathallan. It still appears to have an unpainted bomb-aimer’s panel at that time. Apologies for the poor quality! –
By: Propstrike - 25th February 2016 at 18:25
Colin, sorry that I can not help with these particular details, but your project sounds very interesting indeed.
A friend of mine is writing the definitive history of Bovingdon, and he may have some ‘ on the set photos’ that might be helpful.
Bovingdon is in my parish, and I would be very keen to see your completed publication. Don’t forget War Lover and Hanover Street ! (also Bovi, of course )
Andy Smith
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February 25, 2016 at 9:35 am