[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-11-02 AT 05:42 PM (GMT)]Well, we all know about Jimmy Stewart, and I dare say there are a few more (answers on a postcard please, or name them on here!). Now, I have one for you.
Who played ‘Batchy’ in ‘Angels One-Five’. What program was he most famous for? and (drum roll please) What was his real name, and who did he serve with?
A clue: He began as an army officer, before joining the RAF in 1942. He crashed two fighters, before being transferred to another squadron (Army air corps this time). He managed the grand total of zero operational flights on his first squadron.
I know all the info except what he did after he was transferred, and where he went to. So, bonus points for that!
By: Snapper - 21st November 2002 at 20:12
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
119732 H.L. Gilbert. Pilot Officer. A pre-war make up artist in Hollywood. Became British Army Officer, transferred to RAF, joined 609 (WR) Sqn at Duxford 30/06/1942 under Paul Richey. On 30/07/42 crash landed Typhoon R7816 at Catwater Farm in Cambs, following engine failure. In following month, August, he was concussed in another forced landing and went on sick leave. (He suffered an engine failure one day, and just let it crash straight ahead without taking any action to save the plane – but I’m not sure which incident this refers too.)In December he rejoined 609 under Roland Beamont but Bee posted him to an Army Air Corps Unit overseas. Post-war Bee and Pat, his wife, were taken to a show and one of the ‘artists’ was Gilbert who had spotted Bee and after the show came up to them and said “I say Sir would you mind telling me why I was posted away from 609?” Bee was hard pushed to answer without hurting his feelings. Gilbert never flew a single operational mission before being ‘bumped off’ the Squadron.
This is all gleaned from various e-mails, and under the name of Humphrey Lestocq there are quite a few hits on google RE: his later career.
BUT I STILL DON’T KNOW HIS FIRST NAME OR WHERE HE WAS POSTED TOO! Now is that a competition or what?
By: Moggy C - 21st November 2002 at 16:29
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
Nope,
Got me beat.
Moggy
By: Snapper - 21st November 2002 at 15:04
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-11-02 AT 03:05 PM (GMT)]Flight Lieutenant ‘Batchy’ Salter was Humphrey Lestocq. Humphrey Lestocq was Pilot Officer J.L. Gilbert.
Come one guys, fill in the rest!
By: Jim_Harley - 19th November 2002 at 13:17
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
Here are a few that I know of…
John Travolta…accomplished private Pilot
Bob Barker…SBD Pilot WWII
Ed Macmahon…Navy Pilot WWII
Tom Cruise…Mustang owner and Private Pilot
Charleton Heston…B-25 Crewman WWII
Jack Webb…B-26 Instructor WWII
Harrison Ford…accomplished Private Pilot
a couple I have heard rumors about, but not sure about thier service careers.
Jack Pallance
Walter Mathau
Jim
By: Snapper - 18th November 2002 at 18:10
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
He did, but what was his real name, and what units did he fly with?
Hehe.
By: Moggy C - 18th November 2002 at 17:11
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
Well,
Humphrey Lestocq was the guy who played Flying Officer Kyte in Much-Binding-In-The-Marsh, a wartime radio comedy series loosely based around Moreton-in-Marsh bomber OTU.
Starred Dickie Murdoch and Kenneth Horne (I think)
Moggy
By: Snapper - 18th November 2002 at 15:56
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
A clue:
Humphrey Lestocq was his stage name.
By: macky42 - 16th November 2002 at 20:56
RE: A tough question about real pilots in fictional films.
A couple more examples:
Kurt Russell in “Executive Action” on TV last night – he’s an accomplished pilot but I’m not sure about that 747 landing…
“The Way to the Stars” is on next week I think. David ‘Mary Poppins’ Tomlinson is in it as an A20 pilot, he was a flying instructor during the war.
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November 16, 2002 at 5:40 pm