Information required on "REACH FOR THE SKY"

Didn’t know there were so many Spitfires used in the making of this film!

von Perthes

Many thanks for the info, just what I need

Originally posted by Mark12
Confusion here.

The Portuguese Hurricanes were in ‘Angels one Five’.

Mark

I knew I’d read something about Portuguese Hurricanes.:)

Gateguard,

This is the info (from ‘After the Battle’) that I posted in an earlier thread which touched on this subject. Hope it helps.

The Spitfires used were-

RW352 as RA617/QV-S, SL574 as RV214/QV-R, TE358 as AR251/QV-X, TE456 as TE425/PD-S, RW345 as TA614, SL745 as TR627/QV-T, TB293 as RV415/QV-U, TE288 as AR251/QV-X & ZD-S, TE341 as VT151/ZD-S & QV-S, and TB885 as R1247/QV-V. Note- the s/n ‘AR251’ was carried by two Spitfires in the film.

Apart from the above, TB863 & RR263 have also been credited with appearing in this film.

RW352, SL574, TE358 & TE456 were the flyers.

Four other spits were taken to Lynham, but were not selected for use, these were- RW394, TB752, TE311, & PK608.

Other aircraft used were-

Hurricane LF363 (the only flyer) as T4125/SD-K, -N, -R, -X, -W. Possibly P2617 as T4107/SD-P, -W, -X. Unknown as V5276/SD-Y, -W. Replica as R7141/SD-T, -F.

Bulldog G-ABBB. A full size Bulldog replica was built specially for the film, for use as background dressing, for studio cockpit close-ups, and after being broken up, for the wrecked Bulldog. G-ABBB was given the s/n K2496, though the Bulldog Bader crashed in was K1676. The replica carried the s/n K2494, but became K2496 for the studio scenes and the crash. The Bulldog which was seen to crash was actually a model.

Bristol Fighter D8096

Avro 504 E3404. Unknown 504 in background, pos E449, H2311, or replica.

Geoff

Confusion here.

The Portuguese Hurricanes were in ‘Angels one Five’.

Mark

There has been a discussion recently. Could I have read that they borrowed Portuguese Hurricanes?

I would recommend to you the ‘After the Battle’ magazine that covered this in full with 15 full pages of fine detail and photographs. I do not know the issue number but I believe they are all still available.

http://www.afterthebattle.com/home.htm

Mark

PS

ISSUE No. 35 (Code A035)

ADOLF HITLER’S STAATSKAROSSE – Ludwig Kosche describes the history of the vehicle displayed in the Canadian War Museum. From the Editor – readers’ letters and follow-up stories on previous issues. Readers’ Investigations -Gary Emms investigates the Heinkel which crashed in Newport Monmouthshire on September 12/13, 1940. War Film – Reach for the Sky – Trevor Popple’s detailed account of the making of this 1955 biopic featuring Kenneth More as the legless RAF Ace Douglas Bader.

One Hurricane – flyable – LF363.

I think that’s about all I know! This has been discussed at length before, if I remember correctly.