Mossies Galore

The Skyfame Collection was founded by Peter and Gwladys Thomas at Staverton in Gloucestershire in the early 60’s. Finally closed around 1978, initally the majority of the aircraft were on loan to the IWM but I believe that they are now all owned by the IWM.

Aircraft included.

Tempest II
2 Mosquito’s
Avro Anson
Airspeed Oxford
Fairey Firefly
Saro A1
Cierva C30
DH Sea Venom
Proctor
Miles Hawk
HP Hastings
Vampire
Auster AOP9
Short Sherpa
Flying Flea

septic.

Don’t forget the cockpit section from Halifax VII PN323. I will see that one up close in a few days. Can’t wait.

Ok Ok I’m biased. :p

Cheers

Cees

The Janie household promptly went into deep discussion about the various bouncing bombs and their properties. Anyone know what the German version was called?

was called KURT apparently.. designed as anti-shipping device like Highball, and had some kind of rocket propulsion to overcome the problem of it impacting with the ship and exploding just as the deliving a/c flew overhead.. don’t think it was used in anger..
Neil.

The final cringe for me comes near the end, when two Anson C.Mk19s taxi in with the survivors on board :rolleyes:

Mossies Galore

I counted three!

So who picked up on the Highball?

The Janie household promptly went into deep discussion about the various bouncing bombs and their properties. Anyone know what the German version was called?

The Skyfame Collection was founded by Peter and Gwladys Thomas

Their son is still in working with warbirds and a good person with whom to see 633 Squadron if you want to learn all the details and incongruities in the film as he was around at the filming.

I taped it a few years ago and have never managed to put up with more than half an hour or so. If anybody sticks with it for the whole length you have my admiration – and sympathy.

I was under the impression though, and I’m probably wrong, that the Mossie was too fast to be caught by most contemporary german piston engined fighters?

Well, yes and no. At high altitude nothing could catch the Mossie in a tailchase exept the He 219 and the Me262. I think they needed to be above ca. 25000 feet to be almost immune. At low altitude the Mossie was not doing to well against the likes of Fw190.

In the credits for this film was The Skyfame Collection. I see this name quite often but know nothing about it. Is it the aircraft that went to Duxford when it first opened ? Could somebody please enlighten me.

The Skyfame Collection was founded by Peter and Gwladys Thomas at Staverton in Gloucestershire in the early 60’s. Finally closed around 1978, initally the majority of the aircraft were on loan to the IWM but I believe that they are now all owned by the IWM.

Aircraft included.

Tempest II
2 Mosquito’s
Avro Anson
Airspeed Oxford
Fairey Firefly
Saro A1
Cierva C30
DH Sea Venom
Proctor
Miles Hawk
HP Hastings
Vampire
Auster AOP9
Short Sherpa
Flying Flea

septic.

Who cares if the acting, direction, story and facts were rubbish. It had loads of mossies in it.

I was under the impression though, and I’m probably wrong, that the Mossie was too fast to be caught by most contemporary german piston engined fighters?

Taped this today, but can’t be arsed to watch it tonight but have a look 2morrow.

In the credits for this film was The Skyfame Collection. I see this name quite often but know nothing about it. Is it the aircraft that went to Duxford when it first opened ? Could somebody please enlighten me.

So who picked up on the Highball? There was a clip of film that showed 618 Squadrons trials with the Highball. The Highball was for use against the Tirpitz, but I’m not sure if they thought about using it against tunnels though.
Alex

They also used them against HMS Hawkins. My dad was on board at the time. he said it was a lot more dangerous than fighting Germans.

….about as realistic as Kelly’s Heroes!

But not as comical……….. 😀

So who picked up on the Highball? There was a clip of film that showed 618 Squadrons trials with the Highball. The Highball was for use against the Tirpitz, but I’m not sure if they thought about using it against tunnels though.

Perhaps they used that idea for the film and added the POW breakout based on the Amiens raid.

I’m sure they mentioned 633 Squadron, during the briefing for the raid, would be one of the squadrons earmarked to destroy the German buildongs.

Alex

Must be time for a movie about the Amiens raid, surely!

Hmmm!, my thoughts on this is that it wouldnt be ‘sexy’ enough for the public to watch it.
Now a film chronicle about both Pickard and Broadley would fire up interest with most of the members of this forum, both had distiguished career records in service with the RAF in 161 squadron and 140 wing (21,464 and 487 squadrons) however, how could you make a cinematic plot around one, out of many, similar raids in WW2 that would capture the imagination of the public.
Where would the love interest be?, surely Ms Yorke is getting on a bit now :rolleyes:

….about as realistic as Kelly’s Heroes!

How is it that when we see a film about the RAF in WWII they are all wearing WWII medal ribbons?

David McCallum was wearing a 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and Air Crew Europe Star ribbons. I thought these weren’t issued until after the War? I mean how can someone wear a 1939-45 Star in 1944?

He also had either a DFC or AFC and bar and I think an Mention in Despatches emblem.

Alex

A little bit off topic (but not too much) I was looking at some comments for 633 Squadron, and one states that:

“Robertson reportedly did most of his own flying for 633 SQUADRON, and became so enamored with the Mosquito bomber, he bought one.”

Anything to confirm that? I knew he had a Spitfire (MK923) that was often flown by Jerry Billing, but not a Mossie!

The trivia for the movie also states that he bought a Mosquito, but nothing about flying in the movie (unless the first quote refers to something that was misquoted, perhaps Cliff Robertson doing his own flying whilst not actually filming??)

Just caught the end of it, a poor sequel, but then again they didn’t have many mossies to use(how many?). At least they had some flying 😡 .
May I be the first today they didn’t have mk 19 Ansons in 1944 :rolleyes: .