I was just hunting for something and found an issue of Flypast from Oct 88 that I’d bought second hand ages back. It has an article about the making of Piece of Cake in it. Smashing stuff.
I wonder about some things… 1) What became of the replica Spitfires they made, it says some were not destroyed and were up for sale. Are some in museums? (also, I notice the replicas were made with four blade props? To match the flyers?)
2) It advertises a book called ‘How They Made PIECE OF CAKE’ by Robert Eagle and Herbie Knott (Boxtree). Has anyone out there got this, and if so, is it good (I’ll bet it is fantastic…)
3) Has anyone got the Nov 88 edition, as it was a two-parter and I’d love to see the second half if someone can scan it please.
4) It mentions that Derek Robinson also wrote a book about Hornet Squadron in World War One called War Story. Is this good? Did they ever consider a TV version of that one?
By: stuart gowans - 20th March 2010 at 07:36
That’s why it’s called “camouflage”!:D
Ray Hanna… the closest we got to an old bold pilot? The worrying thing is that he was higher going under the bridge than he was above Alain de Cadenet!
Imagine, though, a squadron of Lancasters going under the Menai bridges… That must have been a sight for sore eyes.
Adrian
That’s because he had respect for the water, whereas………
By: DazDaMan - 19th March 2010 at 23:27
That’s right – gets shot down by one of the “new boys” on the squadron in episode 5.
By: sparky - 19th March 2010 at 23:21
If I remember rightly wasn’t there a JU52 as well in Red cross markings?
By: adrian_gray - 19th March 2010 at 23:01
Amazing how it changes colour!!!! Grey/green to brown/Green and back to Grey/Green:p
That’s why it’s called “camouflage”!:D
Ray Hanna… the closest we got to an old bold pilot? The worrying thing is that he was higher going under the bridge than he was above Alain de Cadenet!
Imagine, though, a squadron of Lancasters going under the Menai bridges… That must have been a sight for sore eyes.
Adrian
By: The Blue Max - 19th March 2010 at 22:30
I’ll post this anyway – it’s the bridge sequence recycled into an episode of Foyle’s War. MH434 with a black-painted spinner, but that’s all the “make-up” they used! :rolleyes:
Amazing how it changes colour!!!! Grey/green to brown/Green and back to Grey/Green:p
By: DazDaMan - 19th March 2010 at 20:57
looks nothing like it should do Pointed rudder etc
I know, that’s why I said the purists will disagree.
Don’t get me wrong, I like historically accurate aircraft in films, and I can forgive the lack of correct airframes (Spitfire XVIs in Reach for the Sky, anyone?), but on a purely visual basis for film work, I would pick a handful of later-model Spits. Or, if you want to split hairs, Mk.Vs in Battle of Britain make-up (with cannon).
But like I said, only the experts will know if it’s right or not. 99% of people watching it will only recognise it for what it is – a Spitfire.
By: BSG-75 - 19th March 2010 at 20:49
The book I love…
it does get too detailed at times as he crams in too many elements of the history (gun cameras, wooden target mock ups etc) but its a classic and has been copied a few times as well.
I’ve owned a few copies over the years and I can pick it up and dive in, the TV series not so for me. Casting was very good, but they lost too much in focusing on the “shock” elements IMO.
By: The Beach - 19th March 2010 at 20:28
I know the purists will disagree, but if I had to make a film about the Battle of Britain, with Spitfires, I’d use the Pr.XI. It just looks so….. right! The nose, the four-blade prop, the pointed rudder and retractable tailwheel. A little bit of “make-up”, and only the experts would really know the difference! :p[/QUOTE]
looks nothing like it should do Pointed rudder etc
By: DazDaMan - 18th March 2010 at 22:44
I watched the whole series again this week. Much of what I’ve said in the past still stands – the flying sequences are still superb after viewing #69, etc, etc.
One of the great things to look at is this aircraft: Spitfire Pr.XI PL983/G-PRXI.
(Pic from www.military-airshows.co.uk. Incidentally, I have a similar picture somewhere – this must have been taken at the Battle of Britain show at Duxford in 2000!)
I know the purists will disagree, but if I had to make a film about the Battle of Britain, with Spitfires, I’d use the Pr.XI. It just looks so….. right! The nose, the four-blade prop, the pointed rudder and retractable tailwheel. A little bit of “make-up”, and only the experts would really know the difference! :p
By: DazDaMan - 18th March 2010 at 17:49
I’ll post this anyway – it’s the bridge sequence recycled into an episode of Foyle’s War. MH434 with a black-painted spinner, but that’s all the “make-up” they used! :rolleyes:
By: Blue_2 - 17th March 2010 at 07:06
This you mean Blue_2.
Aye cheers Pimpernel- saves me a job! 🙂
By: Flygirl - 17th March 2010 at 03:58
Carefully, and with The Best* at the helm of the Spit… 😉
*Ray Hanna, as if people needed reminding!
Agreed . 🙂
By: DazDaMan - 16th March 2010 at 22:48
The Rapide was Brian Woodford’s G-ACZE, although I think G-ADDD/JHO was in there somewhere if my memory serves me correctly – it was just after we sold it. ‘Le Touquet’ was in fact Marshalls at Cambridge!
That’s right. I forgot there were two Rapides – one (I think G-ACZE) in a very nice scarlet/blue scheme, the other in camouflage for one of the French sequences.
By: pimpernel - 16th March 2010 at 19:55
The nearby Winston Bridge Caravan Park has a depiction of the Spit and the bridge as their, sort of, emblem thingy… Will try get a photo next time I’m that way on.
This you mean Blue_2.
By: AdlerTag - 16th March 2010 at 19:42
My goodness Tim, no I hadn’t seen that before. Many thanks for sharing such a gem with us- it seems you had a busy couple of days! It makes for an interesting and ofcourse sobering read- so many shot up, wounded and killed all on the one page, and hospitalised yourself ofcourse. I hope you haven’t had to buy a drink since!
By: cotteswold - 16th March 2010 at 16:05
Adler Tag – RIP. I wrote Derek at the time & that’s my lot. There are several sensible reviews on the net (far more searching than I could write) which argue both sides.
You’ll have seen this before (?) but just have to note that you’re at the top of the page!
= Tim
By: piston power! - 16th March 2010 at 15:37
Just bought a copy for £5.00 with postage but here is another one for £8.00.
By: GrahamSimons - 16th March 2010 at 14:38
The Rapide was Brian Woodford’s G-ACZE, although I think G-ADDD/JHO was in there somewhere if my memory serves me correctly – it was just after we sold it. ‘Le Touquet’ was in fact Marshalls at Cambridge!
By: Blue_2 - 16th March 2010 at 14:16
Carefully, and with The Best* at the helm of the Spit… 😉
*Ray Hanna, as if people needed reminding!
The nearby Winston Bridge Caravan Park has a depiction of the Spit and the bridge as their, sort of, emblem thingy… Will try get a photo next time I’m that way on.
By: AdlerTag - 16th March 2010 at 13:47
Watched its filming & shuddered!!
= Tim
Hello Tim,
I’m wondering if you’d be kind enough to give us your impressions of the book and TV series, I think everyone here would value your opinion on them. I know there was a hell of a storm generated by veterans when the series was first broadcast, would you be among them?
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March 25, 2004 at 9:13 am