I was watching this nice movie starring George Peppard, and apart for the cool aerial scenes, I wanted to know something about the parasol monoplane featuring in the last scenes. I was able to recognize a couple of Tiger Moths other than the other flying repros, but the last one is a real mistery to me: was it a fantasy prop or it was a real plane? It was probably inspired to the Fokker D.VIII, and I must say it was really cool! Last but not least, did George Peppard actually fly her? It seems so from some final scenes, where there’s no “blue screen” technique, but it looks like they took some genuine aerial shots.
Cheers
Alex
By: Mark12 - 15th April 2005 at 16:36
I thought that G-BBMI was a Dewoitine D26….?
I also think that the high parasol wing monoplane was a Morane Saulnier and was registered in the Irish republic, along with all the other aircraft used in the film (It was shot in Eire), but cant seem to find my notes..This will give me an excuse to watch the film again!
EH
I am sure you a right. They all look the same to me. 🙂
Mark
By: Auster Fan - 15th April 2005 at 16:35
[QUOTE=Mark12]
I see on the back of the photograph I have written G-BBMI, May 1974.
Mark
Wasn’t that the D26 owned for many years by Bob Willies (Willis?) and a regular on the dispaly circuit in the 70s and 80s?
By: Tony Woods - 15th April 2005 at 16:21
The MS.230 used in the Blue Max was indeed EI-ARG (1049) flown by Derek Piggott I believe. Ex F-BGMR. It became G-BJCL with Stephen Grey on 22.7.81 and was exported to Kermit Weeks as N230MS after work by PPS in 10.87. Cancelled on 27.1.88. I believe it was damaged in Hurricane Andrew on 24.8.92. It was powered by a 250hp Salmson 9ab
By: Ewan Hoozarmy - 15th April 2005 at 16:09
I thought that G-BBMI was a Dewoitine D26….?
I also think that the high parasol wing monoplane was a Morane Saulnier and was registered in the Irish republic, along with all the other aircraft used in the film (It was shot in Eire), but cant seem to find my notes..This will give me an excuse to watch the film again!
By: italian harvard - 15th April 2005 at 16:06
that’s nice really! 🙂
Alex
By: Mark12 - 15th April 2005 at 15:09
Blue max
I note the following in the Aviation Movie site.
The Blue Max
1968 *v
WWI- George Peppard; modern WWI drama. Great biplane footage. Replica Pfaltz D.III, Moraine 230 (reserve plane). Albatross DII, 2 SE.5A replicas, Caudron 272 Fokker Dr.I replica, 3 Fokker D.VIII replicas Triplanes Tiger Moths (“Fokkers”).
Doug Bianchi had several of these high wing Parasol aircraft at Booker at this period.
Ah I remember – flying to Blackbushe with Canadian Don Plumb on some Spitfire mission or other when something quite interesting passed on a reciprocal course at our height and 500 yards off to port. Don was intrigued by this and immediately swung through 180 and gave chase to see what it was. It was Tony Bianchi in one of these Moranes (edit – or what ever it is) on air test and he did not seem best pleased at our interest, indeed you can almost see him scowling in this full frame, non telephoto, shot. 🙂
I see on the back of the photograph I have written G-BBMI, May 1974.
Mark
By: Stieglitz - 15th April 2005 at 13:42
I guess I’d be happy with one of these 🙂
Alex
Well, here are some more pics of this great machine taken between may 2004 and january 2005:
Enjoy!
Stieglitz
By: Arm Waver - 15th April 2005 at 13:41
This previous thread may be of some help…
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=34806&highlight=blue+max
By: italian harvard - 15th April 2005 at 13:22
I guess I’d be happy with one of these 🙂
Alex
By: Stieglitz - 15th April 2005 at 13:01
Was the MS equiped with a continental engine in the movie or a Salmson engine. If it wasn’t a continental, would that make it a Morane Saulnier MS315?
Stieglitz
Something like this, but then in silver:
By: DazDaMan - 15th April 2005 at 12:22
Yes it was. It is/was in the Blue Max collection at Booker. Think it’s gone on to the Flying Aces museum at Compton Abbas.
By: Auster Fan - 15th April 2005 at 12:06
From memory, I think it was a Morane Saulnier MS230. No doubt I will be corrected, if wrong!
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April 15, 2005 at 11:58 am