was a film made in about 1954. I remember seeing it in the mid 1950’s and being absolutely smitten with the F9F Panther – this was the aircraft for me.
It wasn’t until 1986 at the ‘Gathering of Warbirds’ at Madura, Ca, that I actually got to see one in action for the first and only time.
I don’t know who it belonged to, but have in the back of my mind that it was subsequently lost in an accident.
From the crowd line it was not particularly easy to photograph. Either too close or too far away. Anyway here are some just scanned images.
Despite being a ‘hair dryer’ am I alone in thinking this was a pretty handsome machine?
Any still flying or on the restoration stocks?
Mark
By: willy.henderick - 28th October 2004 at 23:00
The film has now been released on DVD with sharp pictures of aircrafts.
By: RobAnt - 26th October 2004 at 18:44
Mickey Rooney (Waynes Father) played a winchman
No, I think he played the Dragonfly Pilot.
By: Mark12 - 26th October 2004 at 17:05
Thanks! They’re beatiful! Do you think there’s any chance they’d do a fiberglass replacement kinda deal? 🙂
Unlikely, but don’t mention the Malvinas. 😉
Mark
By: EN830 - 26th October 2004 at 12:51
Needless to say fellow travellers were not too pleased that I insisted that we stop for 10 minutes to record the Argentine Navy Air Museum. Mark
Mark
Obviously these people didn’t realise the distinguished company that they were travelling with. I hope you put them right.
By: Bruggen 130 - 26th October 2004 at 11:34
Thanks for sharing the pictures! Thats one of my favorite planes. Anyone have somemore?
Got this one.
Phil. 🙂
By: O.P. - 26th October 2004 at 11:21
Here are a couple of shots I took in February last year at Tigre, Argentina. Unexpectedly these aircraft hove into view whilst my wife and I were passing on a river boat excursion from Buenos Aires. Needless to say fellow travellers were not too pleased that I insisted that we stop for 10 minutes to record the Argentine Navy Air Museum.
Mark
(for Melv, before you say it: Saga-lout)
Thanks! They’re beatiful! Do you think there’s any chance they’d do a fiberglass replacement kinda deal? 🙂
By: Mark12 - 26th October 2004 at 10:03
Thanks for sharing the pictures! Thats one of my favourite planes. Anyone have somemore?
Here are a couple of shots I took in February last year at Tigre, Argentina. Unexpectedly these aircraft hove into view whilst my wife and I were passing on a river boat excursion from Buenos Aires. Needless to say fellow travellers were not too pleased that I insisted that we stop for 10 minutes to record the Argentine Navy Air Museum.
Mark
(for Melv, before you say it: Saga-lout)
By: Swiss Mustangs - 26th October 2004 at 08:50
Blue Angels on F9F:
http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Panthers/Panther.html#pan5
Martin
By: O.P. - 26th October 2004 at 08:28
Thanks for sharing the pictures! Thats one of my favorite planes. Anyone have somemore?
By: Swiss Mustangs - 26th October 2004 at 08:13
Contemporary photo (US Navy – Public domain):
Martin
By: turbo_NZ - 26th October 2004 at 05:24
Interesting story, thanks Oscar Duck.
I remember in the movie the CAG complaing to the captain about burning up the hours of the 3350’s in the Skyraiders running at full power.
Was that an issue with the Trackers?
TNZ
By: oscar duck - 26th October 2004 at 05:10
Using prop aircraft to turn a carrier is known as a “pinwheel”. We used Grumman S-2G Trackers to turn and dock the good :diablo: ship HMAS Melbourne in 1980 when I was CAG Satco…..aircraft chained at right angles fore and aft…man the noise of those 1820’s running at METO power was the best part…and it worked. the f$#*7g tug boat men went on strike after we returned from warmer waters around the Gulf..
By: turbo_NZ - 26th October 2004 at 04:51
Excellent movie !!!
Good footage of Spads as well.
Interesting scene where they’re manouvering the carrier into a Japanese port and running up the tied down Skyraider’s on each side to push the carrier in.
Was this really done in real life? :confused:
TNZ
By: Papa Lima - 25th October 2004 at 23:20
Cast list (from my link above)
William Holden
Lieutenant Harry Brubaker
Grace Kelly
Nancy Brubaker
Fredric March
Rear Admiral George Tarrant
Mickey Rooney
Mike Forney
Robert Strauss
Beer Barrel
Charles McGraw
Commander Wayne Lee
Keiko Awaji
Kimiko
Earl Holliman
Nestor Gamidge
Richard Shannon
Lieutenant Olds
Willis B. Bouchey
Captain Evans
and
Paul Kruger
Captain Parker
Gene Reynolds
C.I.C. Officer
James Jenkins
Assistant C.I.C. Officer
Dennis Weaver
Air Intelligence Officer
Charles Tannen
Military Police Major
Jack Roberts
Quartermaster
Robert A. Sherry
Flight Surgeon
James Hyland
Officer of the Day
Gene Hardy
Chief Petty Officer Second Class
Marshall U. Beebe
Pilot
Teru Shinada
Japanese Father
Rollin Moriyama
Bellhop
Robert Kino
Bartender
Nadine Ashdown
Cathy Brubaker
Cheryl Lynn Callaway
Susie Brubaker
By: EN830 - 25th October 2004 at 22:56
Wasn’t it William Holden as the fighter pilot and Mickey Rooney (Waynes Father) played a winchman who wore a top hat ?
By: Papa Lima - 25th October 2004 at 22:24
Gee, thanks Mike, I never expected my little joke to turn into a nice surprise! Wish I could return the compliment but my library’s pitiful!
By: Mark12 - 25th October 2004 at 22:16
I think it was ‘The Bridges AT Toko-Ri’, from memory, [/Pedant mode off], book by James A Michener, and was about Banshees, substituted by Panthers in the film.
Great pics, thanks for Posting Mark. 🙂
Changed to ‘at’ – moderator’s privelege. 🙂
Mark
By: Papa Lima - 25th October 2004 at 22:08
http://perso.club-internet.fr/beamovclassics/grace_kelly/tokori_filmo.htm
“Bridges at Toko-Ri”
Well done, Mike, I always assumed it was “of” but now I know. I bet you even have the book in your wall-to-wall library! (Any chance of posting it to me for a good read?)
By: Andy in Beds - 25th October 2004 at 22:06
Great Pictures Mark.
The Panther is a great looking machine and the film was a great film.
Filmed on the USS Oriskany.
Cheers
Andy
By: oscar duck - 25th October 2004 at 22:04
Cavanagh has an airworthy immaculate Panther…agree fantastic looking machine..
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October 25, 2004 at 9:57 pm