What WW2 story would you like to see filmed today? (2002 Zombie)

Commando and Air Ace

I used to like those 2…On the subject of artwork, wasn’t Cam Kennedy, who did Rogue Trooper as well, one of the artists? He always had an incredible eye for detail, and a lot of his imagery was almost photographic

RE: I’d like to see!

> Like when some silly yanks decided to repair the main gate at Mildenhall a few years ago, and diverted all the traffic – it took 30 minutes to get in a side gate, all the time, in blazing heat

BLAZING HEAT?

You absolutely sure this was Mildenhall????

Moggy 😉

RE: I’d like to see!

Yeah I like those commando comics, they make good reading while trying to get in or out of airshows. Like when some silly yanks decided to repair the main gate at Mildenhall a few years ago, and diverted all the traffic – it took 30 minutes to get in a side gate, with some silly old fool behind me clacking on “so then, do you like planes?” all the time, in blazing heat – and us missing the flying! Grrrr…

RE: I’d like to see!

Ja,
You read the Commando and Air Ace stories too? When I was a kid they cost 6d., that’s 2 and a half pence! They now have a cover price of 95p. They are still worth getting hold of as some of the artwork was really brilliant. One or two of the stories were factual as well.

Regards,

kev35

RE: I’d like to see!

Ja, we have had the wonderful Cross of iron, as well as the 2nd best movie of last year Enemy at the Gates…

RE: I’d like to see!

well done moggy C

rabie :9

I’d like to see!

Some things I’d like to see!

1. Bombing of Darwin!
2. The PNG campaigne
3. The Rats of Tobruk!
4. A story done from the enemy’s point of view (more along the lines of the political side, the decission makers. Admiral Yamamoto’s story or the Romel files)
5. the story of the Admiral Graf Spee!
6. Opperation Barberossa!
7. The Mini sub attack on Sydney Harbour
8. the IJA getting lost in out back Australia (As seen from the koorie foke)
9. Englands retreat accross the lower asia and into India
10. Some of the war comic stories (AirAce, Comanndo)

Fighter pilots make movies, Bomber pilots make history and Nerds make money from the sims!

RE: What WW2 story ? Update

Quite obvious! The part of the dog will be played by Lassie (CGI, for obvious reasons of taste!). The dog will be sent on a do or die mission to take a message to HQ that reinforcements are needed! The kid will have a degree in radio/radar & will come up with an ingenious idea, that none of the adults will have thought about, to beat the enemy. I also believe Malta, for reasons of continuity, is now just off the coast of Florida. The US public wouldn’t know any different, unless there was a theme park there, anyway!

Neilly

RE: What WW2 story ? Update

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 26-02-02 AT 10:21 AM (GMT)]Great, great news everybody!

Disney Corporation are interested in my film “Air battle over Malta” and we are now in deep negotiation.

You will appreciate that whilst I will be in over-all control of the storyline, my high standards of historical accuracy might have to be compromised a little to secure the necessary funding.

Arnie has agreed to star, however his agent suggests that the name “Screwballs” is unacceptable and must be changed to “Ironballs”. But as long as that, and the new provisional title “Terminator IV, Grand Harbor” are in place he’s onboard.

Product placement is being kept to a minimum. And I for one think that the scene where Sean Penn dies at his Bofors gun heroically defending the Valetta branch of McDonalds from an attacking JU88 is very gripping. The aftermath, where the damaged Junkers crashes into the convent killing the 14 highly attractive orphans of carefully mixed sex and ethnic origin, is very touching too. Watching the shuddering sobs of grief wracking the frame of the brave Mother Superior (Pamela Anderson) will bring tears to many an eye.

As an aside, thanks to a certain amount of recycling after her recent breast-deaugmentation operation, Pamela also features as a significant part of the Valetta balloon defences.

There has been a notable increase in the prominence given to the valiant struggle of the US built and manned oil tanker OH 10 to get its cargo of 100 octane avgas to the Island. I know it isn’t strictly accurate but the scene where it sinks the Italian fleet at Taranto is really thrilling.

BRITISH INVOLVEMENT

Now I know what some of you are thinking. “Where are the Brits in all this?” After all, we were on the Island too, even if only in a supporting role.

Well, good news. There have been some major British signings that I can announce.

Jo Brand has agreed to play Benito (Il Duce) Mussolini, the Italian leader. I had her in mind to play the Axis held Island of Pantelleria, but her agent assures me that 2 years intensive work with a personal trainer will get her down to Il Duce’s size.

Vinnie Jones’s acting skills will be pushed to new limits as he plays a cockney hard man running the Island’s black market. However he comes good in the end when he organises a charity footie match for the benefit of the orphanage survivors, finally joining the priesthood and marrying the Mother Superior. Watch too for first-time screen appearances from Michael Owen and David Beckham in the footie scenes.

We will all be cheered by Julian Clary’s cameo appearance on the OH 10 as Roger the cabin boy. He has one or two sticky moments, but eventually comes out on top.

Finally, Kate Winslet will be appearing as Lady Clementine Churchill, Sir Winston’s wife. There is a provision in her contract that the scenes where she strips off in the Officers Mess at Takali Field in order to rebuild RAF morale will be tastefully filmed.

The only bit I’m struggling with is how to write in the cutsie seven year old American kid and his faithful dog into the script. Any help in this area will be gratefully received.

Moggy

RE: What WW2 story ?

Even though I disagred with his pro-Malvinas sentiments in the 1980’s, a CGI film of Pierre Clostermans ‘The Big Show’ would be great.

RE: What WW2 story ?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-02-02 AT 06:12 PM (GMT)]Oooh Moggy, you are a one!!!
(Sorry, slipped into ##### Emery mode.)

How about the three girls from Steps as the Beverley sisters and the band from Brassed Off as the Glenn Miller Orchestra?

Thanks for the rating and the kind words Moggy, really appreciate it.

Regards,

kev35

RE: What WW2 story ?

Owww…I ache from laughing Moggy…S Club 7 as the Squadronnaires?!? You are sick sick sick 😉

RE: What WW2 story ?

i was thinking, what about a movie about the Western desert. black 6 would look the part…

RE: What WW2 story ?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-02-02 AT 01:54 PM (GMT)]I would dearly like to see a fictionalised account of the great air battle for Malta.

The story is great, three old Sea Gladiators being unpacked and readied to fight the Regia Aeronautica, their gallant battle, the gradual arrival of Hurricanes, the appearance of the Luftwaffe, the ferrying flight off the carriers, the struggle of the OH 10 to get into port, Spitfires, Beaufighters and the eventual victory.

As it would be fictionalised there would be an opportunity to build in some non-aviation interest. I still think that my interest in WW2 aviation has more to do with the BoB shots of Susannah York in stockings and suspenders than is strictly healthy.

Suggested cast list

Hero pilot ‘Screwballs’ Burbling – Arnie Schwarzenegger
Stiff upper lip BoB pilot from public school – Richard Gere
Cockney Sgt pilot – The guy who plays Spike in Buffy
Air Traffic Controller – Catherine Zeta Jones
Winston Churchill – John Candy (Brought back to life by CGI)
All the German Officers – Charles Dance
All the Italians – Marlon Brando (Reprising his role in the Godfather)
The Squadronnaires band – S Club 7
Cockney AA gunner – The guy who plays Grant Mitchell (Or is it Phil?)
Cockney AA gunners floosie – Barbara Windsor (Reprising her role from Carry on Camping when her bra flies off – Don’t go there OK?)
Captain of the OH10 – Clint Eastwood
First mate of the OH10 – Tom Hanks.

Any more?

Moggy

RE: What WW2 story ?

You are right Neilly, the effects may not have been up to much, even for those days, but I don’t think the film would have looked so good in colour somehow. Maybe instead of a remake, we could just have a ‘Special Edition’ that enhances the original instead?

RE: What WW2 story ?

To a certain degree I agree with you, Lancman. However, it would be good to see Dambusters in colour (although B&W is very atmospheric!) & the special effects could be better.
I think I’ll dig the film out this afternoon, turn up the central heating & crack open a nice cold beer, & settle down to doing not much of anything, except watch the gogle box!!!

Happy viewing

Neilly

RE: What WW2 story ?

That’s the trouble though-a remake of something like ‘Dambusters’ nowadays would be totally Americanised! Hollywood absolutely CANNOT make a straight British film, they always have to put a spin on it, or twist the history to better suit themselves, or even just cast an American in a British role.

This will be controversial, but here goes-They think the won the entire war, and even the bits they weren’t involved in, they like to jiggle the facts and win that, too. It’s the American mentality, sorry. The recent sub film proves that-a British wartime success, and the Americans turned it around and made out like it was their victory. It’s one thing to be a nation that loves bombing people left, right and centre for a hobby, but it’s another thing to steal someone elses’ history as your own.

Another point is this-WHY remake something like Dambusters? There’s absolutely no need!

I’m going to run and hide now!

RE: What WW2 story ?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-02-02 AT 09:59 AM (GMT)]Ross,
I agree with you on that mission. To know your chances of survival were virtually nil, was extreme courage! Then to overcome all the odds & get back alive, was nothing short of amazing.
A film about W/c ‘Bob’ Braham- the most decorated Fighter Command pilot, might not go a miss or similar airman.
I wouldn’t mind seeing films based on books like:
Pursuit through Darkened Skies
Day of the Typhoon
As for remakes? I think I agree with Ashley. But, then again, to see a film full of Lancasters, doing a remake of Dambusters? Perhaps it might work, provided it didn’t get Hollywoodenised & stayed very British.

Neilly

RE: What WW2 story ?

The life of P/O Richard Hillary, RAF 603 Squadron 1940.

RE: What WW2 story ?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-02-02 AT 00:04 AM (GMT)]How about this on the 3rd Dec 1942, Wellington DV819 1474 Flight:

Special duty flight.
Operation took place across the N. coast of France to an area near to Frankfurt. The aircraft was engaged on the 18th sortie on a particular investigation, which necessitated the aircraft being intercepted by an enemy nightfighter and up to this sortie, all efforts to get such an interception had failed.

At 04:31 hrs, the aircraft was in position 4954N 0739E and set course for position 5030N 0737E. The Special Operator, P/O Jordan, had been reporting that he had been receiving signals on his special wireless equipment which he thought were the ones requiring to be investigated. He warned the crew to expect a fighter attack. On this Northerly leg the signals grew stronger and Jordan repeated his warning. A code had previously been arranged, so that if the signals were picked up, the frequency would immediately be sent back to base, it being absolutely vital that this information should reach base at all costs.

Position 5030N 0737E was reached at 04:42 and the aircraft set course for the homeward leg. The Special Operator passed the coded message to the Wireless Operator for transmission to base, giving in the message the required frequency and that this frequency was very probably the correct one. Jordan warned the crew that his receiver was being saturated and to expect an attack at any moment. Almost simultaneously the aircraft was hit by a burst of cannon fire. The rear gunner gave a fighter control commentary during the attack and identified the enemy as a JU88. Violent corkscrew turns were used as evasive action. Jordan was hit in the arm on this first attack and realising that now there was no doubt at all about the signal being the correct one, he changed the coded message, a change that would tell base that the frequency given was absolutely correct and that it applied without a doubt to the signal being investigated. Although hit in the arm, he still continued to work his sets and to note further characteristics of the signal. The Rear Gunner fired about 1,000 rounds on this attack, but his turret was hit and made completely unserviceable and he was wounded in the shoulder. On the second attack, Jordan was hit in the jaw, but he still continued to work his sets and note the results and told the captain and crew from which side to expect the next attack.

On the third attack, the front turret was hit and the Front Gunner wounded in the leg. The Wireless Operator went forward to let him out of the turret but he was hit in both legs by an exploding shell and had to return to his seat. P/O Barry, Navigator, then went forward and let Grant out for the turret. Jordan was hit once more, this time in the eye, and although he continued operating his equipment and noting further details of the signal, he realised that he could not continue with the investigation much longer, owing to his condition and seeing that his inter-comm had also been shot away, he went forward and brought back the Navigator and tried to explain to him how to continue operating the equipment and so bring back some more valuable information. By this time he was almost blind but although he tried hard to show Barry what to do, he realised that it was an impossible task and in the end gave up the attempt.

F/Sgt Vachon had by this time come out of the rear turret and had taken up position in the Astro Hatch, from where he continued to give evasive control but he was hit again in the hand and Barry went back and took over from him in the Astro Dome. During this period the aircraft had lost height from about 14,000 feet down to 500 feet above the ground, violent evasive action still being taken by the captain. After 10 or 12 attacks the enemy aircraft broke off his engagement and disappeared.

Hits had been scored on the Wellington in 5 or 6 of the attacks, resulting in the following damage:- 1. Starboard Throttle Control shot away (starboard engine stuck at +3 boost all the way home). 2. Port Throttle jammed. 3. Front and rear turrets unserviceable. 4. Starboard Ailerons unserviceable and trimming tabs having no effect at all. 5. Air Speed Indicator reading zero in both positions owing to the pitot head or pipes being holed. 6. Starboard petrol tank holed. 7. Fabric shot and torn away on starboard side of fuselage. 8. Hydraulics unserviceable, 9. Both engines running irregularly. The Wireless Operator Sgt Bigoray, in spite of his injuries, transmitted the coded message back to base but receiving no “R” for it continued to send it in the hopes that it would be picked up. It was received at 05:05 hours.

The Captain kept the aircraft on the course for home and managed to climb up to 5,000 feet, at which height he came back. At 06:45 hours the aircraft crossed the coast at about 10 miles N.E. of Dunkirk, where searchlights tried to pick it out but these were dodged by evasive action and coming down low over the sea. When they were switched off, the Pilot again managed to gain height. The Wireless Operator put the I.F.F. on to Stud 3 and sent out an S.O.S. and a message to the effect that they had been attacked by an enemy aircraft. He again transmitted the coded message in case it had not been received the first time. At approximately 07:20 hours the English coast was reached. The Pilot tested the landing light to see if he could ditch using it, but decided it was impossible. He decided to wait for daylight before ditching and asked the crew if anyone preferred to bail out rather than ditch. The Wireless Operator stated that he preferred to jump, as one of his legs had stiffened up to such an extent that he thought he would not be able to climb out of the aircraft in the water. He made his way to the escape hatch in the rear of the fuselage, from where he intended to jump, but having reached that position he remembered that he had not clamped down the transmitting key and in spite of his injury he returned to his set, clamped the key down, and warned the crew not to touch it. He jumped out over Ramsgate and made a safe landing.

The pilot ditched the aircraft at approximately 08:24 hours about 200 yards off the coast at Deal. The dinghy inflated but had been holed by cannon fire. The Special Operator tried to make it airtight by holding some of the holes but it was impossible and the crew got out of the dinghy and climbed onto the aircraft, About 5 minutes later a small rowing boat appeared, took them off and rowed ashore.

The following signal has been received from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles Portal, G.C.B, D.S.O., M.C., for P/O Jordan, P/O Paulton, P/O Barry, F/Sgt Bigoray, F/Sgt Grant, F/Sgt Vachon:-
“I have just read report of your investigation flight carried out on Thursday, 3rd. December and should like to congratulate you all on a splendid performance.”
AIR27/1156