colin.barronPresumably with the aid of some time machine, seeing that the novel was launched in hardback in June 1967 and the film premiered in January 1969.
‘Widely known’ doesn’t always equal ‘correct’ :rolleyes:
Moggy
Thanks for correcting me but it is certainly the case that Alastair Mclean wrote the screenplay for WED first and then the book followed later. WED was the first screenplay he wrote. All the previous MacLean films e.g. “The Guns of Navarone” were drafted by other writers based on a McLean book.
Colin
colin.barronAs this piece refers to an ‘airworthy’ Lancaster in NZ you can make your own conclusions! :rolleyes:
Absolutely! Why is it that so many professional journalists can’t seem to get their facts right! How many times have you read something like “and this is the only airworthy Hurricane in the World” in a newspaper?
Another common mistake is to say that the film “Where Eagles Dare” is “based on the best selling book by Alastair MacLean” when in fact it is widely known that the screenplay and film came first and the book was written after the film was made.
About ten years ago the “Express” carried a story about how many years ago the Americans had made a film about the “Dambusters” raid but with US planes and crew. I wrote to the author and asked him if he could name the film and he couldn’t because there was no such film!
Best Wishes,
Colin
colin.barronAlthough not used in BoB movie one of the Proctukas did make an appearance in an episode of The Persuaders painted in a white and red colour scheme.
How very interesting! Was “the Persuaders” not made at Pinewood Studios where the “Battle of Britain” film was made? Interestingly, in a similar vein ,one of the Mosquito nose /cockpit sections used in “Mosquito Squadron” and “633 Squadron” appears repainted in silver in the 1968 Roger Moore movie “Crossplot”.
Colin
colin.barronSome interesting snippets about that photo from “Yank in the RAF”. This sequence was actually filmed at Prestwick (in 1941 I think). The filming was mentioned in a book ,possibly one by the late Johnnie Johnston. I believe this bit of film was shot silently and (incorrect) sounds effects of a squadron af AT-6s taking off was dubbed in later.
This whole sequence (complete with wrong sound effects) has since cropped up in umpteen documentaries,purporting to be genuine footage of the Battle of Britain.
Colin
colin.barronJDK
I used to go up to Duxford for most of the filming and I seem to recall that the weather was pretty good, did it get bad during the Binbrook sequences.
“Binbrook sequences?” Are you sure you are not getting mixed up with “Memphis Belle?”
Colin
colin.barronI suspect the reasons are financial. The BA aircraft will draw more (paying) people than the Miles will. Keeping aircraft outdoors is a nightmare and I just pray they have the people to keep on top of the cleaning and preservation that will be required.
If they really have taken on four of the BA aircraft – they are either plain dumb or know something we don’t.
I think it would be far better if they kept the Miles and dropped off the BA 1-11 here at Liverpool.
I am dismayed at what has happened at East Fortune in the last few years.Back in 2000 they had a fly -in event the night before the annual air show which featured warbirds taking off and landing on the main runway.
At that time there was hope that East Fortune might become a “Scottish Duxford” with the runway in regular use ,WW2 warbirds based there and a number of aircraft under restoration to fly.
How times have changed. Now the aim of the Museum seems to be to appeal to “Sun- reading Mondeo Man” and his family rather than aviation enthusiasts. Hence the acquisition of Concorde (which doesn’t have much to do with Scotland) and which has caused all the problems you have described.
Colin
colin.barronFunnily enough when I was reading “The Big Show” for the second time recently Clostermann mentioned “Mustangs” being used as escort fighters during the Schweinfurt raid in October 1943. But I don’t think the P-51B entered service till early ’44 . Would anyone like to confirm this point?
Colin
colin.barronJust think of all the other aviation epics that depended on footage from “Tora ,Tora,Tora” and /or re-use of the Japanese aircraft replicas e.g. “The Final Countdown”,”Battle of Midway”,”Pearl” ,”From Here To Eternity” (70s TV version),”Black Sheep Squadron” etc
If “Tora ,Tora,Tora” had never been made it is likely all these productions would have relied on unmodified AT-6s.
And of course “Pearl Harbor” re – used 3 Vals and 3 Kates from the earlier film.
Colin
colin.barronFor those who have assumed that by 1945 the Allies had the fighter vs fighter European air war sewn up, ‘The Big Show’ will challenge that assumption. As Clostermann takes you flying with him in his Tempest, it’s clear that there are still plenty of German aircraft aloft – in big formations. His description of war is gritty and harrowing; a diary of tragedy, comedy, excitement, and nervous tension. Page after page of unforgettable memories.
Pierre Closermann courted controversy during the Falklands War with his admiration for the bravery of the Argentine fighter pilots during the Falklands war. I believe he was living in Argentina at the time and can understand his split loyalties. With the passing of time, there is little disagreement with his sentiments, perhaps his timing was not appropriate for his old wartime aquaintances.
Certainly his bravery and sacrifice is untarnished – one of the true greats.
RIP
By a strange coincidence I decided to re-read “The Big Show” last week. I originally received my copy as a Xmas present in 1974 and first read it then. I am also reading a new book about the “Falklands War” at the moment which does briefly mention his comments. By the way I do happen to know that Clostermann wrote a second book on air combat ,this time about his experiences flying P-47s for the French post -war in some French colony.
Colin
colin.barronI remember reading about an earlier attempt to make this film 10 -15 years ago. At that time it was going to be made in Spain with Terry Gilliam directing.
Best Wishes,
Colin
colin.barronJust finished reading Peter Vachers book on R4118
I have to say I expected a little more for my £20.
Not much detail on the resto. Still my £20 will have contributed in some small way.On that note – and its probably been done to death already
the Indian way of things frustrated the hell out of me reading about them I dread to think what Peter went through emotionally!
This brings me on to this topic.http://www.warbirdsofindia.com/wbambspit04.html – That spitfire they dug up and ‘restored’.
Now I will prepare myself for the usual ‘ ooh its just great that someone has painted it and saved it for later generations’ or the other one ‘someone else has spent their money blah blah blah’ BUT with all that in mind…
Do these people not have eyes? – are we all really saying that the entire IAF and all its experts do not posses even the most basic visual awareness?
I would like to think that perhaps one or two people pointed out the obvious that it looks like a “big metal banana” (here let me put that in quotes for you to copy and flame back!) only to have their observations quoshed by endless comittees deciding if it should be banana shaped or slighly cucumber profiled. I suspect neither. Then they ‘preserved’ stick it out in the blazing sun?!
(love that extended Supermarine FWMk9 Dora fuselage extension.. Did the restoration team think they had the FW190D?)
what is worse even warbirds of india are saying
‘A high amount of detail and attention was devoted to getting the the forward fuselage right ‘ – getting it right? Jeez! lets just call it what it really is..sure it was done for free at zero cost – all the material was surplus but hey Ive got some old margarine tubs and washing up bottles for the next Spitfire restoration that comes along if anyone wants them.
Cant help think that the missing 109 and other exports are in some way responsible for the indians ‘doing it their way’
flame on…
But this is the way they do things in many Third World Countries. Have a look at some of the “exhibits” in the El Alamein War Museum – all sorts of wrecked tanks,guns,planes and trucks have been rescued from the desert ,washed and then sprayed with sand coloured paint without any form of restoration whatsoever. It is certainly a cheap option. No need to pay for 50,000 man hours of restoration there!
Colin
colin.barronDuring WWII the RNZAF used some of their PV-1 Ventura bomber force in the Pacific for the occassional mission where they were used as fighters. They would fly out in formations of around six aircraft without bombloads and give fighter cover during attacks by other bombers. Their mission was to engage enemy fighters that came up from the ground with all their guns.
I don’t believe they actually destroyed any aircraft on these missions, but it’s a really interesting use of a medium bomber with five crew. I wondered if other Air Forces used the Ventura in the same way? RAAF? USN? RAF?
Despite their 300mph + top speed and heavy armament the Ventura was not a success in the European theatre with the RAF. After heavy losses they were withdrawn from operations.
They were more successful when used by Coastal Command. The US Navy operated them with six forward firing guns and I know some of them (called Harpoons I think) shot down some Japanese fighters.
Colin
colin.barronWe have discussed “Airline” on the forum before. Only nine episodes were made because of disagreements between creator /writer Wilfred Greatorex and Yorkshire TV. A proposed second series was scrapped.
The series was repeated on Granada (Satellite TV) about 10 years but has never appeared on DVD. However “The Sandbaggers” (made by the same team and also featuring Roy Marsden) has just appeared on DVD so who knows it may be on DVD in the near future.
Best Wishes,
Colin
colin.barronThe series was repeated on one of the satellite TV channels about 10 years ago (as was “Airline”). Unfortunatyely I don’t have a copy . The way things are going though I wouldn’t be surprised if it is released on DVD soon.
colin.barronHi folks,
Looking for a little help here. I was trying to compile a list of Ray’s film & TV credits, as his achievements are perhaps not as well known as Mark Hanna’s, and both naturally get rolled into ‘OFMC’ credits (for instance the OFMC website mentions The Battle of Britain Film – which MH434 certainly flew in, but Ray and Mark didn’t. On the IMDB Ray Hanna has a listing of films credited; which just consists of:
Flyboys (aerial coordinator)
Dark Blue World
Species (aerial ground coordinator: aerial unit)
The River Wild (helicopter pilot) (as Raymond G. Hanna)
Memphis Belle
Piece of Cake
Empire of the Sun
Hope & Glory
The Blockhouse (1973!)I’m aware of the aviation films, but what aviation content was there in Species, The River Wild, and The Blockhouse? What’s missing? Saving Private Ryan?
Now I know there was a lot of TV as well, plus adverts. Anyone got a comprehensive listing – of Ray’s, NOT just OFMC credits, here?
Tough call to get right – please, no wild guesses, but if you do know, say so.
Many thanks!
In “Species” there is a brief scene where helicopter gunships (or maybe just one of them) attack the alien creature. I think this must be the scene they are talking about.
Colin
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