RE: British film and the Nightbombers…

Hi, all.

I think it would be very difficuly to make a film about the efforts of Bomber Command simply because it would be too big a story. The scope of Bommber Command’s efforts during the war would be too big to try and cover in their entirety (unless you went for a ‘Band of Brothers’ type series) and I can’t see anyone putting up the money for that, more’s the pity. Focussing on a single operation has already been done with the ‘Dambusters’ and I don’t think a remake of that could improve on the original except in the area of special effects. I think ‘Night Flight’ was a good effort and it’s a shame it was panned by critics. Obviously the makers wanted to cater for those with an interest in the war and those who enjoy a good drama and it was worth it just to see ‘Jane’ so close to being airborne.

Deighton’s ‘Bomber’ would provide a good basis for a film. I think we also have to consider which period and which aircraft we would like to see represented. With the current advances in CGI perhaps we could see Hampdens, Stirlings or Whitleys. I suppose the best option would be to follow a crew through their tour. However, if they are to complete their tour that would probably cover a considerable period of time. A Flight Engineer on Lancasters who I know completed 31 ops in four and a half months and that was considered to be a very quick tour.

It would be great to see an epic with the money of ‘Private Ryan’ or ‘Pearl Harbour’ spent on it but somehow I can’t see it coming anytime soon.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Aircraft Nicknames

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-09-02 AT 12:01 PM (GMT)]The Skyraiders in Vietnam were also known as ‘Spads.’

Helicopters also had nicknames appropriate to their role.

Slicks – usually UH-1’s used for troop insertion.

Dust-off – Any medical evacuation aircraft but again predominantly UH-1’s.

Guns – also known as ‘snakes’ and ‘hogs.’ UH-1’s and AH-1 Cobras.

‘Freedom Bird’ – refers to the civilian jetliners, DC-8’s and 707’s which brought the troops home after their tour in Vietnam.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Leaving

Hi, Webmaster.

“NO I wont delete the thread as its useful to gague people’s opinion on the subject.”

“It is not possible to run the two versions of the forums, but I may consider a test version, I will keep you posted.”

From the first part of your post can we surmise that you will actively take into consideration people’s opinions on the matter? And if you do, how are you interpreting the opinions of forum members at the moment?

I ask this because the second part of your post seems to indicate that at the moment you are carrying on with the new forum, even if it is as a test version first.

Regards,

kev35

RE: In memory of victims of 9/11.. please all sign!

Kevin John Mears
Walsall, England.

There are no words…..

Regards,

kev35

RE: Hello? Anyone there?

It seems really weird just three of us being ‘on’ at the moment, I daresay it will pick up later. Did anybody else have loads of emails today telling us we’d had replies? I think I had almost twenty, terribly confusing to someone of my advanced age…..

Regards

kev35

RE: 11 September “celebrations”

Hi Garry.

“I hate to put words in Wombats mouth Kev but I think “celebrations” in quotes is quite an appropriate description of what the media will do to the anniversary… a media circus adnauseum…”

I’ve been thinking about it since I made that post and I can definitely see your point. I think it is important that some kind of rememberance goes on for the families of the victims and for all those involved. I think that it may be very important to them to feel that they are not alone.

“and I am afraid that the focus may end up being an attack on Iraq and more than 2,800 dead again…”

I have to agree with you there. I think the current American administration are certainly cynical enough to try and turn things to their own advantage. After all, they have not proven Bin Laden is dead and it seems almost certain that Al-Qaeda and the Taleban are still active. I suppose it would be prudent to finish one fight before going on to the next.

Regards,

kev35

RE: 11 September “celebrations”

Hi Wombat.

First of all I don’t think that ‘celebration’ is an appropriate choice of word unless you are a supporter of the terrorists. I think much will be made of the first year anniversary and, to an extent, it is right to do so. For all those who lost loved ones that day they have already faced their first Christmas and the first birthday that their loved one is no longer with them, many have had to cope with the birth of a child that will never know their fathers. The first anniversary of their death is going to be a horrendous time for those left behind, a significant number of them will almost certainly still be in one or other of the stages of grieving, and I think for the first anniversary of these events it is ok and may even be beneficial that there are formal ceremonies to remember the tragedy. Getting through that first year may prove to be a significant milestone on the road to getting on with their lives.

As for those of us less involved, I’m sure we will remember that day in our own individual ways.

As to the French documentary, that is being shown on wednesday evening in the UK, along with a whole raft of programmes both before and after the day.

Regarding the construction of the towers, I remember reading somewhere that the fireproof cladding of the steel beams was of an inferior type. I don’t know how much of a difference that made as I doubt it was ever envisaged the towers would have to withstand the impact of the crash or the heat of an avition fuel fed fire.

Finally, I think the courage of the emergency personnel, the passengers on UAL93 and the courage and resilience of the people of New York as a whole is worthy of rememberance and recognition.

Regards,

kev35