Found this from Wiki.

Paul Mantz, Hollywood’s leading stunt pilot, was paid the then-unprecedented sum of $4,500 to crash-land a B-17 bomber for one early scene in the film. Frank Tallman, Mantz’ partner in Tallmantz Aviation, wrote in his autobiography that, while many B-17s had been landed by one pilot, as far as he knew this flight was the first time that a B-17 ever took off with only one pilot and no other crew; nobody was sure that it could be done.“ The footage was used again in the 1962 film The War Lover.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_O’Clock_High

I have a couple more of East Fortunes Beau. An amazing aircraft, and one which deserves more recognition from the public, aint a Spit though I suppose! Seeing the great strides the NMOF have made with the Bolly, I have hope ! Would love to see TFC’s Beau in the air !

Willie

Hi, long time lurker and infrequent poster that I am ( hate the word lurker, makes me think I should be wearing a dirty old mac!) just wanted to ask a question on this.

I agree Steve McQueen one of the coolest people ever to grace the planet ! Read his biography, and as well as being a private pilot, came across well. Did a lot for wothy causes anonimously, but did like to wind up the studio execs !

Question is, the low flying scenes are amazing, but I’m sure in my addled brain I remember somewhere reading they actually belly landed a B-17 for the crash scene in the film. Can anyone confirm , or deny this ? I have been known to be wrong before on occassion !:confused:

Willie