Dave HomewoodThat’s a very good point Geoff, though a few films have used shots of the groundcrews to show tension (ie Memphis Belle) there hasn’t been a film focusing on their individual struggle. It must have been hell for many of them, under intense pressure day and night, under bombing and never knowing if ‘their’ aircraft would return. And if it didn’t, wondering whether it was something they’d overlooked mechanically… And worst of all must have been the Erks in the Pacific, where the tools and airframe heated so much they’d burn the skin, they were always under-supplied (the RNZAF at least were) and having to scrounge and bodge things up, and then there were snakes, nasty insects and diseases, and ‘Washing Machine Charlie” every night (this was the name for Jap bombers with unsynchronised engines that came over sometimes individually, just to disrupt sleep. They’d drop a stick of bombs indescrimiantly – knowing all the men below were woken and into the slit trench. This was a terror weapon, psychological warfare really. At least the crews could go home to a warm bed or off to the pub at the end of a shift. Rather than a cot in a makeshift bamboo hut.
There’s enough drama to make a great film or TV drama about groundcrews, especially in the Pacific.
Dave HomewoodOh that’s right, cheers Flood. I forgot he was doing that.
Dave HomewoodIs Sky Captain based upon a 1940’s comic strip like Buck Rogers, or a book or anything? Or is it a completely new idea for film? Anyone know?
I loved the Rocketeer. I’d like to see it again someday. I think that was based on an old comic, wasn’t it?
Dave HomewoodWell this has been an interesting thread, which has strayed onto several topics. I’d like to comment on a few of them…
Phillip…quite agree with flying the RAF ensign, and I have enquired about this, and is something I shall continue to pursue…but I agree with James that the Stars and Stripes should be flown alongside as well
Did the USAAF have its own ensign? Or did they simply use the American flag on their stations, etc? Just wondering.
Same goes for you Dave, send them an e-mail 🙂
Can you please suggest the best email address to write to with suggestions? Thanks.
Also, regarding piped music and/or sounds – sound is one of the most important things in our lives and certain sounds like music or the sound of a Merlin in full flight are incredibly evocative. A song can take somoene back instantly to their youth, or it can make a person feelcomfortable because they’ve previously heard the sound/s in a film, etc. I think museums that use the technique of piping through songs and other sounds are doing a wonderful thing. I’ve visted several museums that do it, and the careful selection of the right songs can create a fantastic atmosphere – the songs give the museum vistor a whole range of feelings to combine with the visual feast they are experiencing, and it is so much better than standing and looking at an exhibit in dead silence or an echoing hall where all you can hear is other people coughing and muttering or children crying.
The IWM in Lambeth use sounds that evoke amazing reactions, like Chamberlain’s highly charged public announcement of the declaration of war, and sirens, and bombs exploding, and music. That place also uses lighting, smells and all sorts of sensory additives to make the visit an incredible and unforgettable experience. I can’t see why they wouldn’y consider the same techniques for their Duxford branch.
Also, piped engine sounds can give the illusion of life being put back into the ‘dead’ aircraft in museums. I mean aircraft that do not and will not ever fly again, can somehow seem more lively when you are presented with the sound of the aircraft itself and /or the people who serviced them. I think some sound around Hendon’s Wellington display of airmen working away, tools tinkleing and clanging, distant aircraft engines running, the sound of a passing bowser truck, etc would make the already nice display a hundered times more evocative and meaningful.
Just my opinion.
One final idea as regards to sound is museums could use the voices of the people who flew or serviced the planes, giving their memories of the aircraft. Some museums use a system where sound is very localised, so you could move to a Lancaster and hear people talking about it, and then move onto the next plane and hear a pilot talking about that plane. Obviously it is a more expensive option, but that’s how IWM Lambeth does it (or did when I last visited in 1997.)
Now, back to the original topic, wax dummies of the Battle of Britain film cast… all I can say is…. Wot? No comment from Moggy yet?
Dave HomewoodHey, I wasn’t suggesting they play Formby!!! God forbid. My idea is not as dumb as having Cruise giving guided tours! 🙂
James, yes I see your point about restrictions in who the IWM can partner up with, but forgetting my original suggestion and running with the better idea of MGM, I can’t see how they can not consider such a partnership. If it were not for MGM/UA back in the 1960’s, the place would no doubt be a housing estate now. It was that film that ignited the sparks for what Duxford has become today. MGM has big money, and I’m sure they might welcome the opportunity to set up a promotional display (ie wax dummies of the cast, a screening of film clips, etc) that would also educate people and hopefully up museum gate sales.
Please do have a word with the staff when you’re next there, and see what they reckon. Shall we aim for a grand opening on BofB day next year?
Trumper, I remember that display you mention. You looked into their workshop through the windows didn’t you? And you could hear the dummies’ converstation. Wasn’t it a BE2c or something in there?
Dave HomewoodI believe the flying boat I posted is a Martin PBM Mariner. Here are a few more of the PBM and some coloured shots too.
Dave HomewoodCheers James.
I think that since I’m on the opposite side of the world and I won’t benefit from any additions to Duxford, I’d be quite happy for any forum members who’re regular Duxfordites (yourself James perhaps) to take the idea to Duxford if you want to. After all, you’ll have more clout than me in putting such a suggestion across. And I’d doubt they’d listen to somone who’s unlikely to visit their facilities.
Actually, thinking about it, rather than Tussauds, why not approach MGM. They could seel the DVD’s in a special display, that has wax dummiesof the film’s cast. Now there’s a way to do it. After all, it’s a rich US film company, they have a successful product, and they would no doubt see it as a great PR gesture to sponsor the museum as well as a great sales pitch. A film company as big as them will have SFX guys who could create the realistic facsimilies of the cast I’m sure. Ask nicely they may even buy some planes for the museum. 🙂
Over to you guys…
Dave
Dave HomewoodWhen I’m Cleaning Windscreens… and Canopies….
Sorry Ashley. I agree fully about Formby. I’m a huge fan of British comedy and I love wartime comedy, so I see some merit in Formby’s work, but he was still very annoying. As far as music goes, I love swing music, especially Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey, but I also collect immediate-prewar and wartime British music, both serious and the wonderful wartime comedy and satirical anti-Nazi songs they made back then. I find with 1940’s wartime music I can easily listen to most of it over and over, unlike many other genres.
If you guys want to listen to something really good, listen to this watime radio “station” with 7 hours of voice and music recordings. It’s really well put together by the chap who’s done it…
http://www.dshore.com/wartime.html
And you can hear almost every Jack Hylton recording here too
http://www.petefaint.co.uk/jackhylton/music.htm
Dave HomewoodWhen I visited the main Madame Tussauds museum I was really impressed with more than half of the figures, but as you say Robbo, some are not that good. Especially the Royal family – the most photographed and seen people in the world and they just didn’t look right (or most of them anyway). But I think they do a better job overall than any other similar exhibits I’ve seen.
Agreed, endless Gracie could do your head in. Still, could be worse – George Formby! But piped sounds of Merlins, Spits flying over, sirens, bombs in the distance and NCO’s barking orders – i the sounds of a wartime RAF station – could be very appropriate and help to set a nice atmospheric impression, without being too obtrusive and annoying to staff who’re there all day. But of course, the place no doubt already sounds something like that with all the regular flying that goes on. The day I was there it was ruddy well snowing so nowt took to the air. Maybe piped Merlins could be switched on just for such inclement weather days.
Damien, a good idea to recreate the real heroes, the real Park, Dowding, Bader, Galland, et al, but then the American and Japanese tourist wouldn’t have a clue who they were. And think, a diorama scene with Susanna York in her suspenders would draw the crowds in like never before. :diablo:
Dave HomewoodCharles Darby’s “Pacific Wrecks” is like Hen’s Teeth – very scarce. His other book, RNZAF The First Decade is rare but does pop up from time to time, ad is usually expensive even third or fourth hand, not just 2nd hand. I heard from someone that a couple of years ago Kookaburra reprinted the RNZAF book which would make it easier to get and the value would drop on the resale market, but I don’t know if this actually occurred.
As for the Pacific Wrecks book, the only place I’ve ever seen it is in libraries. I visit second hand book shops often and have never seen it come up for sale. Nor have I seen it on ebay or anywhere. So I think you may be out of luck.
Thanks for that Mark12, so it is the same man. I beleive he was one of the few Brits in 488 Sqn. I have interviewed Ron Watts, $88’s last commander, for my Cambridge RNZAF project and he said much the same about Les Hunt. He thought very highly of him indeed. Has he written many other aviation related books? I assume he also did editions 1-3 of the aformentioned book? His 488 Sqn book is good but incredibly rare. I had to order it in from the National library. I wish I’d photocopied it now.
Dave HomewoodPoint taken Robbo, but if it is Madame Tussaud’s money and not the IWM’s, and it draws in more punters for Duxford, such a display would surely generate more money in the long run.
Dave HomewoodGreat ideas Daz. The sounds could be rather haunting in a way.
The RNZAF Museum pipes through wartime tunes continuously, and between the songs they have aircraft noises like flyovers. It helps create the awesome atmosphere.
Dave HomewoodThanks guys. I thought it was worth mentioning in case any of you were seeking it and it was possibly rare. Good to know its readily available. It does indeed look like a useful reference, and gives a nice historical perspective.
It had an article in it on the RAFM Hendon too I noticed as I flicked through.
Dave HomewoodI had a feeling you’d like it Daz 😉
Dave HomewoodThanks Martin,
I had a feeling it was a P51 but I wasn’t certain. It looks BIG in that photo!
The excellent shot you posted looking at the underside of the P51 seems to have an Australian serial, or am I mistaken?
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