Where did they find all of the aircraft that were used in the 1969 movie "Battle of Britain"? It was just on TV here yesterday (again). Several Spitfires, one Hurricane, lots of Heinkels, Stukas and ME109's. I realize this was 36 years ago, but I didn't think that many of these planes still existed, especially Spitfires. Love hearing the sounds of those old piston engines!! Mike C
I think I read somewhere the some of the Hurricanes etc. had come via the Portuguese air force; don't know how correct that is, though.
Hi Mike Most of the static and taxying Spits were former gate guards in the UK. The flyers were from various sources including BBMF as well as private owners. 2 of the 3 Hurri's were BBMF. All of the 109's and the He 111's are believed to be (then) current aircraft serving with the Spanish Air Force (as HA1112 M1L and Casa 2.111) Hope this helps Eddie
Originally posted by Mike C@Sep 19 2005, 11:29 AM Thanks guys. Question; "gate guards", and "BBMF"? Sorry not familiar with the terms. Mike C [post=39179]Quoted post[/post] I would have a guess that "Gate Guards" would refer to fixed positioned aircraft that are on display as you enter a base or museum or the like. BBMF ? Battle of Britain Memorial Flights / Fighters or similar? In support of Eddie, this is from a critique on the movie: The flying sequences are mostly superb. It was a huge achievement to bring together the aircraft used. As an enthusiast I can pick massive holes in those used. None of the 'German' aircraft have correct engines - they were post-war Spanish Air Force stand ins. And that's before we start on the late war mark Spitfires etc. The air is thick with screen stars and 27 restored Spitfires flown by genuine WWII veterans defending Britain from the rampant Luftwaffe in the dark days of summer 1940. There is also another critique with interesting facts from an ardent enthusiast on his own sight. He saw the movie first in 1969 as a three year old. http://homepages.tesco.net/~stephen.j.robi.../bobtribute.htm
There is an article about the making of this film in "After the Battle" magazine. IIRC it is the issue that does "Then and Now" pics of D Day/Normandy.
The DVD 'Special edition' of the film contains a documentary on the making of the film, which goes into the acquiring of planes in some detail. So does the 'Director's Commentary' and at one point he goes on enthusuiastically about how they managed to acquire the world's only flying Fiesler 'Storch'. Unfortunately the plane in the sequence he is talking about isn't a 'Storch' at all!
As per the response from Spidge, Gate Guards as described and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight confirmed. The 2 Ju. 52's used were also Spanish Air Force Casa 352 types. All were 'procured' by former Group Captain Hamish Mahaddie. The Stukas were all models, as of course were a lot of the aircraft seen being destroyed. 2 Percival Proctors were converted to Stuka lookalikes but in the event, were not used in the film Cheers Eddie
Originally posted by Mark Hone@Sep 19 2005, 01:34 AM The DVD 'Special edition' of the film contains a documentary on the making of the film, which goes into the acquiring of planes in some detail. So does the 'Director's Commentary' and at one point he goes on enthusuiastically about how they managed to acquire the world's only flying Fiesler 'Storch'. Unfortunately the plane in the sequence he is talking about isn't a 'Storch' at all! [post=39187]Quoted post[/post] Arrggh...is that "Special Edition" on ale to Americans? I'd loooove to see that documentary. Leonard Mosley wrote an interesting book, "The Making of the Battle of Britain," which is very good...the problems getting the Spanish planes, and the actors' takes on their characters. Also the pilots' takes on the actors.
Originally posted by Mike C@Sep 18 2005, 09:53 PM Where did they find all of the aircraft that were used in the 1969 movie "Battle of Britain"? ........ I realize this was 36 years ago, but I didn't think that many of these planes still existed, especially Spitfires. Love hearing the sounds of those old piston engines!! Mike C [post=39172]Quoted post[/post] There are even more 'flyable' Spitfires today, than there were 36 years ago, the number is now around 50
There was a program on tv a few months ago that had the only 2 seater Spitfire in it. It had something to do with 4 men trying out for a flying job. Don't remember what it had to do with Spitfires, but there it was. Seems to me the owner was a woman, and she piloted it. Mike C
The RAF never used two-seat Spitfires but seventeen were converted into two-seaters, for the Indian and Irish Air Forces. About seven of those are flying - a high proportion compared with single-seaters - mainly because the Irish kept them in service until the sixties. The "woman pilot" is Carolyn Grace, who restored ML407 with her husband Nick in the 80's. Sadly Nick was killed in a car crash but Carolyn got herself certified on Spits - the only woman to do so since the ATS flyers in the war. She can be seen at most major air shows; I saw her and her plane at Biggin Hill three weeks ago. See http://www.ml407.co.uk/ Another two-seater at Biggin Hill was PV202. Sadly she was damaged in a fatal accident a few years ago; she has been repaired and it has been thought appropriate to change her identity, so she is now in Irish colours. Adrian
