Aircraft, Flight and Cinema

[rkolinski]

I started a thread about Real Wartime Hollywood heroes and it seems to have been my best thread so far (I've received some positive feedback and it gets visited). So I thought I would try this one because I've always been interested in aircraft history and innovation and how it is used or portrayed in motion pictures. Having been in the U.S. Air Force (1967-1971), I managed to see some awesome aircraft, some of them still experimental and top secret at the time (the U-2, SR-71, F-111 and the Teledyne Ryan AQM-34 Firebee RPV (Remotely Piloted Vehicle) Reconnaissance Drone) to name just a few, the last one I managed to photograph from a Jolly Green Giant (HH-43 "Huskie") helicopter while flying over North Vietnam for a recovery mission. In case your wondering, the Firebee RPV was dropped by a manned C-130 aircraft and was remotely guided to photograph dangerous targets (like Hanoi and Haiphong) because too many F-105 manned reconnaissance aircraft (at least on the Air Force side of the war which I witnessed) were being shot down over N. Vietnam by Sam (Surface to Air - SA-2) missile sites. The Jolly Green Giant would recover these drones by snagging them in midair after their parachute opened (kind of like how that N Vietnamese officer was snagged off of the ground by a C-130 aircraft by a "V" shaped boom on the nose in the movie "The Green Berets"). Feel free to also include rockets, rocket planes and spacecraft depicted in film.

I know some will be tempted to post movies like Armageddon, and I'm already laughing about that possibility, but please limit yourself to those films and aircraft which actually existed or were at least in the experimental stage. Any movie will do, including SciFi's because some awesome aircraft, some of them not seen by the public at the time, were unveiled to the public in SciFi films.

Well, here's my first one:

COMMAND DECISION (1948)

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SYNOPSIS: General Dennis of the US Force in England in World War II finds that he must order his planes deeper and deeper into Germany to prevent the production of military jet planes that will turn the tide of battle to the Germans. He must fight congressmen, and his own chain of command to win the political battle before he can send his planes out. His problem is complicated by a very narrow window of good weather necessary to allow his effort to be successful. Adapted from a stage play, it attempts to look at the challenges of command in the political arena.

Starring: Clark Gable, Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson, Brian Donlevy, Charles Bickford, John Hodiak, Cameron Mitchell (both Gable and Mitchell had flown in bombers during WWII and Donlevy was a WWI pilot) Nominated: for Best Written Drama and Screenplay by the Writers Guild of America

I believe this is the first time the public was actually shown images of a German Jet fighter aircraft incorrectly referred to as the Lantze-Wolfin the film. The truth is that the jet shown in that film was the ME-262, a jet fighter developed late in the war that, if it was mass-produced and sent up against the allied air forces a year earlier, would have won the Second World War for Germans. The German Masserschmitt Me-262 jet fighter could reach speeds of 540 to 580 MPH which was some 100 to 150 MPH faster then the swiftest USAAF and RAF fighter.

FEATURED 2 AIRCRAFT:

Messerschmitt ME-262 Schwalble ("Swallow")


Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

[rkolinski]

Strategic Air Command (1955)


SYNOPSIS:Lt. Col. Robert (Dutch) Holland was a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, not a pitcher. While at spring training a B-36 flew over the field and Dutch was standing on third base. Brewster was his third base replacement when he, Dutch was re-called to duty. The movie clearly depicts this.

Starring: James Stewart, June Allyson, Frank Lovejoy (character modeled on General Curtis LeMay), Bruce Bennett, Barry Sullivan, Alex Nicol, Jay C. Flippen and Harry Morgan
Nominated: for an Academy Award for Best Writing for a Motion Picture Story and Special Citation for aerial photography, National Board of Review

In real life, Stewart had been a B-17 instructor pilot, a B-24 squadron commander, and a group operations officer, completing 20 combat missions during World War II. At the time of filming Stewart, much like the character he portrays, was also a colonel in the Air Force Reserve; he was later promoted to brigadier general. Thus Stewart's character was not too far from a life he could have chosen.

Stewart's military service and lifelong interest in aviation greatly influenced the making of the film. He pushed for an authentic but sympathetic portrayal of the Strategic Air Command, which led Paramount to put together a strong cast of Hollywood veterans and production people including June Allyson, Frank Lovejoy (playing a character loosely based on the SAC commander of the day, General Curtis LeMay), director Anthony Mann, and even the top stunt pilot of the day, Paul Mantz.

The film includes some of the most dramatic aerial photography ever filmed, for which it was awarded a special citation by the American National Board of Review. It is also the only motion picture to highlight the B-36 (depicted in the movie poster), the largest mass-produced piston powered aircraft ever built, and the first delivery method for the hydrogen bomb. The B-36 was then near the end of its service life and about to be replaced by the B-47 and ultimately by the B-52. The aerial footage was accompanied by a dramatic and soaring musical score composed by Victor Young.

The film was made with the full cooperation of the United States Air Force, and was partly filmed on location at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado and Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. Baseball scenes were filmed with the cooperation of the St. Louis Cardinals at their real spring training home of Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, just across Tampa Bay from MacDill AFB.

Stewart's character is based on the real-life military career and an actual mission flown by Brigadier General Clifford Schoeffler, who crashed and survived an Arctic B-36 mission. Brigadier General Schoeffler was on site at Carswell Air Force Base during the filming of Strategic Air Command for consultation.

Some commentators have speculated that the plot was inspired by Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams, a World War II veteran, who was recalled for Korean War service as a Marine Corps aviator, at the height of his baseball career.

Convair B-36 Peacemaker (what a name for a bomber made specifically to just for dropping A-Bombs) and Boeing B-47 Stratojet (B-47 Foreground, B-52 Middle and B-36 Background)


NOTE; At the end of the movie is a model of the future Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

North American B-45 Tornado


Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker


Douglas DC-3
[IMG]]http://www.aviation-history.com/douglas/dc3-3a.jpg[/IMG]

Douglas C-124 Globemaster


The B-47 Mockup used in Jimmy Stewart movie is at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California
http://www.marchfield.org/collect.html

[rkolinski]

BAT 21 OR HOW HOLLYWOOD GOT THE WHOLE STORY OF THE LARGEST US AIR FORCE RESCUE IN HISTORY WRONG


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MAJOR MISTAKE 1 - CASTING: The man actually rescued with Lieutenant Colonel Hambleton (played by Gene Hackman), was Lieutenant Mark Clark (played by Danny Glover), grandson of the famous World War II general (See photo below). I'll let you draw your own conclusion regarding the casting!

HERE IS A PHOTO OF GENERAL MARK W. CLARK (May 1, 1896 – April 17, 1984

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AIRCRAFT

MAJOR MISTAKE 2: The "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter which is supposedly used in the film is actually a Sikorsky S-61, a type built for civilian use. It is a variant of the Navy's SH-3 Sea King. Neither the S-61 nor do the SH-3 Sea King have a ramp. i KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD FLOWN IN THE US AIR FORCE VERSION IN VIETNAM (SIKORSKY HH-53B SUPER JOLLY GREEN GIANT), WHICH HAD A RAMP[/B]

[B]Sikorsky S-61 (Sikorsky S-61L and S-61N are civil variants of the successful SH-3 Sea King helicopter)

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Sikorsky HH-53B Super Jolly Green Giant

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DOUGLAS EB-66C electronic countermeasures aircraft

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OF COURSE IN THIS MOVIE, A MODEL OF THE EB-66C IS USED

[rkolinski]

FACTUAL ERROR: In the movie, Lt. Clark's commanding officer indicated that the Communist would have had a large dossier on Lieutenant Colonel Hambleton. What is not indicated is that Hambleton was more than just a countermeasures expert, he had served with the Strategic Air Command (specifically, as a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, "Gene" Hambleton commanded the 57first Missile Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base from 1965 to 1971). He carried, in his memory, intimate details of American missile forces and targets that dared not fall into enemy hands. The effort to rescue Lieutenant Mark Clark and Lieutenant Colonel Hambleton was destined to become the most intense, and costliest, rescue effort of the Vietnam war. However, even though much of this information was still classified when the movie was made, Hambleton was an advisor when the film was made.

S-75 DVINA (SA-2)

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O-2 Skymaster ((also known as the "Oscar Deuce" or "The Duck") is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster

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I KNOW FROM BEING THERE THAT O-2'S WERE USED EARLIER IN THE WAR BUT THEY WERE NOT USED IN THIS RESCUE MISSION. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRCRAF FLOWN BY "BIRD DOG" WAS NOT ACTUALLY A CESSNA O-2 OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT, BUT WAS A CIVILIAN CESSNA 337 SKYMASTER, PAINTED GRAY. AN O-2 WOULD HAVE MULTIPLE WINDOWS IN THE DOORS AND FLOOR TO ALLOW VISIBILITY OF THE GROUND

MAJOR MISTAKE 3: WHAT WAS ACTUALLY SHOT DOWN BUT NOT USED IN THE FILM WAS THIS SEARCH PLANE [This time two more American fliers went down. Captain William Henderson was piloting an OV-10 FAC (Forward Air Controller) in support of the rescue effort. In the cockpit behind him sat Lieutenant Mark Clark, grandson of the famous World War II general, scanning the ground through binoculars. Both managed to eject when a SAM destroyed their aircraft, landing in the same general vicinity as Hambleton. During the night of April 3rd, Captain William Henderson was captured by the NVA - North Vietnamese Army. Henderson was one of the returned POWs in 1973.]:

North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco

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BELL UH-1N "TWIN HUEY" HELICOPTER

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MAJOR MISTAKE 4: The "Huey" helicopter is a UH-1N "Twin Huey" and was used by the U.S. Air Force's 20th Special Operations Squadron in a counter-insurgency role. It wasn't used by rescue squadrons depicted in the film.

DOUGLAS A-1 (FORMERLY AD) SKYRAIDER

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Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter

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MAJOR MISTAKE 5: When Hambleton calls in the first air strike from the ground, the planes report carrying full loads of "snake and nape". However, the visual shows the planes carrying something along the lines of sparrow missiles. The girth of Snake Eye bombs and Napalm bombs (snake and nape) are easily discernible from the long, slender rocket-like missiles that these planes carried.

[B]MAJOR MISTAKE 6: NOT REALLY COVERED IN THE FILM IS TOTAL PERSONNEL/AIRCRAFT ACTUALLY LOST IN RESCUE ATTEMPT (4/2/72 - 4/13/72): Personnel in Incident: April 2: Robin F. Gatwood; Wayne L. Bolte; Anthony Giannangeli; Charles A. Levis; Henry M. Serex; (all missing from the EB66). LtCol. Iceal Hambleton (played by Gene Hackmanrescued after 12 days from EB66). Ronald P. Paschall; Byron K. Kulland; John W. Frink (all missing from UH1H rescue helicopter), Jose M. Astorga (captured and released in POW in 1973 from UH1H). April 3: William J. Henderson (captured and released in 1973 from OV10A rescue craft); Mark Clark ([B]played by Danny Glover[B] grandson of the famous World War II general, rescued after 12 days from OV10A rescue craft). April 6: James H. Alley; Allen J. Avery; Peter H. Chapman; John H. Call; William R. Pearson; Roy D. Prater (all KIA/BNR from HH53C "Jolly 52" rescue chopper). Also in very close proximity to "Bat 21"on April 3: Allen D. Christensen; Douglas L. O'Neil; Edward W. Williams; Larry A. Zich (all missing from UH1H). April 7: Bruce Charles Walker (evaded 11 days); Larry F. Potts (captured & died in POW camp) (both missing from OV10A).

SEE ALSO THIS FOR COMPLETE LIST OF LOST PERSONNEL/AIRCRAFT (LOWER HALF OF PAGE):http://www.virtualwall.org/dl/LevisCA01a.htm

[rkolinski]

MAJOR MISTAKE 7: DOES NOT GIVE A COMPLETE PICTURE OF ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED NOR THE SERVICES WHICH PARTICIPATED IN THE RESCUE:
As you will see below, a US Navy SEAL was involved in the rescue as were 5 South Vietnamese "frog men." Also, On April 6th a total of 52 sets of American fighters and four B-52 bombers began pounding the area around Cam Lo. From their places of hiding the lone airmen on the ground watched the full force of American air power rain around them.

SOURCES: http://www.vnafmamn.com/bat21.html, http://www.homeofheroes.com/brotherhood/seals.html

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (4 OF THESE WERE ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN THE ACTUAL RESCUE MISSION BUT WERE NOT SHOWN IN THE FILM)

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CREW OR EQUIPMENT VISIBLE: After Capt. Clark "borrows" the helicopter of his superior, the shadow of the camera helicopter can be seen on top of the clouds.

CONTINUITY ERROR: When Capt. Clark falls after been shot in the shoulder, the M-16 he is carrying doesn't have a sling and is a stunt rubber replica as the stock flexes when caught between the two men, the M-16 is then picked up by Lt.Col. Hambleton and has a sling fixed to it.

CONTINUITY ERROR: When Lt.Col. Hambleton start running through the jungle to be rescued by Capt. Clark, he doesn't carry his hand-made stick. A few moments later he emerges from the jungle sustaining himself again with the stick.

CONTINUITY ERROR: At the beginning of the last air support bomb run after Birddog crashes and is on the ground with Bat 21, we see a group of F-100 Super Sabre (see Photo Below) diving in to begin the run. However, what actually drops the bombs are F-5 Tigersharks (see Photo posted earlier) , which are used extensively in the movie. I ALSO RECALL SEEING F-100'S WHEN I WAS AT PHAN RANG BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY EVER FLEW FROM DA NANG, WHERE THIS RESCUE MISSION WAS STAGED. I WAS NORMALLY STATIONED AT DA NANG BUT GOT SENT TO PHAN RANG BECAUSE OF THE CAMBODIAN INVASION IN 1970

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CREW OR EQUIPMENT VISIBLE: During the scene when they are bombing the village where the Jolly Green crashes, the shadow of the UH-1N flying overhead is obviously the shadow of a Bell Jet Ranger camera platform.

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BURIAL OF AIR CREW IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY who participated in the rescue (November 19, 1997)
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/aircrew1.htm

[rkolinski]

MAJOR MISTAKE 8: NO ONE PLAYED THE PART OF LIEUTENANT NORRIS IN THE FILM
http://www.vnafmamn.com/bat21.html

RESCUERS: Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, United States Naval Reserve For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a SEAL Advisor with the Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team, Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. During the period 10 to 13 April 1972, Lieutenant Norris completed an unprecedented ground rescue of two downed pilots deep within heavily controlled enemy territory in Quang Tri Province. Lieutenant Norris, on the night of 10 April, led a five-man patrol through 2,000 meters of heavily controlled enemy territory, located one of the downed pilots at daybreak, and returned to the Forward Operating Base (FOB). On 11 April, after a devastating mortar and rocket attack on the small FOB, Lieutenant Norris led a three man team on two unsuccessful rescue attempts for the second pilot. On the afternoon of the 12th, a Forward Air Controller located the pilot and notified Lieutenant Norris. Dressed in fishermen disguises and using a sampan, Lieutenant Norris and one Vietnamese traveled throughout that night and found the injured pilot at dawn. Covering the pilot with bamboo and vegetation, they began the return journey, successfully evading a North Vietnamese patrol. Approaching the FOB, they came under heavy machine gun fire. Lieutenant Norris called in an air strike which provided suppression fire and a smoke screen, allowing the rescue party to reach the FOB. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, undaunted courage, and selfless dedication in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Norris enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Nguyen Van Kiet was a Petty Officer Third Class in the Republic of Vietnam Navy and the only South Vietnamese Navy member to receive the US Navy Cross for actions during the Vietnam War. For extraordinary heroism while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 April 1972, Petty Officer Nguyen participated in an unprecedented recovery operation for a downed United States aviator behind enemy lines in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. He courageously volunteered to accompany a United States SEAL Advisor in an extremely hazardous attempt to reach the aviator, who was physically unable to move toward friendly positions. Using a sampan and traveling throughout the night, they silently made their way deep into enemy territory, past numerous enemy positions, locating the pilot at dawn. Once, after being spotted by a North Vietnamese patrol, he calmly continued to keep the enemy confused as the small party successfully evaded the patrol. Later, they were suddenly under heavy machine gun fire. Thinking first of the pilot, he quickly pulled the sampan to safety behind a bank and camouflaged it while the air strikes were called on the enemy position. Due to Petty Officer Nguyen's coolness under extremely dangerous conditions and his outstanding courage and professionalism, an American aviator was recovered after an eleven-day ordeal behind enemy lines. His self-discipline, personal courage, and dynamic fighting spirit were an inspiration to all, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Naval Service.

MAJOR MISTAKE 9: The true story's ending was quite different. Navy SEAL LT Tom Norris and Vietnamese SEAL Petty Officer Nguyen Van Kiet took a sampan in to pick up Col. Hambleton after repeated attempts failed with major losses of helicopters and men. They did not use a PBR (PATROL BOAT RIVER) in the Brownwater Navy as was used by the US Navy (see photo below)

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