Airframes
Benevolens Magister
I've been trying to find the thread, centered around at least two paintings entitled 'A Higher Call', but can't seem to locate it.
Many of us here will know the story behind the painting, where, in December 1943, a badly 'shot up' and severely damaged B-17, with dead and wounded aboard, piloted by Lt Charlie Brown, was escorted by a Bf-109, flown by Ltn Franz Stigler, who 'saluted' and turned back for his home base, once he knew the Fortress was relatively safe from attack by his fellow countrymen.
The story was apparently 'officially suppressed' by the USAAF at the time, but the two men, American and German, eventually got in touch in the mid 1980s, following publication of the 'story' in veterans news letters. An article in the UK daily newspaper, 'The Daily Mail', published on July 20th, describes this event, and gives details of a new book telling the full story.
The book, 'A Higher Call', by Adam Makos with Larry Alexander, was published on 1st August by Atlantic Books, priced at £17.99 (I'll be ordering a copy!), and it's been announced that Sir Tom Stoppard, and his film-producer son, have acquired the film rights to the book, which, said Stoppard "Is going to be an epic".
I've heard a few rumours (as yet un-substantiated) about the possibility/probability of the Duxford-based B-17G, 'Sally B', being scheduled for some forthcoming film work, and perhaps this is the film in question?
I'll be keeping my eyes and ears open for further news of what sounds like the possibility of a good movie in the not too distant future.
Many of us here will know the story behind the painting, where, in December 1943, a badly 'shot up' and severely damaged B-17, with dead and wounded aboard, piloted by Lt Charlie Brown, was escorted by a Bf-109, flown by Ltn Franz Stigler, who 'saluted' and turned back for his home base, once he knew the Fortress was relatively safe from attack by his fellow countrymen.
The story was apparently 'officially suppressed' by the USAAF at the time, but the two men, American and German, eventually got in touch in the mid 1980s, following publication of the 'story' in veterans news letters. An article in the UK daily newspaper, 'The Daily Mail', published on July 20th, describes this event, and gives details of a new book telling the full story.
The book, 'A Higher Call', by Adam Makos with Larry Alexander, was published on 1st August by Atlantic Books, priced at £17.99 (I'll be ordering a copy!), and it's been announced that Sir Tom Stoppard, and his film-producer son, have acquired the film rights to the book, which, said Stoppard "Is going to be an epic".
I've heard a few rumours (as yet un-substantiated) about the possibility/probability of the Duxford-based B-17G, 'Sally B', being scheduled for some forthcoming film work, and perhaps this is the film in question?
I'll be keeping my eyes and ears open for further news of what sounds like the possibility of a good movie in the not too distant future.
