pinehilljoe
Staff Sergeant
- 756
- May 1, 2016
Anyone remember the movie Fighter Squadron with Robert Stack and Edmond O'Brian? Mustangs in Luftwaffe colors versus Thunderbolts from the Eighth. The ANG units that helped film must have had fun!
Helicopters in WWII films
- Thread starter KiwiBiggles
- Start date
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glennasher
Senior Airman
What were the CAS aircraft used in "A Bridge Too Far"? It's always bugged me to see them go in to bomb that tree line in front of the British 30 Corps, and not know what the heck they were! Harvards, maybe?
- Thread starter
- #24
KiwiBiggles
Senior Airman
As per my previous comment about anything-with-a-radial-engine.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Aside from the M47 tanks posing as Tigers in the movie Patton (even the Shermans were wrong) - I know Tora! Tora! Tora! catches alot of heat, but they actually did a fantastic job recreating more Japanese aircraft for the movie than actually existed in the entire world at the time.
pinehilljoe
Staff Sergeant
- 756
- May 1, 2016
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
The Harvard or SNJ were some of the many variants of the NAA AT-6 Texan. Tis is one aircraft that is truly under-rated for it wartime contributions and length of service in militaries world-wide.
They were also very convincing when converted to the A6M in several movies (Tor! Tora! Tora! included)
They were also very convincing when converted to the A6M in several movies (Tor! Tora! Tora! included)
pinehilljoe
Staff Sergeant
- 756
- May 1, 2016
Just kidding..
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
I kinda figured, but I thought I'd put that up there
Token
Senior Airman
I have not read "Where Eagles Dare" in several years (I do have it around here, will have to dig it out) but I don't remember a helicopter in the book. I suspect the addition of the helicopter is part of the adaptation for screen, and this particular slip in technology probably can't be attributed to Alistair McLean.
T!
soulezoo
Senior Airman
As much as I love that movie (Patton) overall, I always had a bit of difficulty swallowing the equipment inaccuracies. I take into account that there just are not a whole lot of panzer III's lying around to use in a movie. However, in the scene depicting the Battle of El Guettar, which is supposed to be part of the initial part of that battle (that in reality stretched over some time) the heavy use of tanks and self propelled guns by the Allies was shown when in reality that battle consisted of mostly artillery, 37mm anti tank guns and a bunch of half track tank destroyers (M3 I think). I believe there were a few M10 tank destroyers (looks like a tank but not really) But the tanks have a much greater dramatic effect for the moviegoer.
ETA... did some edits as my memory is really faulty today.
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GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
You know, I actually meant the movie "Battle of the Bulge", but there were errors in the movie Patton, though not as many.
With as many different units involved (on both sides) during the Battle of the Bulge, I found it interesting that they only showed basically two types: "Tigers" and Shermans. I know it's hard to portray such a massive battle in any sort of detail (especially on a budget), but they could have done much better. Even though there were hardly any real Tigers operational at the time of the movie, there were other Panzer types available like the Hetzer (Czech ST-1 and Swiss G-13) and Stug (Syrian Stug III Ausf D) variants still in service. For example the surplus PzKfw IV units that France sold to Syria were all but a few destroyed in 1967 during the six day war - 2 years after Battle of the Bulge was released in theaters
That would have given a little better variety and authenticity to the production.
With as many different units involved (on both sides) during the Battle of the Bulge, I found it interesting that they only showed basically two types: "Tigers" and Shermans. I know it's hard to portray such a massive battle in any sort of detail (especially on a budget), but they could have done much better. Even though there were hardly any real Tigers operational at the time of the movie, there were other Panzer types available like the Hetzer (Czech ST-1 and Swiss G-13) and Stug (Syrian Stug III Ausf D) variants still in service. For example the surplus PzKfw IV units that France sold to Syria were all but a few destroyed in 1967 during the six day war - 2 years after Battle of the Bulge was released in theaters
That would have given a little better variety and authenticity to the production.
pinehilljoe
Staff Sergeant
- 756
- May 1, 2016
As as a kid we couldn't wait for the next time The Battle of Bulge would be on TV. An almost silly movie historically, but fun to watch if you take it for what it is. I admit I have it on DVD , a good beer and pretzels movie,
Shortround6
Major General
I always though "Kelly's Heros" was almost as true to life as most war films
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
Interesting - any idea how accurate it is?
Mi
EDIT - just bought a copy - at USD 6.20 delivered it should either be a good reference or a good laugh though I freely admit German technology of the period is not a strong point for me
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
My pet film peeve has to be the film where the pilot of a single seater pulls a large post war industrial fire extinguisher out of nowhere to fight a cockpit fire - Midway?
That is pretty bad, but I can think of one even worse, and I think it's from the same movie.
What is supposed to be a Wildcat, but is a Hellcat, crashes and burns on landing, turns into mid 50's Cutlass jet during the firey end.
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GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
The movie Midway used stock wartime footage and also some cuts from a couple of previous movies. One of the movies I can recall, but the title escapes me...it was something like "All Boats Away" or something to that effect.
Great, now I'm going to have to look through the cabinet to find that movie to get the title right...
Great, now I'm going to have to look through the cabinet to find that movie to get the title right...
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Wow..the ol' memory was actually hitting on all cylinders tonight...the movie was "Away All Boats" (filmed in 1956).
By the way, Tom, the jet seen in Garth's crash sequence was an F9F Panther.
By the way, Tom, the jet seen in Garth's crash sequence was an F9F Panther.
