View Full Version : aircraft in the film Tobruk
My husband has been watching the film 'Tobruk' this afternoon.
There was a 'Nazi' flying boat which I thought was actually a Grumman - probably a Goose.
Does anyone know?
Tiger_mate
7th Jul 2007, 18:10
A Goose is exactly what it was:
http://www.bluejacket.com/usn/images/ac/jrf_grumman_goose.jpg
Rollingthunder
7th Jul 2007, 23:23
I thought it was an albatross.
One on short final. Speed brakes deployed.
http://www.vision.net.au/~jennings/NewGallery/images/Albatross.jpg
after touchdown and looking for a beer.
http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/Double/images/Shy%20albatross.jpg
Or this....
http://www.uscg.mil/history/WEBAIRCRAFT/Albatross_9.jpg
evansb
8th Jul 2007, 01:18
Having never seen the movie 'Tobruk' I can't comment on the aircraft used in the movie, but I must say the Grumman Widgeon, Goose, Mallard and Albatross are frequently misidentified, even though they are completely different aircraft.
kms901
8th Jul 2007, 10:03
And what is that thing like a water ski sticking out of the bottom of it ?
Beautiful, beautiful and funny pictures (and captions) of albatross, Rollingthunder - I loved them.:)
I don't think the aircraft inTobruk was an Albatross as it was a tailwheel, (as my non-flying husband puts it - the wheels were the other way), and the engines were bigger in proportion.
The dihedral on the tailplane looked different.
It definitely wasn't a Widgeon.
It looked just like a Goose to me, and pretty similar to Tiger Mate's photo (thank you:)) though obviously with 'Nazi' insignia.
I just wondered if anyone knew for certain.
oldshuck
9th Jul 2007, 08:56
KMS, Hydrofoil to aid lift ????
pigboat
9th Jul 2007, 18:31
I remember reading somewhere that Edo Corp, the float manufacturer, had done some work for the US Navy with a Goose equipped with something called a hydro-ski. Until now, I'd never seen a picture of it. I have no idea how that contraption worked. I would imagine any advantage it may have given in shorter take-off runs was more than offset by the complexity of retract mechanics, not to mention the breach of hull integrity. There were a any number of exotic experiments being carried out back then - late 1940's/early 1950's - involving strange modifications to conventional airframes. One experiment with the DHC-3 Otter saw it fitted with hydro-skis instead of floats. I'll see if I can rustle up a picture.
treadigraph
9th Jul 2007, 21:34
Another variation on the EDO Hydro-ski theme, this from 1963:
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q248/treadigraph/hydro1.jpg
And, believe it or not, this is the Saunders Roe interpretation, rather like those water-skiing Harvards I should imagine. Seen on and around the Solent (but fortunately not in it) during 1958.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q248/treadigraph/hydro2.jpg
Straying from the thread, but I've never seen the film either. Goose fan though...
Treadders