Battle of Britian Film (1969)
Was doing my multi engine course (on the Varsity) at Oakington whilst this was being filmed at Duxford, and a number of our instructors who had quite extensive Spitfire experience in their younger days were 'seconded' to the film.
We were actually night flying at the time but the nice high pressure system gave good day weather but foggy nights, so we would all go down to watch the action. The scene with the 109's and the French Chateau - a nice bit of 3ply on Southern side of Duxford was particularly impressive for all the watchers on the other side of the trees!
It was also quite a good time to be stooging around East Anglia 'cos you never quite knew what would appear on the wingtip! My final memory was the morning after our graduation a full beat up of the Oakington Mess by (I think) a 9 ship of Spitfires at what seemed like first light and roof height.
Happy Days
We were actually night flying at the time but the nice high pressure system gave good day weather but foggy nights, so we would all go down to watch the action. The scene with the 109's and the French Chateau - a nice bit of 3ply on Southern side of Duxford was particularly impressive for all the watchers on the other side of the trees!
It was also quite a good time to be stooging around East Anglia 'cos you never quite knew what would appear on the wingtip! My final memory was the morning after our graduation a full beat up of the Oakington Mess by (I think) a 9 ship of Spitfires at what seemed like first light and roof height.
Happy Days
I was at Finningley at the time the film was made. A Vulcan OCU pilot strayed into the filming area and wanted to file an Airmiss on a ME109 but was persuaded otherwise!
Later, we were invited to the 'Premiere' in down-town Sheffield ... so, in true RAF style, turned up in full Mess Kit with ladies in evening dress all transported in a grotty, asthmatic Bedford coach!! It didn't quite cut the mustard when we pulled up outside the cinema for the full red-carpet treatment complete with flood lights and media!
It was a good night but we received a few odd stares when we cheered a Vulcan bimbling along in the background of one of the dogfight sequences! It's strange, but try as I might, I have yet to see it again on the TV re-runs.
Later, we were invited to the 'Premiere' in down-town Sheffield ... so, in true RAF style, turned up in full Mess Kit with ladies in evening dress all transported in a grotty, asthmatic Bedford coach!! It didn't quite cut the mustard when we pulled up outside the cinema for the full red-carpet treatment complete with flood lights and media!
It was a good night but we received a few odd stares when we cheered a Vulcan bimbling along in the background of one of the dogfight sequences! It's strange, but try as I might, I have yet to see it again on the TV re-runs.
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Shortly after the film was released and at the age of about 22, I was taken to see it at a Coventry cinema by my Uncle. At one point in the film some German crew are bombing some part of the NE of England and are shot down. The goggles of the aircrew of the Heinkel immediately fill with "Tomato Sauce" to signify what has happened. At this point, my Uncle leaned over to me and said: "You didn't really see gore like that you know."
He should have known: After completing a tour of duty as a Whitley captain before his 19th. birthday, Sqn. Ldr. J.C. (Peter) Cairns was shot down on his second tour as a Wellington Captain when leaving the Dutch coast as a propellor failed. Several of his crew were killed but he managed to get it down on a Dutch enemy airfield. He was then incarcerated for the rest of the War in Stalagluft 3 and - I eventually discovered - was supposed to be the last man into the tunnel during the Great Escape.
He was the only relative I have had who got a full obituary in the Times, but then he is probably the reason that I find myself posting about flying matters on this website!
P.P.
He should have known: After completing a tour of duty as a Whitley captain before his 19th. birthday, Sqn. Ldr. J.C. (Peter) Cairns was shot down on his second tour as a Wellington Captain when leaving the Dutch coast as a propellor failed. Several of his crew were killed but he managed to get it down on a Dutch enemy airfield. He was then incarcerated for the rest of the War in Stalagluft 3 and - I eventually discovered - was supposed to be the last man into the tunnel during the Great Escape.
He was the only relative I have had who got a full obituary in the Times, but then he is probably the reason that I find myself posting about flying matters on this website!
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"Incidentaly I recently met a chap who was involved in the filming, and operated a replica Hurricane, fitted with Jaguar engine for taxi-only use.
He reckons he got quite a long flight at an altitude of 8' out of it !"
Double Zero, someone was pulling your chain there, that replica was not even thought about when the film was made, it was completed in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It had nothing to do with the film and certainly didn't fly!
He reckons he got quite a long flight at an altitude of 8' out of it !"
Double Zero, someone was pulling your chain there, that replica was not even thought about when the film was made, it was completed in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It had nothing to do with the film and certainly didn't fly!
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Spitfire at Abingdon
On 31-10-68 I saw Spitfire AI-B landing at Abingdon. So was Abingdon used at all for the film?
I think the squadron codes were interchanged quite a bit during the making of the film, and even different codes on the two sides, so I am not sure which aircraft this really was. I am sure someone can say which one had that code that day.
Laurence
I think the squadron codes were interchanged quite a bit during the making of the film, and even different codes on the two sides, so I am not sure which aircraft this really was. I am sure someone can say which one had that code that day.
Laurence
The DVD is free with the Daily Mail today!
(oops! - edited to add- No it isn't- wrong film)- But WW2 films are free with the mail
(oops! - edited to add- No it isn't- wrong film)- But WW2 films are free with the mail
Last edited by jimgriff; 7th Nov 2009 at 13:40. Reason: typo
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FBS,
No, I have reason to believe the chap I spoke to is genuine, and he is still involved with a famous Spitfire today.
I know the replica you're thinking of, depicting the K5054 Spit' prototype, ( there are several, one of which I think I'm right in saying was a 4/5 scale fully flying example until a landing accident left the operators deciding to keep it grounded ).
I may be wrong about the Jaguar engine in the Hurricane replica, but it was that or something like it; the replica is very authentic until one looks very closely, when one can see it was never meant to actually fly.
DZ
No, I have reason to believe the chap I spoke to is genuine, and he is still involved with a famous Spitfire today.
I know the replica you're thinking of, depicting the K5054 Spit' prototype, ( there are several, one of which I think I'm right in saying was a 4/5 scale fully flying example until a landing accident left the operators deciding to keep it grounded ).
I may be wrong about the Jaguar engine in the Hurricane replica, but it was that or something like it; the replica is very authentic until one looks very closely, when one can see it was never meant to actually fly.
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Er, Double Zero, I didn't mention a Spitfire replica, the K5054 replica at Tangmere was built by Aerofab in the 1990s. THe Hurricane replica was built in the Andover area slightly earlier and, as I said, had nothing to do with the film.
The 5054 replica you refer to has having a landing accident was Clive Du Cros's wooden, full size, Jaguar engined example that is now hauled around the country for events in camo finish.
Tangmere Hurricane replica/Battle of Britain film didn't happen
K5054 replicas irrelevant
There was an incident of one 'ground use only' Spitfire getting airborne during this film, but it was not made of wood and did not have a Jaguar engine
The 5054 replica you refer to has having a landing accident was Clive Du Cros's wooden, full size, Jaguar engined example that is now hauled around the country for events in camo finish.
Tangmere Hurricane replica/Battle of Britain film didn't happen
K5054 replicas irrelevant
There was an incident of one 'ground use only' Spitfire getting airborne during this film, but it was not made of wood and did not have a Jaguar engine
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FBS,
It may be that I misunderstood the chap I was talking to, as we were standing next to the Hurricane replica at Tangmere when he told me; from what you say it may have been him in the ' ground use only ' Spitfire, but that was not the impression I got.
He has done a lot of flying in, and is still very closely associated with a famous Spitfire, and was wearing the rather unique tie to prove it, came out with far too much detail about some relevant points I happened to now about personally, so I don't think there was any B.S. involved, as I say maybe a misunderstanding on my part.
I certainly know that the K5054 replica at Tangmere is not a flyer in any way !
It may be that I misunderstood the chap I was talking to, as we were standing next to the Hurricane replica at Tangmere when he told me; from what you say it may have been him in the ' ground use only ' Spitfire, but that was not the impression I got.
He has done a lot of flying in, and is still very closely associated with a famous Spitfire, and was wearing the rather unique tie to prove it, came out with far too much detail about some relevant points I happened to now about personally, so I don't think there was any B.S. involved, as I say maybe a misunderstanding on my part.
I certainly know that the K5054 replica at Tangmere is not a flyer in any way !
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It is certainly news to me that there was a replica Hurricane in the BoB film fitted with a significant engine.
There was however at least one replica Spitfire fitted with a small engine. It was fitted with a fully moulded GRP Hurricane three blade propeller, unlike the flat propellers fitted to the bulk of the replica Spitfires.
Its purpose was to spin the propeller and I would speculate that it met its demise when towed by hidden cable into a bomb crater/tanker etc.
PeterA
There was however at least one replica Spitfire fitted with a small engine. It was fitted with a fully moulded GRP Hurricane three blade propeller, unlike the flat propellers fitted to the bulk of the replica Spitfires.
Its purpose was to spin the propeller and I would speculate that it met its demise when towed by hidden cable into a bomb crater/tanker etc.
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aviate1138, now that must have been a sight. Incredible. Folks, some fantastic stories from where you were during filming. Keep em coming.
My favourite film of all time. The DVD I have comes with a 2nd disk, lots of old interviews from the producers and actors, great stuff and a fantastic film. Nothing, comes even close today. Pearl Harbor, just didn't have that special something that The Battle of Britain had, even though some of the aerial sequences were good, in my opinion.
The only other film I did really enjoy which was similar in terms of aerial sequences, was Tora! Tora! Tora!
cheers
My favourite film of all time. The DVD I have comes with a 2nd disk, lots of old interviews from the producers and actors, great stuff and a fantastic film. Nothing, comes even close today. Pearl Harbor, just didn't have that special something that The Battle of Britain had, even though some of the aerial sequences were good, in my opinion.
The only other film I did really enjoy which was similar in terms of aerial sequences, was Tora! Tora! Tora!
cheers
There was a fantastic interview with Connie Edwards and one of the senior film crew on Radio 4 last month. Best bit came when Connie recalled the "management" claiming that the "fighting" wasn't "real" enough and getting frustrated at poor weather. One day the CAF and Spanish pilots were stacked before lunch as the weather at Duxford was awful, becoming pants. They all went to the pub and got pretty hoovered, when, at 3.30ish one of the filmcrew burst in and said that the weather had improved and they wanted to launch the wing. The next day the director was delighted, as the footage obtained was far more realistic. Connie recalled congratulating one of the Buchon pilots - who was shocked as he had no recollection of flying the previous day at all.....
Wouldn't happen nowadays would it!!
Wouldn't happen nowadays would it!!
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I wonder if that was when they strafed the "French Airfield" at Duxford. those low runs were... low!
Pearl Harbour was in my view unwatchable. The only good thing was it put some money into the coffers of several warbird operators - pity they didn't do more real air to air stuff rather than relying on that CGI rubbish.
Pearl Harbour was in my view unwatchable. The only good thing was it put some money into the coffers of several warbird operators - pity they didn't do more real air to air stuff rather than relying on that CGI rubbish.
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FBS
I was until recently a volunteer at Tangmere, so am fairly familiar with the contents !
A lot of good stuff to see, including Neville Duke's reheated speed record Hunter, the speed record Meteor, Hunter F5, Lightning, good simulator/s, tons of artefacts which would take a good day or two to do justice ( that takes a lot of people by surprise ) and, static outside, Phantom, Sea Vixen, Sea Harrier FA2 ( not FRS2 as incorrectly labelled ), T-33 & Vampire.
Mondays are a good day to visit as some of the volunteers those days are very good,
A, Give oneself plenty of time if visiting,
B, Beware the museum has a shut down period over some winter months, so if travellng any distance call first.
DZ
I was until recently a volunteer at Tangmere, so am fairly familiar with the contents !
A lot of good stuff to see, including Neville Duke's reheated speed record Hunter, the speed record Meteor, Hunter F5, Lightning, good simulator/s, tons of artefacts which would take a good day or two to do justice ( that takes a lot of people by surprise ) and, static outside, Phantom, Sea Vixen, Sea Harrier FA2 ( not FRS2 as incorrectly labelled ), T-33 & Vampire.
Mondays are a good day to visit as some of the volunteers those days are very good,
A, Give oneself plenty of time if visiting,
B, Beware the museum has a shut down period over some winter months, so if travellng any distance call first.
DZ
Kevmusic, John Blake was involved with the film as an advisor on historical facts.
He certainly advised on the ground eqipment from the German side,and i remember him telling us at the Tiger Club how he fell out with someone on the film about the type of tanks being used.
He would have also had an opinion on the "aviaition" side as he was a keen enthusiast,an aerobatic judge,and contact at the Royal Aero Club,not to mention his "Farnborough" and " Biggin Hill" commentries.
He was also famous for his "napkin" drawings of the days events at the end of Tiger Club Airshows.
PC
He certainly advised on the ground eqipment from the German side,and i remember him telling us at the Tiger Club how he fell out with someone on the film about the type of tanks being used.
He would have also had an opinion on the "aviaition" side as he was a keen enthusiast,an aerobatic judge,and contact at the Royal Aero Club,not to mention his "Farnborough" and " Biggin Hill" commentries.
He was also famous for his "napkin" drawings of the days events at the end of Tiger Club Airshows.
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"FBS
I was until recently a volunteer at Tangmere, so am fairly familiar with the contents !"
OK, so how do you still think a replica Hurricane made in the 1980s could have "flown" in a film made in the 1960s?
The basic mathematics is what I am struggling with. You seem adamant this 'Spitfire' pilot was telling the truth. Have you applied for any of that money people are holding for you in Nigerian bank accounts?
Hurricane rep at Tangmere did not fly to 8 feet in a fast taxi during the making of 'Battle of Britain'. Not at all, not never. No time. Spitfire pilot either telling porkies or winding you up.
I was until recently a volunteer at Tangmere, so am fairly familiar with the contents !"
OK, so how do you still think a replica Hurricane made in the 1980s could have "flown" in a film made in the 1960s?
The basic mathematics is what I am struggling with. You seem adamant this 'Spitfire' pilot was telling the truth. Have you applied for any of that money people are holding for you in Nigerian bank accounts?
Hurricane rep at Tangmere did not fly to 8 feet in a fast taxi during the making of 'Battle of Britain'. Not at all, not never. No time. Spitfire pilot either telling porkies or winding you up.