British 50s B&W film about metal fatigue?
Ich bin ein Prooner.
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Just as an aside, with regards to the late, great, Jimmy Stewart. Even given a huge amount of artistic licence, I wonder what he thought, given his not inconsiderable military flying career, when he saw the "Reindeer"?
He surely must have had a private giggle at it somewhere out of sight of everyone!
He surely must have had a private giggle at it somewhere out of sight of everyone!
Bristol Type 170
Proplinerman,
Was assuming a Bristol "Freightner" pilot - maybe one of my flying school contemporaries - would answer your post. (I went on the Heron and Dak instead.)
In case that's not going to happen, think I can say (from what I heard) that it is more of a handful than the smaller Dakota, particularly in a crosswind (not that any tail-dragger is a cinch). The flight controls, operated aerodynamically by pure servo-tabs, presumably don't start to do anything until you've got some sort of IAS. The aeroplane also has a very large keel area - particularly the Mark 32 with the extended nose, that our British United Air Ferries used in the 1960s (did they come with Silver City?).
The single-engine performance of any twin varies enormously with weight, pressure altitude, and temperature (WAT). You can also add the factor of how knackered the individual airframe/engine combination is. I suspect that, speaking generally, the 170 was below average for a 1950s piston design, probably a bit worse than the (1940s) C47-Dakota. But the worse-case scenario is partly in the hands of the airworthiness authorities, who regulate the MTOW that is applied to the CofA in their country. Most twin pistons fly quite well on one when empty, as in the film. On the other hand, one of our Daks used to struggle to climb on both at MTOW at sea-level on a hot summer's day.
As for those "clatter"ing engines: there's an excellent contemporary thread about radials going on in "Tech Log", but I haven't seen mention of the (2000 HP) Bristol Hercules yet - does it have noisy sleeve valves? Big radials are a handful to operate, and have to be treated with enormous respect.
Was assuming a Bristol "Freightner" pilot - maybe one of my flying school contemporaries - would answer your post. (I went on the Heron and Dak instead.)
In case that's not going to happen, think I can say (from what I heard) that it is more of a handful than the smaller Dakota, particularly in a crosswind (not that any tail-dragger is a cinch). The flight controls, operated aerodynamically by pure servo-tabs, presumably don't start to do anything until you've got some sort of IAS. The aeroplane also has a very large keel area - particularly the Mark 32 with the extended nose, that our British United Air Ferries used in the 1960s (did they come with Silver City?).
The single-engine performance of any twin varies enormously with weight, pressure altitude, and temperature (WAT). You can also add the factor of how knackered the individual airframe/engine combination is. I suspect that, speaking generally, the 170 was below average for a 1950s piston design, probably a bit worse than the (1940s) C47-Dakota. But the worse-case scenario is partly in the hands of the airworthiness authorities, who regulate the MTOW that is applied to the CofA in their country. Most twin pistons fly quite well on one when empty, as in the film. On the other hand, one of our Daks used to struggle to climb on both at MTOW at sea-level on a hot summer's day.
As for those "clatter"ing engines: there's an excellent contemporary thread about radials going on in "Tech Log", but I haven't seen mention of the (2000 HP) Bristol Hercules yet - does it have noisy sleeve valves? Big radials are a handful to operate, and have to be treated with enormous respect.
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Bristol 170
Thanks for that Chris and looking at your calling the aircraft, the "Freightner," I think I also read that it got that name/the "Frightener," because of the need for a member of the ground crew, after both engines had been started, to crawl under the fuselage, between the two engines, to unplug the APU? cable from its socket there.
Freighter/Frightner/Frightener/Freightner/Freightener
Proplinerman,
"Ground crew"? What was that you said? Are they the chaps that scuttle out from underneath as we lurch off the apron?
Quite possibly, but think the pilots also used the term, because of the handling characteristics. Spelling never standardised, as far as I know, so was being slightly creative.
Was wrong about it being a 'Fifties design, having just seen spec and silhouette in the 1989 reprint of Janes 1946/7, which also mentions the all-passenger Wayfarer version. Don't know when it first flew.
Also forgot to mention that its performance (thinking particularly of the single-engine case) would be influenced by the fixed landing gear - unlike the Dak.
"Ground crew"? What was that you said? Are they the chaps that scuttle out from underneath as we lurch off the apron?
Quite possibly, but think the pilots also used the term, because of the handling characteristics. Spelling never standardised, as far as I know, so was being slightly creative.
Was wrong about it being a 'Fifties design, having just seen spec and silhouette in the 1989 reprint of Janes 1946/7, which also mentions the all-passenger Wayfarer version. Don't know when it first flew.
Also forgot to mention that its performance (thinking particularly of the single-engine case) would be influenced by the fixed landing gear - unlike the Dak.
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Bristol 170 - single engine performance
Arthur Whitlock in his book "Behind the cockpit door" also called it "The Frightener" and described a nightmare flight Luton/Manchester (diversion)in BKS G-AMLJ on losing an engine en route to Belfast (with 3 cars aboard) and barely holding it before getting into Manchester.He also wrote of other scares and off runway excursions with the Biffo. Handful ?
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Exchange Control
I know what you mean, you wouldn't really expect the stars of 'Destry Rides Again' to turn up in a movie set in Hants
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My favourite Nevil Shute books were Pastoral and Landfall. Both took place during the 2nd world war. One centred on a Wellington bomber station, the other was Coastal Command.
The plot, tension, anguish and romance were gripping. Shame they never made a film of either book. I really wish some film director, instead of looking for a remake would consider making a film of one or both of these wonderful books . It would be worth it even if they did have to use model planes or computer graphics.
The plot, tension, anguish and romance were gripping. Shame they never made a film of either book. I really wish some film director, instead of looking for a remake would consider making a film of one or both of these wonderful books . It would be worth it even if they did have to use model planes or computer graphics.
Last edited by draglift; 28th Mar 2010 at 20:45.
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Draglift,
we're going slightly off-thread here, but I'd guess the nearest one gets to a film of ' Pastoral ' would be ' The Way To The Stars ' ?
My personal choice would be Requiem For A Wren.
I completely agree film-makers would be better off trying to film untried classics, instead of re-makes where they can only lose !
It would take a very gifted team of Director, Producer & Actors ( not to mention effects people ) to capture the spirit of N.S.'s writing, don't even know if it's possible...
we're going slightly off-thread here, but I'd guess the nearest one gets to a film of ' Pastoral ' would be ' The Way To The Stars ' ?
My personal choice would be Requiem For A Wren.
I completely agree film-makers would be better off trying to film untried classics, instead of re-makes where they can only lose !
It would take a very gifted team of Director, Producer & Actors ( not to mention effects people ) to capture the spirit of N.S.'s writing, don't even know if it's possible...
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My favourite Nevil Shute books were Pastoral and Landfall. Both took place during the 2nd world war. One centred on a Wellington bomber station, the other was Coastal Command.
The plot, tension, anguish and romance were gripping. Shame they never made a film of either book. I really wish some film director, instead of looking for a remake would consider making a film of one or both of these wonderful books . It would be worth it even if they did have to use model planes or computer graphics.
The plot, tension, anguish and romance were gripping. Shame they never made a film of either book. I really wish some film director, instead of looking for a remake would consider making a film of one or both of these wonderful books . It would be worth it even if they did have to use model planes or computer graphics.
Plot Summary for
Landfall (1949)
Rick (Michael Denison) is a costal command pilot patrolling the English Channel for U-Boats. He sinks what he believes is a German submarine, but which later proves to be British. He is charged with neglect and volunteers for a perilous mission. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Mona (Patricia Plunkett), through some odd information she has picked up, is trying to prove that Rick is innocent of the charges and actually did sink a German U-Boat.
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Bloody loving this thread! Watched Cone of Silence and Man In The Sky this morning on DVD (the restoration of the latter is absolutely superb!) and Landfall is due for release in June so my order has been placed.
So far in my collection of classic aviation themed DVD's I have;
Dawn Patrol
First of the Few
Way To The Stars
No Highway
The Sound Barrier
A Matter of Life and Death
Cone of Silence
Man In The Sky
Angels One Five
Reach For The Sky
Dambusters
633 Squadron
Mosquito Squadron
Battle of Britiain
Plus the TV shows Piece of Cake, Wings and Pathfinders.
Can anyone recommend any movies I am missing? (R2 please)
PS, Yes, I know they weren't all made in the fifties, lol
So far in my collection of classic aviation themed DVD's I have;
Dawn Patrol
First of the Few
Way To The Stars
No Highway
The Sound Barrier
A Matter of Life and Death
Cone of Silence
Man In The Sky
Angels One Five
Reach For The Sky
Dambusters
633 Squadron
Mosquito Squadron
Battle of Britiain
Plus the TV shows Piece of Cake, Wings and Pathfinders.
Can anyone recommend any movies I am missing? (R2 please)
PS, Yes, I know they weren't all made in the fifties, lol
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Ivor toolbox
Thanks for that, you've made my day and given me a film to really look forward to. I will order a DVD of Landfall and hope they have done it justice.
I just need someone to make a film of Pastoral now and agree "Requiem For a Wren" would be great too.
Harmonious dragmaster. I recently saw remake of the Flight of the Phoenix. It was absolute ****e! Don't buy it.
Thanks for that, you've made my day and given me a film to really look forward to. I will order a DVD of Landfall and hope they have done it justice.
I just need someone to make a film of Pastoral now and agree "Requiem For a Wren" would be great too.
Harmonious dragmaster. I recently saw remake of the Flight of the Phoenix. It was absolute ****e! Don't buy it.
"Can anyone recommend any movies I am missing? (R2 please)"
Strategic Air Command. 1955 starring James Stewart and June Allyson.
Superb air-to-air photography, mainly of B-36's.
Strategic Air Command. 1955 starring James Stewart and June Allyson.
Superb air-to-air photography, mainly of B-36's.
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Thanks guys, all suggestions welcome (must get the original Flight of the Phoenix too) And I simply love June Allyson! Always have, nearly as much as Glynis Johns.
Wasn't there a John Wayne film where he flew Sabres and defected to Russia or somesuch unlikely event? I also remember James Cagney ferrying a bomber to Scotland but I don't know what movie. I think I have stumbled onto a new hobby
Wasn't there a John Wayne film where he flew Sabres and defected to Russia or somesuch unlikely event? I also remember James Cagney ferrying a bomber to Scotland but I don't know what movie. I think I have stumbled onto a new hobby
S'pose one should mention Fate is the Hunter...
But not necessarily to recommend it. Ernest Gann (who wrote the eponymous book, on part of which the film was based) didn't like it, apparently. From what I remember, he had a point.
Warmtoast,
Love the pics. Guess I must have seen S.A.C. before any of the others (Dambusters was released 1956?), and it probably benefited from being in colour. B-36 was a remarkable aeroplane, and the B-47 also appeared.
Jimmy Stewart might have found his role in No Highway a bit tame after that, but more challenging to act?
But not necessarily to recommend it. Ernest Gann (who wrote the eponymous book, on part of which the film was based) didn't like it, apparently. From what I remember, he had a point.
Warmtoast,
Love the pics. Guess I must have seen S.A.C. before any of the others (Dambusters was released 1956?), and it probably benefited from being in colour. B-36 was a remarkable aeroplane, and the B-47 also appeared.
Jimmy Stewart might have found his role in No Highway a bit tame after that, but more challenging to act?
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
HarmoniousDragmaster - are you thinking of The Hunters - Korean war film with the Roberts Mitchum and Wagner? Lots of F86 flying sequences.
Catch-22 - I just love the B-25!
Memphis Belle deserves a place.
The Right Stuff had a good bit of aerial work, IIRC.
I enjoyed The Aviator, despite the CGI, and Air America was a hoot.
BTW, there's an entire list on Wikipedia devoted to Aviation films - it's a list, not by any means a review or recommendation - probably only 10-20% are worth watching!
SD
Catch-22 - I just love the B-25!
Memphis Belle deserves a place.
The Right Stuff had a good bit of aerial work, IIRC.
I enjoyed The Aviator, despite the CGI, and Air America was a hoot.
BTW, there's an entire list on Wikipedia devoted to Aviation films - it's a list, not by any means a review or recommendation - probably only 10-20% are worth watching!
SD
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I'd add "The Great Waldo Pepper" to the list - I got my copy off Ebay and was mildly alarmed when it turned up with a French inlay card, but the DVD was fine.
Also "Aces High" and "The Blue Max".
Haven't been able to get Strategic Air Command on DVD so far - I have a copy transferred from VHS but the quality is lacking. The noise when one overflies the baseball field...
Catch 22 - one of my favourite films and not just beacuse of the B-25s...
Also "Aces High" and "The Blue Max".
Haven't been able to get Strategic Air Command on DVD so far - I have a copy transferred from VHS but the quality is lacking. The noise when one overflies the baseball field...
Catch 22 - one of my favourite films and not just beacuse of the B-25s...
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Man in the sky
Just ordered my copy from Amazon, based on reviews here and link to section of the film that someone posted on this thread. But it will be some time before I actually get round to watching it-as is the case with rather a lot of DVDs I buy.