"The first of the few" movie.

Splottboy

Just watched this, about Mitchell, the Spitfires main designer.

Very slushy, and total propaganda, but great story for 1942.
( Bit weird that Leslie Howard who played Mitchell, was shot shot down by the Germans two years later in real life.)

Anyway, one thing I don't get...there's real dogfight footage, but, there's also real studio made footage of Heinkel 101's and Messerschmitt 109's obviously filmed for the movie.

How the HELL did the studios get hold of these in the middle of WWII? Surely they were at a premium for the Lufftwaffe and not "on-loan" to the film makers.

WEIRD...

tebbit

Both sides had captured planes for evaluation purposes, the Me109 only had a short combat range from the French airbases, and if they got into prolonged combat they could run out of fuel over England. Also the fuel issues the Axis had in North Africa also meant captured planes. Also the Germans had economic issues during the war and might have leased a few squadrons to the film makers to get some much needed export finance into the economy :shock:

Splottboy

Thanks, Norman!

Now, I don't feel so bad that my Great Great Grandad was Herr Robert Heidekruger...

redvee

Started to watch this and PVR'd the last hour as it clashed with F1.

Splottboy

Good considering there was a "War on..."

Love the "Ok, chaps, Jerry's got us into a spot of bother. So, we have got to teach him and his Nazi mates a lesson, ok?" type of script.

But, makes you wonder what would have happened if we hadn't won, Jah?

jgsi

They still 'flyin' around these parts:
http://tinyurl.com/3aghkjp

Frank the tank

Propaganda is great. Mitchell designed one hell of an aircraft that was developed over the war to I think Mk 25. They could keep up with V1s. Take off the rose tinted glasses and the spitfire is still iconic. Personally I believe one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made.

Last week I was talking to my son and I asked him what his top five iconic aircraft were.
Mine were:- Spitfire, Lancaster, McDonnal Douglas DC3 Dakota, English Electric lightening and F4 Phantom.

My lads choice was:- Nimrod, Harrier "jump jet", Dakota, Shackleton and B25 Liberator.

I must admit it was a tough call for me as I love the looks os loads of WW2 aircraft not least the ME109 and the Heinkel 111.

Any of you lot got a list of iconic aircraft?

Splottboy

SR 71 Blackbird.

F111 Swing wing.

Mustang.

Black Widow, the box tail one.

Warthog tank Buster.

Some of the Cold War Russin planes looked EVIL too, great styling/lines.

Apache/Cobra choppers got that "Death from Above" look too.

Oh, and the Spitfire, of course !

tebbit

Five iconic aircraft - Dakota definitely, the Jumbo jet, Spitfire, English Electric Lightening and the Hurricane

Splottboy

David Jason on now, doing Battle of Britain prog now.

NOTE to A.Plamer..Is that ok?

berliner

Listened to the Spitfire play on Radio 4 yesterday. Really interesting.

softlad

Frank the tank wrote:

and B25 Liberator.

B24..

Frank the tank wrote:

Any of you lot got a list of iconic aircraft?

Albatros DIII
Spitfire Mk9
FW190
Boeing B17G
Vought F4U Corsair
Me262
Mitsubishi A6M
Mig 15
Mig21
TSR2
Hawker P1127
Northrop M2F2
Northrop F5
Mirage III
GD F111

that'll do for now...

Frank the tank

softlad wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

and B25 Liberator.

B24..

Frank the tank wrote:

Any of you lot got a list of iconic aircraft?

Albatros DIII
Spitfire Mk9
FW190
Boeing B17G
Vought F4U Corsair
Me262
Mitsubishi A6M
Mig 15
Mig21
TSR2
Hawker P1127
Northrop M2F2
Northrop F5
Mirage III
GD F111

that'll do for now...

Thanks for the correction. Are you sure you've not left any off your list.

brakelever

sopwith camel
fokker triplane
spitfire any mark
hurricane , sydney camm was a genius
typhoon _ awesome
p51 lightning , merlin engine
p38 lightning
me 262
mosquito
avro lancaster
the list is endless .

Anonymous

A26 Invader, the precuser to modern gunships.
Me 262
BAE lightning
F4 Phantom
Mig 25 Foxbat, 2115 mph interceptor.