New Catch-22 Series Warbird Filming in Italy

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2018 4:10 pm

Here are some photos that have been shared on Facebook of the warbirds taking part in the filming for the new George Clooney Catch-22 miniseries. The filming has been taking place from the island of Sardinia. The two B-25's being used are "Photo Fanny" and "Axis Nightmare", and they are also using (spotted so-far) the French-based Junkers Ju-52 F-AZJU, the UK-based Aces High C-47 N147DC, and the Harvard G-DHHF.

This first selection of photos are by Nicola Mason, shared here on the "Warbird Lovers" FB page: https://www.facebook.com/WarbirdLovers/ ... nk&fref=nf

"Axis Nightmare" in film colors on location:
https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=5BA76FEC
https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=5BEC46EC
https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=5BA4E51A

"Photo Fanny" in film colors on location:
https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=5BE631F2
https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=5BB532E9

A collection of photos of the B-25's, Ju-52 and C-47 in film colors in Italy, by Fabio Ledda:
https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=5BB8B47C

p51 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:46 pm

TWO B-25s, huh?

Yeah, I'm underwhelmed if that's it.

OD/NG · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:36 pm **Posts:** 717

p51 wrote:

TWO B-25s, huh?

Yeah, I'm underwhelmed if that's it.

I agree, but you have to remember that CGI can digitally replicate an almost unlimited number of B-25's. I'm sure that wasn't cheap to fly over 2 B-25's across the pond from the States. In this digital age all you really need the B-25's for are close ups and taxi scenes involving the actors. I do wish they would have used more aircraft, but I'm guessing this series is going to be character-centric rather than airplane-centric. There will come a time in the near future where real airplanes probably won't be used any more in movies because it will be too expensive and much cheaper to accomplish with CGI.

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2018 9:01 pm

I know they weren't the only B-25 operators that were contacted/requested - the big issue/decider being the ocean crossing that was to be required, in addition to providing crew and available maintenance, overseas, for such an extended period of time (and logistics/what to do if something broke or an engine needed replacement, while overseas, etc.).

Stoney · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:55 pm

can't wait or not

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2018 6:17 am

JohnTerrell wrote:

I know they weren't the only B-25 operators that were contacted/requested - the big issue/decider being the ocean crossing that was to be required, in addition to providing crew and available maintenance, overseas, for such an extended period of time (and logistics/what to do if something broke or an engine needed replacement, while overseas, etc.).

Of course there is only one flying B-25 in all of Europe/Eastern half of the globe, that being the Red Bull example - all the other 36 are based in the US/Canada. I think it's just great to see any (real) warbirds being used for TV-series/movies, and it's neat to see they stuck with 340th BG tail markings, the unit Joseph Heller served in.

John, there is also the Dutch example.

Nathan · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:15 am

I stay away from remakes.

I haven't even seen any of the new star wars films! :shock:

hollywierd can't make anything original. Show of the times.

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2018 9:40 am

DaveM2 wrote:

John, there is also the Dutch example.

Oh, that’s right, I forgot about that one Dave - 2 in Europe, 1 in Canada, 34 in the US.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2018 9:55 am

Nathan wrote:

I stay away from remakes.

I haven't even seen any of the new star wars films! :shock:

hollywierd can't make anything original. Show of the times.

Courier Sportster · **Joined:** Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:03 am **Posts:** 319

CGI won't be able to touch that dramatic take-off scene, c'mon! Only reason I'll watch that weird and disturbing film. I like Minderbender's tricked out B-25 with the whitewalls. Now he has a JU-52? I think Godfather 3, and "2010" need remakes. And Godfather 2 needs that swept-tail Cessna CGI'd into a straight tail.... that one really bugs me.

Stoney · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2018 10:21 am

I like Minderbender's tricked out B-25 with the whitewalls.

That was the Generals plane, Milo's where white and gray camo

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11280

Don't lose sight of the fact that warbirds are working for this project.

People will often watch a remake but ignore the original because it is "dated." My wife won't watch a black and white film regardless of how highly rated it was. It is just "too old."

Hopefully there will be sufficient interest generated to keep the memory of WW2 alive and maybe encourage the gestation of some new enthusiasts.

Richard W. · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2018 1:46 pm

Something tells me they're not making this to celebrate our involvement in WWII.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11280

Richard W. wrote:

Something tells me they're not making this to celebrate our involvement in WWII.

I'm sure that wasn't the intent with the original either.

leo · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2018 2:49 pm

The book and the original were actually anti-war, kind of like M.A.S.H.
I don't like remakes as a rule, but will catch this one just because I really loved the book and would like to see something done truer to it, because the only reason I like the original is a few lines and the aircraft.
No Black and White BDK? She's missing most of the truly great movies. As one of the hosts on TCM laments, these movies were made before they knew how to blow up buildings and do extravagant chases. They HAD to have stories...

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