Strategic Air Command Movie B-52

Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:18 pm

Greetings
AS I was staying home from work today fighting that Drededd Flu Crap :roll:

I was treated to the movie on Turner Classics, Strategic Air Command with Jimmy Stewart and the Big Stick of cource!

But it was the model plane on the General desk that caught my Attention at the end of the movie . mind you I have been running a 101 temp for a few days when I had to do a doubble take it was indeed a B-52-A with the Shark Tail on it :shock:

. Did any body else see this ? or was I and am I still deliours ? am I even posting this

Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:24 pm

darn, now I'm going to have to watch the intire movie again just to see that scene.

Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:10 am

Yes that's a B-52 on the his desk. Love that move with all that color and great flying scenes!

Mike

Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:47 am

Doesn't that model have the original (B-47 style) canopy?

Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:30 am

Kyleb wrote:Doesn't that model have the original (B-47 style) canopy?

Yes, the YB-52 had the B-47 style canopy on it, while the XB-52, has a more conventional cockpit arrangement.

Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:26 am

I always wondered where the scene where he first sees a B-47 in a hangar was filmed. It almost looks like one of the hangars at Wright Pat, but at that time period I am sure they all looked the same.

Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:44 am

Both the XB and YB-52 had the fore-and-aft style cockpit arrangement. The B-52A was the first with the side-by-side arrangement, and I think it was Gen. LeMay that demanded the redesign in order to make coordination between the airplane commander and copilot more efficient.

Scott

Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:05 am

I think all of the flight related scenes were shot at Carswell, Lowry, and McDill AFBs.
H

Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:29 am

I had heard that all the flying scenes were done with Jimmy actually flying in his role, seeing his is a Retired Major Gen. in the USAF Reserves. He did a great thing for the Air Force with his movies.

Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:56 am

Trivia from the film:

The B-47 cockpit used in the film is now on display at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, CA.

The B-36 and B-47 bomber aircraft showcased in the film were such powerful deterrents against Soviet aggression in the 1950's that neither plane ever had to be used in combat, verifying the Strategic Air Command's motto of "Peace Is Our Profession."

One of the C-124A Globemaster IIs (serial number 49-0258) in the scene where they are being loaded for the wing's deployment to Japan is currently under restoration at the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB, Delaware.

Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:08 am

skymstr02,

Thanks for the info on the C-124. In my youth I used to visit the old SAC Museum at Offutt frequently--I didn't know I was in the presence of a movie star! I'm glad the folks at Dover adopted her, I like the 124 and 133 for some wierd reason.

Scott

Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:48 am

Their is also a Crash Truck that was seen in the First seen at Carswell that is still in the DFW area today at the Texas Fire Museum 1950 Simms built in San Antonio Texas

Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:51 am

Here's a few Classic B-36 Scenes from the Movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2IWZgW7 ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZSpqFPS ... re=related

Interesting SAC Vet Interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXJtMyU0G98

I like the scene in "Strategic Air Command" where they show the Old MacDill AFB Base Ops building. Has anyone ever visited thier Old Air Force Base years later?? It's always a hoot to see what they're up to. I've been USAF Retired for 12 Years now & visited Dover AFB recently. It's amazing how some things have changed & some things haven't. The Town has changed alot too. Funny how the local "Porno Shop" & Titty Bar are still there after all these years & yet many other reputable businesses have disappeared... Digger

Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:37 pm

FYI,
The B-36 used in the movie (734) was 51-5734 a H model block -35 of which only six were built.
H

Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:01 pm

Second Air Force wrote:skymstr02,

Thanks for the info on the C-124. In my youth I used to visit the old SAC Museum at Offutt frequently--I didn't know I was in the presence of a movie star! I'm glad the folks at Dover adopted her, I like the 124 and 133 for some wierd reason.

Scott

Me too! Both big sticks...gotta love em!