12 O'Clock Episode Question

Wed May 20, 2009 9:39 am

'Falling Star' aired last night..

There was a scene of a B-17 exploding when hit by flak.., it was not the 'usual' 12 O'Clock High special effects.., it was a real shot.., the disentegrating B-17 had a distinct 'N' on her vertical stabilizer and under each wing was also a large 'N'.

It was incredible to watch the wing explode and the concussion peeled the nose off to the right then the plane virtual tore herself apart after that..,

This had to be a test bed aircraft? Does anyone know.., long shot.., but it made me very curious!

The show typically has the most hilarious aerial shots.., it is a B-17 one second, then exterior shots of a C-47 etc.. I watch it more for comic relief!

Cheers!

Wed May 20, 2009 9:57 am

I'm not familiar with the scene but know there are several good film sequences of missiles hitting QB-17G drones during testing in the 1950s. The "N" markings would suggest this as a possibility. Was the B-17 natural metal finish or in camouflage?

Wed May 20, 2009 10:50 am

Double post!
Sorry!.
Jerry

Last edited by Jerry O'Neill on Wed May 20, 2009 10:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

Wed May 20, 2009 10:57 am

Aerovin is probably correct. there were some spectacular B-17 explosions during the different anti aircraft missile programs.
Does this look like the clip?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sM7teHujIU
They used a cleaner version of this in the opening scenes of a film called "Brady's War".

I curious as to what channel the TV series is airing on?
I'd love to see it again.
Jerry

Wed May 20, 2009 11:12 am

The B-17 was NMF. The channel is American Life.., It is on Tuesday nights around 8 pm EST and replays at midnight. The channel also airs episodes of Combat and Rat Patrol!!

http://www.americanlifetv.com/programs.php?beginsWith=T

I can not access youtube from the office.,. but is most likely the sequence and yes the markings could be consistent with a drone! Spectacular footage..

Thanks all!!!!!

Wed May 20, 2009 7:01 pm

Looks to have been filmed from the ground.The camera is able to follow the A/C down and not change position off the nose.Always haunting.

Wed May 20, 2009 7:38 pm

Jerry O'Neill wrote:Aerovin is probably correct. there were some spectacular B-17 explosions during the different anti aircraft missile programs.
Does this look like the clip?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sM7teHujIU
They used a cleaner version of this in the opening scenes of a film called "Brady's War".

I curious as to what channel the TV series is airing on?
I'd love to see it again.
Jerry

That was the clip but from a different angle!!!

Thanks!!!!!!