30 seconds over Tokyo

[agent86]

Ok I hope I'm in the right place this time.sorry if I'm boring all but check out the great flying footage
OK GUYS I know for a fact I posted this on the video link page just like the others.somethings wrong with the video page.maybe full?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... tdxarsf6BM

[agent86]

or maybe i'm a dork.probably a dork

[Ztex]

viewtopic.php?p=419581#p419581

Welcome to the club!
PM sent...lol

[agent86]

Attention all WIXers,your mandatory class project for today is to watch this video and post your comments here

[Steve Nelson]

I haven't seen the whole film in a few years, but I remember the first time I watched it as a kid. Of course I thought the airplanes were way-cool, but even as a kid the scene that stuck in my mind the most was where the missionary doctor in a Chinese village is forced to amputate Lawson's leg using only a local anesthetic, and he starts to panic thinking it's wearing off (fortunately he passes out.) A very gut-wrenching scene. Then later an old Chinese man offers the flyers pairs of handmade slippers in thanks, and is horribly ashamed when he sees that Lawson only has one leg. Lawson takes the man's hands and thanks him for the gift, and reassures him there's nothing to be ashamed of. Dang..I'm getting a little choked up just remembering that scene! I don't know how much either scene reflects true events, but they give the film a lot more emotional impact than most movies of the era.

I'm not sure if the movie addresses it, but I've read that Japanese Army killed thousands of Chinese civillians as reprisals for helping the Doolittle crews escape. I've heard estmates as high as a half-million, but I don't know if that number is reliable. Considering the horrors inflicted on Nanking (which had declared itself an "open city" and offered no resistance to the invaders) it's entirely possible.

SN

[agent86]

what I have read says that approx. 250,000 chinese were killed in reprisals after the doolittle raid. if you want to see the true extent of Lawsons injuries and experiences,read the book.its a great book. the numbers sound kinda high but I wouldnt put it past the WWII Japanese

[JohnCFord]

I'm watching 30 Seconds Over Tokyo right now. I already love seeing these machines fly back in those days. By the way, when does a plane become a ship? Twin engine, bomber, piston engine? Right now my ship is a C-172 if that's allowed...

Happy Holidays!

~J~

[Ken]

Great movie. It always amazed me that, for being filmed in 1944, they used mostly real names, got a hold of the closest model Mitchells (C/D), painted 'em up right, and closely followed a very factual book.

Proof that real events are exciting enough with very little artistic license, real heroes aren't all on sports teams, and that there is honor in standing up for what you believe and serving a cause greater than your own self interest.

Ken

[cooper9411]

Remember, that movie was made back when they were worth watching!

[mustangdriver]

When I was a kid growing up, I read the book. Then bought the movie. Seeing all of those B-25's is awesome. In school when we wrote reports about our heroes most of the guys wrote about Gretzky and Jordan. My reports had names like Doolittle, and Lawson. Later when I volunteered at the Air Heritage museum, I took a phone call for one of our volunteers named Scott Royce. I talked to the gentleman for a second, put him on hold and paged Scott for his call. After a bit Scott came down and asked whaat all I talked to the guy about. I said nothing really just hello and who he was looking for. He said, "He called to wish me a happy birthday. By the way, that was Jimmy Doolittle." That had to be near 92 or 93. I later got to interview Ellen Lawson. She was really super. She enjoyed the movie but laughed at her character. She told me, "We were in love, but I don't think anyone was that in love!" I sent her a model of the Ruptured Duck after the interview. She loved it and sent me some cool stuff. Then in 2009 I had the honor of meeting two raiders in person. One of which was David Thatcher. It was a day I will never forget. All of this sparked by this movie!

[cooper9411]

Very awesome. I am going to try every thing in my power to be in Dayton this year.

[The Inspector]

While the movie was being shot, a lumber yard (or small refinery)in Oakland caught fire and they flew a couple of airplanes and a camera ship up to take advantage of the billowing smoke.

Sidebar-I got an e mail yesterday from HFF and they are going to take 'GRUMPY' to Dayton for the Doolittle Raiders Reunion in 2012.

[Robbie Roberts]

I read the book which I'd checked out at the library in school back in 6th grade... Somehow, that copy never got returned, but I did pay the lost book fine... Two of the Raiders signed it for me at Reading a couple years back, although I now have a first edition as well... It was an honor just to shake their hand- Out of all the events in WWII, That singular event ranks as first in my heart...

Scott

[Dave Downs]

Proof that real events are exciting enough with very little artistic license, real heroes aren't all on sports teams, and that there is honor in standing up for what you believe and serving a cause greater than your own self interest.

Ken

I totally agree with one minor exception; NO heroes are on sports teams, in my humble opinion.

[cooper9411]

Proof that real events are exciting enough with very little artistic license, real heroes aren't all on sports teams, and that there is honor in standing up for what you believe and serving a cause greater than your own self interest.

Ken

I totally agree with one minor exception; NO heroes are on sports teams, in my humble opinion.

Agreed 100%, these are the real HERO'S!