Does anyone know the origin of this image?

[Clifford Bossie]

This still is from a clip that was used in Midway and The Final Countdown. I suspect it originated prior to the use in Midway but could have been filmed just for that movie,and am not sure. Much of the Midway footage was taken from stock footage. Those included: Tora! Tora! Tora!, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, Dive Bomber, Flying Leathernecks, Admiral Yamamoto, The Fighting Lady and John Ford's documentary The Battle of Midway. Admiral Yamamoto was a Toho production that recycled footage from How I bombed Pearl Harbor. There has been a discussion of this image on Hyperscale, but still no complete answers.

[JohnB]

I too doubt if it was shot for Midway.
By that late date, I'd imagine they'd use The Tora " Zekes" if they were going to the trouble and expense of new footage.
A clue to their ID and date of photography might be found in the fact they are not the "G" models which seem to be The most common T-6/SNJ variant out there.
Also, not the tall aerial...could they have been military aircraft (or did civil aircraft retain those antennas?)

And I think we can rule out a Japanese source for the film...IIRC, most Japanese military T-6s were "G" models and had yellow finushes, one of the aircraft seen here is natural metal with green on top. Hardly conclusive, but worth noting.The

The answer might be in this book I've only recently become aware of...The Aircraft Spotters Film and Television Guide.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1476663491/?c ... _lig_dp_it

Judging by the online preview the book looks pretty complete, does anyone have it?

[Matt Gunsch]

The answer might be in this book I've only recently become aware of...The Aircraft Spotters Film and Television Guide.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1476663491/?c ... _lig_dp_it

Judging by the online preview the book looks pretty complete, does anyone have it?

No, But I know who shot the cover photo...……. I DID !!!, and the author is a Wixer

[Clifford Bossie]

I too doubt if it was shot for Midway.
By that late date, I'd imagine they'd use The Tora " Zekes" if they were going to the trouble and expense of new footage.
A clue to their ID and date of photography might be found in the fact they are not the "G" models which seem to be The most common T-6/SNJ variant out there.
Also, not the tall aerial...could they have been military aircraft (or did civil aircraft retain those antennas?)

And I think we can rule out a Japanese source for the film...IIRC, most Japanese military T-6s were "G" models and had yellow finushes, one of the aircraft seen here is natural metal with green on top. Hardly conclusive, but worth noting.The

The answer might be in this book I've only recently become aware of...The Aircraft Spotters Film and Television Guide.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1476663491/?c ... _lig_dp_it

Judging by the online preview the book looks pretty complete, does anyone have it?

Good analysis John. I appreciate it. I also appreciate the book recommendation as I was unaware of it.

[junkman9096]

Just "spitballing" here but could the photo be from "Baa-Baa Black Sheep"?

[Stoney]

those darn T-6s attaching the US again next it will SBDs doing it

[Clifford Bossie]

Just "spitballing" here but could the photo be from "Baa-Baa Black Sheep"?

A possibility as both date from 1976. But with the lead time for a movie vs. a TV show I would suspect the ersatz T-6s predate both.

[Clifford Bossie]

those darn T-6s attaching the US again next it will SBDs doing it

Or OS2Us!

[Jack Cook]

Does anyone know the origin of this image?

I do and everyone is wrong. Most are so wrong ie Black Sheep Squadron
This is from the 1943 MGM movie 'Salute to the Marines' staring Wallace Beery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salute_to_the_Marines
A side note the this is the lead pilot is LT Bill Barnes who was awarded the Navy Cross has a
F4F pilot in the Battle of Midway. I have a photo of Barnes in the 'enemy' SNJ. Find me on
FB and I'll share it!
Now back to my hole........

[Clifford Bossie]

Does anyone know the origin of this image?

I do and everyone is wrong. Most are so wrong ie Black Sheep Squadron
This is from the 1943 MGM movie 'Salute to the Marines' staring Wallace Beery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salute_to_the_Marines
A side note the this is the lead pilot is LT Bill Barnes who was awarded the Navy Cross has a
F4F pilot in the Battle of Midway. I have a photo of Barnes in the 'enemy' SNJ. Find me on
FB and I'll share it!
Now back to my hole........

Jack - Thank you! Great answer on your part. I had wondered about that clip for years and now you have provided the background. Can't be too bad of a movie, Wallace Beery kills a Nazi major with his bare hands and Master Po stars in the movie as well