The movie Battle of Britian What were they thinking !

[Glen]

Greetings !
I was wondering is it true Did they really Bomb a Hanger that had Flyable Fighters in it ? if so what were they thinking ? was the Special Efects Dept at lunch and could not get some models in place ? Or was the Spanish Bomber Command that bad at getting their bombs on their target ? Can anybody shed some light on this ? And as always thankyou everyone in advance for your responce I have really learned so much .

[Steve Nelson]

From what I've read, the special effects people blew up a WWII era hangar at Duxford that was already scheduled for demolition. Later scenes show airplane wreckage in the rubble, but I believe these were the plywood replicas constructed for the film (many of which were blown up or burned in the course of production.)

None of the bombs dropped in the film were live..all the explosions were carefully pre-placed ground pyrotechnics. I can't imagine anyone who would permit the dropping of live ordnance on a populated area for a movie! I think only two "Hienkels" were actually brought to England for filming anyway.

For its day, BoB had some pretty spectacular effects! It's still one of my favorites, along with "Tora! Tora! Tora!."


SN

[hang the expense]

If Im not mistaken the hangar that houses Fighter collection is on the foundation of the hangar that was "blown up" for the movie.From what I remember the rest are original and very nice.

[JDK]

Duxford was effectively abandoned during the filming, as this pre-dates the Imperial War Museum's tenure. One on the W.W.I (1918) Belfast Truss type hangars was blown up by ground pyrotechnics, and a couple of the film mockups stuck inside (post explosion) for the 'clean up' scene.

There were three double bay Belfast hangars, and one single bay. It was the single bay hangar that was blown up, and the hard-standing remains, between the other double bay hangars. The T-2 hangars housing the Fighter Collection etc. are further along.

There were two Casa 2111s flown to the UK for filming, apart from the Spanish massed 'He111' scenes. These aircraft were based at Duxford, along with the British and Buchon aircraft.

Glenn, you've clearly been bewitched by the magic of filming. Watch the scene again, and look for the cuts - what's in difference scenes (separated by cuts) isn't necessarily taken at the same time.

[JDK]

Have a look at: http://www.duxford-update.info/

And go to 'DX Base tour'. This shows the location of the lost hangar, and the construction of the Belfast Truss type hangar. There's also a bit of info on the filming - see if you can find it.

[mustangdriver]

I can't wait to get out to Duxford next spring.

[Glen]

James Thank you for clearing that up These New Bi Fockels and getting older dose not help when viewing a classic like that ! Glad to know that they DID KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING Thanks again to every one else that posted .

[visaliaaviation]

The Spits seen taxiing and then desrtroyed as they moved along were auto engine powered mock ups. I think very convincingly. If you look carefully the wing tips can be seen flexing with every bump. Still one of my favorite films. I do get tired of seeing the same footage of the areial combat scenes getting re used in virtually every RAF movie and TV show since. "Piece of Cake" being a prime example, BUT I like that one too. Have both on old tech VHS and will probably wear them out or the tape player dies. Are they available on DVD?

[Steve Nelson]

BoB came out in a special edition two-disc DVD set a year or two ago. I've got it..the movie includes director's commentary, and an alternate audio track with the original William Walton music score. Disc two contains some documentaries, including one with a hilarious intro featuring Michael Caine looking like Austin Powers, saying "Now the call this 'Swinging London,' but 25 years ago it was much different.."

Don't know if Piece of Cake is out on DVD..I watched a freind's rather low quality VHS recordings a few years ago, and wouldn't mind seeing it again.


SN

[Jerry O'Neill]

"Piece of Cake" has been available on DVD for a few years now. Just do an Ebay search and you'll find it!
Jerry

[DiggerWW2]

My Brother's Wife's Father was a Luftwaffe Bomber Crewman during the war.
When I watched "B.O.B." with Him, He commented during the Airfield bombing scene:

"Our Bombs didn't go off slowly one-at-a-time like that.... They would fall in a group & all go off very quickly when they hit the ground"

He made many other interesting observations like that too. Stuff You normally wouldn't think of.
Yes, There's nothing like watching a Classic WW2 Film with a Vet who was actually there... Digger

[Michel C-GNCJ]

Interresting talk about pyrotechnics in BoB. They did use quite a few plywood mockups ! The Combat Air Museum in KS has an example of a BF-109 mock-up that was used in the movie.

They say it was rigged with pyrotechnics and was supposed to be blown up in one of the straffing scenes but somehow did not fire. It survived, went in storage in many different locations before ending up there.

They are planning to restore her to look as close as a real one as possible...

Here's a pic, from my web site:


Have the Piece of Cake DVD. Great film !

[bdk]

Doesn't that represent a G-model? I like the space-saver spares for main wheels!