Warbird Information Exchange

Yesterday afternoon (8/5) here in Raleigh there was a movie on TCM. Was about an early model B-17 crew (plus a fighter pilot) at Pearl Harbor (?) that was told they were to go to Manilla to help support the forces there. They landed at Wake Island, picked up fuel and a dog named Tripoli and continued on. They arrived in Manilla and flew a mission before having to "crash" land their -17, which was repaired. I had to leave for a few minutes, then when I came back, they were taking off just as the Japanese were coming through the jungle to Capture the airfield. While on their way to Australia, they spotted a Japanese task force, and radioed their position. The ending showed a waiting room for the group, which then the CO walks in and states that they're next mission is to Tokyo. I guess this movie was made the pre-B-29 era in WW2, as the B-17s were shown flying off into the sunset. The B-17 was an early model (without the vertical stabilizer fin) and had the "bathtub" gun position, like "Swoose".

Does anyone know what the name of this movie is? I liked it and would watch it again.

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Air Force (1943)


A bomber crew sees World War II action over the Pacific.

Dir: Howard Hawks Cast: John Ridgely , Gig Young , Arthur Kennedy .

BW-125 mins, TV-G, CC,


http://www.tcm.com/schedule/monthly.html

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

It's the classic 'AIR FORCE' starring John Garfield, Gig Young, and Westerns star and John Wayne buddy Harry Carey Sr. There was quite a discussion here a couple years ago about the true s/n of Mary-Ann since the movie s/n was bogus. It was a B because it lacked cowl flaps. It's a pretty good afternoon popcorn movie in the typical WW2 (it was made in 1942) tub thumper model about 'them dirty, underhanded------select your enemy here'. The end scene was probably stock footage or something shot strictly for the movie, I've loved it since it first showed up on TV back in the mid 50's-a good investment of 90 or so minutes.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

As always...refer to Scott Thompson and his great website:

http://www.aerovintage.com/airforce.htm

This will have about everything known about the planes in the film.

B-17B, 38-584 was named by the USAAF as the "star" during a publicity tour.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

JohnB,
Thanx for digging that info out!

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

AIR FORCE is one of my favorite old time war movies. I wish I had a copy. Some good shots of early war aircraft.

PS the B-17C model didn't have cowl flaps either.

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A fair number of people worked on finding out just exactly which bird was the MaryAnn and after some years they came up with it. She was a B-17 B that went through all the mods to where she looked like a C model.She ended her days as an instructional airframe at hobbs new mexico.

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Hang The Expense

Ahh but it was fun

http://aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=500

http://aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=170

Yes, Dan it was fun. I'll never forget those hot summer nights working on Mary Ann.

Tony M
C-47B

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

Here is the thread on army air forces dot com where I first suggested the airplane was a B-17B.
Nobody would believe me.



http://forum.armyairforces.com/B17-quot ... 96675.aspx



TonyM.

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

What was amazing Tony is how long folks held out on not wanting to believe you