Biplane in "Thunder Birds" film

[JohnB]

I just got around to watching the 1942 film Thunder Birds shot at Thunder Bird Field early in WWII.
Great color shots of T-6s and a lot of blue & Yellow Stearmans.
However in several scenes, a PT-13 Stearman turns into a biplane with a square tail (they had the same base number painted on each).
Anyone know what it was?
It's not a WACO or anything easy to spot.
I thought it was a Consolidated trainer, but a quick check of my books doesn't find a match.
Could it have been a Stearman PT-9, BT-3/5? Thety were rare and old by 1942, but maybe the Army could spare one for the producers to use?


Also, Paul Mantz flies his P-12 early in the film again subbing for a Stearman.

But if you haven't seen the film you really should. It was directed by William Wellman, a former WWI pilot.
This film as no bad models and plenty of real air to air shots of Stearmans.
Why they used this one aircraft in some scenes and military Stearmans in others escapes me.

[Elwyn]

A Meyers OTW has a squarish tail.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mey ... ORM=HDRSC2

[Baldeagle]

I think Mantz had a Stearman C-3, could've been that-




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[The Inspector]

A Meyers OTW has a squarish tail.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mey ... ORM=HDRSC2

Definately not a MEYERS, rags not tin, squared off fuselage, my initial impression was pre war STEARMAN like a Cloud Boy. I watched it online on my monitor until my fillings started to ache from the film being too contrived and cute.

[bilwor]

It was a Stearman C-3

[Warbird Kid]

Okay... when opening up this thread, did anyone else think we we're talking about the Thunderbirds movie, Thunderbird 6?





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbird_6

[bdk]

I think Mantz had a Stearman C-3, could've been that-

Probably the same one that was flown through the hangar at Cal Aero Field/Chino in Keep 'Em Flying with Abbott & Costello.

[Aeronut]

Okay... when opening up this thread, did anyone else think we we're talking about the Thunderbirds movie, Thunderbird 6?

I did, but only because I once had a flight in Thunderbird 6 or at least her alter ego of G-AFNM.

[The Inspector]

Okay... when opening up this thread, did anyone else think we we're talking about the Thunderbirds movie, Thunderbird 6?

I did, but only because I once had a flight in Thunderbird 6 or at least her alter ego of G-AFNM.

The plot was good, but the acting was pretty wooden and I thought we were being strung along - F.A.B.

[p51]

Okay... when opening up this thread, did anyone else think we we're talking about the Thunderbirds movie, Thunderbird 6?

Yep, I sure did!

[cwmc]

Okay... when opening up this thread, did anyone else think we we're talking about the Thunderbirds movie, Thunderbird 6?





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbird_6

Absolutely. Hopefully with a Fireball XL-5 mention.
Chris...

[Avnut]

I was thinking of the film "Thunderbird 6" too when I saw the subject line. It was on TCM about a month ago.