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I thought this might be a bit of fun.
A lot of us that like to build military models Also enjoy military history and good war film. Many of the classics are very valuable as research material for models too.
So over the next few months I will be posting up classic, and little known films that could be invaluable to the model builder, at the same time pointing out some 'modeller be ware' comments too.
I thought a Good film to kick off with would be a classic rich in material for the model builder of one of Tamiya's newest kits....633 Squadron.
This film tells the fictional story of an attempt to destroy a V2 rocket fuel factory in 1944 by a fictional RAF squadron loosely based on the real 618 squadron of Mosquitos used for 'special' operations. the plot may be fiction but the film used 8 real de Havilland Mosquitos 5 of which were airworthy having only just been retired in 1964 when the film was made. These aircraft were modified to reflect the bomber variant for the film but the director had a real eye for historical accuracy as he was a WW2 aircraft enthusiast and owned a Spitfire and had flown B-52 during the war. Not only are the Mosquitos excellent research material much of the airfield kit was original too.
A word of caution on the Me109's these were actually Me108s. A post war Landcover is used as a wartime jeep and a German half track is actually an Alvis Saracen. Other aircraft in the film are a 1942 Miles Messenger, Famed as the aircraft used by Field Marshall Montgomery. and a B-52 that had actually been used as the camera aircraft during filming and was co-piloted by the director.
Strange Facts
At time of filming the collection of aircraft assembled for the film represented the 14th largest airforce in the world at that time - strange but true! The final bombing footage in the film was the inspiration behind the now famous Death Star trench run in the film Star Wars.
633 Squadron is a classic all action film rich in research material with a now famous them tune and you can pick up a copy on DVD for around £5
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Cracking idea Jase and will make for some VERY interesting reading - well done you for coming up with the idea and it gets my vote!!   
Some interesting facts that you have already posted on this one, though I doubt that the director actually flew B-52s during the war or used them as a camera ship in '633 squadron' - more likely it would have been a B-25 Mitchell!  
I love the older black and white films Jase for the very reason that you mention above, in that there was still a lot of original WWII machinery/equipement about in those days though like you say there are mistakes to watch out for, which in a funny way makes them all the more enjoyable for us military buffs as we get to play 'Spot the Difference' whilst watching a cracking war film!! LOL!! 
WTG Jase and already looking forward to the next classic from you with great anticipation!!
Kev 
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Well done Jase! What a fantastic idea and so useful too! In your very first post you've corrected an error I've held for decades - I thought the Me109's were Percival Provosts but after looking up the '108 in images you're dead right! (To be honest I hadn't even realised there WAS an Me108!!  ) Don't forget to let everyone know in your following films that painting a US Patton tank grey with a couple of crosses DOES'NT make it an authentic Tiger tank! (although in Ed Bishop's immortal phrase from 'It ain't half hot Mum' " It does for American audiences!" Keep 'em coming! Robin First wooden ship: The Grimsby 12 Gun 'Frigate' by Constructo Second: Bounty DelPrado Part Works Third: HMS Victory DelPrado Part Works 1/100 scale Diorama of the Battle of the Brandywine from the American Revolutionary War Diorama of the Battle of New Falkland (unfinished sci-fi), Great War Centenary Diorama of the Messines Ridge Assault Index for the Victory diary is on page 1
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Fore anybody wanting to model the now ageing Revell 1:72 scale kit of a flower class corvette this next film is a must see...The Cruel Sea.
Considered by many Navy veterans as the most accurate depiction of life at sea during WW2 this film is a gem for research material. The ill-fated Compass rose K49 in the film while being fictional was actually the only surviving Corvette of this type still Navy service, although on loan, just 7 years after the war. In reality the ship used was HMS Coreopsis (K32). The actual K49 was HMS Crocus. Thus all the shots on compass rose are from an actual Flower class Corvett making this film footage invaluable. Some of the rough atlantic weather (filmed in the English Chanel) shows how poor these ships handled shipping a lot of water and to coins a fraise of the time the flowers class would 'role on wet grass'
The second Ship in the film is the Castle Class Saltash Castle, actually plaid by the Castle-class corvette HMS Portchester Castle. Portchester castle was held in reserve at the time of filming and was made available to the film makers prior to being broken up. Again really great reference material. Interestingly the pennant number of the ship stayed the same she had been K362 and was rebadged F362 for the film.
Interesting facts.
HMS Coreopsis was located in Malta by one of the film's technical advisers, Capt. Jack Broome DSC RN, who had been escort commander of the ill-fated Convoy PQ 17
The Lead actor Jack Hawkins nearly drowned during the making of the film in the scene after Compass Rose sinks. it was discovered that Jack had negative buoyancy and was unable to swim or float, if you look closely in the film he is higher in the water than the others.
This film is an out and out classic but there was much cut from the original book of the same title. Although the film describes the futility of war the book often has a more grim view of life at the time. I recommend you read the book if you have not done so.“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 08/05/2015 Posts: 239 Points: 693 Location: Wisconsin
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Don't think I have ever seen this, I may see if it is for rent and check it out.
Good topic, thanks!!
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 Rank: Super-Elite        Groups: Registered
Joined: 31/05/2010 Posts: 5,679 Points: 17,011 Location: Wiltshire
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One of my very favourite of the classic films is the Cruel Sea. Happy Modelling
BUILDING: Hachette Spitfire Mk 1A, Constructo Mayflower
SUBSCRIPTION COMPLETE (Awaiting building): USS Constitution, Sovereign of the Seas, 1:200 Bismarck (Hachette)
COMPLETED: Porsche 911, E-Type Jaguar, Lam Countach
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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RogerThornhill wrote:Don't think I have ever seen this, I may see if it is for rent and check it out.
Good topic, thanks!! Youcan pick up the dvd for £3 ish “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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 Rank: Vice-Master  Groups: Registered
Joined: 09/12/2013 Posts: 577 Points: 1,748 Location: smethwick england
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Thanks for the info Jase, as I am building hms Snowberry I have been checking out all the tv guides to see if the cruel see is on and have found that will be shown on film 4 this Thursday morning. Pity it was made in black and white, won't be much good as a painting guide. At least I can check out the construction details, looking forward to it. Man he took his time in the sun Had a dream to understand A single grain of sand He gave birth to poetry But one day will cease to be Greet the last light of the library...We were here!
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Glad people are enjoying the posts. This next film is not as famous as the others films so far but if your interested in modelling a Hawker Hurricane than this film is for you Angels one Five.
Angels One Five is a largely forgotten film made in 1952 and was the first post-war film to look at the Battle of Britain. The story revolves around a young fighter pilot immediately before and during the Battle of Britain. The film deals with the challenges of new young inexperienced pilots and as a suitably unhappy ending. Although overshadowed by the later film 'battle of Briton' in many ways this film is a more accurate depiction of that desperate battle for survival and as such does not focus on the Spitfire but the hurricane.
When it comes to historical accuracy this film is dripping with it. The Fighter Group Controller at RAF Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain plays the part of a Group Controller in the film, as such the technical accuracy of the film is second to none. The film featured three Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft on loan from various sources within the UK and five Hurricane Mk. IIc aircraft borrowed from the Portuguese Air Force. For the film all the aircraft were painted in the colours of No. 56 Squadron RAF and were based at RAF Kenley during the filming.
Other aircraft to look out for...
guest appearing in the film are a Harvard training aircraft, a Supermarine Spitfire and an Avro Anson. All the german aircraft were actually models with the exception a Messerschmitt Bf-110 G4 which unfortunately was scrapped after filming.“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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Ok this film is one of my all time faves, but its going to get complex  If you have an interest in WW2 Royal Navy ships or the the Fairey, Swordfish then this film is a must see...
Sink the Bismarck.
Sink the Bismarck was released in 1960 to high applause for its accuracy. However, due to some information still not in the public domain at the time there are some issues to be aware of. The film deals the Bismarck's dash to disrupt Atlantic convoys from her fuel stop in Norway to the moment she sinks. much of the film deals with the decision makers behind the battles and chase and the people on the various ship bridges. The Germans however get a truly inaccurate portrayal. Admiral Lütjens is depicted as a fanatical Nazi mesmerised by Hitler, with a rather deluded belief that the Bismarck is unsinkable. This is a disservice as Lütjens, like many senior Navy figures was not a supporter of the Nazi party and had openly protested the anti-Semitic policy of the Government. Also the film shows Lütjens ordering Captain Ernst Lindemann to open fire on the Hood and Prince of Wales. But in reality Lütjens ordered Lindemann to avoid engaging HMS Hood, it was Lindemann who refused the instruction and ordered the engagement. There are other issues too. a fictitious torpedo attack gives a generous dollop of artistic license to what was a failed torpedo attach by HMS cossack
However if you know your ships this film hold some really nice research material for the ship builder...
all of the 15" gun footage is that of HMS Vanguard Briton's last battleship and actually the last battleship ever built. although the design of the ship represented all the lessons of WW2 the guns and turrets were used from stock and are accurate for those on Prince of Wales or King George V. Vanguard's Bridge served as the bridge for HMS Hood, Prince of Wales, King George V and the Bismarck in the film.
HMS Belfast was used to depict the open bridges of HMS Norfolk and HMS Sheffield.
HMS Victorious and the Ark Royal are both actually HMS Victorious ( be weary that she is obviously in her post war configuration the flight deck angle has been altered to its war time look. However filming of aircraft launching from the flight decks was filmed on HMS Centaur.
The destroyers used to depict the torpedo night attacks by HMS Cossack were the C class HMS Cavalier and the Battle-class destroyer HMS Hogue representing the fictitious HMS Solent which Bismarck destroys in the film, again not factual (HMS Solant was in reality a submarine) The destroyers used the last classes of destroyer built during the war and as such are a good force of reference material.
The Fairey Swordfish aircraft used in the film were actually fully restored for the film and as such are great sources of research. The three aircraft now fly as part of the Royal Navy Historic Flight
Bismarck, HMS Hood, HMS Prince of Wales, HMS King George V, HMS Rodney and the County-class cruisers,all had large and relatively accurate models built for the film. Its worth Noting that the Hood Model was shown in her pr-refit arrangement so some care is needed if using it as reference to a final configuration Hood model. finally it is worth pointing out that Bismarck's anti-aircraft guns are in reality footage of British QF 2 pounder naval gun.
Interesting facts
Producer John Brabourne was able to use his influence as son-in-law of Lord Mountbatten, to get access to the Admiralty
Esmond Knight played the Captain of HMS Prince of Wales. he actually served as a gunnery officer on board POW, and was badly injured during the battle with the Bismarck.
The three Fairy Swordfish restored for the film now fly as part of the Royal Navy Historic Flight
Despite some historical issues, lack of camouflage on Bismarck in Norway and her bow not being low in the water after the protracted engagement with the prince of Wales, this film remains the only film about the Bismarck and her short active life, as such tisane important film and a dam good watch too.“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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