Discussion:
Top 10 Military Aviation Movies of All Time
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Otis Willie PIO The American War Library
2008-07-04 05:07:44 UTC
Permalink
Top 10 Military Aviation Movies of All Time
http://jets.halogenguides.com/articles/1310-top-10-military-aviation-movies-of-all-time

{EXCERPT} Halogen Guides Jets, CAThere have been some great military aviation
movies over the years, however, including a few from the not too distant past.
Heres our top ten list of the...

http://jets.halogenguides.com/articles/1310-top-10-military-aviation-movies-of-all-time

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David E. Powell
2008-07-07 04:24:11 UTC
Permalink
I disagree with that list....

10 Strategic Air Command

9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)

8 The Battle of Britain

7 Flying Leathernecks

6 The Blue Max

5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo

4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri

3 Wings (Wellman's original.)

2 On Wings of Eagles

1 Tora Tora Tora

Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Dan
2008-07-07 04:54:37 UTC
Permalink
David E. Powell wrote:
<snip>
Post by David E. Powell
7 Flying Leathernecks
The movie where John Wayne tells the other pilots in his flight to
"pancake" when clearing them to land. Pancake landings tend to be a tad
harsh on airframes.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired
Jeff Crowell
2008-07-07 12:18:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dan
The movie where John Wayne tells the other pilots in his flight to
"pancake" when clearing them to land. Pancake landings tend to be a tad
harsh on airframes.
I've seen a number of WWII-era books where 'pancake' was used as a term
for proper landings, not belly-in or ditch or...


Jeff
Tiger
2008-07-07 07:55:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Aggreed their top 10 is questionable. Some like Top Gun, were right though.

My personal 10 best:1. Bridges at Toko Ri

2. Battle of Britain

3. Memphis Belle, The original USAAF documentary

4. Midway

5. Men of the Fighting Lady

6. Top Gun

7. Strategic Air Command

8. Dawn Patrol

9. The Hunters

10. 633 Squadron

I would put The Right Stuff on there,but since it drifts in to NASA &
space flight I guess it does not fit.
Keith Willshaw
2008-07-07 17:44:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
My personal 10 best:1. Bridges at Toko Ri
2. Battle of Britain
3. Memphis Belle, The original USAAF documentary
4. Midway
5. Men of the Fighting Lady
6. Top Gun
7. Strategic Air Command
8. Dawn Patrol
9. The Hunters
10. 633 Squadron
I would put The Right Stuff on there,but since it drifts in to NASA &
space flight I guess it does not fit.
Not a bad list but I'd put the Czech film Dark Blue World in pretty
high. It follows the story of a two Czech volunteers from their
escape from the Germans through the battle of britain and their
maltreatment by the new communist government after the war.

Keith
Rob Arndt
2008-07-07 18:09:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Keith Willshaw
Post by Tiger
My personal 10 best:1. Bridges at Toko Ri
2. Battle of Britain
3. Memphis Belle, The original USAAF documentary
4. Midway
5. Men of the Fighting Lady
6. Top Gun
7. Strategic Air Command
8. Dawn Patrol
9. The Hunters
10. 633 Squadron
I would put The Right Stuff on there,but since it drifts in to NASA &
space flight I guess it does not fit.
Not a bad list but I'd put the Czech film Dark Blue World in pretty
high. It follows the story of a two Czech volunteers from their
escape from the Germans through the battle of britain and their
maltreatment by the new communist government after the war.
Keith- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
Thanks Keith for naming that film. It was on the tip of my tongue, but
I could not for the life of me remember the title correctly. Excellent
film and a sad one too :(

There's another foreign film that depicts the French refugees being
terrorized by the Stukas early on, a French film that I "think" might
be called "Strayed" with Emmanuel Beart. It is not an aviation film,
but many such films do have memorable aviation scenes.

Rob

p.s. Has anyone mentioned "Flight of the Intruder" yet? I liked that
film and aviation scenes from "Bat 21". "Rescue Dawn", howevere, was a
disappointment.
Tiger
2008-07-07 20:56:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by Rob Arndt
Rob
p.s. Has anyone mentioned "Flight of the Intruder" yet? I liked that
film and aviation scenes from "Bat 21". "Rescue Dawn", howevere, was a
disappointment.
Yeah Intruder was on the website list. Good film, I liked it. Just
outside my 10. Strangely they actually call "Iron Eagle" & "Pearl
Harbor" a top 10 film?? With that kind of crap I'm shocked Nick Cage's
"Firebirds" or Charles Sheen's "Hot Shots" were not there.

Top 10 Military Aviation Movies of All Time
http://jets.halogenguides.com/articles/1310-top-10-military-aviation-movies-of-all-time
eyeball
2008-07-07 18:13:19 UTC
Permalink
My own top ten
Tora,Tora,Tora
Battle of Britain (Would have rated #1 if not for the soap opera
background story that caused it to drag in a few places)
Wings
Strategic Air Command
12 O'Clock High
Hell's Angels (Rating it this high because I just bought a copy)
The Right Stuff
Firefox
Dive Bomber (Love those yellow wings in color!)
Test Pilot
Rob Arndt
2008-07-07 20:14:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by eyeball
My own top ten
Tora,Tora,Tora
Battle of Britain (Would have rated #1 if not for the soap opera
background story that caused it to drag in a few places)
Wings
Strategic Air Command
12 O'Clock High
Hell's Angels (Rating it this high because I just bought a copy)
The Right Stuff
Firefox
Dive Bomber (Love those yellow wings in color!)
Test Pilot
"Operation Crossbow" only for the V-1 flight scenes and also Hanna
Reitsch piloting the V-1. Of course, Hanna was never consulted for the
movie, so that depiction is flawed. The V-1 was actually air-dropped
by a He-111 and Hanna was in a prone position rather than ramp-
launched and sitting upright...

Rob
Korben Dallas
2008-07-07 22:10:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by Keith Willshaw
Not a bad list but I'd put the Czech film Dark Blue World in pretty
high. It follows the story of a two Czech volunteers from their
escape from the Germans through the battle of britain and their
maltreatment by the new communist government after the war.
apparently you didn't get it. the subjects like the one of this thread in this
newsgroup imply the word "american". i.e. it is about "top 10 _american_
military aviation movies of all time". czech movie doesn't qualify of course.
and even within this scope, seeing "top gun" at the top of the list, and the
recent "pearl harbor" even making it into the top 10 squarely puts this list
into the "garbage for soccer moms" category.

if the discussion was not limited to american movies, the list would
undisputably be topped by soviet "v boy idut odni stariki", "normandia-neman"
and the already mentioned czech "tmavomodry svet". Also, 9 out of 10 would be
non-american (with "tora, tora, tora" being the only excepction. maybe "flight
of the intruder" as well), but for obvious reasons it is hard (and pointless) to
try to discuss such a list in this newsgroup.
Keith Willshaw
2008-07-07 22:32:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Korben Dallas
Post by Keith Willshaw
Not a bad list but I'd put the Czech film Dark Blue World in pretty
high. It follows the story of a two Czech volunteers from their
escape from the Germans through the battle of britain and their
maltreatment by the new communist government after the war.
apparently you didn't get it. the subjects like the one of this thread in this
newsgroup imply the word "american". i.e. it is about "top 10 _american_
military aviation movies of all time". czech movie doesn't qualify of course.
And yet 3 of the first posters top 10 were British movies
Post by Korben Dallas
and even within this scope, seeing "top gun" at the top of the list, and the
recent "pearl harbor" even making it into the top 10 squarely puts this list
into the "garbage for soccer moms" category.
Actually most posters put Peral Harbor in the worst 10 list

I suggest you address the chip on your shoulder and put forward
sensible suggestions for alternatives instead of whinging

Keith
guy
2008-07-08 21:20:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Keith Willshaw
Post by Korben Dallas
Post by Keith Willshaw
Not a bad list but I'd put the Czech film Dark Blue World in pretty
high. It follows the story of a two Czech volunteers from their
escape from the Germans through the battle of britain and their
maltreatment by the new communist government after the war.
apparently you didn't get it. the subjects like the one of this thread in this
newsgroup imply the word "american". i.e. it is about "top 10 _american_
military aviation movies of all time". czech movie doesn't qualify of course.
And yet 3 of the first posters top 10 were British movies
Post by Korben Dallas
and even within this scope, seeing "top gun" at the top of the list, and the
recent "pearl harbor" even making it into the top 10 squarely puts this list
into the "garbage for soccer moms" category.
Actually most posters put Peral Harbor in the worst 10 list
I suggest you address the chip on your shoulder and put forward
sensible suggestions for alternatives instead of whinging
Keith
ah - sanity - thanks Keith

Guy
eyeball
2008-07-08 13:58:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Korben Dallas
Post by Keith Willshaw
Not a bad list but I'd put the Czech film Dark Blue World in pretty
high. It follows the story of a two Czech volunteers from their
escape from the Germans through the battle of britain and their
maltreatment by the new communist government after the war.
apparently you didn't get it. the subjects like the one of this thread in this
newsgroup imply the word "american". i.e. it is about "top 10 _american_
military aviation movies of all time". czech movie doesn't qualify of course.
and even within this scope, seeing "top gun" at the top of the list, and the
recent "pearl harbor" even making it into the top 10 squarely puts this list
into the "garbage for soccer moms" category.
if the discussion was not limited to american movies, the list would
undisputably be topped by soviet "v boy idut odni stariki", "normandia-neman"
and the already mentioned czech "tmavomodry svet". Also, 9 out of 10 would be
non-american (with "tora, tora, tora" being the only excepction. maybe "flight
of the intruder" as well), but for obvious reasons it is hard (and pointless) to
try to discuss such a list in this newsgroup.
I must have a reading disability as the title I see is "Top 10
Military Aviation Movies of All Time". I don't see the word American
at all. Here I thought it was a list about good movies, not obscure
eastern European movies that 9/10 of us have probably never seen.
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
2008-07-08 16:23:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by eyeball
I must have a reading disability as the title I see is "Top 10
Military Aviation Movies of All Time". I don't see the word American
at all. Here I thought it was a list about good movies, not obscure
eastern European movies that 9/10 of us have probably never seen.
I don't know that Dark Blue World is considered obscure. I watched it earlier
this year on DirecTV and enjoyed the flying scenes tremendously. Like Battle of
Britain, it had a subplot that took away from the pure flying aspects of the
film... and yet it was educational. I had no idea the Chech government thanked
its pilots by throwing them into gulags at the end of WWII; for fear of them
rising against the communist regime. A national disgrace...
--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com
Korben Dallas
2008-07-08 17:31:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mortimer Schnerd, RN
I don't know that Dark Blue World is considered obscure. I watched it earlier
this year on DirecTV and enjoyed the flying scenes tremendously. Like Battle of
Britain, it had a subplot that took away from the pure flying aspects of the
film... and yet it was educational. I had no idea the Chech government thanked
its pilots by throwing them into gulags at the end of WWII; for fear of them
rising against the communist regime. A national disgrace...
communist regime is czechoslovakia at the end of wwii? what are you smoking?
Keith Willshaw
2008-07-08 19:05:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Korben Dallas
Post by Mortimer Schnerd, RN
I don't know that Dark Blue World is considered obscure. I watched it earlier
this year on DirecTV and enjoyed the flying scenes tremendously. Like Battle of
Britain, it had a subplot that took away from the pure flying aspects of the
film... and yet it was educational. I had no idea the Chech government thanked
its pilots by throwing them into gulags at the end of WWII; for fear of them
rising against the communist regime. A national disgrace...
communist regime is czechoslovakia at the end of wwii?
Well yes. In the election of 1946 the communists got a minority
of the vote but gained control of key minstries such as the interior.
They seized complete control in 1948 after Jan Masaryk was
helped to fall out of a window.

Many of the returning Czech pilots were imprisoned on false
charges as the authorties saw them as a potential threat.

Keith
Korben Dallas
2008-07-08 17:29:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by eyeball
I must have a reading disability as the title I see is "Top 10
Military Aviation Movies of All Time". I don't see the word American
at all.
well, you can rest assured that this is definitely not a _reading_ disability.
it is an _comprehension_ disability. you see, it's like a rabbit hiding in its
hole: you don't see it, but it's there. but i'm afraid i'm getting too
philosophical for your innocent and simple mind...
Post by eyeball
Here I thought it was a list about good movies, not obscure
eastern European movies that 9/10 of us have probably never seen.
here we go! the fact that you equate "good movies" to some obscure american
garbage for soccer moms (which in turn has probably been "inspired" by some
"obscure" soviet of french movie, as usual :) demonstrates that you _do_
actually have that standard brain-programming that makes people like you too see
the word "american" when it isn't really there! and you tried to act like you
don't... :)
Tiger
2008-07-09 05:37:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Korben Dallas
here we go! the fact that you equate "good movies" to some obscure american
garbage for soccer moms (which in turn has probably been "inspired" by some
"obscure" soviet of french movie, as usual :) demonstrates that you _do_
actually have that standard brain-programming that makes people like you too see
the word "american" when it isn't really there! and you tried to act like you
don't... :)
Another pissed off European. What else is new? How about instead of
ranting; positively add to the board with some some films we might check
out?
guy
2008-07-07 08:08:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.

Guy
Rob Arndt
2008-07-07 08:20:18 UTC
Permalink
Not a bad list... but I always liked the fantasy element of "The Final
Countdown" with the F-14s vs the Zeros!

Film dogs are "Top Gun", "Firefox" (except for that ominous looking
design), "Iron Eagle" series, "Stealth" and "Flyboys".

I've heard that the new German movie on the Red Baron is great but
will have to wait until it either hits the US theaters or I can get it
on PAL dvd for my Region 0 player ;)

I love "Blue Max, Wings, Battle of Britain, Midway, Tora, Tora, Tora",
but hate "Memphis Belle".

The aircraft in "Valkyrie" look great, but that film is delayed until
next spring.

Rob

p.s. another odd film I like with Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong is
"High Road to China" with the biplanes. I don't remember what they
were however...
Stephen Bierce
2008-07-07 20:17:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Rob Arndt
I've heard that the new German movie on the Red Baron is great but
will have to wait until it either hits the US theaters or I can get it
on PAL dvd for my Region 0 player ;)
It bombed with the critics and evidently didn't make much money in Europe
either, so I'm not sure it'll make it to US theaters at all.

Stephen "FPilot" Bierce/IPMS #35922
{Sig Quotes Removed on Request}
Tiger
2008-07-07 21:21:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by Rob Arndt
Not a bad list... but I always liked the fantasy element of "The Final
Countdown" with the F-14s vs the Zeros!
Weird concept. Time travel without a Delorean?? But fun What if...
Post by Rob Arndt
Film dogs are "Top Gun", "Firefox" (except for that ominous looking
design), "Iron Eagle" series, "Stealth" and "Flyboys".
Oh Come on... Top Gun made every kid in the world feel the need. THE
NEED FOR SPEED! And sing Righteous Brothers songs in bars. Don't knock
it.... FireFox. If Clint is not with a six gun in hand, it a borring
movie...... Iron Eagle makes me wonder if there is some guy in F-18 over
the Gulf playing with a I-pod...... Stealth... Glad I got the bootleg
for free. ONe of the worst military flicks ever. But!!!! Does give us a
glimpse of where UAV's will go. Flyboys.... It's in my dvd collection.
not great, but could have been better. The story of the Esquadrille was
a good topic. To bad the love story and other stuff gets in the way.
Post by Rob Arndt
I've heard that the new German movie on the Red Baron is great but
will have to wait until it either hits the US theaters or I can get it
on PAL dvd for my Region 0 player ;)
I love "Blue Max, Wings, Battle of Britain, Midway, Tora, Tora, Tora",
but hate "Memphis Belle".
Try the orignal Belle with Ronald Reagan's voice over. Lots good Air
craft training films over at http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com
Post by Rob Arndt
The aircraft in "Valkyrie" look great, but that film is delayed until
next spring.
Rob
p.s. another odd film I like with Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong is
"High Road to China" with the biplanes. I don't remember what they
were however...
Tiger moths I think?
Rob Arndt
2008-07-08 17:01:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
Post by Rob Arndt
Not a bad list... but I always liked the fantasy element of "The Final
Countdown" with the F-14s vs the Zeros!
Weird concept. Time travel without a Delorean?? But fun What if...
Post by Rob Arndt
Film dogs are "Top Gun", "Firefox" (except for that ominous looking
design), "Iron Eagle" series, "Stealth" and "Flyboys".
Oh Come on... Top Gun made every kid in the world feel the need. THE
NEED FOR SPEED! And sing Righteous Brothers songs in bars. Don't knock
it.... FireFox. If Clint is not with a six gun in hand, it a borring
movie...... Iron Eagle makes me wonder if there is some guy in F-18 over
the Gulf �playing with a I-pod...... Stealth... Glad I got the bootleg
for free. ONe of the worst military flicks ever. But!!!! Does give us a
glimpse of where UAV's will go. � Flyboys.... It's in my dvd collection.
not great, but could have been better. The story of the Esquadrille was
a good topic. To bad the love story and other stuff gets in the way.
Post by Rob Arndt
I've heard that the new German movie on the Red Baron is great but
will have to wait until it either hits the US theaters or I can get it
on PAL dvd for my Region 0 player ;)
I love "Blue Max, Wings, Battle of Britain, Midway, Tora, Tora, Tora",
but hate "Memphis Belle".
Try the orignal Belle with Ronald Reagan's voice over. Lots good Air
craft training films over athttp://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com
Post by Rob Arndt
The aircraft in "Valkyrie" look great, but that film is delayed until
next spring.
Rob
p.s. another odd film I like with Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong is
"High Road to China" with the biplanes. I don't remember what they
were however...
Tiger moths I think?
Don't get me wrong, I was there back in 1984? when "Top Gun" was the
summer's blockbuster and YES I saw it more than once. Maverick & Goose
+ the Iceman and the phoney MiG-28s. I got told to_ shut up_ several
times when I pointed out flaws in the movie while it was playing- same
for first "Rambo" in 1985!

But when you go for a real Top 10 military aviation film on a serious
level, "Top Gun" doesn't cut it. Entertainment, YES, seriousness, NO.
I also like "Firebirds" for entertainment, but that is laughable too
on a serious level. One might just as well add "Blue Thunder" which is
far better but still only entertainment.

And... surprised nobody yet mentioned it... "Dr. Strangelove" and the
B-52 ;)

Rob

p.s. Anybody ever see the film- "The Arrow" about the CF-105???
Korben Dallas
2008-07-08 18:10:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Rob Arndt
And... surprised nobody yet mentioned it... "Dr. Strangelove" and the
B-52 ;)
oh, i also forgot about it. yes, it should defintely make the list, although it
is not entirely on the topic.

the fact that it is not mentioned is not surprising though, the movie is not
exactly popular with the neocon politburo.
eyeball
2008-07-09 15:17:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Korben Dallas
Post by Rob Arndt
And... surprised nobody yet mentioned it... "Dr. Strangelove" and the
B-52 ;)
oh, i also forgot about it. yes, it should defintely make the list, although it
is not entirely on the topic.
the fact that it is not mentioned is not surprising though, the movie is not
exactly popular with the neocon politburo.
So, which part of the Soviet Union are you from, Komrade?
JG
2008-07-10 22:47:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Korben Dallas
Post by Rob Arndt
And... surprised nobody yet mentioned it... "Dr. Strangelove" and the
B-52 ;)
oh, i also forgot about it. yes, it should defintely make the list, although it
is not entirely on the topic.
the fact that it is not mentioned is not surprising though, the movie is not
exactly popular with the neocon politburo.
This one is a must see for any adult interested in cold war
hysterics...JG
Tiger
2008-07-13 21:09:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by JG
Post by Korben Dallas
Post by Rob Arndt
And... surprised nobody yet mentioned it... "Dr. Strangelove" and the
B-52 ;)
oh, i also forgot about it. yes, it should defintely make the list, although it
is not entirely on the topic.
the fact that it is not mentioned is not surprising though, the movie is not
exactly popular with the neocon politburo.
This one is a must see for any adult interested in cold war
hysterics...JG
True a film classic. I just find there is to much stuff on the ground
going on to call it a Aviation film.

Bob Martin
2008-07-07 08:40:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by guy
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
What about "The Sound Barrier"?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044446/
guy
2008-07-07 09:15:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bob Martin
Post by guy
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
What about "The Sound Barrier"?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044446/- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
With the lovely swept wing sea hawk derivative IIRC (cant remember
which one)

Guy
Dingo
2008-07-07 12:34:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by guy
Post by Bob Martin
Post by guy
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
What about "The Sound Barrier"?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044446/- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
With the lovely swept wing sea hawk derivative IIRC (cant remember
which one)
Guy
Hawker P.1052/P.1081 perhaps ?
~~
Dingo
guy
2008-07-07 12:58:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dingo
Post by guy
Post by Bob Martin
Post by guy
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
What about "The Sound Barrier"?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044446/-Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
With the lovely swept wing sea hawk derivative IIRC (cant remember
which one)
Guy
Hawker P.1052/P.1081 perhaps ?
~~
Dingo- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
Yes that is what I was thinking but I was wrong, it was a Supermarine
Swift.

Guy
T***@gmail.com
2008-07-08 17:34:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bob Martin
Post by guy
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
What about "The Sound Barrier"?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044446/
What about Aggieland: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036518/

The greatest war movie ever told! (Compared to Puerile Harbor)
Tiger
2008-07-07 21:04:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by guy
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Wings of Eagles is a great John Wayne/ John Ford Bio pic of a
Screenwriter/Naval aviator Spig Weed. Comes on Turner Classics now and
in then. It follows the rise of early Naval Aviation in to WW2 and Weed
got John Ford into non Westerns. Has all the usual Ford crew including
Maureen O'Hara.

Magnificent men does not fit this list. It's Military aviation movies....
Tex Houston
2008-07-08 01:21:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tiger
Wings of Eagles is a great John Wayne/ John Ford Bio pic of a
Screenwriter/Naval aviator Spig Weed. Comes on Turner Classics now and in
then. It follows the rise of early Naval Aviation in to WW2 and Weed got
John Ford into non Westerns. Has all the usual Ford crew including Maureen
O'Hara.
I believe the gentleman's name would be Wead.

Regards,

Tex Houston
Matt Wiser
2008-07-07 22:27:14 UTC
Permalink
Bob Martin <***@excite.com> wrote:
My list (in no particular order):

Top Gun (Yes, I saw it in the theater-5 times! And one did develop the need for speed!)

Battle of Britain (You won't see a movie made like that one again, with lots of real planes)

By Dawn's Early Light (The last, and best, depiction of WW III between the U.S. and Soviets-
Rebecca DeMornay also looks good in a flight suit....)

Final Countdown (Even without the time travel storyline, a good way of seeing CVW-8 at
work circa 1980)

Flying Leathernecks (John Wayne, Robert Ryan, and plenty of F6Fs and F4Us)

Bridges at Toko-Ri: (Carrier Aviation in Korea-one of the great naval aviation movies)

Midway (though lots of 1944 stock footage abounds, some real flying with a pair of F4Fs
and an SBD or two)

Blue Max (The best depiction of WW I air combat-from the other side)

Tora! Tora! Tora! (The only realistic depiction of the events of 7 Dec 1941. Forget that
Bruckheimer/Bay trash with that romance angle and the mutiliation of the Doolittle Raid)

30 Seconds Over Tokyo (For a wartime production, a pretty realistic depiction of Jimmy
Doolittle's strike on the Empire of the Sun)

Honorable mentions go to Firefox (Clint's first time as a director-cut him some slack, fellas),
Iron Eagle (crappy storyline, great flying courtesy of the Israeli AF), Firebirds (Nick Cage,
Sean Young, and Tommy Lee Jones do OK, but the real star is the AH-64)
Dudley Henriques
2008-07-09 23:29:17 UTC
Permalink
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;

"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
Ken S. Tucker
2008-07-10 02:52:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;
"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
"Gathering of Eagles" had some nifty shots,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057090/

But here's a good one, hint it has a rip-snorting
scene about a ballon, think before you link...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055207/
Ok did you get it?
Ken
Dudley Henriques
2008-07-10 05:19:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken S. Tucker
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;
"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
"Gathering of Eagles" had some nifty shots,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057090/
But here's a good one, hint it has a rip-snorting
scene about a ballon, think before you link...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055207/
Ok did you get it?
Ken
Have to admit I hadn't heard of it before.
--
Dudley Henriques
Ken S. Tucker
2008-07-10 16:36:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by Ken S. Tucker
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;
"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
"Gathering of Eagles" had some nifty shots,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057090/
But here's a good one, hint it has a rip-snorting
scene about a ballon, think before you link...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055207/
Ok did you get it?
Ken
Have to admit I hadn't heard of it before.
Dudley Henriques
Hardly a dull moment in it. Some Yanks steal a balloon
from the Confederates to escape, get into a storm,
balloon gets damaged, is losing altitude, so they need
to jettison weight including the basket and climb up
the side of the balloon. Some fall off but all manage to
survive on Mysterious Island, where a guy (Nemo)
with a cool sub lives, growing big tasty food, like giant
crabs. It get's better when two beautiful women get
stranded there too, one with great legs wears a skirt
up to her bum-bum and you get to see her panties.

It's my kinda movie, but don't let that stop ya ;-).
Ken
Dudley Henriques
2008-07-10 16:43:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ken S. Tucker
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by Ken S. Tucker
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;
"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
"Gathering of Eagles" had some nifty shots,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057090/
But here's a good one, hint it has a rip-snorting
scene about a ballon, think before you link...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055207/
Ok did you get it?
Ken
Have to admit I hadn't heard of it before.
Dudley Henriques
Hardly a dull moment in it. Some Yanks steal a balloon
from the Confederates to escape, get into a storm,
balloon gets damaged, is losing altitude, so they need
to jettison weight including the basket and climb up
the side of the balloon. Some fall off but all manage to
survive on Mysterious Island, where a guy (Nemo)
with a cool sub lives, growing big tasty food, like giant
crabs. It get's better when two beautiful women get
stranded there too, one with great legs wears a skirt
up to her bum-bum and you get to see her panties.
It's my kinda movie, but don't let that stop ya ;-).
Ken
Sounds like just the thing for a rainy Saturday night :-)
--
Dudley Henriques
JasiekS
2008-07-10 19:03:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dudley Henriques
Sounds like just the thing for a rainy Saturday night :-)
Sounds like variation on Verne's theme
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysterious_Island).
--
JasiekS
Warsaw, Poland
eyeball
2008-07-10 19:12:17 UTC
Permalink
Post by JasiekS
Post by Dudley Henriques
Sounds like just the thing for a rainy Saturday night :-)
Sounds like variation on Verne's theme
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysterious_Island).
--
JasiekS
Warsaw, Poland
It reminded me of "Master Of The World" with Vincent Price. Also based
on Verne's work...two of them, actually.
guy
2008-07-10 19:18:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;
"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
I swapped the two Dudley

Cheers

Guy
Ken S. Tucker
2008-07-10 23:22:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by guy
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;
"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
I swapped the two Dudley
Cheers
Guy
It goes without saying that the movie and book about
Bader are superb, (I donated the book on him to the
local library)....but to add...
I shivered watching the "Atomic Bomb Movie" narrated
by B.Shatner, when that Tsar Bomba was parachute
extracted from a Tupolev ##, and did a 60 Megatons,
air blast.
Ken
Peter Skelton
2008-07-10 23:56:59 UTC
Permalink
On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:22:21 -0700 (PDT), "Ken S. Tucker"
Post by Ken S. Tucker
Post by guy
Post by Dudley Henriques
Post by guy
Yes your list is not bad, I dont know On wings of Eagles and would
drop in Fly for Your Life (Well performed true story of Bader) and
Dambusters somewhere. Totally agree about those Magnificent Men.
Guy
Hi Guy;
"Reach For The Sky" was the movie adaptation of the fine book by
Brickhill on Bader's life.
I'm not familiar with any other movie being done about him.
There was a fine book by Larry Forester called "Fly For Your Life" that
he did on Stanford Tuck. Could this be the one you referenced by chance?
--
Dudley Henriques
I swapped the two Dudley
Cheers
Guy
It goes without saying that the movie and book about
Bader are superb, (I donated the book on him to the
local library)....but to add...
I shivered watching the "Atomic Bomb Movie" narrated
by B.Shatner, when that Tsar Bomba was parachute
extracted from a Tupolev ##, and did a 60 Megatons,
air blast.
"Reach for the Sky" is inspiring and a good read, but it falls
somewhat short in historical accuracy. I have it in the section
with Dan Gallery, the other I Wuz There's, and fiction that tries
to be true to life like the "shave off" books and The Cruel Sea..



Peter Skelton
Ed Rasimus
2008-07-07 13:09:20 UTC
Permalink
On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 21:24:11 -0700 (PDT), "David E. Powell"
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
Post by David E. Powell
8 The Battle of Britain
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson can do no wrong if there is a lot of
footage of B-36s cruising at altitude!

Anybody notice a 10 year war with significant air combat that isn't
represented with a decent movie?

Maybe "The Name is Olds" will draw some interest from Hollywood,
particularly if the "bad" war can be counter-balanced with twelve
kills from the "good" war along with a lot of other great flying
stories.

I'll invite all the RAM regulars to the premiere.

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
www.thundertales.blogspot.com
www.thunderchief.org
David E. Powell
2008-07-08 02:51:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ed Rasimus
On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 21:24:11 -0700 (PDT), "David E. Powell"
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
Post by David E. Powell
8 The Battle of Britain
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson can do no wrong if there is a lot of
footage of B-36s cruising at altitude!
Anybody notice a 10 year war with significant air combat that isn't
represented with a decent movie?
Maybe "The Name is Olds" will draw some interest from Hollywood,
particularly if the "bad" war can be counter-balanced with twelve
kills from the "good" war along with a lot of other great flying
stories.
I'll invite all the RAM regulars to the premiere.
If they do the part with the fighters using bomber call signs, that
would be something audiences would really love, I think.
Post by Ed Rasimus
Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)www.thundertales.blogspot.comwww.thunderchief.org
Tex Houston
2008-07-08 02:57:26 UTC
Permalink
"David E. Powell" <***@msn.com> wrote in message news:2d5ba10e-2e0f-45bb-9d98-***@e39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

If they do the part with the fighters using bomber call signs, that
would be something audiences would really love, I think.

I spent some time with the F-105 community. They would resent your calling
that fine Republic Aviation FIGHTER a bomber. (vbg)

Regards,

Tex Houston
Stephen Bierce
2008-07-08 04:23:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by David E. Powell
If they do the part with the fighters using bomber call signs, that
would be something audiences would really love, I think.
I spent some time with the F-105 community. They would resent your calling
that fine Republic Aviation FIGHTER a bomber. (vbg)
Regards,
Tex Houston
He's talking about Operation Bolo, in which Old's Phantom squadron pulled
off a large-scale deception of the North Vietnamese Air Force by having his
formation take the place of a routine bomber mission. When the MiGs came
up to intercept them, his team had theirs right where he wanted them--and
came very close to wiping them out.

Stephen "FPilot" Bierce/IPMS #35922
{Sig Quotes Removed on Request}
Tex Houston
2008-07-08 04:39:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Stephen Bierce
Post by David E. Powell
If they do the part with the fighters using bomber call signs, that
would be something audiences would really love, I think.
I spent some time with the F-105 community. They would resent your calling
that fine Republic Aviation FIGHTER a bomber. (vbg)
Regards,
Tex Houston
He's talking about Operation Bolo, in which Old's Phantom squadron pulled
off a large-scale deception of the North Vietnamese Air Force by having his
formation take the place of a routine bomber mission. When the MiGs came
up to intercept them, his team had theirs right where he wanted them--and
came very close to wiping them out.
I know exactly the operation involved. The call signs were those of Takhli
fighters and they carried jamming pods also borrowed from Takhli birds.
Even though my association with F-4s dates back to the 'C' model my love
affair with the F-105 is forever. Even if they carried bombs the F-105 was
a fighter flown by fighter pilots. Bombers were those big multi-engine
things.

Regards,

Tex Houston
tomcervo
2008-07-09 01:51:30 UTC
Permalink
There's the "blowed up real good" stuff, and then there's the
character study.

John Wooldridge wrote a screenplay for "Appointment in London", about
a Bomber Command CO at the end of his last tour, and very near the end
of his rope. Those who know say there's a lot of Guy Gibson in the
hero, and little wonder, since Wooldridge and Gibson had been in the
same squadron. Might want to check it out instead of yet another
viewing of "Dambusters".
David E. Powell
2008-07-09 21:52:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Stephen Bierce
Post by David E. Powell
If they do the part with the fighters using bomber call signs, that
would be something audiences would really love, I think.
I spent some time with the F-105 community.  They would resent your
calling
that fine Republic Aviation FIGHTER a bomber. (vbg)
Regards,
Tex Houston
He's talking about Operation Bolo, in which Old's Phantom squadron pulled
off a large-scale deception of the North Vietnamese Air Force by having his
formation take the place of a routine bomber mission.  When the MiGs came
up to intercept them, his team had theirs right where he wanted them--and
came very close to wiping them out.
I know exactly the operation involved.  The call signs were those of Takhli
fighters and they carried jamming pods also borrowed from Takhli birds.
Even though my association with F-4s dates back to the 'C' model my love
affair with the F-105 is forever.  Even if they carried bombs the F-105 was
a fighter flown by fighter pilots.  Bombers were those big multi-engine
things.
Duly noted and you have my apologies, maybe I shouse have said
"Aircraft on bombing or attack missions' call signs."
Regards,
Tex Houston
Ed Rasimus
2008-07-08 13:32:08 UTC
Permalink
On Mon, 7 Jul 2008 19:51:23 -0700 (PDT), "David E. Powell"
Post by David E. Powell
Post by Ed Rasimus
Maybe "The Name is Olds" will draw some interest from Hollywood,
particularly if the "bad" war can be counter-balanced with twelve
kills from the "good" war along with a lot of other great flying
stories.
I'll invite all the RAM regulars to the premiere.
If they do the part with the fighters using bomber call signs, that
would be something audiences would really love, I think.
You tread on shaky ground there. The "bomber" call-signs used in Bolo
were F-105 as were the ECM pods that Olds modified to provide an
electronic signature. We in the F-105 community at the time preferred
to be called fighters.

I suspect that the less known today, but arguably more impressive
aspects of Robin's life might be the P-38 and P-51 kills of WW II, or
the first jet acro team or the Gloster Meteor period with the RAF and
time as an RAF squadron commander. But, there is a lot more.

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
www.thundertales.blogspot.com
www.thunderchief.org
JasiekS
2008-07-07 14:15:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
French 'Sky Fighters' aka 'Les Chevaliers du Ciel'.

Another French title 'Le Ciel sur la Tête' from 1964 aka 'Heaven on
One's Head'. Lots of Super Etendards in flight, Breguet Alize and...
UFO. It was the first time when I saw aircraft carrier, catapult starts
etc.
--
JasiekS
Warsaw, Poland
Byron Myers
2008-07-07 23:52:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by JasiekS
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
French 'Sky Fighters' aka 'Les Chevaliers du Ciel'.
Another French title 'Le Ciel sur la Tête' from 1964 aka 'Heaven on
One's Head'. Lots of Super Etendards in flight, Breguet Alize and...
UFO. It was the first time when I saw aircraft carrier, catapult starts
etc.
--
JasiekS
Warsaw, Poland
Jeeze

How much more "Military Aviation" can you get than dropping the big one on
the Ruskies. I'd have to put "Dr. Strangelove" on my top ten list.

Byron
Vanwall
2008-07-08 05:17:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
I'd throw in "This Man's Navy" somewhere - the LTA at war.
150flivver
2008-07-09 03:47:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Vanwall
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
I'd throw in "This Man's Navy" somewhere - the LTA at war.
I can't believe "12 O'clock High" has been mentioned by only one
poster.
tomcervo
2008-07-09 23:17:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by 150flivver
Post by Vanwall
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
I'd throw in "This Man's Navy" somewhere - the LTA at war.
I can't believe "12 O'clock High" has been mentioned by only one
poster.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
It's a well-written, well-acted character study of the effects of air
combat and command, with script input from real vets, like
"Appointment in London", but the lack of kisskissboomboom disqualifies
it.
Although that B-17 wheels-up landing by Paul Mantz is more real than
anything in "Top Gun". Well, anything is more real than "Top Gun".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_O'Clock_High
Bombardier
2008-07-08 14:05:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by David E. Powell
I disagree with that list....
10 Strategic Air Command
9 Zeppelin (Hey, it is the only color movie I know of that stars a
battle Zeppelin!)
8 The Battle of Britain
7 Flying Leathernecks
6 The Blue Max
5 Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
4 The Bridges at Toko-Ri
3 Wings (Wellman's original.)
2 On Wings of Eagles
1 Tora Tora Tora
Honorable mention: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.
(Some of those pilots had uniforms so I'll count them as military for
this list!)
Good list but I would place 12 O'clock High at number one by a large
margin. But then again I was a bomber guy.

Art Kramer
344th Bomb Group 494th Bomb Squadron
England France Belgium Holland Italy Germanywww.coastcomp.com/
artkramer
Scott M. Kozel
2008-07-09 13:26:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bombardier
Good list but I would place 12 O'clock High at number one by a large
margin. But then again I was a bomber guy.
I would certainly put it high on the list, at least in the top 5.
Special effects were minimal by today's standards, and it was in black-
and-white, but hey, it was produced in 1949. As it was, they used
real B-17s, not those that had been massively rebuilt many years
later, and real combat footage that while in black-and-white, fit just
fine in a black-and-white movie. The men playing the parts were
basically WWII generation people, and you have the 'look and feel' of
real WWII people in the movie. Awesome movie that makes you feel that
you are there. My opinion as someone born in the early 1950s.

Lastly, many management experts have considered the movie to be an
excellent study in management styles, both effective and ineffective
styles.

Per Wiki --

"General Savage, played by Gregory Peck, was created as a composite of
several group commanders whom the authors knew well, including Colonel
(later General) Curtis LeMay, Colonel (later brigadier general)
Frederick W. Castle, and Colonel John K. Gerhart. The latter two
officers had also been sent down by General Eaker from his staff to
relieve the commanders of two B-17 groups whose first month in combat
had resulted in higher than normal losses. However the primary
inspiration for Savage was Frank A. Armstrong, who commanded the 306th
Bomb Group on which the 918th was modeled. The name "Savage" was
inspired by Armstrong's Cherokee heritage."
guy
2008-07-10 19:17:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Scott M. Kozel
Post by Bombardier
Good list but I would place 12 O'clock High at number one by a large
margin. But then again I was a bomber guy.
I would certainly put it high on the list, at least in the top 5.
Special effects were minimal by today's standards, and it was in black-
and-white, but hey, it was produced in 1949.  As it was, they used
real B-17s, not those that had been massively rebuilt many years
later, and real combat footage that while in black-and-white, fit just
fine in a black-and-white movie.  The men playing the parts were
basically WWII generation people, and you have the 'look and feel' of
real WWII people in the movie.  Awesome movie that makes you feel that
you are there.  My opinion as someone born in the early 1950s.
Lastly, many management experts have considered the movie to be an
excellent study in management styles, both effective and ineffective
styles.
Per Wiki --
"General Savage, played by Gregory Peck, was created as a composite of
several group commanders whom the authors knew well, including Colonel
(later General) Curtis LeMay, Colonel (later brigadier general)
Frederick W. Castle, and Colonel John K. Gerhart. The latter two
officers had also been sent down by General Eaker from his staff to
relieve the commanders of two B-17 groups whose first month in combat
had resulted in higher than normal losses. However the primary
inspiration for Savage was Frank A. Armstrong, who commanded the 306th
Bomb Group on which the 918th was modeled. The name "Savage" was
inspired by Armstrong's Cherokee heritage."
Odd, when this same subject came up a few months ago, I was the only
one to mention 12 o'clock high!

Guy
Richard Brooks
2008-07-12 12:45:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by guy
Post by Scott M. Kozel
Post by Bombardier
Good list but I would place 12 O'clock High at number one by a large
margin. But then again I was a bomber guy.
I would certainly put it high on the list, at least in the top 5.
Special effects were minimal by today's standards, and it was in black-
and-white, but hey, it was produced in 1949. As it was, they used
real B-17s, not those that had been massively rebuilt many years
later, and real combat footage that while in black-and-white, fit just
fine in a black-and-white movie. The men playing the parts were
basically WWII generation people, and you have the 'look and feel' of
real WWII people in the movie. Awesome movie that makes you feel that
you are there. My opinion as someone born in the early 1950s.
Lastly, many management experts have considered the movie to be an
excellent study in management styles, both effective and ineffective
styles.
[snipped]
Post by guy
Odd, when this same subject came up a few months ago, I was the only
one to mention 12 o'clock high!
Guy
Right! In that case I'm going to mention "The Way To The Stars." then
throw in "The 1000 Plane Raid" just to be annoying.
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