Masters of the Air (Band of Brothers sequel)

[robn1]

As amazing as that full size B-17F model is, I'm quite confused as to what's happening there. I do get why there are no props hung on the models so they can put CGI spinning props in place, what's up with the 'frozen in place' suspension of the mockup? Clearly they don't intend to making it look like a vertical takeoff variant, so what benefit do they get form hoisting it into the air? From the guide lines, it looks like it's to hang in one spot, so what benefit do they get from that? The first thing I was thinking was maybe they intended to film a takeoff scene with the suspension lifting slowly while moving forward at the same time (which I couldn't imagine how you could do that correctly), but the wires underneath seem to support it's frozen in one spot.
If they intended on a scene with the actors in place, wouldn't it be easier to do like "Memphis Belle" movie did and make a cockpit that could be moved around on it's own?
Also, the flaps aren't set for either takeoff or handling and the crew hatch is open (and I think I might see someone in the commander/pilot's seat). Looks like she's configured for straight flight, but has the gear down.
I'm dying to hear the story behind this.
One other thing, what's up with what looks like white paint splotched all over the top of it, from behind the co-pilot's window to just aft of the radio operator's upper window?

Lydecker in full scale.

 

[Keiko]

It could very well be that they're simply delivering a full sized static model to its filming location on the ground.

 

[p51]

Guys, look at the wires underneath that B-17 mockup, I really don't see how you could move forward with it at any appreciable speed and keep it configured like that.
The stall speed of a B-17 is well over 100 MPH, so there's no way you could get even close to representing flight that with contraption.

 

[Axlotl]

My assumption is that the "white splotches" are bare metal from flak.
But, yah, not much of that pic makes sense. Landing gear down, crew hatch open, in flight? I'm trying to think of a scenario in which that would make sense, and drawing a blank.
Maybe the hatch is open to get the crew in for filming and will be closed when they're shooting.

 

[Remote People]

Perhaps it's meant to capture a scene where crewmen are parachuting out.

 

[p51]

It could very well be that they're simply delivering a full sized static model to its filming location on the ground.

Maybe, but the support wires underneath it wouldn't make any sense in that case.

 

[p51]

View attachment 1471114

I still marvel at these mockups, but notice the top turret. The did a great job on the shell shape but all the sighting systems between the guns are missing and the guns are placed a little lower than they'd be in real life. I've spent more than a little time in these things, and spun a couple of these turrets around in flight. You really can't see the guy inside one normally (but in all fairness they were only designed so he could see what he could shoot at, not the other way around).
I'm sure they did that so you could see the flight engineers in those turrets in some scenes.

 

[Keiko]

Those would be tailings lines, used to help steer the lift once it's in the air.

Maybe, but the support wires underneath it wouldn't make any sense in that case.

 

[Jedioz]

IF you look at the landing gear you can see electric motors on the landing gear that connect with the wheels for a taxi effect, looks to me the are just moving the full scale shooting replica.

 

[p51]

Any updates?

 

[Remote People]

Filming update...

 

[p51]

I know films are often called by code names so to throw people off, but "Whirlwind"?
"Masters of the Air" is a very clunky title and I would be fine if they changed it, but I hope it isn't to that!

 

[p51]

Recently, I got a "50 mission crusher" cap which was custom made by the same British gentleman who made them for the series. I've wanted one of these since the 80s (I had this 1940s private-purchase 'pointy wing' insignia set aside for well over 20 years, for the day I found a cap worthy of it).

He told me he made around 40 of them for the production.
And yes, he's really looking forward to the series.
Between what I've heard from him and the friend of mine who worked directly on the production, I'm in awe of the attention to detail.

 

[Axlotl]

Recently, I got a "50 mission crusher" cap which was custom made by the same British gentleman who made them for the series. I've wanted one of these since the 80s (I had this 1940s private-purchase 'pointy wing' insignia set aside for well over 20 years, for the day I found a cap worthy of it).

View attachment 1620022
View attachment 1620021
He told me he made around 40 of them for the production.
And yes, he's really looking forward to the series.
Between what I've heard from him and the friend of mine who worked directly on the production, I'm in awe of the attention to detail.

Nice! Here's mine:

It's a little worse for wear, but I still love it.

 

[p51]

Nice! Here's mine:

View attachment 1620069View attachment 1620070
It's a little worse for wear, but I still love it.

Nice. I love the back strap, as many crushers didn't have them.
I've seen a bunch of originals over the years but never had one that would fit.
I live the 'pointy eagle' hat insignia. Odd how the official officer hat insignia is the same design they have today, but these private-purchase ones were so different (and common) during WW2.
The neat thing is I have a blue 1950s USAF crusher that was given to me by a gentleman who had been a B-17 co-pilot in the 91st Bomb Group (he later was a P-47 pilot in the Maryland National Guard), which has the pointy eagle in USAF 'silver' color, something I wouldn't have otherwise known ever existed.

As for this Apple TV series; I'm wondering why we haven't seen any manner of teaser trailer yet!

 

[Remote People]

Recently, I got a "50 mission crusher" cap which was custom made by the same British gentleman who made them for the series. I've wanted one of these since the 80s (I had this 1940s private-purchase 'pointy wing' insignia set aside for well over 20 years, for the day I found a cap worthy of it).

View attachment 1620022
View attachment 1620021
He told me he made around 40 of them for the production.
And yes, he's really looking forward to the series.
Between what I've heard from him and the friend of mine who worked directly on the production, I'm in awe of the attention to detail.

Lovely cap! Is that one of the set made by APCO in the US and then imported to the UK for production by Eastman?

 

[AJK001]

As for this Apple TV series; I'm wondering why we haven't seen any manner of teaser trailer yet!

This is going to be on Apple TV? I guess I missed that, I thought it would be on HBO since they did Band of Brothers. I guess this is something else I won't be seeing anytime soon.

 

[p51]

Lovely cap! Is that one of the set made by APCO in the US and then imported to the UK for production by Eastman?

Nope. It was made by Mike Handford at Aviator Caps in the UK. Raymond at American Patrol sort of dropped off the face of the earth for a while, I guess for the movie stuff he's been working in the past few years. I'd contacted him on every way to reach him other than a Bat Signal or carrier pigeon, and got nothing but dead silence in result.

 

[Remote People]

Sounds like he has retired. He mentioned last year that he had made the caps for the production. A few months ago then sold a lot of his USAAF collection. What is Mike's contact information? Will pass on to others who are also looking for caps.

 

[p51]

What is Mike's contact information? Will pass on to others who are also looking for caps.

Mike Handford can be reached at aviatorcaps@virginmedia.com
This is his eBay listing, when he has a cap to sell.
He has no website of FB presence that I'm aware of. I heard of him from a forum devoted to such things.
He's not cheap but you very much get what you pay for.