Author Topic: Brits, especially Dowding, will LOVE this movie.. (Read 2998 times)

VOR · « **Reply #30 on:** April 17, 2004, 04:20:55 PM »

AdmRose, did this happen in the TV show? I don't recall it in the book. Then again, it has been a while since I read it.

I shot down a guy flying a Spit while flying a stuka in WB once with forward firing guns. Was funny...to me.

ravells · « **Reply #31 on:** April 17, 2004, 04:23:37 PM »

Adm...try flying against a Stuka in a Spit in IL-FB2: those gunners are lethal!

Ravs

AdmRose · « **Reply #32 on:** April 17, 2004, 04:27:52 PM »

I'm talking about the BoB...the Stukas flew in formation all the way to the target, dived on it, and formed up again to go home. Sitting ducks if you approach them right (from their low 6 or low/high 12). This guy was obviously a fool if he dove right on the tail end of a Stuka formation. Not too lethal alone, but multiply that by 9-12 planes and then you have a problem.

AKS\/\/ulfe · « **Reply #33 on:** April 17, 2004, 04:32:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ravells
Crumbs, if they want to do a great WW2 air war film, why not get Tom Cruise to paint his face black (or even better use Denzel Washington) and do a film on the Tuskegee (sp?) airmen.

They already did... http://store.hbo.com/product/VMHHV0129/s.sgvh3XGQ
-SW

Otto · « **Reply #34 on:** April 17, 2004, 04:43:08 PM »

Winston Churchill said it was our "finest hour", but yesterday it was revealed the Battle of Britain was won single-handedly by Tom Cruise

I knew that....!

VOR · « **Reply #35 on:** April 17, 2004, 04:55:10 PM »

Rav, and for others interested:

Ebay has several new boxed sets for sale going for about $33 US. 5 DVD set mini-series.

Noticed that it's a Spitfire Squadron in the mini-series, but didn't they fly Hurricanes in the book? Almost positive..

If anyone has seen this, give me an opinion before I'm forced to take the plunge and order it.

_Schadenfreude_ · « **Reply #36 on:** April 17, 2004, 05:12:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by VOR
Ravells, I have read the book "Piece of Cake" and thought it was a great story. (Not because the only sensible flyer is a Yank).

I suppose I can see how it might have ruffled some feathers. On the other hand, the "Dowding Spread" and airshow-tight formations were abandoned early on by the RAF.

Loved the depth of technical info the author put into his descriptions of the machines and flying them. The characters social lives aside, it seems to have realistically portrayed life in an RAF fighter squadron during France and the BoB.

Remember the part where they were sliding down the stairs on tea serving trays?

I have heard that there was a TV series in the UK with the same title. Has anyone seen it, and was it any good? Was thinking of searching for it.

The TV series is very good and quite true to the book, unfortunately it's not in print any longer.

If you liked "A Piece of cake" try

Goshawk Squadron
A Good Clean fight - some of the chareacters from Cake turn up
both by the same author.

Also try
Bomber
Goodbye MickeyMouse
By Len Deighton

and for a true story try Spitfire Summer by Geoffrey Wellum

VOR · « **Reply #37 on:** April 17, 2004, 05:50:04 PM »

Thanks Schadenfreude. Ive actually read all but "A Good Clean Fight". Will have a look.

I thought Bomber was particulary good.

Otto · « **Reply #38 on:** April 17, 2004, 06:08:52 PM »

Bomber by By Len Deighton is one of the best books I ever read about WW2. He is an excellent author who understand aviation and works it seamlessly into his stories.

ravells · « **Reply #39 on:** April 17, 2004, 07:14:04 PM »

I'll look up Goshawk squadron and a good clean fight...thanks.

Bomber was fantastic...did you catch the radio play of it? I thought it was actually better than the book. A while back (I think when it was first broadcast) they did it in 'real time' with music breaks inbetween.

The Wellum book I read recently was 'first light' utterly brilliant..especially when he's describing the fear of not f***ing up. Wonder if we can get him to talk at our next con?

Ravs

-tronski- · « **Reply #40 on:** April 17, 2004, 07:20:06 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by _Schadenfreude_
The TV series is very good and quite true to the book, unfortunately it's not in print any longer.

If you liked "A Piece of cake" try

Goshawk Squadron
A Good Clean fight - some of the chareacters from Cake turn up
both by the same author.

Also try
Bomber
Goodbye MickeyMouse
By Len Deighton

and for a true story try Spitfire Summer by Geoffrey Wellum

Goodbye Mickey Mouse is my all-time fav book...I first read it when I was in my teens

Tronsky

_Schadenfreude_ · « **Reply #41 on:** April 17, 2004, 07:28:32 PM »

You guys should really read Spitfire Summer - it's available through Amazon - I read it through in one sitting - finished at 5.00am

Thrawn · « **Reply #42 on:** April 17, 2004, 09:09:20 PM »

Coinicidenitally, I borrowed the first episode of "Piece of Cake" from the library last week. It was fantastic.

ra · « **Reply #43 on:** April 17, 2004, 09:13:27 PM »

Ben Affleck won the BoB.

In a P-51.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 17, 2004, 09:50:12 PM »

At least Hollywood did "Windtalkers" right. Man, that movie was almost like a documentary.

eskimo