Sac (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

Just watched "Strategic Air Command" with Jimmy Stewart the other day and it just reminded me, again, of how I have always liked it, and why. It is a Cold War movie and isn't subtle about the bugle it is blowing, but it highlights the importance of SAC, the job it did, and what it took to accomplish that job. The main reason I like the movie is for it's brilliant aircraft and flying sequences. It shows the huge Convair B-36 'Peacemaker' to advantage, something no other movie has ever done, and also shows the Boeing B-47 'Stratojet', as well. Seeing these aircraft so prominently displayed throughout the movie is a real joy. The movie was done in 1955, right before the Boeing B-52 started coming into use. It is hard to believe that the B-36 was as big as it was. It was the largest combat aircraft that the US has ever deployed. It measured 162' long, with a wingspan of 230', and a height of 46'9". This is larger than even the huge B-52. The B-36 could move at a maximum 418 mph, but it's real advantage came with it's possible payload of 86000 lbs, again, more than the B-52. It is just a neat movie about some forgotten aircraft and the people that flew them. -- Al

 

[Buster]

Just watched "Strategic Air Command" with Jimmy Stewart the other day and it just reminded me, again, of how I have always liked it, and why. It is a Cold War movie and isn't subtle about the bugle it is blowing, but it highlights the importance of SAC, the job it did, and what it took to accomplish that job. The main reason I like the movie is for it's brilliant aircraft and flying sequences. It shows the huge Convair B-36 'Peacemaker' to advantage, something no other movie has ever done, and also shows the Boeing B-47 'Stratojet', as well. Seeing these aircraft so prominently displayed throughout the movie is a real joy. The movie was done in 1955, right before the Boeing B-52 started coming into use. It is hard to believe that the B-36 was as big as it was. It was the largest combat aircraft that the US has ever deployed. It measured 162' long, with a wingspan of 230', and a height of 46'9". This is larger than even the huge B-52. The B-36 could move at a maximum 418 mph, but it's real advantage came with it's possible payload of 86000 lbs, again, more than the B-52. It is just a neat movie about some forgotten aircraft and the people that flew them. -- Al

Good movie Al, that B-36 was really something wasn't it ..... six turnin' and four burnin'. ^&grin

"If all engines function normally at full power during the pre-takeoff warm-up, the lead flight engineer will sometimes say to the Aircraft Commander (AC), 'six turning and four burning.'" Erratic reliability led to the wisecrack, 'two turning, two burning, two joking, and two smoking, with two engines not accounted for.'"
—Michael Daciek quoting Capt. Banda

B.

 

[lancer]

Good movie Al, that B-36 was really something wasn't it ..... six turnin' and four burnin'. ^&grin

"If all engines function normally at full power during the pre-takeoff warm-up, the lead flight engineer will sometimes say to the Aircraft Commander (AC), 'six turning and four burning.'" Erratic reliability led to the wisecrack, 'two turning, two burning, two joking, and two smoking, with two engines not accounted for.'"
—Michael Daciek quoting Capt. Banda

B.

Generally, I don't care for jets. I'm more of a propeller type, but there is just something fascinating about the SAC bombers, men, and mission which I find interesting. -- Al

 

[Buster]

Generally, I don't care for jets. I'm more of a propeller type, but there is just something fascinating about the SAC bombers, men, and mission which I find interesting. -- Al

Yeah, same here Al ..... although I do have admit to a certain fondness for the P-80 Shooting Star and F-86 Sabre, probably 'cause they were around when I was a kid in the '50's. The B-58 Hustler was pretty cool looking too! :wink2:^&grin

B.

 

[lancer]

Yeah, same here Al ..... although I do have admit to a certain fondness for the P-80 Shooting Star and F-86 Sabre, probably 'cause they were around when I was a kid in the '50's. The B-58 Hustler was pretty cool looking too! :wink2:^&grin

B.

I know what you mean. I actually had an old Aurora model of the B-58 that I built and painted as a kid. Always thought it a slick looking plane. I like the P-80 and F-86, as well, I guess mainly because of the 50's era Korean War movies. My favorite jet fighter has always been the F-4 Phantom from the Vietnam War, but I also liked the prop driven Skyraider, aka Spad, from that war as well. And of course, the B-52.:wink2: -- Al

 

[RPZ]

A friend if mine built a 1/72 scale B-36. I have not seen it but he tells me he received help from McDonnell Douglas in the form of photographs and other material and advices. Apparently there were several flaws and omissions in the model kit which he scratch built or modified.

I built a B-47 kit in my youth, that was big enough; a 1/72 B-36 very large.

 

[Terp152]

Just watched "Strategic Air Command" with Jimmy Stewart the other day and it just reminded me, again, of how I have always liked it, and why. It is a Cold War movie and isn't subtle about the bugle it is blowing, but it highlights the importance of SAC, the job it did, and what it took to accomplish that job. The main reason I like the movie is for it's brilliant aircraft and flying sequences. It shows the huge Convair B-36 'Peacemaker' to advantage, something no other movie has ever done, and also shows the Boeing B-47 'Stratojet', as well. Seeing these aircraft so prominently displayed throughout the movie is a real joy. The movie was done in 1955, right before the Boeing B-52 started coming into use. It is hard to believe that the B-36 was as big as it was. It was the largest combat aircraft that the US has ever deployed. It measured 162' long, with a wingspan of 230', and a height of 46'9". This is larger than even the huge B-52. The B-36 could move at a maximum 418 mph, but it's real advantage came with it's possible payload of 86000 lbs, again, more than the B-52. It is just a neat movie about some forgotten aircraft and the people that flew them. -- Al

ALways liked this movie, watched it a few times and realized they were at MacDill AFB where I was stationed in the early '90s, though not a SAC base by then.

BTW, totally agree with your statement as being "a propeller guy," being a former C-130 driver. :wink2: Chris

 

[TomB]

Just watched "Strategic Air Command" with Jimmy Stewart the other day and it just reminded me, again, of how I have always liked it, and why. It is a Cold War movie and isn't subtle about the bugle it is blowing, but it highlights the importance of SAC, the job it did, and what it took to accomplish that job. The main reason I like the movie is for it's brilliant aircraft and flying sequences. It shows the huge Convair B-36 'Peacemaker' to advantage, something no other movie has ever done, and also shows the Boeing B-47 'Stratojet', as well. Seeing these aircraft so prominently displayed throughout the movie is a real joy. The movie was done in 1955, right before the Boeing B-52 started coming into use. It is hard to believe that the B-36 was as big as it was. It was the largest combat aircraft that the US has ever deployed. It measured 162' long, with a wingspan of 230', and a height of 46'9". This is larger than even the huge B-52. The B-36 could move at a maximum 418 mph, but it's real advantage came with it's possible payload of 86000 lbs, again, more than the B-52. It is just a neat movie about some forgotten aircraft and the people that flew them. -- Al

Actually saw a clip of Jimmy Stewart in a B36...real time....it looked massive from the inside......great movie if you like aircraft...terrific shots of the B36 and the much slicker B47.....would like a B36 for my Flight Simulator but have not be able to find one...could be one out there but it would be old teck and not up to the high standards of present Flt Sim ac...regards TomB

 

[UKReb]

Just watched "Strategic Air Command" with Jimmy Stewart the other day and it just reminded me, again, of how I have always liked it, and why. It is a Cold War movie and isn't subtle about the bugle it is blowing, but it highlights the importance of SAC, the job it did, and what it took to accomplish that job. The main reason I like the movie is for it's brilliant aircraft and flying sequences. It shows the huge Convair B-36 'Peacemaker' to advantage, something no other movie has ever done, and also shows the Boeing B-47 'Stratojet', as well. Seeing these aircraft so prominently displayed throughout the movie is a real joy. The movie was done in 1955, right before the Boeing B-52 started coming into use. It is hard to believe that the B-36 was as big as it was. It was the largest combat aircraft that the US has ever deployed. It measured 162' long, with a wingspan of 230', and a height of 46'9". This is larger than even the huge B-52. The B-36 could move at a maximum 418 mph, but it's real advantage came with it's possible payload of 86000 lbs, again, more than the B-52. It is just a neat movie about some forgotten aircraft and the people that flew them. -- Al

Al

I too loved this movie and those aircraft scenes- complemented by Victor Young's magnificent music soundtrack- have to be amongst the best ever captured on celluloid. Stewart's association with director Anthony Mann definitely moved 1950s US movies up an intelligent notch. To my knowledge SAC has never had a DVD release and must be a sure fire candidate for a Hi-Def version. It was also the last of the three films that paired Stewart with June Allyson (America's favourite girl-next-door actress).

On the subject of Miss Allyson in the very same year (1955) she played yet another wife of a jet pilot in The McConnell Story . When the movie crossed the Atlantic it opened up here as Tiger In The Sky. No doubt the title change was because we Brits had scant knowledge of your first triple jet fighter ace Joe McConnell during the Korean War. The movie was not as visually splendid as SAC but I remember I did enjoy it as I have always been a keen fan of Alan Ladd who played McConnell. While the film was still in production McConnell was tragically killed when he crashed his jet at Edwards AFB and consequently the ending of the movie had to be swiftly rewritten to accommodate the tragedy.

As an aside the chemistry between Allyson and Ladd on the screen in this movie was apparently for real as the two had an affair off screen. Now one would be correct in stating there was nothing unusual in that for a couple of Hollywood stars on location but the fact is with Ladd it was extremely unusual. After marrying his agent Sue Carol in 1942 Ladd utterly refused to remove his wedding ring in everyone of his movies much to the chagrin of many of his directors (next time you watch any of his movies- which in most of them he played a single man- note his third finger/left hand even in Shane.) But when the actress pulled the plug on the affair soon after the movie was completed Ladd was utterly devastated which triggered his slide into alcoholism culminating in his suicide some years later-he never got over June Allyson.

Just a bit of Hollywood gossip for you Al ^&grin

Bob

 

[TomB]

Al

I too loved this movie and those aircraft scenes- complemented by Victor Young's magnificent music soundtrack- have to be amongst the best ever captured on celluloid. Stewart's association with director Anthony Mann definitely moved 1950s US movies up an intelligent notch. To my knowledge SAC has never had a DVD release and must be a sure fire candidate for a Hi-Def version. It was also the last of the three films that paired Stewart with June Allyson (America's favourite girl-next-door actress).

On the subject of Miss Allyson in the very same year (1955) she played yet another wife of a jet pilot in The McConnell Story . When the movie crossed the Atlantic it opened up here as Tiger In The Sky. No doubt the title change was because we Brits had scant knowledge of your first triple jet fighter ace Joe McConnell during the Korean War. The movie was not as visually splendid as SAC but I remember I did enjoy it as I have always been a keen fan of Alan Ladd who played McConnell. While the film was still in production McConnell was tragically killed when he crashed his jet at Edwards AFB and consequently the ending of the movie had to be swiftly rewritten to accommodate the tragedy.

As an aside the chemistry between Allyson and Ladd on the screen in this movie was apparently for real as the two had an affair off screen. Now one would be correct in stating there was nothing unusual in that for a couple of Hollywood stars on location but the fact is with Ladd it was extremely unusual. After marrying his agent Sue Carol in 1942 Ladd utterly refused to remove his wedding ring in everyone of his movies much to the chagrin of many of his directors (next time you watch any of his movies- which in most of them he played a single man- note his third finger/left hand even in Shane.) But when the actress pulled the plug on the affair soon after the movie was completed Ladd was utterly devastated which triggered his slide into alcoholism culminating in his suicide some years later-he never got over June Allyson.

Just a bit of Hollywood gossip for you Al ^&grin

Bob

Did Alan Ladd make any movies after the The Mc Connell Story" ?...I have been able to download several of his movies from Utube but the McConnell story has only a few stills...(checked that out several weeks ago)...liked his Westerns and Gangster movies...Red Beret was good as well,even though it was a Yank won the war movie...do you remember an actor called Nathan Cook,,,very B grade....I think the best big time part he had was in "Shane".....cheers TomB

 

[lancer]

Al

I too loved this movie and those aircraft scenes- complemented by Victor Young's magnificent music soundtrack- have to be amongst the best ever captured on celluloid. Stewart's association with director Anthony Mann definitely moved 1950s US movies up an intelligent notch. To my knowledge SAC has never had a DVD release and must be a sure fire candidate for a Hi-Def version. It was also the last of the three films that paired Stewart with June Allyson (America's favourite girl-next-door actress).

On the subject of Miss Allyson in the very same year (1955) she played yet another wife of a jet pilot in The McConnell Story . When the movie crossed the Atlantic it opened up here as Tiger In The Sky. No doubt the title change was because we Brits had scant knowledge of your first triple jet fighter ace Joe McConnell during the Korean War. The movie was not as visually splendid as SAC but I remember I did enjoy it as I have always been a keen fan of Alan Ladd who played McConnell. While the film was still in production McConnell was tragically killed when he crashed his jet at Edwards AFB and consequently the ending of the movie had to be swiftly rewritten to accommodate the tragedy.

As an aside the chemistry between Allyson and Ladd on the screen in this movie was apparently for real as the two had an affair off screen. Now one would be correct in stating there was nothing unusual in that for a couple of Hollywood stars on location but the fact is with Ladd it was extremely unusual. After marrying his agent Sue Carol in 1942 Ladd utterly refused to remove his wedding ring in everyone of his movies much to the chagrin of many of his directors (next time you watch any of his movies- which in most of them he played a single man- note his third finger/left hand even in Shane.) But when the actress pulled the plug on the affair soon after the movie was completed Ladd was utterly devastated which triggered his slide into alcoholism culminating in his suicide some years later-he never got over June Allyson.

Just a bit of Hollywood gossip for you Al ^&grin

Bob

Many thanks for the Hollywood backstory, Bob. I have seen Ladd in The McConnell Story but never knew any of that behind the scenes stuff. Kind of wonder what ol' June had to make Alan go off the deep end like that.:wink2:{sm2} SAC is just a really well done movie that let's the aircraft take the lead role. Along with the beautiful photography and sound track music, I also am very impressed with the sound effects, especially the rumble of the B-36's props in flight. One thing for sure, with those engines singing and those contrails spreading across the heavens, the Peacemaker wasn't going to sneak up on anyone. -- Al