McHale’s Navy /Helicopter

[bdk]

On Oct. 9, Rotorcraft Systems in Philadelphia hosted a visit by Ernest Borgnine. Best known for his starring role in “McHale’s Navy,” he is this year’s Celebrity Spokesperson for the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center. After touring the museum, Borgnine and Bob Beggs, manager, Support Systems discussed plans for the Museum’s expansion and Borgnine’s role in promoting public awareness and fund raising initiatives. “Ernest is fully dedicated to the mission of the museum,” Beggs said.

Their next stop was the Philadelphia site where Borgnine received a program overview and a tour of the V-22 factory.

“We wanted to show him the best of the helicopter industry in this region, and this visit further validated the longstanding relationship that exists between the museum and Boeing. He had a great time touring the V-22 factory and visiting with employees along the way. He was very impressed by the V-22 aircraft, the scale and organization of the factory and especially our Philadelphia workforce,” Beggs said.

The museum is embarking on a major campaign to expand its West Chester, Pa. facility, educational programs and services to deliver a truly world-class aviation experience to its visitors. Located in suburban Philadelphia the museum currently displays over 35 civilian and military helicopters, autogiros and convertaplanes including the V-22 Osprey.

As one of the museum´s sponsors, Boeing enjoys close ties with the helicopter museum and supports its mission to preserve this nation’s rotary wing heritage and its goals to educate and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, pilots and mechanics.

[skymstr02]

He was also the intrepid mechanic on "Airwolf" too. Thats his helo connection.

[Obergrafeter]

Thats great, I thought Ernest was no longer with us. All those bullets he took in the "Wild Bunch" and hes still around. Great actor and I imagine a great guy.

[tom d. friedman]

borgnine deserves alot more credit than 2 tv shows!!! he has tons of good movie credits too!!! he was in the dirty dozen, poseiden adventure, gigot, all from memory, but there are plenty more.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Ernest was born and raised in my Hometown of Hamden, CT. He's the local guy who "made it big time"!
One of my favorite roles of his is in "Emperor of the North Pole" with Lee Marvin. He plays a very sadistic frieght train conductor named "Shack" during the depression and Lee pays the king of the Hobo's "A #1". It was directed by Robert Aldrich and even if you only like the steam locomotives, it's still a great film.
Jerry

[leo]

Actually "Gigot" was Jackie Gleason. Borgnine won the oscar for his role in "Marty".
I liked him as the bad guy in westerns like Hannie Calder. he and Strother Martin played together a few times and were great together as leader and toady.

[tom d. friedman]

your right, i stand corrected!! i just remembered that they were both over weight & got confused !!! hey....... you obviously know your movie trivia!!

[tom d. friedman]

who can forget his great roll in the original flight of the phoenix?? he eventually dies after going desert happy & wanders off.

[Jack Cook]

His best role was Fatso the sadistic Sgt who murdered Frank Sinatra
in From Here to Eternity.

[HELLDIVERS]

HAY THERE TOUGH MONKEY

[Jack Cook]

and he was a hellova piano player besides being a smooth talker.

[corsairkid]

Don't forget "The Black Hole".

[Tulio]

I have in front of me, waiting, a DVD with Ice Station Zebra, featuring one Ernest Borgnine.

There is also a book on the Blue Angels, where Mr. Borgnine has been featured as an honorary Blue, because of the support and enthusiasm that he has shown for the team through the years.

Saludos,

Tulio

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

Don't forget that he spent 10 years in the Navy and served on small craft. So the McHale analogy is not too far from the truth.

[ww2John]

Ernest was briefly married to Ethel Merman in what, by all accounts, was a not too happy situation for either party.

In her autobiography, Ms Merman titled her chapters by significant times in her life. When you turn to the chapter titled "Ernest Borgnine", there is nothing there but blank pages.