Warbird Roll Call "Empire of the Sun"

[Shay]

Was watching one of my favorite movies and I wondering if anyone could identify all the Warbirds used in the filming of the "Empire of the Sun"? Everything from the Zero hulk in the beginning to the P-51s. Also there was a B-29 fuselage used as well as all the rest of the Japanese aircraft used. Might be a challenge then again maybe not with this lot. Thanks

Shay

[Ollie]

Ha, but I can identify the white Land Rover in this shot my friend!



Pilot in the Mustang is Ray Hannah.

[Oscar Duck]

My ex-Tora Zero was used in the movie. Now in Oz as VH-ZRO....

[Waltz41]

I remember not too long ago watching part of dvd 'extras' and they were showing that a lot of the shots were remote control scale replica planes, i think one in particular is when that zero takes off and explodes. i do know that there were actual planes used too though, definitley some mustangs. if i get a chance i'll check out that making of extra peice and post in a few days when i get back from a christmas trip. take care.

brian

[Mike]

The 3 Mustangs were G-HAEC 'Missy Wong from Hong Kong' (Ray Hanna), G-PSID 'Tugboat' (Mark Hanna) and N51JJ 'My Dallas Darlin' ('Hoof' Proudfoot).

Sadly, two of the pilots and one of the Mustangs are no longer with us.

[Swiss Mustangs]

Here's G-HAEC:



Martin / Swiss Mustangs

[DazDaMan]

I think the "downed Zero" is being restored here in the UK, although could be very wrong.

There was a thread some time ago on Key about a T6/Zero conversion that was being rebuilt as a stock T6 - this may well have been it.

[Mike]

Here's G-HAEC:

...but not with the film artwork.

[Scott Rose]

Here's G-HAEC:

...but not with the film artwork.

Heh, that would be nearly impossible... and remember, here at WIX the impossible just takes a little longer.

[Swiss Mustangs]

Okay Scott

then see here:

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showth ... Empire+sun

Martin

[agent86]

Truely a great movie.The scene that makes me smile till it hurts is the scene where the P-51's attack and beat up the airfield and the prison next door as the boy watches.Finally!! proof of japanese weakness and impending doom."Those barbaric animals are gonna get theirs!.If I can only hang on an live for a few more months." very intense and thought provoking.A must see! Tim.

[Shay]

agent86
The P-51s scene is truly an awesome event. Especially the slow down flyby with the conopy slid back and the pilot waving to the boy. The Pyrotechnics were great and timed real well with the Mustangs eating up the ground. But the one scene that has always made me wonder in recent years is the one where after the a bombing raid the Japanese are seen trailoring in a B-29 Fuselage that was shot down during the raid. Always wondered if the fuselage was a real B-29 or a mock up. If it were an actual SuperFortress I'm curious which one it was?

Shay

[Dan K]

Unfortunately, some of the very best r/c cinematography was dropped from the final cut of this movie.

Like the B-29 crew's victory roll after returning to base...


http://www.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonem ... 23_b29.jpg

[David J Burke]

The mocked up Zero at the beginning is G-TOMC - a T-6 under restoration at Bruntingthorpe

[Lynn Allen]

Mike, which Mustang is no longer with us? Please refresh my short memory.


Thanks,

Lynn