"THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI" VF-192

[rwdfresno]

Questions for the brain trust.

The movie "The Bridges at Toko Ri" was filmed in conjunction with VF-192 in 1954 aboard the USS Oriskany. During the movie the Panther pilots had their H-3 and H-4 helets painted with a white arrow shaped (dragon tail?). Does anyone know the history behind this helmet decoration? Was it something designed for the movie or did VF-192 or another squadron adopt this helmet decoration? Does anyone have any pictures (non Paramount) of this helmet design? Would you guess that the base blue color is FS 35042 non specular sea blue?

The reason I'm asking is that I have a Gentex H-4 helment that has been previously re-painted gold (not a great paint or masking job) that I thought might be fun to replicate William Holden's helmet in "The Bridges of Toko-Ri." I'd like ot better understand the history of the helemt design before taking that step though.

Thanks and any feedback is appreciated.

Ryan

[Lynn Allen]

I always thought it a rams horn design...?

[troliver]

It could well be a dragon's tail since, during that time, VF-192 was the "Golden Dragons." I've seen some references somewhere regarding the filming of the movie which indicated that the squadron insignias and patches were the ones used in the film. I'll see if I can't dig that stuff up.

[Jack Cook]

I think the helmet design originated with the squadron.
The main patch scene in the movie was Air Groug 19. My
step-dad was in VA-192/CVW-19 in 1960 and I have his original
patches. They're very cool not the cr*p they make nowadays!

[Tailspin Turtle]

FWIW, I've looked at the Oriskany cruise book that includes pictures of Holden and Rooney. On the VF-192 page with pictures of the pilots, all but two in the cockpit wearing a helmet, only one is wearing a helmet that is clearly similar to the ones in the movie (IIRC, they were all variants on a white on blue scheme). All the other helmets are somewhere between indeterminate (facing the camera with goggles covering the front of the helmet) to almost certainly all white.

[Owen Miller]

Can you scan and post the shot of Holden
and Rooney in the ready room?

[rwdfresno]

Thanks everyone, that is some good feedback.

WIW, I've looked at the Oriskany cruise book that includes pictures of Holden and Rooney. On the VF-192 page with pictures of the pilots, all but two in the cockpit wearing a helmet, only one is wearing a helmet that is clearly similar to the ones in the movie (IIRC, they were all variants on a white on blue scheme). All the other helmets are somewhere between indeterminate (facing the camera with goggles covering the front of the helmet) to almost certainly all white.

It seems there were some differnet variations. Below is a picture of an H-3 Helmet that has another variation.

Can you scan and post the shot of Holden

and Rooney in the ready room?

Unfortunately, I don't have the abilty to capture stills from movies, I found these captures on the internet.

Thanks, Ryan

[Bill Kistler]

Guessing it is this guys tail,



This was a model used for the filming of the movie, it is at the Frontiers of Flight museum in Dallas.

Bill

[Tailspin Turtle]

Can you scan and post the shot of Holden
and Rooney in the ready room?

There weren't any pictures from the ready room. Most were of the camera crew. The one of Rooney is associated with the dock fight over the Japanese girlfriend. Here's stuff of helmet interest.