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Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:18 pm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g_vP2gIpcUU3NA8YrU1rBcURyVsQ?docId=8b801a15cf2b4089a0ba17c4f4379fef
Star of "PT-109" and "633 Squadron," and former warbird owner. I remember the days when he kept his Spitfire and Bf-108 at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.

SN

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:01 pm

How fitting that the Military Channel is showing "PT-109" right now. Blue skies and fair winds Mr. Robertson.
:drink3: :(

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:30 pm

And the day after his Birthday too-Fair skies and tailwinds sir- :(

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:44 pm

Great, humble guy who told me his story about being over New York City on 9/11 in his Baron.
He will be sadly missed and we send our condolences to friends and family.

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:22 am

Steve Nelson wrote:Star of "PT-109" and "633 Squadron," and former warbird owner.
Also the lead in The Pilot , arguably the best airline movie ever.

Met him a couple of times - all round nice guy. Farewell.

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:24 am

He was one of the giants. In my eyes anyway and I suspect many others feel the same way. His tireless efforts to promote aviation will always be remembered. He did some great things in Hollywood also, not just on camera but behind the scenes. He fought some battles that had significant consequences for his own acting career but in the end, helped many others in the industry. We will miss his visits to Creve Coeur Airport, he told some great stories! Best wishes to his friends and family. God's Speed Cliff Robertson! You will be missed!

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:30 pm

Wow, another great one gone. Mr. Robertson always has held a special place among film stars being both a star and a pilot.

Also don't forget he was Cdr. Jessop in "Midway" and on a lighter note, he played Hugh Hefner in "Star 80" (must've been the highlight of his career... :)), the President in "Escape from LA" (what a fall from JFK to a power-hungry dictator :)), and was Ben Parker in the 3 new "Spider-Man" movies (and that unforgettable line of his that I shall not repeat for fear of causing aneurisms).

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:52 pm

I read a story once of him meeting Lindbergh in an airport once. Can't recall where I read it...

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:27 pm

Some of his aviation tales:
http://www.cliffrobertson.info/aviation.htm
http://www.cliffrobertson.info/cliffhanger.htm

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:41 pm

For so many years Jerry Billing flew Cliff Robertsons Spitfire and had it based in Windsor Ontario. Jerry did some of the finest flying in a Spitfire.

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:14 pm

Watched Cliff Robertson's Hunters in the Sky VHS tapes recently. He did some great interviews with WW2 fighter Aces from U.S, Germany and Japan for this tape series. The intro to each tape beside the Warbird is a great start for each tape.
Phillip

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:58 am

OMG not news I wanted to read this morning. :( I seen him in person from 50 feet away does that count? What a great guy and great supporter of aviation. He was a hero to me. :(

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:00 am

Did he fly his Spitfire?
I've seen reference to others flying it, but not himself.
Also, anyone have details on his Bf-108?

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:13 pm

Cliff never flew the Spitfire while it was in the hands of Jerry Billing from 1972-1996.

Cheers Dave C

Re: Gone West - Cliff Roberston

Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:32 pm

Check out my 633 squadron posts on the base theater link
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