BoB Buchons and more...pics added

Chad Veich · **Posted:** Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:03 pm

No apology necessary Tulio.

Raven · **Posted:** Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:12 pm

Chad Veich wrote:

Tulio, just to clarify, your quote above is from Raven and not myself.

Notice in my original post where I quoted Gerald's description of the picture he clearly says that the Spanish pilots never called them anything but "Messers". Interesting that he would remember that point, as confirmed by Tulio, all these years later.

K5083, I will ask Gerald if he has pics of TE308 during the filming of BoB.

My apologies - trying to correct one myth, nearly started a completely different one.

Obviously, it's all clear now. Where are we?

Andy in West Oz · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:24 am

"That's me, Adolph Galland, Lefty Gardner, and Robert Stanford Tuck talking about what else?? Aeroplanes........"

Wow! I think my jaw just hit the floor! :prayer:

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 am

Buchon....

There is a great French web site for the bird with a good history of it's Spanish journey.

http://www.messerschmitt109.com/

http://www.messerschmitt109.com/espagne/index.html

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:37 am

airnutz wrote:

RickH wrote:

Doesn't Connie Edwards still have the two place at his ranch in Big Springs ?

According to Preserved Axis Aircraft, the HA-1112-M4L is still thought to
be there. There is a Brad Pilgrim phot at the PAA site, tho I forget how
long ago he took them Rick.

Yes, its still there....

Lynn

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:40 am

airnutz wrote:

Great pics...more Please?? Wildcat Glider Pilot story, too?

I have seen a DVD where they tow the Wildcat. From my limited mind, would take off and the one in tow would shut down the engine :shock:

Regards,

Lynn

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:42 am

retroaviation wrote:

RickH wrote:

Connie had several Mustangs. Is he down to only one ?

Yep, one is all I saw left when I was there last. We took three of them out of there that I know of (when I was with Ezell Aviation) a few years back. One was turned into Miss Marilyn II, one was Heber Costello's airplane, and the other was going to go to Romania (or somewhere like that) to be used as a "blueprint" for some new-built Mustangs they were going to produce. I think all of that fell through though, and I personally don't know what happened to that airplane after that.

GA

Gary, someone told me it went to San Antonio, who?? & Why ???

Lynn

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:47 am

King wrote:

retroaviation wrote:

RickH wrote:

Connie had several Mustangs. Is he down to only one ?

Yep, one is all I saw left when I was there last. We took three of them out of there that I know of (when I was with Ezell Aviation) a few years back. One was turned into Miss Marilyn II, one was Heber Costello's airplane, and the other was going to go to Romania (or somewhere like that) to be used as a "blueprint" for some new-built Mustangs they were going to produce. I think all of that fell through though, and I personally don't know what happened to that airplane after that.

GA

The last one to leave was 44-64122. Went to Dr. Wes Stricker and is now called "Kansas City Kitty" in Jefferson City, MO.

Was that the other one that Mr. Costello was going to retore? He was a really nice person to talk with, we could use more like him in aviation...

King · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:26 am

Lynn Allen wrote:

Was that the other one that Mr. Costello was going to retore? He was a really nice person to talk with, we could use more like him in aviation...

I am not really sure. I will ask Connie next time I see him. Its been awhile since I have been to the ranch. He sure has alot of stuff there. :shock:

He is not so easy to get anything from nowadays. I plan on trying to get out there soon and see if he has any 50 cals. for the Mustang.

Chad Veich · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:50 pm

Couple more pics from Gerald.

"At the time 1968, I think this was the only airworthy Spit in Europe although the film company was working hard to dig up some more, which they eventually did."

"Here's a shot of me and a one hundred and nine back when I was in the Luftwaffe.
I will write up (eventually) what it was like to fly the Messer and also, my engine out/ gliding story about the Wildcat..."

airnutz · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:46 pm

Thanks for the confirmation Lynn! And a BIG thank you to Chad for
sharing Gerald's marvelous photos and memories!! Looking forward to
more....

PeterA · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:31 pm

Chad Veich wrote:

Couple more pics from Gerald.

"At the time 1968, I think this was the only airworthy Spit in Europe although the film company was working hard to dig up some more, which they eventually did."

A slight under-estimate there Gerald.

There were about 10 airworthy Spitfires in Europe prior to film preparation in 1967/8.

Your Mk IX there in this shot is actually MH415 still with 'Connie' Edwards at Big Spring Texas.

In this shot the Spitfire is still fitted with the 'fishtail' exhausts, later during filming to be changed for the round type. Note also the strobe protuberances for the machine guns on the leading edge. The only machine so fitted.

The palm tree to the rear would suggest this was taken in Tablada Spain. Now MH415 was the only Spitfire flown down to Spain for the German sequences.

PeterA

Raven · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:39 pm

Only flying Spitfire in continental Europe would be correct then?

In Gerald's 'Luftwaffe Uniform' shot, there's a Casa 2111 behind th eBuchon - and it looks like someone either bellied it, or was very lucky with (over-water?) low flying; those prop blades shouldn't be scimitar shaped!

Great stuff Chad, please let's see some more.

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:00 pm

For those of you who are obviouly interested in the filming of the "Battle of Britian", here's a link to Google Earth of Tablada Airport, where all the German scenes were filmed.
It's sad becuse there is now a highway the goes right up the old ramp, on the Northern edge, in front of he old hangers.
It doesn't appear to be in use anymore.
Jerry

"Tablada SAFB, Spain" lat=37.3379317298, lon=-5.9902318028

slinky · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:47 pm

While we're on the BoB stuff, wasn't there a gear problem that led to a pic of Connie sitting on the wing of either a Buchon (I think) or a Spit landed gear up? I've been searching for it awhile but seem to remember it. Thanks to all for the posts and pictures....I've been to Connie's in the PBY in the late 80s and walked around slack-jawed at all the treasures. There had to have been 4 P-51s, Spit, Buchon, and the HA-1112-M4L with the wings removed against the wall in one hangar alone. I loved it! Breckenridge was my favorite place to go in the world and trips like this one to Connies are treasured memories....

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BoB Buchons and more...pics added

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