Gun firing inaccuracy in "The Blue Max" movie?

10 September 2005, 01:54 PM

Hi all!

I'm a new member of the forum that just discovered this website, and I hope you can help resolve something that has been making me crazy.

I recently got a copy of the classic WWI aviation movie "The Blue Max" on DVD. Overall, they do a pretty fair job of trying to be as accurate as possible with aircraft (only real complaint - couldn't they have found something better than Tiger Moths for their "Albatros" fighters? I mean, they did have a pretty fine Pfalz DIII replica). But one thing is really bugging me. Any time the German pilots (George Peppard, etc) are seen firing their guns, you see them reaching out of the cockpit to pull a lever between the twin Spandau guns to fire them. Didn't they have a firing button/switch on the control stick, like the Allied fighters? I believe you had to reach out to the gun to clear a jam, but trying to fly the plane with one hand and shoot with the other does seem a little odd. I have been to my local aviation museum (Museum of Flight/Seattle), where they have a nice collection of genuine and replica WWI fighters, but the docents were of no help. If any of you can shed some light on this, I would be very glad.

Thanks!

PS On a side note, can anyone recommend any other good WWI movies? I like The Blue Max, and just saw a French film "A Very Long Engagement", which has some riveting depictions of trench warfare. Any other good ones?

EricGoedkoop · 10 September 2005, 02:22 PM

Welcome to the 'Drome, Boatingbob.

The lever used to fire the guns in The Blue Max is complete hooey - German fighters had triggers on the control columns just like everybody else. I expect it was done for dramatic effect, since we never see the insides of the cockpits (probably a good thing) or the pilots' hands otherwise.

Major Larabee · 10 September 2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatingbob

Hi all!

I'm a new member of the forum that just discovered this website, and I hope you can help resolve something that has been making me crazy.

I recently got a copy of the classic WWI aviation movie "The Blue Max" on DVD. Overall, they do a pretty fair job of trying to be as accurate as possible with aircraft (only real complaint - couldn't they have found something better than Tiger Moths for their "Albatros" fighters? I mean, they did have a pretty fine Pfalz DIII replica). But one thing is really bugging me. Any time the German pilots (George Peppard, etc) are seen firing their guns, you see them reaching out of the cockpit to pull a lever between the twin Spandau guns to fire them. Didn't they have a firing button/switch on the control stick, like the Allied fighters? I believe you had to reach out to the gun to clear a jam, but trying to fly the plane with one hand and shoot with the other does seem a little odd. I have been to my local aviation museum (Museum of Flight/Seattle), where they have a nice collection of genuine and replica WWI fighters, but the docents were of no help. If any of you can shed some light on this, I would be very glad.

Thanks!

PS On a side note, can anyone recommend any other good WWI movies? I like The Blue Max, and just saw a French film "A Very Long Engagement", which has some riveting depictions of trench warfare. Any other good ones?

Darling Lili, Von Richtofen and Brown, Aces High.

Vin · 10 September 2005, 11:36 PM

Have a look at
The Blue Max
for an earlier discussion.

13 September 2005, 03:15 PM

to me none of it really matters i just watch a movie for pure enjoyment but your right now that you say it, it does seem a little corny.

14 September 2005, 11:38 AM

Preparing the Nieuport 17 G-BWMJ for the film 'Flyboys' the props company sent a Vickers machine gun to be fitted to the cowl deck as we only had a Lewis on a Foster mount attached to the top wing. The Vickers had its cocking handle extension on top rather than under. The reason was that the pilot, seen cocking and fumbling with his guns in combat was far more visual than having him squint a little.

Id go along with that point.

Bob GG

David_Layton · 14 September 2005, 03:38 PM

In the Jonny Quest episode Shadow of the Condor, the animators correctly showed the trigger mechanism for the SPAD XIII.

Not bad for 1964 animation.

Of course, the climatic moment where Race Bannon shaves the rudder of Baron Heinrich Von Froelich's white Fokker DVII with his prop was a bit over the top.

14 September 2005, 06:42 PM

Hi David!

I'm a big Jonny Quest fan too. I have all the (original) episodes on DVD, but not those silly recent versions. It may not be quite so 'over-the-top' to score a kill by shaving off a portion of your opponent's plane with your prop. I seem to recall it was done at least once in WWI and WWII. Not common, but not impossible, either. Desparate men can do desparate things, and sometimes live to tell the tale.

On a sidebar, here's a question for any friends following this thread. Any leads on good WWI flight sims? I just got a copy of "Red Baron 3d". Graphics are a little dated, but the AI and the mission/career generator is pretty darn good. Any other recommendations?

Blue Max · 15 September 2005, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatingbob

On a sidebar, here's a question for any friends following this thread. Any leads on good WWI flight sims? I just got a copy of "Red Baron 3d". Graphics are a little dated, but the AI and the mission/career generator is pretty darn good. Any other recommendations?

My suggestion would be that you either find the 'Hell's Angel's" superpatch or invest in the 'Full Canvas Jacket' superpatch. Both update the graphics fairly significantly, as well as gameplay, enemy AI, and realism.

Welcome to the boards, sir.

zoomzoooie · 24 September 2005, 08:02 PM

RB3D has a good online following. Get the update terrain patches for oustanding graphic a update. You will need a glide patch or a Voodoo card that supports glide.
Promised Land now have the FCJ on the site. I use Promised Land Super Patch which has the same terrain but not the cockpits. I can send you the PL superpatch if you have MSN messenger. You will also need the 1078 patch which will allow you to see the servers.
Here's some sites to check:
http://www.wings-of-valor.net/
http://rensg.sqhq.net/index.htm
http://www.jamrom.com/hellsangels/main.htm
That should get you started.

Hope to see you in the RB skies

ZZ
:aka RB3D FA62 Stachel

PS if you need help you can email me.