Aircraft Type in King Kong

Gil · 22 November 2005, 12:00 PM

This might be a little off topic; "What type of aircraft do you suppose was used to attack the King Kong on top of the Empire State Building"? Some say it was a Curtiss Helldiver...,

-Gil

buzz1941 · 22 November 2005, 12:44 PM

I believe they are, and as I recall, perhaps flown by a Navy reserve unit on Long Island. In the cockpit shots, that's Cooper and Shroedsack.

Gil · 22 November 2005, 11:04 PM

Messing about the internet the following information was gleaned:

1.) Planes used were: Curtiss O2C-2
Consolidated NY-1 or 2 (?)
2.) They were flown by Navy pilots stationed on Long Island who were paid $10.00 under the table. $100 was officially donated to the Navy Fund.

-Gil

P.S. Anyone have a good 3-View of either of the above?

Barrett · 25 November 2005, 04:21 PM

In the new version the aeroplanes are two gorgeous reproductions of the Curtiss F8C "Helldiver" (name being unofficial at the time.) One or both will be offered for sale to museums & collectors.

Zeppelin · 28 November 2005, 10:54 AM

I could be wrong, but it seems to me I've seen the insignia on the Helldivers depicting one of my favorite squadrons, "Tophatters". Cool!

Best regards,
Zeppelin

Gil · 28 November 2005, 01:56 PM

Did it look like this?

Mark_Miller · 28 November 2005, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Did it look like this?

Gil
yes, that is the insignia - but on a red circle
proportions are a little different though

helldiver color scheme:
red tail
green fuse stripe, speed ring, wheel hubs and chevron (on top wing)
and the yellow top wing of course.

should be pretty cool

buzz1941 · 28 November 2005, 06:31 PM

Hey, I saw the original movie. Those plane colors were black, white and grey!

Gil · 28 November 2005, 10:23 PM

Mark,

I grabbed it off the net and did a quick trace in Illustrator. I've been knocking around the idea of designing a card model of the Curtiss F8C-4 (O2C-2) per the "King Kong" markings. Scale would be 1:16. I have to order some of Bob's Air Doc stuff to see if there's enough information to complete a design.

-Gil

Barrett · 29 November 2005, 07:24 AM

Jim Dietz (who haunts these spaces on occasion) was involved in Jackson's remake. Jim asked some very specific questions about USN aircraft markings for the period, which I was happy to provide. I take that as a Good Sign for authenticity of the Helldivers.

I don't know which squadron will be depicted in the film, but FWIW, Fighter Squadron 41, the Tophatters, is the oldest remaining USN aviation unit. It's due to convert from Tomcats to Hornets.

(At this point I shall dispense with the obligatory half-page Rant about the imbiciles who determine which USN squadrons are axed. Some very distinguished units, with battle honors from Midway, Guadalcanal and onward, have been terminated in favor of vastly lesser entities without one war to their name. Grump.
Grump squared.)