Hells Angels: Full scale vs. Models

spandau · 26 September 2006, 11:09 AM

Does anyone have any information on the modeling that was used during the filming of Hells Angels? I know that several people were killed during production, but it appears that some of the scenes are models.

Due to the quality of the film and the lighting that was used (mostly night scenes), some of the full scale stuff looks suspicious. How about the zeppelin? How big was it? The scenes of it passing through the clouds were very good.

Thanks,
Spandau

duderank 2000 · 27 September 2006, 05:08 AM

In the dogfight sequence there is a head on mid air collision that is clearly achieved with models, and the only shot of this nature in this part of the movie. Yet this incident has been reported by some sources as an actual collision that took place during filming. The truth about this "collision" is that two of the planes, a Thomas Morse scout and a "Fokker" I believe, brushed against each other causing some damage, forcing the pilots concerned to make emergency landings. It was certainly not what you see happen in the film.

StephenLawson · 28 September 2006, 02:30 AM

You can fin the history of this movie is well covered in:

Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies
by H. Hugh Wynne