Flyboys in Air Classics Magazine

Bruno Stachel · 5 October 2006, 07:02 PM

I just read Jim Farmer’s interesting article about Flyboys in the November issue of Air Classics. I thought it was a good article that covered a lot of ground; from some historical background on WWI aviation genre films, the history of the Lafayette Escadrille, to some interesting tidbits on getting all the aircraft together for the film – including a Nieuport 17 replica hanging in a certain famous collector’s museum in Florida.

The article makes some comparisons between Flyboys and the great WWI aviation films Wings, Hells Angels, The Dawn Patrol, and The Blue Max. One interesting note: I didn’t know that director William Wellman wasn’t invited to the opening of Wings, or to the Academy Awards ceremony where it won the first Best Picture Oscar. For that matter, until I read this article, I didn’t know that the director of Wings actually flew for the Lafayette Escadrille!

The article was very informative, and not without criticism. It mentions all of the red tri-planes and why the squadron appeared to conduct training and combat operations from the same field. And we get what I thought were good answers – for using the same field anyway!

I think this is a good informative article. Has anyone else seen the article yet? I’d love to hear your comments.

saruffin · 6 October 2006, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruno Stachel

I didn’t know that director William Wellman wasn’t invited to the opening of Wings, or to the Academy Awards ceremony where it won the first Best Picture Oscar. For that matter, until I read this article, I didn’t know that the director of Wings actually flew for the Lafayette Escadrille!

Ok, I have to ask: Why wasn't he invited??

Also, I believe that Wellman was a member of the Lafayette Flying Corps and not the Lafayette Escadrille. The two groups were not the same.

Bruno Stachel · 6 October 2006, 07:04 AM

It isn't completely clear to me as to exactly why Wellman wasn't invited. Apparently he had a contentious relationship with the producers of Wings. His spending on the film made them very nervous. Farmer does include a quote from Bill Wellman Jr's book, The Man and his Wings, "'Wild Bill' would spend the Academy Awards evening at 'home with an old friend, Jack Daniels...[getting] very drunk.'"

Incidently, according to Farmer, Bill Wellman Jr portrayed his father in the film Lafayette Escadrille.

Bruno Stachel · 6 October 2006, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saruffin

...Also, I believe that Wellman was a member of the Lafayette Flying Corps and not the Lafayette Escadrille. The two groups were not the same.

Your are so correct. My apologies.

It was the Lafayette Flying Corps. The article mentioned Bill Jr portraying his father in the film Lafayette Escadrille. His assoctiation stuck with me that way!

6 October 2006, 07:58 AM

Great article, great pictures.

regards,

Darren

werner vontobler · 6 October 2006, 02:03 PM

Oh well so much for trying to make a scoop in here

, I do try and pick up this magazine when ever I can. My father has almost every issue (one of my favs is the one that covers the BLUE MAX) . There are alot of photos in the article and even with all the "mixed " reviews I was really glad to see FLYBOYS covered in this months issue. If you get a chance go out and pick this one up.

yours respectfully
VonTobler