Is "The Blue Max" unique?

[Tom_Cervo]

"Unique", in showing a side of air fighting rarely if ever shown? Most air combat movies show the usual range of reluctant heroes, some of them war weary, or cheerful ordinary guys who just want to do their duty.
In "The Blue Max" that would be Fabian, the likable chap who's glad to hear the birds again, and he gets chopped right away.

No, this movie's about hunters. Stachel and Kluggermann are neither reluctant or war weary, cheerful mainly at the prospect of a kill in the air (or in bed), and seeing their duty as sending as many enemies down as possible.

Now we know from experience and memoirs that these are the ones who get the job done. Yet how often do we see them in the movies?

[Pete Hill]

I think you are right, Tom. Another sense in which the Blue Max is unique is that it shows the aircraft moving at a realistic (accurate) speed unlike the recent epics that show the CGI-WW1 aircraft flying like supersonic jets.

Pete

Sorta unique I guess. I will say that it sure is alot different from the book.

[bristol scout]

Another way it's unique is that it shows the medal as being blue and SILVER!!!!!!!!--although iv'e mentioned it here before! Can anyone explain that?

Dave.

[rednev]

Easy to explain , historical accuracy .
November 16th 1916 willhelm 11 signed a decree ordering all formerly gold based medals and order decorations to be made in gilt silver .
Even heros had to make do and mend .
The silver versions are stamped with the legal required silver content mark on the top of the ring loop "938" , but dont ask me how much silver 938 is cause i dont have a clue .

[Chock]

938 is the assay stamp and relates to the purity of the metal, so that would be how many parts per thousand are actually silver - i.e Sterling Silver is stamped 925, being 925 parts per 1000 and Royal Silver is stamped 975, being 975 parts per thousand.

As with most metal jewelery and medals, the lower the purity of the metal, the more hard-wearing it is and the higher the melting point, which is why you can solder Sterling Silver with a blow torch, by painting the joins with flux and using tiny bits of pure silver placed over the join, which melt first and flow into the gap to join the two parts.

Al

[bristol scout]

But surely "Gilt silver' is exactly that---silver base coated in a gilt finish------looking like Gold ? Are you saying that the Blue Max used during W.W.1 was silver and blue? Surely NOT!!

Dave---always in favour of " easy to explain Historical accuracy" as long as it works.

[rednev]

The Godet made Pour le Mérite

photos of both gold and silver versions shown

[bristol scout]

Originally Posted by rednev

The Godet made Pour le Mérite

photos of both gold and silver versions shown

I'm sorry---but I only see Gold and Gilt versions---photos and mention of gilt silver--that means gold plated silver--does'nt it? One has the 'gilt' wearing thin but gilt is gilt ---Gold plating!

I still ---
A) have not ever seen a silver and blue Blue Max--nor have I

B) ever heard of any----Gilt Silver means Gold Plated Silver does'nt it???

Not trying to be obtuse here---but as you said--in the interests of "Historical accuracy"...

Dave.

[rednev]

Did you look at the plm awarded 1st april 1918 to Generalmajor Paul Krause ?Looks silver to me.