Aircraft used for camera platforms for movies and TV

[McColm]

Hi,
Many of you have asked me what will I make with the left over parts and I think this is the answer. I've seen pictures of a four engined turbo prop aircraft with what looks like the front portion of a EA-6B Prowler added to the nose section.
This could have been a prototype or training aircraft.
The early pictures of the Apache had an added single cockpit to the front of a Sea King.
The combinations are endless as I can picture a P-3 Orion with a Tornado added to the front, plus the front landing gear.

The real world Tu-128UT-'Fiddler'/  or TU-28UT 'Pelican' three seater jet trainer also has a cockpit grafted onto the front section. The radar nose houses the instructor.
You can buy this kit in 1/72 scale.

[famvburg]

     Are you sure it was a 4 engined a/c? How about only 2?

http://www.aero-web.org/specs/grumman/tc-4c.htm

Hi,
Many of you have asked me what will I make with the left over parts and I think this is the answer. I've seen pictures of a four engined turbo prop aircraft with what looks like the front portion of a EA-6B Prowler added to the nose section.

[McColm]

No, the forward nose section had glass panels.
Thanks for trying.

[rallymodeller]

Was it the NC-131H "Total In-Flight Simulator"?



Retired only in the last few years, and now at the USAF Museum, this plane was involved in literally dozens of aircraft development programs (had different nose cockpits fitted over its life). The flight control setup could be programmed to simulate just about any transport aircraft that can be imagined, and the large vertical fins on the wings can simulate strong crosswind forces, among other things.

As far as the Tu-128UT trainer, this was fairly common for the Russians. The same setup (instructor cockpit replacing the radar nose) was used for the MiG-25PU and Il-28U as well.

[McColm]

Thanks that's it!! and I thought it had four engines. Mine will.

[Rheged]

There once was a vogue for using Mitchells as camera aircraft.   Gavin Lyall wrote  "Shooting Script" (fiction) about one years and years ago.

[PR19_Kit]

There once was a vogue for using Mitchells as camera aircraft.   Gavin Lyall wrote  "Shooting Script" (fiction) about one years and years ago.

A cracking book. 

I love the bit where the hero dumps the Mitchell right down on top of his adversary's Vampire during it's take-off run!

They used a Mitchell as the main camera ship for the 'Battle of Britain' film, it had cameras in the nose and tail, and one on a big arm that de-tracted out of the bomb bay too! It looked pretty bizarre tracking over Duxford with that thing hanging out underneath it.

[Rheged]

A cracking book. 

I love the bit where the hero dumps the Mitchell right down on top of his adversary's Vampire during it's take-off run!

Gavin Lyall is always worth a read. I rather enjoyed the concept of taking out a squadron of Vampires with  a couple of tons of building bricks!

[McColm]

Anyone got a copy they'd lend me?

[Rheged]

Anyone got a copy they'd lend me?

I'd be delighted to loan you mine IF ONLY THE LAST PERSON TO BORROW IT WOULD RETURN IT!!!

9780330020596  is the ISBN  and you may be able to request a copy from your local library through the UK inter library loan service. Abe books have used copies for sale at about 75p plus p&p each.  If I can't find where my copy has gone, I'm going to be in the queue after you!

[PR19_Kit]

Along with Brian Lecomber's 'Talk Down' Gavin's 'Shooting Script' are the two most KNACKERED books in my library. Goodness knows how many times I've read them both, usually one after the other too!

[McColm]

light bulb flashing in head. A new topic the Whiff Library-books to read at bedtime!!

[Geoff]

I am doing a "Bollywood Does the Battle of Britain group build" with another member of the Keigthly club. We have been trying to work out what to use as a camera plane, we had thought of a B-25 but wanted something sillier. Any suggestions please (it has to be in 1/72nd scale)

[sideshowbob9]

^ Amiot 143?

[scooter]

I am doing a "Bollywood Does the Battle of Britain group build" with another member of the Keigthly club. We have been trying to work out what to use as a camera plane, we had thought of a B-25 but wanted something sillier. Any suggestions please (it has to be in 1/72nd scale)

H.P. 42?  If you can find on in 72d.  How about a Boeing 247?