When you see the planes appear, going into cuban airspace to take the photograph. This is the plane appearance that I have liked the most in any movie ever. Any thoughts? Other plane appearances in other movies?
pd. This might be not a serious topic, but I just liked it very much...
Assuming that you mean the two planes that do the low-level reconnaissance over the Cuban jungle and get shot up, then yes, those are really hot. They are Vought RF-8 Crusaders (not sure the exact designation.) I am a fan of military aircraft from that era, and F-8s are the among the best-looking, IMO, along with F-106s. You don't see them very often in movies, which is unfortunate.
The pilot who is portrayed in the film, the squadron commander who gets called to Washington to personally debrief with the Joint Chiefs, was a technical adviser on Thirteen Days. The scene feels pretty darned authentic. I was impressed with the detail of getting takeoff clearance from the tower via light gun signal. That would make sense, considering that they were probably close enough to Cuba for radio signals to be picked up, which might have given some early warning to the air defense batteries.
"Morbius, something is approaching from the southwest. It is now quite close."
I liked two things about that:
1.- just to see the two planes appearing, the sound, flying low and that...
2.- but also when the guy (in Washington I believe) tells the pilot (something like) "listen... you cannot be shot down, do you understand?!?"
At the end of the mission: they shot you guys!!! those were "birds"...
Interesting fact that one about the light gun signal...
shareThe F8's in this film were hot.
I also liked the F-101s (I think) doing the missing man formation over the shot down U2 pilot near the end of the film.
Conquer your fear, and I promise you, you will conquer death.
When I was stationed at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska in SAC in 1965, a Convair B-58 paid us a "visit" and when it was repaired it took off, hit it's afterburners and it just disappeared into the sky. It was gone. Very powerful and fast. The RF-101 was at the same base where I was in Viet Nam. Long time ago.
shareI just recorded this and am watching it again. Funny, but I feel the same about that scene. You really get the feeling of the danger these pilots were in when they flew over Cuba; swooping in and out so fast. I find it really exciting. It's probably why I'm watching the movie again...just for that scene!
shareEpic Scene!
hahahahaha