Battle of Britain (film)

Battle of Britain is a 1969 film directed by Guy Hamilton. The film broadly relates the events of the Battle of Britain. The script by James Kennaway and Wilfred Greatorex was based on the book The Narrow Margin by Derek Wood and Derek Dempster.

The Making of the Film

For the movie the producers Harry Saltzman and S Benjamin Fisz assembled a huge number of historical aircraft, contracting former Bomber Command war hero Group Captain Hamish Mahaddie to find them. In the late 1960s there were few restoration projects for classic aircraft going on and Mahaddie's efforts rounded up twenty-seven Spitfires, twelve of them flyable, and six Hawker Hurricanes, three of them flyable, which contributed significantly in saving the aeroplanes from extinction.

Related Topics:
Harry Saltzman - S Benjamin Fisz - Bomber Command - Hamish Mahaddie - 1960s - Spitfire - Hawker Hurricane

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Thirty-two Heinkel He 111 bombers and seventeen Merlin-engined Me 109s were also found in Spain. The Messerschmitts were actually Spanish-assembled versions officially designated the Hispano-Suiza HA.1112 Buch?n. In addition, two Spanish-built Junkers Ju 52s were also used. Two of the Heinkels and all the Messerschmitts were later flown to England to complete the shoot.

Related Topics:
Heinkel He 111 - Merlin - Me 109 - Spain - Junkers Ju 52

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Filming was carried out at four airfields, Duxford, Debden, North Weald and Hawkinge, all of which were operational RAF stations during the actual Battle of Britain.

Related Topics:
Duxford - Debden - North Weald - Hawkinge

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