What aircraft is this?

[CaptainCub]

Was watching 633 Squadron over the weekend and was curious as to what type of aircraft the Norwegian Resitance Leader flies to England on at the beginning of the picture. It's a single engine low wing sport plane, (A Dehaviland I think since the cowling looks similar to that of a Tiger Moth) It had three tails and was in RAF camo. Anyone got some info?

[Hagar]

I don't remember the film but it sounds like a Miles Messenger. Not many left now. This one is based not far from where I live. http://www.pbase.com/airluis/image/32228416/original

(A Dehaviland I think since the cowling looks similar to that of a Tiger Moth)

Most British light aircraft of the period had a similar cowling.

[Fozzer]

Cant mistake that cowling, housing the inverted, air-cooled, 4-cylinder DH Gipsy engine, with the elongated cooling air intake hole on the left-hand side... ...!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Gipsy

Instant recognition... ...!

Paul.

[Hagar]

The Messenger has a Blackburn Cirrus Major engine. http://www.airbaseuk.com/images/aircraft/Blackburn-Cirrus-1936-1.jpg

[Fozzer]

The Messenger has a Blackburn Cirrus Major engine. http://www.airbaseuk.com/images/aircraft/Blackburn-Cirrus-1936-1.jpg

I've got a funny idea that I saw one of those from my back garden a number of years ago, en-route to a Shobdon EGBS fly-in.
It attracted my attention by its unusual tail, and distinctive engine sound for a small plane.... ...!

Paul.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Aircraft

[Hagar]

I've got a funny idea that I saw one of those from my back garden a number of years ago, en-route to a Shobdon EGBS fly-in.
It attracted my attention by its unusual tail, and distinctive engine sound for a small plane.... ...!

Paul.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Aircraft

That's quite possible. The Messenger is the only light aircraft I can think of with triple fins. Like most Miles aircraft it's of all-wood construction. FG Miles Ltd was based at Shoreham Airport in the "good old days" of my youth.

Cirrus engines tend to sound harsher than their Gipsy equivalents for some reason. Probably due to the stub exhausts.

[ozzy72]

Haven't watch the film for donkeys years but 30 seconds with google gives Doug the star prize!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/633_Squadron
Look under "The aircraft"

[patchz]

The nose reminds me of the aircraft James Garner and Donald Pleasence used to attempt escape in The Great Escape. I've often wondered what it was, but always forget to ask, until now. Anyone know?

[Hagar]

The nose reminds me of the aircraft James Garner and Donald Pleasence used to attempt escape in The Great Escape. I've often wondered what it was, but always forget to ask, until now. Anyone know?

That was a Bucker Bestmann. The one used in the film lived at Old Warden until recently. I took this photo last year. http://picasaweb.google.com/Grumpix/OldWardenOctober2009#5440994518841700626

[patchz]

The nose reminds me of the aircraft James Garner and Donald Pleasence used to attempt escape in The Great Escape. I've often wondered what it was, but always forget to ask, until now. Anyone know?

That was a Bucker Bestmann. The one used in the film lived at Old Warden until recently. I took this photo last year. http://picasaweb.google.com/Grumpix/OldWardenOctober2009#5440994518841700626

Thanks Doug.
The one in your photo looks even better than the one in the movie. The rest of the shots are great too.

[Hagar]

The nose reminds me of the aircraft James Garner and Donald Pleasence used to attempt escape in The Great Escape. I've often wondered what it was, but always forget to ask, until now. Anyone know?

That was a Bucker Bestmann. The one used in the film lived at Old Warden until recently. I took this photo last year. http://picasaweb.google.com/Grumpix/OldWardenOctober2009#5440994518841700626

Thanks Doug.
The one in your photo looks even better than the one in the movie. The rest of the shots are great too.

Thanks Larry. My album photos look better if you click the Full Screen option.

I believe the Bestmann in my photo is the same one used in the film. It's been fully restored since then. Did you realise "The Great Escape" was made over 45 years ago.

[patchz]

The nose reminds me of the aircraft James Garner and Donald Pleasence used to attempt escape in The Great Escape. I've often wondered what it was, but always forget to ask, until now. Anyone know?

That was a Bucker Bestmann. The one used in the film lived at Old Warden until recently. I took this photo last year. http://picasaweb.google.com/Grumpix/OldWardenOctober2009#5440994518841700626

Thanks Doug.
The one in your photo looks even better than the one in the movie. The rest of the shots are great too.

Thanks Larry. My album photos look better if you click the Full Screen option.

I believe the Bestmann in my photo is the same one used in the film. It's been fully restored since then. Did you realise "The Great Escape" was made over 45 years ago.

Yes, but I never get tired of watching it. Talk about a stellar cast.

[Fozzer]

All this discussion regarding Miles Aircraft has encouraged me to install three of the models in my Hangar:

Miles Messenger.
Miles Magister.
Miles Gemini. (Twin).

I've just spent an enjoyable Saturday afternoon trying them out in California Central Valley: Byron, Funny Farm, and Tracy Airfields.

Wonderful!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

Paul...G-BPLF..FS 2004...FS Nav... ...!

I have a nice screen-shot of the Miles Magister, once the Sim V upload upload is up and uploading again... ...!
..temporally down!.... ...!

[H]

Did you realise "The Great Escape" was made over 45 years ago.

Yeah, it was during WWII...
          oh, the movie!          

8-)

[Fozzer]

All this discussion regarding Miles Aircraft has encouraged me to install three of the models in my Hangar:

Miles Messenger.
Miles Magister.
Miles Gemini. (Twin).

I've just spent an enjoyable Saturday afternoon trying them out in California Central Valley: Byron, Funny Farm, and Tracy Airfields.

Wonderful!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

Paul...G-BPLF..FS 2004...FS Nav... :)...!

I have a nice screen-shot of the Miles Magister, once the Sim V upload upload is up and uploading again... ;)...!
..temporally down!.... :'(...!

I finally got the NEW Sim V Uploader to work!...(thanks Shane)...>>>>



My Miles Magister parked up at Livermore (KLVK) in front of an enthusiastic crowd!