WIX Archives
Re: SM79 on film
Posted by Jim Winchester on Fri Oct 11, 2002 01:06:54 PM
In reply top SM79s posted by simon king on Fri Oct 11, 2002 12:52:40 PM
I didn't see the beginning of this epic (someone called me to say there were SM.79s in this thing, which were gone by the time I could get to a set. 'They Who Dare' in colour and starring Dirk Bogarde (with Denholm Elliot in a supporting role) was released in 1954 - and that's about all I have been able to find out. There are at least 3 SM.79s in it, which appear many times, static, taxying, taking off (2) and flying (2). All are in green camo with a white band and tail cross. The one number I saw was '192' (twice). Most of them were blown up (in model form using lighter fluid) during the course of the film.
I believe that Italy kept some SMs in service as transports through the 50s and the Lebanese ones weren't delivered until circa 1960. No idea where this was made, but did anyone spot the Beaufighter in one of the sneaking about the airfield scenes? Appeared to be all black and had the upswept tailplanes. Maybe that's a clue?
Can anyone shed any more light on this epic?
Jim