The squadron seen as the aerobatics team is 43 Squadron. The airbase which poses as R.A.F. Wunsdorf in West Germany is in fact R.A.F. Leuchars in Fife, home base of 43 Squadron.
Filmed and released in Technicolor in GB but only released in B&W in USA
The de Havilland Vampire jet planes seen in this film had a surprisingly short active service life with the RAF, lasting only from 1946 to about 1960 before being replaced by more sophisticated planes. By the time this film was made they were already considered old fashioned, especially compared to the more advanced Russian MIG jets and plans were being initiated to replace them with the next generation of jet fighters. However some other countries like the new Zealand Air force continued using the planes until the 1970s.
This film was made by Warwick Films and distributed through Columbia pictures. Warwick Films was half owned by Albert R 'Cubby' Broccoli, who would go on to produce the official James Bond films starting in 1962. Warwick films made several medium budget British made action films (mostly in Technicolor) for Columbia between 1951 - 62. When Warwick films was wound down after a disagreement with co-producer Irving Allen and a falling out with Columbia, Broccoli started EON Productions (along with Harry Saltzman) to make the James Bond series for United Artists. Broccoli rehired several of the actors and technical staff from Warwick to work on the new venture. Most notable of these were director Terence Young, actor Bernard Lee and art director Syd Cain. All of these would feature prominently in the Bond series in the 1960s & 70s.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
