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Template:Infobox aviation

Numerous real-world aircraft have appeared in fiction over the decades. These appearances spotlight the popularity of different models of aircraft, and showcase the different models for the general public. For fictional aircraft see List of fictional aircraft, and fictional military aircraft.

The years between World War I and World War II saw extensive use of the new technology (aircraft) in the new medium (film).[1] In the 1920s Hollywood studios made dozens of now-obscure 'aerial Westerns' with leads such as Tom Mix and Hoot Gibson, where the role of the horse was taken by aircraft.[2] In Fascist Italy in the 1930s, aviation-themed films were used as propaganda tools to complement the massed flights led by Italo Balbo in promoting the regime domestically and abroad.[3][4]

A-10 Thunderbolt II

File:Wingblade-movie.jpg
The Transformers toy character of Wingblade as a robot and A-10 Thunderbolt II by Hasbro

The A-10 Thunderbolt II was the inspiration for the Rattler jets in the G.I. Joe series, which are A-10s with added VTOL capabilities and an additional gun turret.[5]

The evil Gobots character Bad Boy and the heroic Transformers character Powerglide both disguise themselves as A-10 Thunderbolt IIs.[6][7] Other Transformers who turned into A-10s include Energon Sky Shadow and Terradive, Timelines Skyfall and Cybertron Wing Saber.[8]

The popularity of the A-10s in the 2007 Transformers film lead to the toy company releasing a minor character named Wingblade, who turned into an A-10.[9]

A-10s were featured as the aircraft used by the human resistance to the machines of Skynet in the 2009 film Terminator Salvation.[10]

A6M Zero

The evil Gobot character Zero turns into an A6M Zero.[11] The Zero was also featured in the movies The Final Countdown,[12] and Pearl Harbor.[13][14] and Tora! Tora! Tora!.[15]

AH-64 Apache

The AH-64 Apache had a major role in the movie Fire Birds (or Wings of the Apache). The AH-64 was also the subject of the Jane's Combat Simulators computer game Longbow. In Longbow, a player flies an Apache in a campaign against Soviet targets. The game received numerous awards for its ultra-realistic flight environment and accurate portrayals of every aspect of the Apache's electronics systems.[16]

The heroic Gobots character Wrong Way turns into an AH-64 Apache.[17] He appears as a supporting character in the animated series Challenge of the Gobots and in the associated toy line from the 1980s.[18]

Antonov An-225

For the fictional AN-500 aircraft seen in the film 2012 see List of fictional aircraft

The Decepticon character Jetstorm from the 2007 Transformers movie line is based on the Antonov An-225. This toy shares its body design with Cybertron Jetfire, Classics Fireflight and Universe Air Raid.[9]

Avro Vulcan

The Avro Vulcan figures in Anthony Gray's 1965 novel The Penetrators, in which an RAF officer attempts to demonstrate a weakness in the North American strategic defense system NORAD by launching a mock attack involving 9 Vulcans and some Vickers Valiant tankers for inflight refuelling.[19]

The Avro Vulcan is also used in the Bond film Thunderball.[20]

B-1 Lancer

The 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again features a cruise missile launch from a B-1 Lancer (although a sequence in which cruise missiles are loaded onto the B-1 was filmed with a Concorde SST substituting for the B-1's undercarriage).[21] In the 1985 film Real Genius, the laser weapon that is developed by Chris Knight is mounted in a B-1's bomb bay. In the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a B-1B is shown dropping numerous 2000 pound JDAMs in the climatic battle scene. In the Young Ones episode "Bomb", a B-1 is shown dropping a bomb on the flatmates' house.[22]

In the Generation 1 Transformers series the Micromasters Blackout and Spaceshot from 1990 combined to form a B-1 Lancer.[23] The B-1 Lancer was used again for the characters of Fireshot and Vanquish.[24]

The Gobots character Bullseye also turns into a B-1 Lancer.[25]

B-17 Flying Fortress

The B-17 Flying Fortress was the subject of the movie Memphis Belle.[26]

B-17s also figured prominently in the Oscar-winning 1949 film Twelve O'Clock High starring Gregory Peck. The film focuses on aviation leadership and the human toll in the USAAF strategy of daylight precision bombing.[27]

B-52 Stratofortress

A B-52 Stratofortress was a focal point of the film By Dawn's Early Light.[28]

The B-52 was also a key part of Stanley Kubrick's 1964 black comedy film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.[29]

Boeing 314

The Ken Follett novel Night Over Water is the story of a group of people who are travelling from England to the United States in a Boeing 314 at the beginning of World War II.[30]

Boeing 747

The Boeing 747 was featured in the film Executive Decision.[31]

A 747-100 was the title subject of the movie Air Force One, portraying the real 747-200 that transports the President of the United States.[32]

CH-46 Sea Knight

The Gobots character Twin Spin turns into a CH-46 Sea Knight.[33]

Concorde

The Concorde was a central feature in the American disaster film The Concorde ... Airport '79, a French Concorde was leased for filming from the manufacturers.[34]

de Havilland Hornet Moth

The novel Hornet Flight by Ken Follett is a thriller of the Resistance against the Nazi occupation of Denmark in World War II. In the novel a de Havilland Hornet Moth is used by the protagonists to fly from Denmark to the United Kingdom with information about a German radar system. The author drew inspiration from an actual flight that took place during World War II.[35]

F-117 Nighthawk

The Nighthawk appeared in the 2007 movie Transformers.[36] A toy based on this aircraft named Mindwipe later appeared in the 2009 Transformers film toy line. [37]

F-4 Phantom II

The Gobots character Mach 3 turns into an F-4 Phantom II[38]

Richard P Herman's novel Warbirds, featured the F-4Es and F-4Gs of the fictional 45th Fighter Wing.

F4U Corsair

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was a regularly featured aircraft in the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep (later renamed Black Sheep Squadron).[39]

F-14 Tomcat

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was the featured in the movie Top Gun.[40][12] It also appeared in the film The Final Countdown and the television series JAG.[12] The Tomcat was a central part of the Stephen Coonts novel Final Flight.[12] Four F-14s were later shown in the movie Executive Decision.[31]

F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is one of the most recognized modern fighters, this has led to, or perhaps even been aided by, its common use in children's toys. The Transformers toy line and media has featured numerous characters who turn into F-15 Eagles, the most notable being the villain Starscream in 1984 and a group of similar Decepticons, the Seekers Thundercracker and Skywarp.[41] This design was later used for the character of Sunstorm. A similar design, with new heads and wings (making them look like modified F-15s) was used for the "Conehead" Seekers Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust. A completely new design, but also based on the F-15 Eagle, was used for the Aerialbot Air Raid.[42]

The Gobots character Leader-1 turns into an F-15 Eagle. In fact his original name in Japan was "Eagle Robo", a reference to the F-15 Eagle name.[43]

F-16 Fighting Falcon

The Gobots character Heat Seeker disguises himself as an F-16 Fighting Falcon.[44]

F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor was the main aircraft behind the game F-22 Lightning 3 created by Novalogic in 1999. The aircraft also played a major role in the previous 2 games released in 1996 and 1997.[45][46]

The F-22 has been featured in numerous books, such as Tom Clancy's Debt of Honor (1994)[47] and Clive Cussler's Dark Watch (2005).[48]

The Raptor has appeared in movies as well. Despite appearing in the 2003 Hulk film, the F-22 made its major Hollywood debut in the 2007 film Transformers[49] as the form taken by the Decepticon character Starscream in addition to numerous USAF fighters that engaged during the initial and climactic battles. The movie crew was allowed to film actual Raptors in flight, unlike previous computer-generated appearances, because of the military's support of director Michael Bay. The Raptors were filmed at Edwards Air Force Base.[50]

Toys released for Starscream were replica F-22 Raptors models. These models were reused for other characters in the line, like Thundercracker, Skywarp and Ramjet, who also turned into F-22 Raptors.[51]

Although the 2007 Transformers film made Starscream the most well known Transformer who turns into an F-22, there were other F-22 Transformers before him. For instance the 1997 Machine Wars versions of Megatron and Megaplex turned into F-22s.[52]

F-35 Lightning II

The first major film appearance of a representation of a F-35B was in Live Free or Die Hard (released as Die Hard 4 outside North America) in 2007. The film used a combination of a full-scale model and CGI[53] to significantly dramatize its hovering ability using the lift fan.

Harrier Jump Jet

The Harrier family's unique VTOL characteristics have led to them being featured in a number of films and flight simulator programs.

The 1983 Guardian Gobot character Royal-T turns into a Harrier jet, in fact his Japanese name for the character was "Harrier Robo."[54]

The Harrier Jump Jet appears in the James Bond movie The Living Daylights, in the science fiction film Battlefield Earth, and in the film True Lies,[31] in which Arnold Schwarzenegger flies an AV-8B. According to the Internet Movie Database, while making True Lies, the filmmakers paid the U.S. government $100,736 (or about $2,400 an hour) for the use of three US Marine Corps Harriers and their pilots.[55]

The Harrier jet also makes an appearance in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as an air support unit.[citation needed]

MC-130 Combat Talon

The Lockheed MC-130 Combat Talon was featured as the rescue aircraft in the film Air Force One.[32]

Mikoyan MiG-29

The Mikoyan MiG-29 is the alternate form of the Transformers Dreadwing as well as his redecos Overcast and Fearswoop from the 2007 and 2009 Transformers movies toy lines.[56]

Nieuport 17

The Nieuport 17 was one of the main aircraft featured in the movie Flyboys.[57][58]

P-51 Mustang

The P-51 Mustang was featured in the film The Tuskegee Airmen.[59]

SH-2 Seasprite

The Gobots character Flip-Top turns into a SH-2 Seasprite.[60]

Sikorsky MH-53

The Sikorsky MH-53 is also featured in the 2007 Transformers film as the alternate mode of Blackout. Production designer Jeff Mann stated "the Pave Low looks butch... the size made it the logical choice."[61] Toys for Blackout were MH-53 replicas, which were reused for the characters of Evac, Spinister and Whirl.[62]

The heavier CH-53E Super Stallion is the alternate form for the Decepticon Grindor in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.[63]

The MH-53 Pave Low also makes an appearance in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as a air support unit.[citation needed]

Sopwith Camel

The First World War Sopwith Camel fighter features prominently in the Biggles stories of W E Johns such as the collections: The Camels Are Coming,[64] and Biggles of the Camel Squadron.[65]

SR-71 Blackbird

Although retired from service for over a decade, the SR-71 Blackbird appears in form of the character Jetfire, an over-the-hill Transformer near the end of his days, in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and its toy line, which are SR-71 models.[66]

The evil Gobots character Snoop turns into an SR-71 Blackbird.[67]

Lockheed U-2

The U-2 made an important appearance in the movie Thirteen Days.[68]

UH-60 Black Hawk

The UH-60 Black Hawk was the title aircraft in the movie Black Hawk Down.[69]

V-22 Osprey

Two CV-22 Ospreys (of only three in the USAF inventory at the time)[70] were filmed in flight at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, in May 2006 for the 2007 Transformers film.[71][72] This would inspire a host of Transformers toys and characters based on the Osprey including the Decepticons Incinerator and Ruination as well as the Autobots Springer and Blades. [73]

V-22s play prominent roles in several novels by Dale Brown, most particularly, Hammerheads which features an MV-22 on the cover.[74] A V-22 was featured in the 2009 film Terminator: Salvation, as one of a few types of aircraft operated by "the Resistance", all of which are primarily surface assault/support aircraft suitable for the Resistance's guerrilla-type operations.[75]

Lt. Colonel John Sheppard contrasts flying a V-22 Osprey "You had to use your hands and feet with that one." to piloting the Ancients' city of Atlantis in Stargate: Atlantis in the season three finale First Strike. He gives the impression that it will be easier to fly the city - "This one you just have to sit down and think... Fly."[76]

The V-22 is also the primary mode of transportation by Third Echelon in the Splinter Cell series.[citation needed]

The V-22 is also one of the primary transport vehicles for military personel in the game Half-Life and it's expansion Opposing Force.

XB-70 Valkyrie

The Transformers character of Silverbolt was upgraded to an XB-70 Valkyrie for the Universe line as an Ultra class toy.[77] This toy was later the basis for the toys for Universe Darkwind, Universe Sky High and the character of Shattered Glass Thunderwing.[78]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Wohl, p.112
  2. ^ Wohl, p.113
  3. ^ Wohl, p.93
  4. ^ Wohl, p.109
  5. ^ Wheeler, Thomas (undated). "G.I. Joe Target Exclusive Cobra Rattler Jet". Retrieved 2009-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  6. ^ TFU.info (2004). "Bad Boy". Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  7. ^ Counter-x (undated). "Bad Boy - Renegade - Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II Jet Fighter". Retrieved 2010-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  8. ^ Cilenti, Darren (undated). "Skyfall". Retrieved 2009-12-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  9. ^ a b Hasbro (2008). "Spring 2008 Toys R Us Exclusives". Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  10. ^ Nichol, Joseph McGinty, Director (2009). Terminator Salvation (film). United States.
  11. ^ Counter xnet (undated). "Zero Renegade". Retrieved 2009-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  12. ^ a b c d "Star Quality". Air & Space Magazine. September 1, 2006. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  13. ^ Persall, Steve (May 27, 2001). "More romance than history". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  14. ^ Wilonsky, Robert (May 24, 2001). "Bora! Bora! Bora!". Houston Press. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  15. ^ Murray, Joe (June 11, 1990). "Texas Air Museum Takes Shape". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. pp. 11A. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  16. ^ T. Liam McDonald. "AH-64D Longbow Review". Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  17. ^ TFU.info (undated). "Wrong-Way - Guardian". Retrieved 2009-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  18. ^ Gobots character guide (undated). "Gobots character guide". Retrieved 2009-12-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  19. ^ Gray, Anthony; 1965; The Penetrators
  20. ^ Theiapolis Cinema (2008). "Thunderball". Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  21. ^ "Concorde archive." concordesst.com. Retrieved: 8 October 2009.
  22. ^ "Bomb". The Young Ones. BBC TV, 1983. No. 4, series 1.
  23. ^ Cobra Island Toys (undated). "DECEPTICON ANTI-AIRCRAFT BASE with BLACKOUT & SPACESHOT (1990: Generation 1: Micromasters)". Retrieved 2009-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  24. ^ Cobra Island Toys (undated). "DECEPTICON BATTLE SQUAD DIRECT-HIT & POWER PUNCH FIRESHOT & VANQUISH MELTDOWN & HALF-TRACK (1990: Generation 1: Micromasters)". Retrieved 2009-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  25. ^ Counter-x (undated). "Bullseye - Guardian - Northrop B-1 Lancer Jet Bomber". Retrieved 2010-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  26. ^ Kilday, Gregg (October 26, 1990). "Final Mission". Entertainment Weekly. pp. Issue #37. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  27. ^ www.aerovintage.com (2008). "Twelve O'Clock High (1949)". Retrieved 2010-01-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  28. ^ Tucker, Ken (June 8, 1990). "By Dawn's Early Light". Entertainment Weekly. pp. Issue #17. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  29. ^ Southern, Terry (2009). "Checkup with dr Strangelove". Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  30. ^ Follett, Ken. "Night Over Water - official website". Retrieved 2010-01-14.
  31. ^ a b c Kemper, Bob (September 8, 1996). "The Military And the Movies". Daily Press. p. 2. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  32. ^ a b Larson, Gary (November 1, 1997). "The Making of Air Force One". Air & Space/Smithsonian. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  33. ^ Counter-x (undated). "Twin Spin Renegade Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter". Retrieved 2009-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  34. ^ "Concorde Accident". Awww.concordesst.com. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  35. ^ Follett, Ken. "Hornet Flight - official website". Retrieved 2010-01-14.
  36. ^ Miles, Donna (June 11, 2007). "Military, Hollywood Team Up To Create Realism, Drama on Big Screen". American Forces Press Service. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  37. ^ http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/first-look-of-revenge-of-the-fallen-voyager-mindwipe-out-of-box/17272/
  38. ^ Counter-x (undated). "Mach-3 - Guardian - McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Jet". Retrieved 2010-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  39. ^ "Warbird part of air museum exhibit". Osceola News Gazette. January 7, 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  40. ^ "Navy retires F-14 'Top Gun' jet". Associated Press. September 22, 2006. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  41. ^ Briese, Beau (2001). "Action Figures From The '80s". Retrieved 2009-12-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  42. ^ TFU.info (2009). "Air Raid". Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  43. ^ Counter-x (undated). "Leader-1 - Guardian - McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle Jet Fighter". Retrieved 2010-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  44. ^ Counter-x (undated). "Heat Seeker - Guardian - General Dynamics F-16 Falcon Jet Fighter". Retrieved 2010-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  45. ^ CBS Interactive Inc (2009). "F-22 Lightning 3". Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  46. ^ Novalogic (undated). "Novalogic". Retrieved 2009-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  47. ^ Clancy, Tom. Debt of Honor. Thorndike, Maine: Thorndike Press, 1994. ISBN 0-7862-0335-8. A lengthy mission by F-22s dominates the last part of the book.
  48. ^ Cussler, Clive. Dark Watch. New York: Berkley Books, 2005. ISBN 0-425-20559-2. In the book, an F-22 embarks on a secret mission to take out a Syrian foe.
  49. ^ Miles, Donna. "Movie makers team with military to create realism." American Forces Press Service, 21 June 2007. Retrieved: 23 November 2008.
  50. ^ Michael Bay's DVD audio commentary for Transformers, 2007, Paramount/DreamWorks.
  51. ^ Hasbro (2007). "Claw Slash Ramjet" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  52. ^ Vandom, D (1997). "Tranformers Machine Wars". Retrieved 2010-01-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  53. ^ Gray, Simon. "One-Man Riot Squad." American Cinematographer Volume 88, issue 7, July 2007. p. 32.
  54. ^ Robot Japan (undated). "Machine Robos or Gobots by Tonka and Popy Toys". Retrieved 2010-01-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  55. ^ IMDB (1994). "Trivia for True Lies". Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  56. ^ Cilenti, Darren (undated). "Movie Dreadwing Toy Review". Retrieved 2009-12-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  57. ^ Briggs, Caroline (May 14, 2005). "Actors learn to fly for war movie". BBC News. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  58. ^ Talcott, Christina (September 22, 2006). "'Flyboy' Rises Above Villainous Past". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  59. ^ Armstrong, Doree (July 31, 2003). "Tuskegee Airmen seek a 'double victory'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  60. ^ Counter-x (undated). "Flip Top - Guardian - Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopter". Retrieved 2010-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  61. ^ "The Making Of The Transformers Movie - Production Design: The Robots, The Vehicles, The Sets". ENI. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  62. ^ Hasbro (2007). "Evac" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  63. ^ "Wheels On Film: Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen". Telegraph.co.uk, 6 July 2009.
  64. ^ Harris, Roger (undated). "The Camels are Coming". Retrieved 2010-01-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  65. ^ Harris, Roger (undated). "Biggles of the Camel Squadron". Retrieved 2010-01-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  66. ^ Hasbro (2008). "TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN - Leader JETFIRE". Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  67. ^ Bickmore, Alex (undated). "Sr-71 Blackbird Renegade known as Snoop". Retrieved 2009-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  68. ^ Travers, Peter (December 18, 2000). "Thirteen Days". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  69. ^ Cappiello, Vince (June 4, 2003). "Survivor credits instinct". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  70. ^ Scalf, Russell (26 May 2006). "Ospreys in flight". United States Air Force.
  71. ^ Ponder, Arlan (5 June 2006). "Movie project transforms Holloman". 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, United States Air Force.
  72. ^ Simmons, Larry A. (3 July 2007). "'Transformers' put Airmen, aircraft on big screen". United States Air Force. Air Force News Agency.
  73. ^ http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=11280&f_cat=&f_year=&f_keyword=incinerator
  74. ^ Born, Dale (1991). Hammerheads. Berkley Books. ISBN 0425126455. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
  75. ^ Yepes, Gregory. Terminator Salvation. McG.
  76. ^ Dialogue with Dr Rodney McKay during the season three finale First Strike.
  77. ^ Yee, Benson (2009). "Transformers Universe 2.0 Toy Reviews: Silverbolt". Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  78. ^ TFU.info (2008). "Silverbolt (2008)". Retrieved 2009-12-07.

Bibliography

  • Gray, Anthony (1965). The Penetrators. London: Souvenir Press. ISBN 0-85177-819-4. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Wohl, Robert (2005). The Spectacle of Flight: Aviation and the Western Imagination, 1920-1950. Carlton, Victoria: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0-300-10692-0. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

Further reading

  • Call, Steve (2009). Selling Air Power: Military Aviation and American Popular Culture After World War II. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 160344100X. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Van Riper, A. Bowdoin (2004). Imagining Flight: Aviation and Popular Culture. College Station, Texas, USA: Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 1-58544-300-x. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)