Last night I watched Bat 21 with Danny Glover and Gene Hackman (two of my favorite actors). I found myself being inspired to build the plane that Glover’s character was flying. I know it’s a Cessna but can someone tell my what kind it is? I know I’ve seen it offered by Testors but I was sort of hoping to avoid that manufacturer. So does anyone else manufacture that kit in 1/48 scale? I’m so used to building planes with start with a P- or B- or F- or A- that I’m not up on my forward observation planes.
Yep, I’m afraid if you want a 1/48 O-2, you’re stuck with the Testor’s Skymaster (and it’s so old it was orginally made by Hawk, I seem to remember). I have seen some really good models made from that kit, but they were by people who were really good at detailing and scratchbuilding.
If you liked the movie, read the book about the real incident. Something like 12 aircrew were killed and I don’t know how many planes and choppers went down trying to rescue that EWO. He was a Lt. Col. in an EB-66 crew, and he knew a whole lot of military secrets, so the Air Force, certainly not known for leaving downed pilots behind to begin with, put practically the entire MACV to the task of saving him. I seem to have read that he died not too long ago. The Danny Glover character didn’t really exist. He was a composite of lots of brave FACs and Sandy pilots.
I’m going from memory here, but the book’s called, obviously, “BAT 21.”
Lt.Col. Iceal Hambleton was the name of the downed airman. He was involved in the USAF ICBM program before (and after) going to VietNam. His knowledge of our ICBM system was of interest to the “bad guys”, especially the soviets.
He was changed by his experience.[:(]
I worked for him before and after the Bat21 episode.
One thing that did not change was his love for golf.
You worked with the guy? That is neat! I hope that if they make a movie of my life they would get someone as cool as Gene Hackman! LOL! I never realized he was chock full of info that the bad guys wanted. I still wonder how he got the name “Iceal”.
Thanks for the info on the plane, gang! Has anyone here actually build the old Testor’s kit? I wonder if they make aftermarket parts for it.
I’m reading a Dean Koontz book right now (False Memories) but once I’m done I’m going to get my hands on the Bat 21 book. Thanks again for all the info.
Heller makes a fantastic 1/50th scale Cessna F-337 Skymaster, which in my personal (built both of them) opinion, is a much better quality model than the Testors. Of course, the Heller would have to be modified into an O-2, but that modification is simple and straight forward. I remember the main landing gear on the Testors kit as being so weak it would barely support the completed model.
Okay… anyhow, Eric, either of the kits would make a nice looking O-2 with a little work… good luck with which ever path you choose!
Randie, yeah, I went to Roden’s website and done a quick once over, but it just suddenly dawned on me that Roden probably wouldn’t dare get that close to a plane that has a General Aviation linage. [:D]
Steve, have you got one of their new Mohawk’s yet? I’m interested in seeing some reports on it.
If you don’t mind dropping to 1/72, Airfix used to do a kit for the 337. Can’t remember if it was the 337 or the O-2 though, and it’s probably OOP by now, but still…
The Airfix kit is an O-2. Built it once. Typical for Airfix but did look good when it was done.
If you want a little inspiration… I took these at the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Phoenix last week.
Well, who could ask for more than that? It’s one of the things I really like about this site. Back to Missile068’s informative post, well, thanks. I felt I didn’t really do justice to the memory of Col. Hambleton by not going back and looking up his name. Also, I should have added that, for those not familiar with the story of his rescue, no screenwriter’s imagination could ever do justice to what really happened during the days he was on the run, and the incredible bravery and just plain ingenuity that went into rescuing the Col. I won’t give it away for those who want to read about it, but he was definitely a man who loved his golf, and it saved his life, thanks to an ingenious voice from the sky. There’s also a documentary about Col. Hambleton and his rescue that turns up on the Discovery Wings channel fairly often.
Tom
Wow… I guess it’s been a long time since I saw that movie… I could have sworn that Glover was in an O-1. I’ll have to find a copy of it somewhere… if I remember right there’s some F-5 footage in there somewhere isn’t there? I guess I should read the book too, usually that’s better then the movie anyhow.
BTW… I’d like to know how that Roden OV-1 is as well.
Yep, there’s a four ship of F-5s doing a napalm drop somewhere in the film.
On the matter of O-2 kits beyond whats been mentioned, Arii had a 1/72 Cessna 337 kit and made an O-2 kit separately. I had the 337 kit and it had all the O-2 parts just not military decals. The kit didn’t pan out for me, but I can see with some work that it could be made good.
Eric,
Keep in mind, the BAT-21 book, while an excellent read, is still a fictionalized account of the rescue. To read a historically accurate account look for a copy of the official Air Force history of the air war in SEA (I forget the exact title) but they devote a whole chapter to it.
Gary
