Strategic Air Command Movie Source Bing.com
The movie, Strategic Air Command, was released in 1955 and starred James Stewart and June Allyson. It tells the story of a former baseball player who is recalled to active duty in the US Air Force and becomes a B-36 bomber pilot. The movie was a box office success, but it had its fair share of goofs and errors. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Uniform Mistakes
Uniform Mistakes Source Bing.com
One of the most obvious mistakes in the movie is the incorrect uniform worn by James Stewart. He is shown wearing a colonel’s rank insignia on his jacket lapels when he is actually a major. In addition, his ribbons are shown in the wrong order of precedence.
Another mistake is the use of an Air Force patch on a Navy uniform. June Allyson’s character is shown wearing a Navy uniform with an Air Force patch on the sleeve. This would not have been possible in real life.
Aircraft Inconsistencies
Aircraft Inconsistencies Source Bing.com
The B-36 bomber is the main aircraft featured in the movie, but there are a number of inconsistencies with its portrayal. For example, the cockpit of the B-36 is shown as having a large window in the front, which did not exist on the real aircraft. In addition, the movie shows the B-36 being able to take off and land on a runway that is far too short for the actual aircraft.
Another inconsistency is the appearance of a B-47 bomber in the movie. The B-47 did not enter service until several years after the movie was made, so it would not have been possible for it to appear in the movie.
Geographical Errors
Geographical Errors Source Bing.com
There are also several geographical errors in the movie. The most notable one is the scene where James Stewart’s character is flying the B-36 over the Grand Canyon. The scenery shown in the movie is actually Bryce Canyon National Park, which is several hundred miles away from the Grand Canyon.
Another error is the use of stock footage from different locations. In one scene, the B-36 is shown flying over a mountain range that is clearly not in the United States. This footage was likely taken from a foreign film and used to save on production costs.
Technical Mistakes
Technical Mistakes Source Bing.com
The movie also has a number of technical mistakes. For example, the radio communication between the B-36 and ground control is often shown as being crystal clear, even when the aircraft is flying at high altitude. In reality, radio communication at high altitude can be very difficult and often requires special equipment.
Another mistake is the portrayal of the B-36’s bomb bay doors. In the movie, the doors are shown as opening outward, which is incorrect. The actual doors opened downward, which allowed the bombs to be dropped more accurately.
Conclusion
Despite these goofs and errors, Strategic Air Command remains a classic movie that is well worth watching. Its portrayal of the US Air Force during the Cold War is both informative and entertaining. However, if you’re a stickler for accuracy, you may want to watch the movie with a critical eye.
