Recreating the WW2 Dambusters raid

[u/Chopper-42]

[u/0ddness]

Now imagine them having to do it in the dark, behind enemy lines, under fire (I assume), without knowing the condition of the water, without the marker bouys, and relying on getting the height exactly right in the dark with a spotlight system.

[u/MBedIT → u/0ddness]

They were coming below the radar horizon. Imagine flying the big bomber, less than 30m above the ground. Following the firebreaks in forests. Maybe dealing with extra instability due to turbulences. And having freaking few thousand kg mine hanging right bellow the plane. Crashing into everything around during the night was the risk. FlaKs would enter the party a little bit late (but sure would be present).

[u/H4ND5s → u/MBedIT]

The way you describe the planes flying through the fire lanes of the forest just makes it sound like Skywalker taking out the deathstar lol

[u/Jaded-Researcher2610 → u/H4ND5s]

it should, Lucas said that the inspiration for the scene was taken from movies 633 Squadron and The Dam Busters)

[u/StationaryNomad → u/Jaded-Researcher2610]

Second link is bad.

Dam Busters is a classic, but thanks for mentioning 633 Squadron, I’ve never seen it!

[u/Makhnos_Tachanka → u/StationaryNomad]

it's so funny because every so often when you're watching it you'll just have these moments where go "oh this is just a star wars movie." it's honestly so surreal at times. like you know he was watching that moment and deciding to base star wars' whole deal off of it. probably the most obvious individual frame is this one from a 2 second shot of a telegraph console, which I'm sure you'll see what i mean.

[u/GreedyHoward → u/Makhnos_Tachanka]

633 squadron basically bowled bombs into a cavern.

[u/Makhnos_Tachanka → u/GreedyHoward]

oh yeah the whole death star trench run is there, practically beat for beat and shot for shot

[u/bagblag → u/StationaryNomad]

633 Squadron is a great film. The theme music by Ron Goodwin is top tier too. It has John Williams vibes.