I recall reading, maybe in Trains about a war film called, "The Yards at Essendorf" or something like that. It never was released as far as I know and was filmed in Western Canada.
Wayne, I'm sure you've noticed the similarities between Dawn Patrol and 12 O'clock High? Both are about the strain of command. I've never seen Men With Wngs, but I've seen all the others you listed. And yes, a steam locomotive with Spitfire accompaniment is a might fine thing!
OH, WELL!! While we are on the TOPIC of being "Off Topic"
I would raise my hand, and say that while remembering that Clambake publishes a 'whole raft' of 'Other Interest Magazines'... IF one mentions another interest, and one is goin'to get to walk the plank' in their Forums?
That simple fact makes good sense that many readers have multiple interests! I'd say lasting 4 or so years, and those hundreds of numerous responses would make a strong argument that WARBIRDS Thread had a modicum of interest and lots of references for the interested to follow....
Those that were Not interested never looked int that Thread.
I wonder if 'Bergie' may occasionally still look in on this Forum, or has he lost his interest, and his "Buttons" ?
P.S. I still miss 'wanswheel', and this little happenstance reminds us all, that when we slip up; no popcorn, and it is off to the Publisher's Guillotine
"Men With Wings" is kind of an obscure film, and I don't know why. It was a spectacular Technicolor production for 1938, and the very interesting story line takes us through the history of flight from pre-World War One years up to the Thirties. It's got one of the best, if not the best, WW1 dogfights ever filmed. I've really got to get off my butt and go shopping for the DVD if it's available.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_With_Wings
I first saw it when I was 12, maybe 13 years old on good old WNEW, Channel 5 out of New York on one of their Sunday afternoon film festivals. It was on YouTube for a bit but it's been pulled. I think Turner Classic Movies owns it now, so they must have said something.
Yes, there are similarities between "Dawn Patrol" and "12 O'Clock High." The main difference is "12 O'Clock" is the first film I'm aware of that has a story line of the hard-nosed commander (who's really a great guy) given command of an underperforming unit with the purpose of whipping it into shape. The story line's become a cliche' by now, it's been done so often.
Strain of command, certainly. So well played by Basil Rathbone and Errol Flynn in "Dawn Patrol," some of Flynn's best work actually, and Gregory Peck in "12 O'Clock."
Since this thread is off the cliff!
How much of our GDP depends upon the various 'Natural' Disasters - Flood, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, wild fires, hurricanes, flash floods and anything else that kills people and destroy's property?
How much would the economy 'contract' if expenditures to replace what nature has destroyed were eliminated? Does the economic welfare of the country DEPEND upon natural disasters?
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Steve Sweeney Folks: I'll be plain. We received a recent complaint about the Warbird thread. Because it's not a railroad topic, it's against the forum rules and I locked it. Four years is a good long time for an off-topic post to stick around and under the radar — pun intended. Kuddos to all of you who kept it clean and above board. And so you know, the editors are NOT out prowling to lock things down or get heavy handed, as one might suggest. No, the way I see it, we're doing the best we can and applying the rules as circumstances present themselves. I certainly hope you understand. All the best, Steve S.
Folks:
I'll be plain. We received a recent complaint about the Warbird thread.
Because it's not a railroad topic, it's against the forum rules and I locked it.
Four years is a good long time for an off-topic post to stick around and under the radar — pun intended. Kuddos to all of you who kept it clean and above board.
And so you know, the editors are NOT out prowling to lock things down or get heavy handed, as one might suggest. No, the way I see it, we're doing the best we can and applying the rules as circumstances present themselves.
I certainly hope you understand.
All the best,
Steve S.
There are other threads on here that are obviously OT, but apparently they don't get locked down because most forum members have enough community spirit that they don't report them to moderators.
charlie hebdo The simple fact of the matter is that forum interest has waned, judging by the number of threads that quickly die and lack of participation. Why? There are fewer members than ever. Why? Lack of interesting subjects. Sure it's Kalmbach's free service, but the boredom level here does nothing to boost paid ciculation. Heavy-handed moderation may be •correct• but it loses sight of the bigger goal.
The simple fact of the matter is that forum interest has waned, judging by the number of threads that quickly die and lack of participation. Why? There are fewer members than ever. Why? Lack of interesting subjects. Sure it's Kalmbach's free service, but the boredom level here does nothing to boost paid ciculation. Heavy-handed moderation may be •correct• but it loses sight of the bigger goal.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Well then start some threads with some Railroad interest!
Things are rolling nicely over at Classic Trains despite a smaller cohort. We just had a hoot with Trains and Watermelons complete with many train songs with watermelons!
Take a look at 'once upon a time in Milwaukee' and give us your 2 cents on what those white things are.
Tons of history and loads of reading. Join in on the quiz, we need more participants.
I think it might help if they fixed, as promised, the Photo of the Day on Trains.
.
Flintlock76Have some former frequent posters died off? Maybe, but there's no way to know. Are some people too intimidated to jump in? I hope not. All newcomers whould be welcomed enthusiastically, and should understand "The only dumb question is the one you're afraid to ask!" I sincerely hope that newcomers aren't intimidated by the frequent posters who seem to dominate the discussions, myself included!* I do think a lot of frequent posters do so in a effort to keep things lively.
Just to share my thoughts, but perhaps there is a common root here?
I don't think that there is any doubt that the hobby is in decline, for a host of reasons. Could it be that even the long time members are finding difficulty maintaining focus on rail related matter, and therefore are drifting off into discussions about fighter aircraft, sailboats, wartime memories, and what not?
I think that at one time the "chatterbox" thread was first started to provide a venue for those who just had to bubble over into non-core subject matter, since then we've grown a humor thread, a sour grapes thread, a sour mash thread....
And I'm not faulting anyone for participating in those threads, I'm just pointing out that there might be some negative synergy going on that is less than obvious to those members who consider this place to be "their living room".
It also seemed like this place suffered major brain drain back when the moderation became a little heavy handed a few years back. There were a number of regular posters who managed to keep things interesting that are no longer here.
One other thing that I'll add. There are a couple posters here who, due to their non-conformist ideas, have become punching bags for the group I'll loosely identify as the "good ol' boy network".
If you think that type of "kangaroo court" behavior provides an inviting atmosphere to potential new members coming here for the first time and seeing that...then perhaps it's no coincidence that the "problem" here is so invisible to you
end of rant..
Convicted OneIt also seemed like this place suffered major brain drain back when the moderation became a little heavy handed a few years back. There were a number of regular posters who managed to keep things interesting that are no longer here.
Some of whom, perhaps significantly, still regularly post to blog comments ... just not here.
I do think part of the problem is that some of the posters who helped foster a sense of community -- Jen and Ed being two -- have passed on, and others (wanswheel looming large) have been expediently banned for what I think are largely internal political reasons.
A large part is certainly the perceived acrimony, to which I have contributed probably more than my fair share. (And every time I try to cut back, I find there's more cutting back that needs to be done.) It is more than possible that some members who want this to be "their living room" get upset when Uncle Bob gets crotchety with Grandpa Charlie.
All: This is quickly becoming on off-topic topic. For the good of the order, I will re-title the original post. I will also lock this down now, sooner than expected. I will also start a new rail topic in General. Please watch for it. ~SS
Steve SweeneyDigital Editor, Hobby
Steve SweeneyAll: This is quickly becoming on off-topic topic. For the good of the order, I will re-title the original post. I will also lock this down on Friday about noon Central time. I will also start a new rail topic in General. Please watch for it. ~SS
And there you go - taking the FUN out of the forum.
What is it you dislike about posters having FUN within a topic.
Forums are for the FUN of those that participate in them. NO FUN and they go elsewhere - is that your intent? Run people off the forum and then close it?
And the "Wettest Blanket Award" goes to............
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