STEARMANS FOR JAPANESE FILM

Air Classics, Aug 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

WWII trainers finished in Japanese markings

During April, aerial film work was being done utilizing two Stearmans painted up in "Hollywood" markings for a film about women in Japanese aviation. Since there are no vintage flying aircraft in Japan, the decision was made to do the aerial work in southern California with filming being done over the agricultural areas near Camarillo and over the Pacific Ocean. Using a helicopter as a camera platform, the two Stearmans, finished in rather unconvincing Japanese civilian markings, were filmed in a number of situations. After filming, the Hollywood paint was washed off and the planes returned to their previous markings. It is interesting that the pair consisted of one stock Stearman and one Super Stearman with a 450-hp engine and cowling.