Disco Volante Query
Gadget Meister
Bicester, OxonPosts: 1,972MI6 Agent
As I've just been watching TB, a recurring question that has been bugging me for years sprang to mind. Now I have searched AJB and the TB Obessional and come up dry, in fact can't even find it mentioned.
There are without a doubt three totally different vessels used to portray the Disco Volante. The one we are all familiar with is the action prop utilising the hydrofoil and the manufactured cocoon. We also know the the ensemble was used as a houseboat in the 70s and if memory serves fell into disrepair, sank in shallow water and was later scrapped (sacrilege).
The second was the fairly crude model that runs on to the coral and explodes.
But the third is the one I'm interested in. First seen as Bond recces the DV with Leiter
prior to his underwater investigation of the DV in the harbour from cataraman and Vargas drops grenades onto him (in this grenade sequence we are back to the Action DV. Then later as Bond and Leiter hover over the DV whilst watching Palmyra. Although similar, this vessel appears a fair bit larger than the action DV and has different porthole positions.
And then when Bond lunches at Palmyra
To further prove the point a rare shot of DV #3 with the action cocoon adjacent.
Has this nugget passed me by and been discussed elsewhere? Could it be remotely possible that this DV still exists? If you know or have any views pls chime in.
There are without a doubt three totally different vessels used to portray the Disco Volante. The one we are all familiar with is the action prop utilising the hydrofoil and the manufactured cocoon. We also know the the ensemble was used as a houseboat in the 70s and if memory serves fell into disrepair, sank in shallow water and was later scrapped (sacrilege).
The second was the fairly crude model that runs on to the coral and explodes.
But the third is the one I'm interested in. First seen as Bond recces the DV with Leiter
prior to his underwater investigation of the DV in the harbour from cataraman and Vargas drops grenades onto him (in this grenade sequence we are back to the Action DV. Then later as Bond and Leiter hover over the DV whilst watching Palmyra. Although similar, this vessel appears a fair bit larger than the action DV and has different porthole positions.
And then when Bond lunches at Palmyra
To further prove the point a rare shot of DV #3 with the action cocoon adjacent.
Has this nugget passed me by and been discussed elsewhere? Could it be remotely possible that this DV still exists? If you know or have any views pls chime in.
Comments
Cheers,
Tom
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thunderball-James-Bond-007-Yacht-Wood-Model-Free-Shipping-New-/130603761484?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e68973f4c
http://www.gianhien.net/model/woodpro/all/disco_volante.htm
Ed
the spyboys Facebook page
Your thread reminded me of this piece I read last year, which I though answered the question
http://thethingsienjoy.blogspot.com/2012/01/story-of-disco-volante-mr-largos-ship.html
These are the comments, within which, the other craft is identified by someone who knew her.. And alas Tgt she too met a watery grave
3 comments:
Quincy Leslie4 January 2013 03:48
I believe that most of the stock shots of the boat at anchor are not of the ferry, but but of an old yacht called the "Natoya", originally from Great Lakes and built by Defoe shipyards in 1947. I sailed on her and know her lines so I recognized her in the movie. Why her instead of the ferry I don't know. After the movie, I believe she was sunk in the ocean on a reef.
Email with questions at qleslie@sbcglobal.net.
Reply
Quincy Leslie4 January 2013 04:59
I have now double checked and the Natoya is in two stock scenes, in which she is at anchor.
>> I will find the timings in the movie and post them.
She is recognizable by the straight drop of her bow, instead of the curve of the ferry. Also, the sheer line from the bow back is straight and does not have the drop curve about 30' back from the bow like the ferry.
qleslie@sbcglobal.net
Reply
Anonymous17 January 2013 16:27
I always wondered why the "Disco" on certain backround shots didn't quite look like the two-piece main hydrofoil.
And why was that yacht there in the first place? Was it the inspiration for the "Flying Fish" conversion?
Now.... PS - check you're facebook messages !!
http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/burger-yacht/2941-burgers-118-chanticleer.html#post20877
"You mentioned that she was painted white in her last few years. On a point of pure trivia, I am absolutely convince that she had a very brief cameo shot in a 1960's James Bond move, Thunderball, which featured a large yacht that could break into two sections, one of which was a high speed hydrofoil boat. At any rate, for some reason, maybe they needed a stock shot, a boat identical to the Natoya, painted white, is shown floating offshore in the background while James Bond and the villian are have a discussion on a shoreside home lawn. Since the other shots both long and close up are not the Natoya, it makes it all the more interesting; you get the movie and check it out yourself."
Seems she was acknowledged amongst the boating fraternity..
http://www.2-cycle.mtu-online.com/stories-gallery/natoya
And her "film credit" for thunderball in the excellent filmcredit website..
http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=111102
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Dear Christof,
Thank you for your email. The cost to build 10 pcs a time will be $275 per model exclude the shipping cost. If we send to one destination by sea this would be good and the sea freight is cheap. As you email from Belgium so I do not know how is the shipping as if we send by air, the air freight cost as much as the cost of the boat.
Could you check and confirm by return.
Best regards,
Huy Nguyen
My reply:
Hello Huy,
I think the price is interesting for such a model. Many people might be interested.
Problem is that we all live at different places (USA, Europe, England,…). Shipping to one fixed location is not going to work.
We do not need fast air freight, but I believe individual shipping will be needed. Could you look for a cost effective shipping method?
If you agree, I will check how many people would be interested.
If possible I would like to propose a few small design changes to make the model more accurate. For example I don’t think the seats under the bridge are correct.
Best regards, Christof
Final reply
Dear Christof,
Thank you for your email. It is a pity that the air freight to send from Vietnam is very high and even you send by post, it takes around 3 weeks and sometime it is more and we can not trace the package and the cost still over $100 and the goods often get damage as they transit the box to many places and do not handle nicely. In case of damage, the claim process take very long time and if they refund they only refund the cost and you lost the model so we have some terrible experience with the post office so we never use the post office again. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Best regards,
Huy Nguyen
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
1. The action prop wasn't ready by the time filming commenced.
2. Because of the foil, the action prop's draw was too deep for the harbor shots necessitating something with a shallower draft.
Or some combination of the two. I've been to the filming locations and while they have certainly changed over time, I could see how it might have been difficult to bring the hydrofoil into a conventional pleasure boat marina.
There is at least one accurate, custom RC model out there:
Regarding the wood model, I would also be interested. I had seen the standard eBay listings -- which really look nothing like the on-screen counterpart -- and contacted one in the Philippines about trying to produce something more accurate but they didn't think they could meet my expectations.
But how to arrange it?
I suggest we first make a list op people interested and contact them again. MOQ = 10.
I'd be in for one.
"JACQUELINE B" lying Villefranche, Near Nice, France, in 1980
I found some old brochures on board, stating that the yacht appeared as “DISCO VOLANTE” in the film “THUNDERBALL”, and proudly boasted of this until a pal pointed out that the yacht was blown-up at the end. I later found out that that was the hydrofoil vessel, not mine !
I send all JB fans my greetings from Normandy
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Would be interesting to know what was used for the explosion; it is full size, it's just not the Flying Fish.
Look forward to hearing more info
I did come in contact with her again in the 80s' when - because of my previous knowledge of the yacht - I was asked to attend on board in Beaulieu-sur-Mer and assist in the starting of the machinery. I attended with Marine Engineer Mike Roberts. Checked fuel at the main engine filters (she had four GM 6/71 diesels in tandem sets driving through two gearboxes) and commenced pumping up the hydrostart cylinders - a very tiring job - to start one of the engines. She tried to start first time, then defeated our further attempts. Exhausted - we limped ashore for a coffee mid-morning and discussed the possible causes for non-starting, deciding that it had to be lack of fuel.
We re-checked the fuel at the filters again and found only sea water ! Then the damp interior condition of the yacht - which we had put down to the ports being left open - became apparent. The yacht had sunk at her moorings, and had been raised. The harbour master confirmed this to us, and added that he wondered what we were trying to do on board.
Not having the facilities (or inclination) to pump out fuel tanks, clean and refill, then flush the fuel system and cylinders - we made our excuses, and left.
I understand that the yacht was moved to somewhere west of Marseille, and I never heard of her again.
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Sadly, Palmyra is currently scheduled to become condos, though I'd like think the owner could be talked out of that ... for a price.
Thanks for chiming in yachtbroker, do you have any more pics from the JAQUELINE B by chance?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!