Korean Movie is the story in Issue 59 of the Adventures of Biggles comic series published by Action Comics of Sydney, Australia. There is no byline identifying the artist. Besides the story proper, the inside of the front and back covers have special feature pages entitled "Out of the Past" which describe Italian planes of World War II. Featured are relatively uncommon types: SA 107, Ambrosini SS4, IMAM RO57, Fiat G50, Fiat G56, Caproni Vizzola.
Synopsis[]
Raymond gives Biggles and Ginger a two week break in Korean because a American film maker wants them as pilots for a film about the Korean War. Biggles and Ginger eagerly accept. (Perhaps Biggles overcame his reluctance seen in The Case of the Black Gauntlet.)
Plot summary[]
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Raymond offers Biggles and Ginger a two week break in Korean to take part in a movie that is being filmed about the Korean War. Biggles and Ginger accept eagerly and a Viscount soon lands them in Sanjon where they meet Clinton Miles, the American film maker and Lim Su who will fly with them in the action sequences.
As Biggles and Ginger are being shown around the film set, a large light falls but Ginger manages to push Biggles away just in time. Ginger thinks he saw someone on the gangway but the others do not. Even Biggles thinks Ginger is jhust seeing things but Ginger remains suspicious.
The first flying sequence requires Biggles and Ginger to fly a B-45 Tornado which is intercepted by Lim Su in a MiG-15. On cue, Biggles is supposed to press a button to activate a smoke bottle to simulate being hit. Only, when Lim Su attacks, there is no need for the button--the ammunition is live and and the Tornado really catches fire! From the film making point of view the footage is great but the Tornado is losing power and Biggles and Ginger ditch in the water and are rescued by a helicopter.
Lim Su is profusely apologetic. Someone must have switched the ammunition but Miles investigates and draws a blank.
The next day, Biggles as to fly the MiG-15 and dogfight Ginger in a Sabre. This time they carefully che, ck to confirm that dummy ammunition is loaded. Just as Biggles takes off, Lim Su comes rushing out saying he left something in the cockpit, but it's too late.
The dogfight sequence is again a great success but as Biggles rolls inverted, a wallet drops onto the canopy. It's Lim Su's passport, but the name says "Lo Siang"--which sounds familiar to Biggles.
After the sortie, the planes come in to land. Lim Su is waiting under cover by the runway and shoots at Biggles's tyres, causing one to puncture. The MiG almost crashes but Biggles manages to bring the aircraft to a safe stop. Miles confirms this is no accident--he saw someone running from the spot where the tyre burst. And this is proven when they find a cartridge case there.
Biggles now remembers that he had once arrested a "Fu Siang" in Hong Kong for smuggling. Lo Siang/Lim Su could be his son.
The next day Miles plans to film the final scene in the movie which takes place on the ground. Biggles just shot down a MiG and is pursuing the pilot, Lim Su in some woods. Lim Su is supposed to ambush him with a knife. Biggles does not tell Miles about his suspicions--he plans to use the scene to trap Lim Su.
Filming begins, and they have to hurry because some fighters are going to use the woods for bombing practice. As Biggles walks in the woods, Lim Su jumps on him from a tree and they scuffle. Lim Su confirms Biggles's suspicions. He is Fu Siang's son and he is out for revenge. But Biggles is ready and he overpowers him and tells him to get up--he is under arrest. However Lim Su gets up and runs off, deeper into the woods. Biggles gives chase. Meanwhile Miles tries to call off the airstrike but to no avail. The fighters come over and deliver their bombs. Biggles manages to take cover but Lim Su is killed. The raid is over but Biggles is trapped by the flames. Ginger rushes back to the airfield to get a helicopter and manages to pick Biggles up in time. Miles thanks Biggles and Ginger--their action sequences made the script sound very tame but they certainly made for a good movie.
Characters[]
The Special Air Police[]
- Air Commodore Raymond
- Biggles
- Ginger Hebblethwaite
Others[]
- Clinton Miles
- Lim Su
Others[]
Mentioned[]
Aircraft[]
- Vickers Viscount
- B-45 Tornado
- MiG-15
- Percival Pembroke - the cameraship. More likely the earlier development, the Percial Mergenser, given the short stubby fuselage.
- Westland WS-51 Dragonfly
- North American F-86 Sabre
- Westland Whirlwind
Gallery[]
Places[]
Visited[]
Mentioned[]
Research notes[]
Illustrations[]