Robert W. Mackay

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Supernatural Submarine

February 18, 2016 by Robert Mackay 5 Comments

Sub ExternalFor all those fans of “Supernatural” who caught last night’s episode, “The Vessel”, here’s an external photo of the amazing submarine replica built in Burnaby for the shoot.

 

John Badham torp tubes

This is director John Badham, with two of the torpedo tubes featured in the production. Hats off to the crew who put the amazing set together.

There were times when I had to shake my head to remind myself I’m not back aboard USS RASHER. This is a mockup, and the flames in the corner of the control room are real flames, but will be turned off once the cameras have the shot.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Canadian submarines, John Badham, submarines, Supernatural, USN Submarines, USS Rasher

Completing the Submarine Circle

February 13, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

USS RASHER Feb 1964 (004 small)In late 2015 I was hired as technical adviser for an episode of “Supernatural”, the episode itself directed by legendary Hollywood director John Badham. The episode, entitled “The Vessel”, is due to be shown on Wednesday, February 17th on the CW network locally.

The action takes place partially in a World War II United States navy submarine, BLUEFIN, and hence the need for a submariner as adviser.

It was a fascinating experience, as I’d never hung around a working set and shoot before. What made it especially interesting for me was that way back in 1964, as a green-around-the-gills sublieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy, I had spent two weeks at sea in a US Navy submarine, USS RASHER (AGSS 269)–BLUEFIN’s real-life counterpart. RASHER’s Commanding Officer commented in a letter that I had “participated actively in the conduct of our exercises as assistant to the ship’s conning officer”. I guess that’s what I was doing when the photo of me on the periscope was snapped, although I look like I was reacting to a joke from one of the very professional but–being submariners–informal American crew.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bluefin, John Badham, RCN, submariners, submarines, Supernatural, USN Submarines, USS Rasher

Ukraine Stands Fast (Dateline Feb 25, 2022)

February 27, 2022 By Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

2PPCLI and its Presidential Unit Citation

January 25, 2022 By Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

April 24th, anniversary of 2PPCLI’s Battle of Kapyong

April 21, 2021 By Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

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Forces With History" is published via email 1-2 times a month. It deals with issues of interest regarding Canadian armed forces, modern and historical. Please give it a try if so inclined--comments and feedback are always welcome!

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Contact Info

From saddles and spurs to periscopes and North-Seekers, Robert W. Mackay is an avid military, naval and wartime historian.

He is currently working on a mystery.

T: 604-541-9098
E: info@robertwmackay.ca

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