Jump to content


This is a read only archive of the old forums
The new CBn forums are located at https://quarterdeck.commanderbond.net/

 
Photo

Thunderball: Where is Disco Volante today ?


4 replies to this topic

#1 bmt216a

bmt216a

    Cadet

  • Crew
  • 11 posts
  • Location:Denmark

Posted 05 September 2004 - 10:10 AM

A repeating question I receive from visitors to my webpage (www.bmt216a.dk) asks where the hydrofoil yacht 'Disco Volante' from 'Thunderball' is located today!

I have tried to search for that information but have only got a few clues so far, supplied by fellow Bond fans :

The cocoon became a houseboat somewhere in the Miami area.
The hydrofoil was sold after filming (advertised for sale under its original name 'Flying Fish' in The Miami Herald on 18th February 1966).
The latest is a sighting in the early 1980's: It was resting for years next to the Chalk's Ocean Airways airbridge facility on Watson island in Miami Florida--between the Miami seaport and South Beach.
The shipbuilders Rodriquez don't know where the vessel is today - a sistership is somewhere in the Philipines.
IHS (International Hydrofoil Society) don't know her location either.

Can anybody help in this matter ??

#2 Brix Bond

Brix Bond

    Lt. Commander

  • Veterans
  • PipPipPip
  • 1503 posts
  • Location:Glasgow, Scotland

Posted 05 September 2004 - 02:32 PM

Well, after a brief stint 200 feet in the air I think she settled all over the Carribbean.

#3 License To Kill

License To Kill

    Lt. Commander

  • Veterans
  • PipPipPip
  • 1556 posts
  • Location:Washington D.C.

Posted 05 September 2004 - 03:07 PM

I'd really like to know to myself. It was one of the coolest things about Thunderball.

#4 bmt216a

bmt216a

    Cadet

  • Crew
  • 11 posts
  • Location:Denmark

Posted 05 September 2004 - 04:24 PM

Well, after a brief stint 200 feet in the air I think she settled all over the Carribbean.

Not quite. Disco Volante survived !

Actually it wasn't the hydrofoil that was blown to pieces.
If you look carefully at the last few frames of the ship before the explotion, you'll notice it's not the hydrofoil but another boat. (best seen on the DVD :) )

#5 Qwerty

Qwerty

    Commander RNVR

  • Commanding Officers
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 85605 posts
  • Location:New York / Pennsylvania

Posted 05 September 2004 - 07:05 PM

I really don't know a whole lot about what happened to it after filming. You make some interesting points with your first post here.

Don't recall it being featured, or parts of it for Bond conventions or stuff like that, but I'm no expert.