Seek out White Nights

Sir,

I read with interest your story of the White Nights movie starring Helen Mirren, among others, and the crashing of the jet airliner at Machrihanish airport (The Courier October 4).

I remember when the producers and crew were going to film at RAF Machrihanish they advertised for locals to take part as extras, some as injured passengers and some as Russian soldiers. I think the going rate was £50 per day, quite a sum in 1985, and I believe there was quite a queue, unfortunately I couldn’t sign up as I was working at Jaeger.

It was quite an event and some friends who were taking part told me later about their experiences with fake blood and bandages etc and others getting kitted out with Russian army uniforms and weapons. Several of the buildings around the airfield were flying the Hammer and Sickle and painted up with Russian signage etc to suit the situation.

If I remember correctly the premiere of the finished film was shown in Campbeltown and those watching, who had ever flown into the town on normal domestic flights, could easily recognise the approach to the airport and runway with the loch beyond.

With a few patches of artificial snow here and there it could well have been in Siberia. There were great hoots and laughter at the showing whenever those in the audience recognised their pals in uniform with rifles at the ready or being carried in on stretchers. Great memories.

I also remember the scrapped jet engines from the wrecked airliner lying in McFadyen’s yard in Glebe street for a long time. It was a great movie anyway and anyone who hadn’t heard about it should seek it out to watch. Ron Gay, Dunoon.