777 The Plane that wouldn't die

[Elem]

Probably a question for Jason. I have always wondered where the name of 777 came from and whether it was influenced by this comic book from the 1960s (or 1970s, I cannot put a date on it). Wish I still had my original copy, but here is an extract...

 

"Peter: Lt. James is assigned to "The Plane That Wouldn't Die!", a Mustang 777 that has a reputation for getting the job done and coming back no mater what. James comes to resent the attention the Mustang receives, feeling that he should get the credit for all the successful missions flown. But James is convinced when he's thrown from the cockpit in the midst of battle and the 777 continues to fly, leading to a kamikaze on a Nazi battleship. A decent story with good Jack Abel battle action art, "The Plane" flies very near supernatural territory. Satisfying climax with (now Captain) James keeping the legend of 777 alive by relating the story to a "sparrow" (a newbie)."

 

Edited December 16, 2015 by Elem

[NobbyNobbs]

No, 777 it's just the name of the cheap alcohol in Soviet Russia. Everybody knows this terrible port wine 777 also known as "three hatchets".

 

 

 

Sorry. Just joking 

[Georgio]

Probably a question for Jason. I have always wondered where the name of 777 came from and whether it was influenced by this comic book from the 1960s (or 1970s, I cannot put a date on it). Wish I still had my original copy, but here is an extract...

 

"Peter: Lt. James is assigned to "The Plane That Wouldn't Die!", a Mustang 777 that has a reputation for getting the job done and coming back no mater what. James comes to resent the attention the Mustang receives, feeling that he should get the credit for all the successful missions flown. But James is convinced when he's thrown from the cockpit in the midst of battle and the 777 continues to fly, leading to a kamikaze on a Nazi battleship. A decent story with good Jack Abel battle action art, "The Plane" flies very near supernatural territory. Satisfying climax with (now Captain) James keeping the legend of 777 alive by relating the story to a "sparrow" (a newbie)."

 

Screen Shot 2015-08-11 at 5_11_02 PM.png

 

Different times when showing swastikas was ok....

Used to love reading the 'Victory' and 'Commando' comics as a kid. 

[BlitzPig_EL]

As I recall, Jason's old squad in IL2 was the 777th. AVG.  A fictional group that volunteered to fly on the Eastern Front.

 

They took their 777 logo from the numbers on a slot machine that payed out when "777" came up.

 

And the rest is history.

 

Ah the old days, so many good squads were out there then.

[Jason_Williams]

Probably a question for Jason. I have always wondered where the name of 777 came from and whether it was influenced by this comic book from the 1960s (or 1970s, I cannot put a date on it). Wish I still had my original copy, but here is an extract...

 

"Peter: Lt. James is assigned to "The Plane That Wouldn't Die!", a Mustang 777 that has a reputation for getting the job done and coming back no mater what. James comes to resent the attention the Mustang receives, feeling that he should get the credit for all the successful missions flown. But James is convinced when he's thrown from the cockpit in the midst of battle and the 777 continues to fly, leading to a kamikaze on a Nazi battleship. A decent story with good Jack Abel battle action art, "The Plane" flies very near supernatural territory. Satisfying climax with (now Captain) James keeping the legend of 777 alive by relating the story to a "sparrow" (a newbie)."

 

Screen Shot 2015-08-11 at 5_11_02 PM.png

 

Hi Elem,

 

Every couple years someone asks me this question. Happy to explain again. Blitzpig_EL has it mostly right about where the 777 came from. It does come from a slot machine. Here's a brief re-tell.

 

I founded the 777 AVG when the original IL-2 was released. At that time I lived in Las Vegas, NV and I liked the idea of three 7's in red, white and blue for good luck as the squad logo. I adapted the 7's you find on the slot machine to hit the jackpot. I also concocted a realistic-ish backstory for the Squadron which people told me was pretty cool. I based it on the Flying Tigers and adapted it for the Eastern Front. We flew as a squad for a few years non-stop.

 

I eventually got into publishing and developing games and sims so when I started my company I kept the 777 logo and name.

 

That's basically it. From squad fun to developer. Been a long windy road to get to this point.

 

I've been trying to find the time to re-launch my 777 squadron, but work and personal life keeps getting in the way. My flying these days has been mainly work related, which is still fun, but not the same as squad flying. www.777avg.org

 

Jason 

[Faustnik]

777 AVG with P39s we so much fun!

[Elem]

Hi Elem,

 

Every couple years someone asks me this question. Happy to explain again. Blitzpig_EL has it mostly right about where the 777 came from. It does come from a slot machine. Here's a brief re-tell.

 

I founded the 777 AVG when the original IL-2 was released. At that time I lived in Las Vegas, NV and I liked the idea of three 7's in red, white and blue for good luck as the squad logo. I adapted the 7's you find on the slot machine to hit the jackpot. I also concocted a realistic-ish backstory for the Squadron which people told me was pretty cool. I based it on the Flying Tigers and adapted it for the Eastern Front. We flew as a squad for a few years non-stop.

 

I eventually got into publishing and developing games and sims so when I started my company I kept the 777 logo and name.

 

That's basically it. From squad fun to developer. Been a long windy road to get to this point.

 

I've been trying to find the time to re-launch my 777 squadron, but work and personal life keeps getting in the way. My flying these days has been mainly work related, which is still fun, but not the same as squad flying. www.777avg.org

 

Jason 

 

 

Thanks for the explanation Jason. I have fond memories of that comic and it would have been curious if something from my distant past had such an impact on something that I enjoy so much today. Keep up the great work and I hope that 777 never dies!