The Dark Knight Skyhook actually exists.

[Saint]

I was wondering if Skyhook as presented in the film is fiction or not, so I looked into it. Turns out what Lucius said is true. It was, in fact, used by the CIA in the sixties. You can read about the development and use of Skyhook here.

Here's an excerpt:

By 1958, the Fulton aerial retrieval system, or Skyhook, had taken its final shape. A package that easily could be dropped from an aircraft contained the necessary ground equipment for a pickup. It featured a harness, for cargo or person, that was attached to a 500-foot, high-strength, braided nylon line. A portable helium bottle inflated a dirigible-shaped balloon, raising the line to its full height.

The pickup aircraft sported two tubular steel "horns" protruding from its nose, 30 feet long and spread at a 70-degree angle. The aircraft would fly into the line, aiming at a bright mylar marker placed at the 425-foot level. As the line was caught between the forks on the nose of the aircraft, the balloon was released at the same time the spring-loaded trigger mechanism (sky anchor) secured the line to the aircraft. As the line streamlined under the fuselage, it was snared by the pickup crew, using a J-hook. It was then attached to a powered winch and pulled on board.

 

[Hello Beautiful]

Yep it does.

Have you never played Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater before?

 

[chaseter]

No no it doesn't exist...can you all not just accept that this movie is full of gaping plot holes. They didn't even show Batman or Joker using the bath room...who can hold it for that long????????????????????????????????????????????????

But yes, this was very interesting.

 

[Soender]

Skyhook test video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErEsNhDmo8&feature=related

 

[chaseter]

bwahahahah...they get jerked like crazy! Looks fun.

 

[Saint]

Yeah, I thought the concept was unbelievably cool, and the fact that it actually exists and works that why makes it even better. Cool, cool stuff.

 

[Mrs.J]

I figured that it was real because Lucius says it is---"The CIA had a program back in the 60's for getting thier people out of hot spots called SkyHook"

If he would have said this and it was false that would have looked bad on Nolan. Considering he is steering clear of things that are absolutely unbelievable.

 

[Crook]

No, it would have just been a misrepresentation of actual history. But it is a fictional world so they're not exactly bound by historical accuracy.

And unbelievability goes out the window when you take a look at Two-Face in the film. No one can honestly try to explain that concept's existence as plausible in real-life. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[gqxsensazn]

Yep it does.

Have you never played Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater before?

I thought of Metal Gear Solid twice when I was watching The Dark Knight.

As soon as Lucius said "Back in the 60's," I immediately thought of Snake Eater and the surface to air recovery bit. I thought that was pretty cool.

And Snake came to mind again when Batman said "I"m not a hero." It was also the famous quote from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

 

[laudanum09]

and dude...listen to the soundtrack..i'll try and find it but theres a track on there that reminds me of some of the MGS music so much its ridiculous. I'm sure anyone familiar with MGS will agree. its rad.

and not only does skyhook exist, but elements of that sonar technology does as well. what certainly is true is that with the proper technology, one could absolutely listen in on an entire city's conversations. not only that, but so long as the battery remains in the phone, it can be used as a microphone whether on or off.

 

[Saint]

and dude...listen to the soundtrack..i'll try and find it but theres a track on there that reminds me of some of the MGS music so much its ridiculous. I'm sure anyone familiar with MGS will agree. its rad.

and not only does skyhook exist, but elements of that sonar technology does as well. what certainly is true is that with the proper technology, one could absolutely listen in on an entire city's conversations. not only that, but so long as the battery remains in the phone, it can be used as a microphone whether on or off.

Really? I didn't know that. Where'd you get that information from?

 

[Bunker]

My military nut of a friend explained it to me before the scene happened, so I knew it was real.

 

[laudanum09]

No, it would have just been a misrepresentation of actual history. But it is a fictional world so they're not exactly bound by historical accuracy.

And unbelievability goes out the window when you take a look at Two-Face in the film. No one can honestly try to explain that concept's existence as plausible in real-life. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Enough nerve damage and he might not even feel much of that side of his face...and as far as well...living like that, its absolutely possible. There is a face-less man in san francisco seen by both my parents and my friend's parents who both work there. he must have gotten in some sort of accident or gotten some disease, but a good portion of his face is missing. some have various chunks of face missing with various structural supports in place to keep the face from falling apart. there are also plastic pieces that can be fitted over to give the impression of a face. some people have prosthetic noses and when removed you can see inside, meat bone and all.This is all with proper surgery so I doubt two-face could engage in a long criminal career, but he certainly could go on a day's rampage.

 

[TLH]

Not that it really matters, but the first film use of "Skyhook" was in a James Bond movie -- Thunderball...at the very, very end.

 

[laudanum09]

My military nut of a friend explained it to me before the scene happened, so I knew it was real.

indeed it is. crazy activists always take the batteries out before meetings and so do a lot of businessmen. if any of you have any ceos for parents, ask them about it they might know. the technology exists, using gps any phone can be turned into a microphone, on or off, so long as the battery is in place.

 

[Soender]

I can highly recommend reading some books by real life super hero (selfproclaimed), Richard "Demo Dick" Marcinko.

That should keep you updated on military technology

 

[gqxsensazn]

and dude...listen to the soundtrack..i'll try and find it but theres a track on there that reminds me of some of the MGS music so much its ridiculous. I'm sure anyone familiar with MGS will agree. its rad.

Harry Gregson-Williams, who did the the score for MGS, was a student of Hans Zimmer so they're music sounds similar.

 

[fu manchu]

I wonder if Batman got in the plane or just hang on the plane with Lau. Its a pretty long trip from Hong Kong to US. at least thats what bug me about the sky hook.

 

[Saint]

I wonder if Batman got in the plane or just hang on the plane with Lau. Its a pretty long trip from Hong Kong to US. at least thats what bug me about the sky hook.

They get in the plane; a winch draws them in.

 

[nickyg641]

Enough nerve damage and he might not even feel much of that side of his face...and as far as well...living like that, its absolutely possible. There is a face-less man in san francisco seen by both my parents and my friend's parents who both work there. he must have gotten in some sort of accident or gotten some disease, but a good portion of his face is missing. some have various chunks of face missing with various structural supports in place to keep the face from falling apart. there are also plastic pieces that can be fitted over to give the impression of a face. some people have prosthetic noses and when removed you can see inside, meat bone and all.This is all with proper surgery so I doubt two-face could engage in a long criminal career, but he certainly could go on a day's rampage.

Considering he recieved no skin grafts, and only, what, a day's worth of anti-biotics, he certainly wouldn't have lived long, due to infection. Also, he had no eyelid, which means that his eye would dry up and he would go blind. He wouldn't be able to speak (at least not well) due to the fact the his entire left cheek is missing.

And he would probably have been unconcious for much longer than he was.

 

[fu manchu]

They get in the plane; a winch draws them in.

Then that must have been an awkward moment for everyone inside that plane. you know seeing batman just seating there with a beat up Chinese man.

 

[Soender]

I wonder if Batman got in the plane or just hang on the plane with Lau. Its a pretty long trip from Hong Kong to US. at least thats what bug me about the sky hook.

You actually see them come abord. Look at my previous post. Thats the Skyhook functioning in real life.

 

[Bat101]

Then that must have been an awkward moment for everyone inside that plane. you know seeing batman just seating there with a beat up Chinese man.

Did Bruce wear the Bat-Suit the whole entire trip back to Gotham? That must have been a 20 hour flight? Wouldn't the crew of the plane have found out that Batman was Bruce Wayne?

 

[nickyg641]

Did Bruce wear the Bat-Suit the whole entire trip back to Gotham? That must have been a 20 hour flight? Wouldn't the crew of the plane have found out that Batman was Bruce Wayne?

There was a scene in the script where he first jumps off the plane in Hong Kong, without his mask, I believe. So, the smugglers or whatever they were would have seen Bruce.

Considering they're criminals, doesn't it make sense that they would sell his identity or something?

 

[fu manchu]

You actually see them come abord. Look at my previous post. Thats the Skyhook functioning in real life.

Batman comes on aboard, i must have missed that part.