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007,

SECOND LOOK! Bond 24 on location as James Bond explodes back into action for SPECTRE at MI6 on the Thames & we take a close look at the SPECTRE boat - FYEO POTENTIAL SPOILERS - FILM LOCATION

As you must no doubt be aware there is much excitement in the capital as filming of Bond 24 SPECTRE is continuing in London with the action taking place back on the Thames yesterday, Camden Locke the day before and that evening in Notting Hill.

The Bond team seem to be burning the candle at both ends trying to complete filming in London as quickly as possible before moving on to other locations. Probably in an effort to minimise spoilery leaks in the capital, but at the same time - to give you some insight into how us Londoners feel about having *arguably* Britain's greatest literary and cinematic spy back on home ground, in London read the tweet below from the Camden location.

But it was on Monday that James Bond (Daniel Craig) exploded back into action for Bond 24 with his first day of shooting SPECTRE in London, outside of Pinewood Studios. I'm sure you are thinking we've heard the stories and seen the pictures but did it happen if The Establishing Shot didn't cover it?

Well actually we did shoot in early, but we have lives and were otherwise occupied at the time. Posting at this stage I don't think there is anything here that may be considered to spoilery or compromise the location shoot and again I have intentionally left out certain details of the action but eagle eyed Bond fans may be able to piece together bits.

I had my compact camera with me rather than my large obnoxious one, so the quality isn't that great but thanks to Tim Merry a courteous professional on the scene who kindly allowed us to use two of the better photos for this post - including one which captured what is the greatest Bond moment for me personally yet - as the fourth wall came tumbling down. See further below.

Bond 24 Spectre Teaser Poster (ZOOM)

SPECTRE A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE. Director:  Sam Mendes Writers: Ian Fleming, John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Dave Bautista, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear

Also some fans raised concerns about my Skyfall Vauxhall Bridge location visit video giving away too much - so this time I have tried to make the video a little less polished and spoilery but it is what it is. I made the video awhile back before all the other videos were released online so I don't think there are any new spoilers. But you shouldn't read any further if you want SPECTRE to remain wrapped in mystery.

By now you probably know that both 007 agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Bill Tanner (Rory Kinnear) were spotted on the river Thames on a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) or rubber duck as it is known in some parts of the world. It is always awesome to see Royal Navy Commander James Bond revisiting his roots and back on the water where his career began.

But wait maybe I should start with a flashback:

Living on the river Thames you sync to the tide and as well as the natural environment you become aware of nautical traffic and their routines. Like the; business commuters, the commercial boats, the leisure cruisers, the learner sailors, the thrill seekers, the self powered urban adventurers, training olympic hopefuls, fitness fanatics, the frankly bizarre (I've seen lilos, tire tubes, even what looked like a tin bathtub with shower head commandeered by I assume students pranksters, a speeding Jeremy Clarkson, one swimming David Walliams and even a whale), the pre and post holiday travellers, the port authority guardians, emergency services at high speed sirens blaring & lights blazing, on patrol or picking up groceries, the occasional subtle formidable military maneuvers (most impressive are the rarely seen stealth hovercrafts), the festival or royal flotillas, as well as the out of the ordinary boats.

Those are the kind that we have had my interest over the last couple of months most noticeably - the RIBs charging in formation. They certainly had my attention a couple of days during early November.

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Although filming on the Thames at Vauxhall Cross may have taken a day or two. Planning has been going on for considerably longer as well as test runs well before shoot day.




A little closer to shoot day, on Friday 12 December these very subtle SPY direction markers for the SPECTRE Tech and Location units popped up nearby MI6. Over the weekend the SPECTRE base unit made its home nearby. You may be interested to know that its the same place Mission: Impossible 5 were doing some secret second unit shooting under the codename - MF (Mission Force) a week prior to Tom Cruise's arrival in London.





Come Monday morning early - after some discussion with the 007 crew about where I could take photos from I made my way to a snazzy little spot, bear in mind I used to live in the vicinity - specifically chosen because of its association to Bond, so know that part of the river very well.

The 007 team had a number of boats on the Nine Elms stretch of the Thames River, about six if I counted correctly.


As well as the official Port of London Authority boat on the scene - there were three safety and support boats:


Valiant an 8.5m RIB powered by a Suzuki 250hp four stroke outboard actively shadowing the runs presumably to be close by if needed.


A 8m Halmatic Thames speedboat Lima Lima I previously used on Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes skirted the edges of the action and keeping river traffic at bay.


Whilst Windrush 46, a custom built luxury taxi ferried the talent and hosted special visitors.



A specially made 28ft/8 m low vibration Ecocat camera boat fitted with twin Suzuki 60hp four stroke outboard engines, packed with riggers, camera operators and technical crew. A waterproofed camera on crane arm. All overseen by Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema and Second Unit Director Alexander Witt.



The mothership - The Predator, a 10m Blyth Catamaran on board a team headed by Director Sam Mendes orchestrating the action with Visual Effects Supervisor Steve Begg, a second DSLR camera rig handled by First Assistant Director Michael Lerman (I think) the footage I assume will be used for the 007.com featurettes.

And finally the 8m high-speed (85 kph) waterjet propelled MST (Marine Specialised Technology) 800 Seaboat RIB or the SPECTRE boat as it will now be known - transporting Daniel Craig and Rory Kinnear piloted by two military looking escorts.

MST or Marine Specialised Technology specialise in boats for for military or anti -piracy use, clients include the MOD. The 800 Seaboat is a legitimate rapid response military specification vessel or as it is euphemistically know -"workboat". The 800 Seaboat is a new "workboat" design, smaller than previous models and has a self righting system fitted.

"The company has developed a smaller 8.0m version to meet market demand and the new 800 SEABOAT is now available for clients requiring an inboard diesel stern drive or water jet propelled anti piracy solution capable of mounted weapons, up to 8 personnel onboard and a 40 knot performance."

Thankfully it appear that Sam Mendes is continuing the "real world" technology and gadgets of Bond, giving the new Bond films gravitas and anchored in credibility. Hopefully this will continue to permeate all aspects of SPECTRE.

Which brings me to an ironic tinged quirk - if you browse the MST special projects products catalogue (http://www.mstltd.com/special-products/) you'll see a number of fantastic marine vehicles with enhanced features that includes: airdrop, covert, bullet proof, submersible and drone functionality.


Any of which could be straight out of a Bond film, but possibly deemed to far fetched for modern Bond audiences. Even the 800 Seaboat has Bond like functionality - as it can be launched from a Stern Ramp (which you can see demonstrated further below) as well as presumably docked.