Warbird Information Exchange

by David Hopper
Air Combat Command Public Affairs

3/18/2008 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The Discovery Military Channel filmed an episode March 11 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The episode, which is part of the series "Showdown: Air Combat," will focus on the F-22 Raptor and its capabilities.

The 10-segment series will highlight different military aircraft, and is scheduled to premiere June 8.

The TV show will be hosted by a Langley Air Force Base member, Maj. Paul Moga, an F-22 instructor pilot and demonstration team member who is assigned to the 1st Operations Group.

"Restored aircraft will be used to fly some of the most famous air-combat battles in history," said Brian J. Kelly, the vice president of production for the Military Channel, "not just what happened but how it happened and what it felt like to be there."

In addition, Military Channel officials said they expect this show to be a novelty.

"We incorporate elements that have never been used before in an aerial documentary," said Conal M. O'Herlihy, the line producer. "For the first time, we have an active duty Air Force fighter pilot who is going to be in the chase plane following the planes and calling the action."

A video crew from Traveling Light Media witnessed the capabilities of the F-22 while here, courtesy of the Air Combat Command F-22 Demo team.

The Showdown series will showcase the P-38, P-47, P-51, the only flying Japanese Zero in the world with original parts and the ultra-modern F-22, said Adam J. Friedman, the director and CEO of Traveling Light Media.

The series will not only look at the history or story of what happened, but the actual dogfight and the men who flew them. As well as, the men who designed the aircraft and a close look at the aircraft itself, Mr. O'Herlihy said.

"We will look at aircraft weapons, communications and flaws. Then we will go in the air with the actual planes and re-enact the dogfight," he said.

"I think this (TV show) will give the American public the chance to see their Air Force up close," said Lt. Col. Stephen D. Clutter, the director Air Force entertainment office in Los Angeles. "I think the people at Langley (AFB) are going to be proud to see their aircraft and personnel in this particular episode."

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A-7D, the Short Little Ugly "Flyer" and A-10A Warthog, weren't called an ATTACK plane for nothing. Remember for a little relief on the ground, call your local Air Force to "Go Ugly Early"!

Robert Shaw - he of Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering fame - was interviewed and filmed for some episode(s) of the series.

Good News! Sounds like Dogfights but with real planes not CGI. Cool!

I thought Dogfights was a great series - but evidently not great enough to get the ratings necessary to stay on.

I hope this series does better.

I didn't mind the CGI - I especially liked the use of 3D cgi to set up the situation, and then lay out the choices the pilot was faced with...and which one he took.