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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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One of our own...

Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:26 am

I think that the following video includes some Lbird footage of the group Forgotten Fields is with. Pretty neat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D18kZ_ovT4U

Ryan

Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:21 pm

STINSON L-4B ! Oh please. Do something about it. Why am I not full of confidence in the series? It is another mawkish slushy slice of TV rubbish with 're-enactors' that will appeal to the woefully uninformed, and quite probably make the producers rich. Nothing else.

Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:53 pm

Glyn wrote:STINSON L-4B ! Oh please. Do something about it. Why am I not full of confidence in the series? It is another mawkish slushy slice of TV rubbish with 're-enactors' that will appeal to the woefully uninformed, and quite probably make the producers rich. Nothing else.


Did you perhaps not notice the part that says the series is about reenactors? "This unique television experience gets inside the WWII reenacting community. " It was right there in the video description...

Zack

Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:00 pm

Glyn wrote:STINSON L-4B ! Oh please. Do something about it. Why am I not full of confidence in the series? It is another mawkish slushy slice of TV rubbish with 're-enactors' that will appeal to the woefully uninformed, and quite probably make the producers rich. Nothing else.


Its obviously a typo. At least they are out there trying to spread the word about YOUR history. If a simple typo will turn you off from the program than you are too nit picky. It appeals to me... I guess I'm uninformed...
Taylor Stevenson Owner/Pilot L-4G Sentinel... oops sorry I meant L-5G please don't be mad...

Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:01 pm

It's a nice video, but what's the complaining about? Just guys in uniform flying an L-5. Although, I would rather have seen it in the Black Sheep Squadron with a better setting. Or as a smaller part of a bigger film.

Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:03 pm

So far the posts can be summed up as 'Four out of four Americans think American TV series are great! You are welcome to see them as often as you can bear to watch them. Please do not export them! As for me being 'too nit-picky' - if the 'wunnerful, wunnerful' producers can't even take the trouble to name the feaured equipment correctly what confidence can we have in the rest of it?

Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:07 pm

Glyn wrote:So far the posts can be summed up as 'Four out of four Americans think American TV series are great! You are welcome to see them as often as you can bear to watch them. Please do not export them! As for me being 'too nit-picky' - if the 'wunnerful, wunnerful' producers can't even take the trouble to name the feaured equipment correctly what confidence can we have in the rest of it?


In truth there is some fairness to your statements, and I can't totally disagree. Apparently there are also some other issues with the film I was unaware of when I posted it, but, on the other hand, it is some neat footage of the 14th Liaison Squadron's hard work up in the Northeast. No comments on the quality or lack thereof of the production. I can guarantee you that the guys doing the reenacting in the 14th ARE smarter than your impression from the video. It's just pretty rare to find L-bird love to begin with.

Thanks for looking.

Ryan

1.5 minutes of fame

Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:25 pm

Ryan,
Thanks for posting the link. This footage was shot in 2006 at our first field maneuver at Massey www.masseyaero.org. I did not approve of the production, but I am not the producer. There are other issues which I cannot discuss at this time regarding this film and its producer. When they are resolved, and if there is interest, I will post about them.
Glyn, in the three mawkish, slushy, rubbish field maneuvers we have accomplished at Massey, we have learned a great deal about what it was like flying ops at war with these aircraft. Each succeeding event at Massey has been good. Last year, we flew an artillery spotting mission complete with targets on the ground to find. I hate to report that out of 23 observers, only three found all the targets on a 20 mile flying course. This year, we will be flying a downed pilot search and rescue mission , which reflects an actual event in the 14th Liaison Squadron's history. If you feel field ops with liaison aircraft are mawkish and slushy rubbish, why don't you come out with us and show us how to make them more 'real'? We welcome your participation. The event is free except for food costs, but by invitation only. I am extending an invitation to you, Glyn. The only requirements to attend are correct period attire, completion of our observer course, attention to our safety briefing, and flying a mission as an observer in which you are graded on your performance. Sorry, no mawkish sentimentality here- if you screw up, a genuine Staff Sergeant pilot will chew your a##.
Now, for Taylor and Ryan. These two people have devoted their time to the preservation of Liaison aircraft history. Taylor and his family are putting serious effort into an L-5 restoration. Ryan, while he is not working and educating himself as an aviator, is a key player in the Alamo Liaison Squadron flying L-5 and L-2. I wanted to say that I truly appreciate both of your efforts in these endeavors. You have chosen a back water in aviation history, but critically important nonetheless. These two gentlemen should be complimented on their contributions to the warbird movement. Thanks very much also for recognizing my own humble efforts.
Now please excuse me as I go look for more ways to expand the mawkish, slushy, rubbish world of people who appreciate L-birds.

Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:37 am

I was wrong! It's not four out of four Americans, - it's five out of five! All are 'target fixated' and won't see the woods for the trees. I am not knocking those flying and keeping old spotter planes airworthy, and I'm certainly not criticising those who flew them operationally. My bile is aimed at those who fail to get things right in the making of TV programs, far too many of which are mawky slushy rubbish - and in danger of ending up on the mis-named 'History Channel' complete with inappropriate music!
I would love to take up Forgotten Fields kind offer, but approaching 70 years of age might not add a great deal to the exercise. A decade or two back I may have been able to as I had a full career in military aviation which included liaison work, FAC and artillery spotting. On another forum my screen name is lingodog which as you know was the name for a forward air controller.
Power to your elbows guys. Don't let this become another case for 'blue on blue'. :)

Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:58 am

Glyn wrote:I was wrong! It's not four out of four Americans, - it's five out of five! All are 'target fixated' and won't see the woods for the trees. I am not knocking those flying and keeping old spotter planes airworthy, and I'm certainly not criticising those who flew them operationally. My bile is aimed at those who fail to get things right in the making of TV programs, far too many of which are mawky slushy rubbish - and in danger of ending up on the mis-named 'History Channel' complete with inappropriate music!
Power to your elbows guys. Don't let this become another case for 'blue on blue'. :)


Thanks Glyn,

I guess my post above wasn't real clear. I DO see the woods, but chose to emphasize a different aspect. No argument on the production quality - you're quite correct.

Ryan

Requirements

Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:48 am

I would love to take up Forgotten Fields kind offer, but approaching 70 years of age might not add a great deal to the exercise. A decade or two back I may have been able to as I had a full career in military aviation which included liaison work, FAC and artillery spotting. On another forum my screen name is lingodog which as you know was the name for a forward air controller.


Hey, I'm not baiting you- I'm actually inviting you. It sounds like you could contribute to what we are doing. In the future, I am hoping to set up a FAC mission, called 'horsefly' missions in the 14th. If attendance is not a possibility, I'd really appreciate your input. PM me and I'll put you on our mailing list. Age is no matter- we are trying to preserve timeless virtues.

I hope you got what I was saying and I hope I'm not one of the 5 out of 5- I DIDN'T APPROVE OF THE PRODUCTION! It was done without my input or permission. I can't say more about it, as there are matters pending.

Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:24 pm

John, Thanks for the kind words... I also believe these WARBIRDS don't get the recognition they deserve. Any videos out there3 promoting their history are fine in my book, even if they may be slightly inaccurate. Were you flying in the video? I love the unique sound of an O-435 flying by!

Not me

Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:47 pm

Taylor,
Sorry that wasn't me. That year was the first year and I had a lot to do so I had my flight instructor fly the missions, which were basically orientation flights. Here are take off and landing videos from Massey in 2007:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emAqCYZZDMY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fstMwxBA ... re=related

Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:46 am

did I spot an L-3 wartime picture in that video?
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