A6M3 First Flight

[Forgotten Field]

I am surprised nobody posted this. My friend saw it fly today.
https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/the-zero-flies/

[AG pilot]

Beautiful aircraft!

[phil65]

Oshkosh ?

Phil

[kalamazookid]

Oshkosh ?

Phil

This is what they had to say about that on Facebook:

We have a pretty full dance card at AirVenture this year with the 262 and the Skyraider having been requested by the organizers. You never know what may happen, but our first priority is to put some time on the Zero in the North West and get comfortable with its operations before we make those sorts of plans!

[Warbird Kid]

Simply stunning. Congrats to everyone involved. Hoping to see it in a photo flight wit the museum's P-51, BF109, Spitfire, and Yak 3. And of course you know... the re-engined Fiat G.55/59. Anyone have any updates with this bird??

[lucky52]

A leather helmet (I think Steve Hinton wears one) and a white scarf would have really been cool.

[phil65]

Oshkosh ?

Phil

This is what they had to say about that on Facebook:

We have a pretty full dance card at AirVenture this year with the 262 and the Skyraider having been requested by the organizers. You never know what may happen, but our first priority is to put some time on the Zero in the North West and get comfortable with its operations before we make those sorts of plans!

Thanks for the info..

Phil

[Archer]

A leather helmet (I think Steve Hinton wears one) and a white scarf would have really been cool.

It would, but at a guess I think Steve Hinton often uses a crash helmet that is made to look like a leather example. It is still a fully functioning crash helmet and not just a leather skull cap.
The risks involved flying high performance fighters, especially on first flights, suggest that a crash helmet is a wise precaution to take.

[phil65]

After his accident at Reno, I hope he wears a good helmet...

Phil

[OD/NG]

After his accident at Reno, I hope he wears a good helmet...

Phil

What accident was that? I'm not aware of Mike Spalding ever having raced at Reno.

[MKD1966]

After his accident at Reno, I hope he wears a good helmet...

Phil

What accident was that? I'm not aware of Mike Spalding ever having raced at Reno.

I could be mistaken but I believe he's talking about Steve Hinton's 1979 crash of the RB-51 Red Baron...

[Archer]

On September 16, 1979, Hinton was racing the RB-51 in Reno when the plane suffered catastrophic engine failure. Hinton finished the race in second place, but crashed short of the runway. Although the plane's fuel erupted in a fireball, the cockpit was thrown away from the fire and Hinton survived with a broken back, leg, and ankle.

I think he meant this one (from Wikipedia).

[phil65]

Yes, thanks guys..

Phil

[OD/NG]

After his accident at Reno, I hope he wears a good helmet...

Phil

What accident was that? I'm not aware of Mike Spalding ever having raced at Reno.

I could be mistaken but I believe he's talking about Steve Hinton's 1979 crash of the RB-51 Red Baron...

Ah, gotcha, that makes sense.

I know that Steve Hinton has been wearing a hard helmet for quite some time (many decades). Pictures of him and other pilots wearing a leather one are most likely the infamous Campbell Aero Classic that is a hard interior with a leather exterior to give the appearance of a time period piece.