Air Classics and the CWH Lancaster

[warbird51]

What's up with the editor of Air Classics and the CWH Lancaster people.
In the latest Air Classics, the editor blasts the CWH people for not letting him take air to air pics. And the latest Warbid Digest, there's air to air of the Lancaster in it. What's the real story???

[dj51d]

I suspect its just sour grapes. I found it amusing that the Thunder article which blasts people for complaining about no-shows was accompanied by the rant about the Lancaster not flying in the show and not getting a photo flight with the it.

[Randy Haskin]

Some other discussion on that topic in this thread:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=9021

[Trey Carroll]

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Last edited by Trey Carroll on Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:13 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[Chad Veich]

This is not the first time that AC has complained about not being able to shoot air-to-air of the Lanc. I can remember the same complaint in AC back when the Lanc first started flying. As I recall the AC camera ship tried to form up with the Lanc un-announced and the CWH guys kept running away. AC reported that the CWH said it was because of their policy of no a to a without a pre-flight briefing. It was not too hard to tell from the article that O'Leary took it personally though.

[Manonthefence]

CWH said it was because of their policy of no a to a without a pre-flight briefing

And they are (IMHO) absolutely correct to take this stance. I wouldnt even consider and air to air without a brief first.

[mrhenniger]

AC reported that the CWH said it was because of their policy of no a to a without a pre-flight briefing. It was not too hard to tell from the article that O'Leary took it personally though.

I had the good fortune to sit in on the pre-flight briefing on the practice day for the Battle of Britain commemoration flight in Ottawa last month. The CWH crew are pros. No detail goes undiscussed. No maneauver goes unplanned. They are operating a significant piece of aviation history and are very serious when they do. I don't blame them for breaking off if another aircraft were to show up unnanounced.

Mike

Last edited by mrhenniger on Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[K5DH]

It would be great to shoot a set of air-to-air photos of such a rare and beautiful aircraft, no doubt, but SAFETY IS EVERYTHING. As much as I like Air Classics (my collection dates back to the early 1970s), I'm going to have to side with the CWH crew on this one. One little screw-up by the photo ship pilot and a whole bunch of great people might end up in body bags, and a fabulous piece of aviation history could be lost forever. No photo is worth that kind of risk.

If O'Leary wants to schedule a photo shoot and agree to a full preflight briefing and carefully choreographed flight plan, I'd be willing to bet that CWH will accommodate him.

We don't allow anyone to get near us while we're in flight without prior knowledge and consent.

Cheers!

[warbirdguy]

I think what has AC so steamed is the fact that they tried to set up this photo shoot months ahead of time with no response from CWH. Yankee Air Museum even tried to set up the photo shoot for AC with no response to that either!

[norman malayney]

Gentlemen,

Will the CWH allow air-to-air photos for a fee? After all, they have to pay to maintain the aircraft in flying condition. Why should some one else take photos and make a profit?

Are all air-to-air photos of the Lancaster so far published credited to CWH?

Or is it the saftey factor as to why they will not allow in-flight photos to be taken?

Norman Malayney

[Raven]

I think what has AC so steamed is the fact that they tried to set up this photo shoot months ahead of time with no response from CWH.

Gee, maybe someone's reputation preceeded him...

Yankee Air Museum even tried to set up the photo shoot for AC with no response to that either!

Could be that an AC connection wasn't a positive one.

[Stoney]

Un-briefed formation flights are against the FAR's, the Lanc did the right thing. I know Don and he's an excellent aviator.

[Jack Cook]

Out of curiosity who pays for the gas for their photo flights?
AC or is it a free ride for them???

[Jerry O'Neill]

Usually the show pays for the gas, as it is considered publicity, either for that years event, or for the following year, to drum up coverage/business/sponsors.
More coverage during and after an event, the easier it can be to get sponsors for next year!
I should know, because I know exactly how much we spent on gas for the Corsair show last year!!!!
I can't imagine what TOM spent with all those "heavies" last year!
Jerry