Warbird Information Exchange

First one I remember seeing was at least 20 years ago at
osh, it was an AV-8A and a Corsair as a nod to Marine Corp aviation.
That was pretty cool, but I was a kid.

Now, I'd rather see the planes performng towards their limits, not struggling to fly too slow or too fast. Plus I'm always worried the vintage aircraft is going to get messed up.

I'd really like to hear from the current military pilots on just how difficult it is to fly with the warbirds. And vise versa. Again I'm not a big fan of a P-51 with an F16 or F15, but that's all I have seen. I guess I would change my mind if I saw some of the flights that have been posted in this thread. But I'll tell you this, everytime I see the Blue Angels fly in San Francisco, which I have seen many times, I get real excited especially when I look at people next to me that rarely see any aircraft flying. I've been on boats in the bay when an F18 flies literally over my head and what a rush that is.

I've jumped into this thread a little late, so I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but a while back at the Abbotsford Air Show they had the Snowbirds flying with a Spitfire Mk IX just ahead of the lead. The pilot of the Spit was Bud Granley. They did several passes and I thought it looked really great.

Considering the speed of the Tutors it didn't look like either Spit or Snowbirds had to worry about flying slower or faster than they normally do.

My opinion on the flights is that I like them in general. It is exciting to see a progression of technology all flying together.

Cheers,

David McIntosh

Must admit if the Navy is going to keep doing this, they need to do it right and hold off season practice like ACC does. The formation above is way too loose. But then again, I'm not a pilot.

_________________
"I love the smell of racing gas in the morning"
www.timadamsphotography.com

Two things:

1) We don't know exactly where this picture was taken. The F-18 might have been in the midst of a rejoin, hence the further out it is from the other planes.

2) It might have been bumpy or turbulent, so the F-18 might not have wanted to "press his luck" with getting too close to the other airplanes. Remember, the warbirds are in their airspeed "sweet spot", while the F-18 is flying slower than it's "sweet spot". Notice the leading edge flaps and trailing edge flaps on the F-18 are out. This is indicative of a slow airspeed for the Hornet. This means that it will be relatively easy for the warbirds to keep formation, while it will be more difficult than normal for the Hornet, since it is flying much slower than it's normal formation airspeed.

We really can't make any judgements about this picture, since we don't know the context under which it was taken. The Navy legacy flight doesn't qualify "sloppy" or "loose" pilots, so a statement like what was given above is an insult to the reputation of those pilots.

That Navy Legacy Flight looks to be from the Reno Air Races. Planes can look perfect from one angle, and completely loose from another. Stead Field where the air races are held is known for it's winds.........

_________________
Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

It would be nice to get a SPAD in one of those heritage Flights, but I think we'd have big, huge, pieces of metal falling from the sky trying to stay with it!
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Post and inappropriate photo removed

_________________
Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Hi Roger!
Nice shot, but actually I meant a "real" SPAD, as in Hispano Suiza powered, WWI era, Eddie Rckenbacker, two gun tote'n, fabric covered, thin double-winged, flyin' machine!
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Yankee Air museum is building one as we speak...

Jerry made it clear in his choice of caps in his spelling and the context of his words.... he meant THE original SPAD.

VAHF is building one as well...Tho, not listed on their Projects page. A Hisso bird too, IIRC.
It just keeps getting better.....

Given the WIX is such a discriminating microsope, I must mention another SPAD option. Rocket-powered, but
heavily handicapped with excessive drag..serious ear-flutter issues. This bird must be launched up into the passing
collected formation for the oppurtune photo..falling away from the formation relying opon its own devices for survival.
..an Me-163 Basselope lacking horns, if you will...
www.spssalesinc.com/spaddawgs_homepage.htm

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Yes he did, in my rush to check the WIX board last night with little time to do so, my brain didn't register. I pulled the picture to put a smile back on your face. Adios..........

_________________
Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Yes, it's Reno, and like I said I'm not a pilot. I do expect them to fly looser since they do not practice before the show season like ACC does.

_________________
"I love the smell of racing gas in the morning"
www.timadamsphotography.com