Warbird Information Exchange

A friend just sent me a link to this, a 1964 film about a TCA DC-8 flight from Montreal to Montego Bay and back.

I met that particular Captain once, Windy Reid, in about 1976, in his hangar where he had a TravelAir biplane amongst others. He seemed covered with glory to my 18 year-old eyes... He was also a very decorated WWII pilot; flew Mosquitos I believe.

I like the views of the passengers, dressed up and on their best behavior, boys wearing jacket-and-tie, ladies wearing furs. And the flight crew walking across the ramp in step!

https://www.nfb.ca/film/jet-pilot/

https://www.nfb.ca/film/jet-pilot/

Dave

Now this is GREAT...tks for sharing Dave!

Like those:
- Luggages...evolution
- 1964...I was not even born yet....
- Dorval....hihi...am getting old
- No jetways....
- The RR exhaust cowls.....early mark?
- The cockpit dash: from your Fairchild to the DC8 to how simpler dashboards are today. Takes one heck of a brain to compute all those dials in
- What is the noise when the engines are started? At 6:50 ish....
- The pre-flight list on the cockpit frame
- What are the air intakes on the nose? First time I notice those on a DC8?
- A metal fork with real food and China...I remember those...
- Imperial vs Metric
- And most important.....the NFB contribution to Canadian history! Never ceases to amaze me

Never flown on an 8th....but wow tks for this Canadian snippet!!!! Really appreciated this.

A few answers below in red..

Yes, those were very early days with Air Canada. The airline had many models of DC-8s, starting with the 40s with the R-R Conway engines.

I remember quizzing my Dad during long drives to the cottage -- he would have a checkride coming up, so he'd ask me (maybe 12?) to go through the pages of the QRH and correct him on the memorized drills. Complicating the solutions were the 40, 50 and 60-series models, with many engine and wing changes. Pilots had to memorize all the operational differences.

When the A320 first came out, everyone was touting the modern "clean" panel, with far fewer gauges and dials and instruments. Many gushing statements. But the truth was, the whole old-fashioned panel was being squeezed onto 2 CRT screens. A huge amount of information was shoehorned into a small space. Years after I was flying it, the question would often arise: "Has that little indicator always been there?" The DC-8 had a very large attitude indicator. It was very easy to see a small deviation.

A DC-8 has no APU. The starter is driven by high-pressure air, which has to be supplied by an "air-cart", which is either a bottle (or 2) or a compressor. A BIG whine when you say, "Start." After the first one, you can start the rest using air supplied by the running engine through cross-bleed ducts.

The Conway engines were distinctive. I believe you firewalled the throttles at takeoff, rather than modulated them. The FCU was supposed to sort out max-power for you based on temp and press. Noisy and smoky.

Yes, a convenient place for a Before Take-off Check was on the window-frame. Can't get lost. But later checklists were on a separate board with items crossed-off by the S/O.

The DC-8 used a Freon-based air-conditioning system. Those chin-slits were the intakes. Later I believe they were modified, and air-cycle turbines were used.

I never flew the "8". But it was folklore at AC for a very long time.

Glad you liked the film. Capt. Reid exemplified an era at the airline -- a wartime hero, still working into the 1970s, VERY old-fashioned. No modern-style CRM at all. But a highly-talented, demanding, skilled pilot who survived. And that was saying something.

double post

Great video.

Minor correction on the whoosh before the whine. That is actually the sound of the starter valve opening, not the air start cart itself. You can tell its cold too since you can see the starter exhaust on the lower right of the cowling. I think the sound also isn't unique to the Conway as I've heard it on the BAC 1-11 during start with the Spey engines.

Note, as well, that the pilot drives a rusted (8-year-old) 1956 Mercury off to work. Not much Hollywood glamorization there- just a man doing his job. An outstanding film!

To be exact, it's a 1955 Monarch Richelieu two-door hardtop - top of the line that year for Canada's dressed-up version of the Mercury. Wouldn't mind having one...
Great little movie. Anyone have an ID for ship 810?

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Nowadays bleed air directly from the engines is used to pressurize the cabin. Back then they were concerned about engine fumes. The DC-8 routed bleed air to remotely mounted "turbochargers" that compressed fresh air for cabin pressure.

The NFB has several excellent aviation themed films that can be viewed for free on their website (not just "The Defender"!).

This one is one of my favourites for the great shots of Canadair North Star Merlins getting some attention in the engine shop:

https://www.nfb.ca/film/routine_flight/

I won't spoil the surprise unveiling of the new aircraft at the end...