M5Clive Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 I thought that considering Operation Bolero has a strong aviation connection, it would be nice to have a section devoted to 'things with wings' and because this isn't strictly Military vehicle's, it maybe fits in here better than in 'Other Chatter.' Anyway here's a couple to start with courtsey of good old You Tube - And in glorious colour! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfoxq4q4J84 Both clips filmed by Doc Furness, 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) Eighth Air Force at Podington, Bedfordshire. Cds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 All the terror and chaos of a mission fighting off fighters plunging through flak all the way there and back only to have to finish it off with a potentially disasterous belly landing... Then get up and do it all again :schocked: Bloody brave those guys :bow: :bow: :bow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 How about something B-17 related from more recent times?? Here's a couple of my own videos from the late 1990's. We'll start out with a bit of a C**k Up. Here's B-17 'Sally B' at Flying Legends '97 making a grass runway landing. The crew were practicing a grass runway landing on their home field because they were going to Europe the following week and would need to land on grass. Unfortunately, nobody told them, and they didn't think to look at the grass runway first. Just on the threshhold, there is a slight rise in the grass where it slopes up from the concrete perimeter track. It isn't a hill, but did make a big difference to this landing. Touching down right on the rise launched the B-17 back into the air by about 30 to 40 feet with low airspeed. You can actually see the wing tips flex!!! They made the correct recovery by applying power on the inner engines only and stretching the bounce to a hard, but controlled landing. Having been in this position with my B-17, stretching the bounce is the only option. Applying 'go around' power would have resulted in a large and possibly uncontrollable torque reaction to the left which could have had messy results. Here's the video The second video is from a show at North Weald, and shows 'Sally B' taking off, simulating engine fires with smoke and then a Very Short Field Landing, just like the flight manual says - Tail high, loads of weight on the wheels so the brakes can be used hard without skidding. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Wow that short landing is very impressive Looks like a very difficult fine balancing act I'da thought the tail would have dropped harder than that bit like patting your head, rubbing your tummy, reciting the alphabet backards, blindfold on a unicycle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Ohhh to be able to see one fly for real once this lifetime would be amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 Come to OPERATION BOLERO in Suffolk, East Anglia and you never knowwhat might turn up............................! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Well spank my ass and call me charly because me and the missus _ARE_ comming to operation Bolero! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Well spank my ass and call me charly because me and the missus _ARE_ comming to operation Bolero! Yeah yeah, rub it in why don't you...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 Hi Joris Been away from the PC for a few days! Thats great news ;-) - You will be made very welcome. Are you able to bring your Dodge or will you be needing a lift in a suitable MV for the event? We can accommodate you whatever! Cds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 This brilliant short video clip shows display pilot, the late Mark Hanna, flying at his very best, with a very humourous outcome :-D This will make you chuckle :-D :-D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvDDDKnNhuE Cds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 In March 1999 I was lucky and privilaged enough to take a 45 minute flight aboard the Collings Foundation B-17 G in Titusville, Florida. It was the experience of a lifetime and a feeling that I cannot easily describe. Everything fell into place just perfect on the day and my video of the flight is very much a treasured posession. This short clip is someone elses camera efforts, but gives a good insight into what its like to fly aboard a B-17 in modern times. Enjoy Cds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I think it was Ray Hanna who was flying the Spit at the time. Ray, an expert at low flying, was also responsible for flying his Spitfire under the bridge in the 1988 LWT mini series, "Piece of Cake". The bridge was 100 feet span, the Spitfire spanned 36 feet. At 200mph, it was a very small target and the prop was only a couple of feet from the water under the bridge. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 It was actually Maurice Hammond (owner of P-51 x2) who told me it was Mark Hanna flying in this clip, but I will bow to your greater knowledge Jessie, because I know you have been into this hobby far longer than I. cds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I remember Maurice buzzing Thorpe Abbotts tower a few years ago, and sent several people to the floor! I'm sure he was coming up the peri-track at 20 feet! maybe it just felt that low!! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 As several of us have said on a recent thread, we were buzzed by Ray Hanna at the first Goodwood Revival meeting, I was crossing the runway in a QL and he came from behind, along with another Spit....great stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Hi Joris Been away from the PC for a few days! Thats great news ;-) - You will be made very welcome. Are you able to bring your Dodge or will you be needing a lift in a suitable MV for the event? We can accommodate you whatever! Cds Well Easyjet said they'd charge me extra to transport the Dodge so I guess it's not comming. Jack will pick us (me and the missus) up at Stansted airport, from then on..... When are we expected and when is the party over? Then I can book the flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 4, 2007 Author Share Posted April 4, 2007 Neil sent me this yesterday - Hope this isn't the type of take off and landing that Jack is paying for on your trip to Bolero Joris :-o Cds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I hope not!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Why??? C-47's are great planes to fly in. My last C-47 flight was sadly 22 years ago! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I can never ever get my wife in one of those!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 They're safer than a modern airliner!!!! C-47's are I believe the only airplane flying without a wing spar life, that's why they just keep going and going. It's all down to the multiple spar design. All other airframes reach their specified hours fatigue life, then off to the smelter! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Yeah but sensible arguments don't help when it comes to flying and my wife... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 5, 2007 Author Share Posted April 5, 2007 Brilliant reply Joris - I'm still hooting with laughter :-D :-D :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 5, 2007 Author Share Posted April 5, 2007 A little more up-to-date but take at look at this KC-135 Stratotanker. I have these fly over our house almost daily on a direct approach into RAF Mildenhall about 20 miles away as the crow fly's, but fortunately not this low :-o :-o :-o Cds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 This is low flying in a proper airplane!! Real airplanes have props and a wheel at the back! The flying was performed for the 1968 film "1000 Plane Raid". It's even more spectacular seeing the 'Buzz Job' in the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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