T-6 & P-51 flyover | FerrariChat
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T-6 & P-51 flyover

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by rfking, Jul 25, 2007.

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  1. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    #1 rfking, Jul 25, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I was privileged to be part of the coordination of a flyover of a T-6 and P-51 last weekend for the beginning of the final race on Sunday afternoon here in Birmingham (Porsche 250)

    The National Anthem wa scheduled (per SpeedTV) to start exactly at 2:05, and - for all you trivia buffs, it takes 90 seconds to sing the Anthem.

    So - we had the flyover set for 2:06.50

    We put the airplanes in formation holding about 5 miles away and then started the out toward the racetrack just so that they arrived at the last note of the anthem and the engines started on the Daytona Prototypes (each with probably as much horsepower as the P-51 Merlin engine). It was a beautiful symphony of sound.

    Anyway - for me personally it was a great opportunity to experience race control at a real race track with national TV live coverage, etc.

    Here are a few pics, taken with my handheld camera, of the a/c and race control
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  2. Skyraider

    Skyraider Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2005
    620
    #2 Skyraider, Jul 26, 2007
    Great shots Roy,

    But tell me..... where can I get a handheld camera,
    .......... that can take pics like the second one.......

    Or are you just good at jumping high, too?? heh heh!

    How long was the flight from holding area to track?
    What altitude did they fly?

    Must have been an exceptionally teriffic feeling,
    when they flew over right on que...


    Thanks for sharing.
    Charlie
     
  3. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    #3 rfking, Jul 26, 2007
    The trip from holding to the track was 1.5 minutes, so we released them as soon as the anthem started.

    I was using a Sony Alpha 100 with an 18-200 MM lens. Its a 10 Megapixel format - so it zooms in pretty good. It also has a built in stabilization system to cut down on the "shakes" that us old people have!

    It's not that great indoors at night with the attached flash, but ourdoors it's fantastic - and simple to use for us novices.
     
  4. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    #4 rfking, Jul 27, 2007
    With no waivered airspace, it was standard minimum altitudes - so about 1000' lowest.

    At some of the races, they have had a box established and put on a proper airshow, but this was just a flyover.
     
  5. Skyraider

    Skyraider Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2005
    620
    #5 Skyraider, Jul 27, 2007
    Thanks for the info Roy.

    I'm trying to learn all I can about formation flying, as I want to start
    (when competent) a flight team, for precision flight, self indulgence, and maybe a public performance or two. It will be a couple of years, before we're ready tho...

    Hope I'm not *too old* before then... ;-)

    Have two local pilots that have said they're interested in flying with me, and we're looking for a third.

    I'm studying all the books, videos, even the stuff online....

    [The two-cassette video (VHS) (230 minutes) package “Formation Flying: The Art”, $69.95, available from Sporty’s Pilot Shop (catalog # 632A) is the best formation information material available. The video package includes the (T-34) Formation Flying Manual.]

    We have plenty of ocean over which to practice...

    As a C.A.P. Senior member, working on the McGuire AFB Airshow, this past May,
    I got to meet the USAF Thunderbirds personally. Now, there's a great inspiration for ya!


    Skyraider

    Aka Charlie
     
  6. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    #6 rfking, Jul 27, 2007
    Well - I applaud your goals - the guy flying the T-6 in my pics is a former Miramar Top Gun Instructor.

    I haven't been (inverted) in the front seat of an airplane in 20 years and I have no interest in doing so today. Although I have 100's of flight hours spent in negative G - I have no interest in having stuff flying about out of the floorboards into my eyes, etc. these days.
     
  7. Skyraider

    Skyraider Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2005
    620
    #7 Skyraider, Jul 28, 2007

    So that's why WWII pilots wore goggles......

    Thanks for the tip about having the cockpit vacuumed, before going inverted...
    See?? I take all the input I can get! heh heh!

    Have not yet been inverted in an aircraft...
    except for once in a full motion simulator. But that, doesn't count

    Spins have been it for me, so far..
    looking forward to doing so... I think...?

    Seriously, All we're thinking of doing is formation flying, not doing any aerobatics...
    I'd be happy, if we can get proficient enough to maintain 10 foot separation.
    At 1000 ft AGL. that would almost look, like we were touching each other..
    Looking more to close precision, than fancy acro flying.

    I have to give credit though, to those jet jockeys that maintain close echelon, or a diamond, even while doing a barrel roll at a few hundred knots.
    Now, THAT'S PRECISION!

    Phew!!


    Charlie
     
  8. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    #8 rfking, Jul 28, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. Skyraider

    Skyraider Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2005
    620
    #9 Skyraider, Jul 29, 2007
    Hmmm..... I'd have to see a head on view....

    But for the view in the pic... FANTASTIC!
    Yes! That's what I'd like to have for a goal. Optical illusion or not!

    Charlie
     
  10. rfking

    rfking Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2003
    785
    Italy
    #10 rfking, Jul 29, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  11. Skyraider

    Skyraider Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2005
    620
    #11 Skyraider, Jul 30, 2007

    IT MOST CERTAINLY DOES!
    Great shot.

    Hmmm..... I know they use smoke, ;).........
    ...........but I can never find any of their mirrors... ;) ;)

    Charlie
     
  12. imported_aventino

    imported_aventino Rookie

    Jan 17, 2007
    10
    #12 imported_aventino, Jul 31, 2007
    They're almost as close as the USAF Thunderbirds get :)
     

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