Lightning & Corsair

[Darrell]

Cool video of Red Bull's P-38 Lightning and F4U Corsair flying at an airshow in France. They had a ton of GoPro cameras stuck to the planes:

http://youtu.be/6McV4L_K7xA

[Aesop]

The frame rate artifact of barely moving propellers was rather fascinating.
The Corsair particularly in that was the simplest version of pure flight I've seen.
The synchronized loop was phenomenal, and the tandem one wasn't bad either.
The GoPro HD is transformational in viewing: everyday IMAX is the only acceptable standard now.
Loved the over-the-shoulder shots of the panel.

Quibbles:
They should have had cameras near the top of the tailplanes facing forward. Wingtips facing X-Y-Z wouldn't have hurt either.
I would have synched in ground shots as well at certain key points during their fly-bys.
If you're going to pair a P-38 and F-4U, having a Mitsu Zero to chase around is a moral imperative, just because.
Without at least 7.1 Dolby Surround with a decent subwoofer and sound properly recorded on-site on the day, not being able to feel the engines the way you do in your chest in person when they're firing on all cylinders wide open, is a pale substitute. It's the difference between looking at a gorgeous woman, and actually holding her in your arms.

Still a great video.
It also makes me want someone to do this as well with a Spad and DRIII. The weather and the countryside was tremendous.
But instead of sliding in and out of different soundtracks on this vid, the main theme from The Blue Max on that is the only way to go.

Someday, when I hit the lottery...

[skb12172]

My dad, a US Navy Aviation Vet from the 1950s, always said the Corsair was the best example from the Prop era. He lamented their retirement, saying they would be useful NOW as ground support aircraft. Of course, he was proven right, as the US .MIL is now buying a similar plane from BRAZIL to use for close ground support.

[Netpackrat]

Two of my favorite aircraft.

[BDK]

Two of my favorite aircraft.

+1

[Greg]

Two of my favorite aircraft.

+1

Yep. Remember watching 'Black Sheep Squadron' as a little one.

[rightisright]

Two of my favorite aircraft.

+1

Yep. Remember watching 'Black Sheep Squadron' as a little one.

I have fond memories of watching that w. my dad. I forwarded the video to him.

[308Mike]

GREAT videos!! Although I would have much preferred they had been dog-fighting. HOWEVER, I also understand why they wouldn't, given the age of those airframes and other critical parts used to make them!!! Even so, they are both BEAUTIFUL aircraft - and I'd LOVE to ride in either/both of them - ESPECIALLY if I can get some time on the stick in BOTH OF THEM!!!

[Netpackrat]

Yep. Remember watching 'Black Sheep Squadron' as a little one.

Ditto.

[MiddleAgedKen]

Two of my favorite aircraft.

Can't say I blame you, but anybody can favorite a couple of hot rods like those.

Now to stand up with your bare face hanging out and say your favorite planes of the era are the Lakirovanny Garantirovanny Grob (mainly on aesthetics) and the Avia S-199 Sakeen (out of sheer general cussedness), now that qualifies as either chutzpah or chutzpidity. YMMV.