- Thread starter
- #241
Mostly Axis aircraft, German with a couple from Japan, and the title is obviously subjective opinion. Still, some interesting photos and worth some consideration, in generic sense.
Hanger Tails(Tales) ~ Flying/Aviation
- Thread starter Stryder50
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #242
North American had quite a production run @ 80 years ago;
P-51 ~ F-86 ~ F-100 and then;
Note that scrolling past the first video offering will present a large assortment of others, some related, some not.
P-51 ~ F-86 ~ F-100 and then;
That Time North American Built a Jet Too Advanced for the Air Force to Handle
In 1956, North American Aviation unveiled the F-107A Ultra Sabre, a supersonic marvel that outperformed its rivals and looked decades ahead of its time. Yet despite its innovation, the jet was abruptly cancelled, leaving behind one of the most fascinating “what could have been” stories in military aviation.Note that scrolling past the first video offering will present a large assortment of others, some related, some not.
- Thread starter
- #243
Near ten minute clip with lots of footage showing B-29s during WWII, with eventual focus on the fire bombing raids.
(As typical with this sort of MSN"click bait" scroll down for more videos of related and eclectic subjects.)
(As typical with this sort of MSN"click bait" scroll down for more videos of related and eclectic subjects.)
The Dark Plane that Caused More Devastation than the Atomic Bomb
As Pilot Robert Morgan grasped the controls of the B-29 Superfortress named “Dauntless Dotty,” he could sense the weight of history resting on his shoulders. The engines thundered, propelling the colossal aircraft upwards, slicing through clouds and withstanding the hostile fire. He knew that each mission could be his last, but he was determined to see it through. Morgan's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for enemy fighters as they streaked through the Pacific sky. His heart raced, but his hands remained steady, steering the bomber along its path. Amid the turmoil of war, he and his crew had forged an unshakable bond, relying on one another for their lives. As the target emerged into view, Morgan's fingers deftly moved over the controls, preparing to release the payload. This was their moment - the chance to change the course of the war. With a deep breath, he gave the order, and Dauntless Dotty unleashed her might on the enemy below…
- Thread starter
- #244
At @ 49 minutes viewing time, this may seem a long video, but it is informative and interesting (even if some of the images and film are repeated at times.).
They make a good case for the B-47 being a major source of the "DNA" that shaped modern multi-engine jet design that would follow, not just military, but also commercial. Swept wings, engines in pods slung under the wings, and the tandem pattern main landing gear are some of the major contributions. Also significant procedural and operation systems spun out of experience with the Stratojet.
Home website;
They make a good case for the B-47 being a major source of the "DNA" that shaped modern multi-engine jet design that would follow, not just military, but also commercial. Swept wings, engines in pods slung under the wings, and the tandem pattern main landing gear are some of the major contributions. Also significant procedural and operation systems spun out of experience with the Stratojet.
That Time America Built a Bomber So Advanced It Changed Everything
Sleek, deadly, and decades ahead of its time - the B-47 Stratojet changed aviation forever. It built the foundation for the modern jet age, even as its pilots risked their lives flying one of the most dangerous aircraft ever made.Home website;
All copied from the Me-262.At @ 49 minutes viewing time, this may seem a long video, but it is informative and interesting (even if some of the images and film are repeated at times.).
They make a good case for the B-47 being a major source of the "DNA" that shaped modern multi-engine jet design that would follow, not just military, but also commercial. Swept wings, engines in pods slung under the wings, and the tandem pattern main landing gear are some of the major contributions. Also significant procedural and operation systems spun out of experience with the Stratojet.
That Time America Built a Bomber So Advanced It Changed Everything
Sleek, deadly, and decades ahead of its time - the B-47 Stratojet changed aviation forever. It built the foundation for the modern jet age, even as its pilots risked their lives flying one of the most dangerous aircraft ever made.
Home website;
- Thread starter
- #246
The video does acknowledge that the swept wing insight came from Nazi German research found when going through the research centers in fallen, occupied Germany.
What was interesting is how competing bomber designs at the time had straight wings and engines embedded in the wings.
It also makes an interesting point how the B-47 design became a template of sorts for future commercial/passenger aircraft.
More interesting is some of the physical flight problems/issues unforeseen and also human systems changes that were presented and solved.
The swept wing offered tremendous advantages in performance, so yeah. They had to adapt to them.
Just like in F1. The technology has made the humans have to adapt to get the best racing performance.
They experience 5G lateral forces in the corners, so their necks are incredibly strong.
- Thread starter
- #248
Going to archive this thread here, since it is an interesting aviation theme. This shows the radar "screen" view of an Air Traffic Controller guiding flights into an airport. Of note are the voices/accents of the pilots and the dangerous misunderstanding on the directions they are receiving.
And you thought the trucks were bad
And you thought the trucks were bad
- Thread starter
- #249
This is an interesting video. Unfortunately, like so many, takes about 30+ minutes to say what could have been done in 2-3 minutes.
Does make a valid point on one subject, which I've noticed over the years in my industrial production work, that often the "mechanics" have better insights and solutions than the "engineers".
1,436,227 views Oct 26, 2025 #ww2history #ww2 #wwii
Why one aircraft mechanic installed unauthorized piano wire in P-38 control systems during WW2 — and saved 80 to 100 American pilots' lives. This World War 2 story reveals how a six-inch piece of wire changed aerial combat in the Pacific.
August 17, 1943. Technical Sergeant James McKenna, an aircraft mechanic with the Fifth Air Force at Dobodura airfield, New Guinea, watched another pilot prepare for a mission against Japanese Zeros. The P-38 Lightning was fast and powerful. But it couldn't turn with a Zero. The control cables had slack. A three-eighths inch delay between stick movement and aircraft response. That tiny delay was killing pilots. Every training manual said the cable tension was within specifications. Engineering officers called it acceptable tolerance.
They were all wrong.
What McKenna discovered that August morning wasn't about following regulations. It was about physics and leverage in a way that contradicted everything the Army approved. He bent a six-inch piece of piano wire into a Z-shape and installed it as a cable tensioner without authorization. Lieutenant Hayes flew the modified aircraft that morning and destroyed three Zeros in seven minutes. By September, forty P-38s had the modification spreading mechanic to mechanic across the Pacific. And pilots survived.
This technique spread unofficially through fighter squadrons crew chief to crew chief, improving kill ratios from two-to-one against Americans to nearly even before Lockheed integrated it into the P-38J model. The principles discovered at Dobodura continued to influence aircraft control systems through the Vietnam War.
...
Does make a valid point on one subject, which I've noticed over the years in my industrial production work, that often the "mechanics" have better insights and solutions than the "engineers".
How One Mechanic's "Stupid" Wire Trick Made P-38s Outmaneuver Every Zero
...1,436,227 views Oct 26, 2025 #ww2history #ww2 #wwii
Why one aircraft mechanic installed unauthorized piano wire in P-38 control systems during WW2 — and saved 80 to 100 American pilots' lives. This World War 2 story reveals how a six-inch piece of wire changed aerial combat in the Pacific.
August 17, 1943. Technical Sergeant James McKenna, an aircraft mechanic with the Fifth Air Force at Dobodura airfield, New Guinea, watched another pilot prepare for a mission against Japanese Zeros. The P-38 Lightning was fast and powerful. But it couldn't turn with a Zero. The control cables had slack. A three-eighths inch delay between stick movement and aircraft response. That tiny delay was killing pilots. Every training manual said the cable tension was within specifications. Engineering officers called it acceptable tolerance.
They were all wrong.
What McKenna discovered that August morning wasn't about following regulations. It was about physics and leverage in a way that contradicted everything the Army approved. He bent a six-inch piece of piano wire into a Z-shape and installed it as a cable tensioner without authorization. Lieutenant Hayes flew the modified aircraft that morning and destroyed three Zeros in seven minutes. By September, forty P-38s had the modification spreading mechanic to mechanic across the Pacific. And pilots survived.
This technique spread unofficially through fighter squadrons crew chief to crew chief, improving kill ratios from two-to-one against Americans to nearly even before Lockheed integrated it into the P-38J model. The principles discovered at Dobodura continued to influence aircraft control systems through the Vietnam War.
...
What made the P-38 turn better was differential throttle on the engines, and the Fowler flaps.
You had to be an accomplished pilot to do it, but this story reeks of cow dung.
- Thread starter
- #251
You'll have me chasing down another source that might confirm this tale, but the cable slack and resulting tension fix sounds plausible to me.
No aircraft maker will send an aircraft out with slack control cables.
That's a recipe for disaster.
- Thread starter
- #253
If you listen to the first few minutes of the vid, the cable was within spec/tolerances, and had only a small fraction of an inch of play in it. Which the claim is the "Z" shaped piece of wire fixed, make response 'instant' rather than a fraction of second delay ...
There's no such thing as "instant" response from analog cables. It's a ridiculous claim. Furthermore, fighter pilots are flying their aircraft seconds ahead of where they actually are.
No matter the claims made in the video, pilots aren't super human, they still have that 3/4 second delay for their response.
And ALL fighter pilots agree that their vision was far more important than simple reflexes. The ability to spot the enemy at distance was by far the most important part of a dogfight.
- Thread starter
- #255
A couple of clips/links on one of the better fighters of World War 2, the P-47 Thunderbolt.
It was not “best in class” in any category, however, it was very good in just about every category. Fast, long-legged and well-armed, it was also the most survivable fighter of the entire war. In scale and concept, the P-47 was a design outlier, and was different from every other fighter of the war.
P‑47 Thunderbolt - The Heavyweight Fighter that Helped Win WWII
The P‑47 Thunderbolt was one of the largest and most heavily armed fighter aircraft of WWII. Built around the powerful Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 engine, it combined speed, durability, and firepower. Though not as sleek as other fighters, its rugged design allowed it to excel in escort and ground attack missions. By 1944, its impact on the European air war was undeniable.9 brilliant things about the P-47 Thunderbolt
The P-47 Thunderbolt was the most versatile fighter aircraft of the Second World War.It was not “best in class” in any category, however, it was very good in just about every category. Fast, long-legged and well-armed, it was also the most survivable fighter of the entire war. In scale and concept, the P-47 was a design outlier, and was different from every other fighter of the war.
- Thread starter
- #256
The video was claiming another "3/4 second delay" after the pilot's mental/physical delay AND that this was something experienced in some of the aircraft. Controls felt 'mushy' compared to other aircraft flown.
- Thread starter
- #257
I've mentioned this before as one of the best private collections of flyable warbirds.
From Vintage Aviation News, in my email inbox;
vintageaviationnews.com
From Vintage Aviation News, in my email inbox;
The Erickson Aircraft Collection
Regular Vintage Aviation News contributor Ugo Vicenzi visited the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon—home to one of the nation’s largest flying warbird collections. Touring the impressive facility and taking to the air aboard several of its legendary aircraft, Vicenzi offers an inside look at Jack and Oliver Erickson’s remarkable effort to keep aviation history alive and flying.
The Erickson Aircraft Collection - Vintage Aviation News
Regular Vintage Aviation News contributor Ugo Vicenzi visited the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon—home to one of the nation’s largest flying warbird collections. Touring the impressive facility and taking to the air aboard several of its legendary aircraft, Vicenzi offers an...
vintageaviationnews.com
Actually, the P-38 was by far the most versatile American fighter of the war. It was a fighter, a dive bomber, could also do level bombing, photo recon, weather flights, etc.
Now don't think I am talking down the 47, cause I'm not. Hub Zemke was a great friend of mine and what his men of the 56th Fighter Group were able to accomplish with the P-47 was amazing.
They shot down more enemy aircraft than any other fighter group.
Below are his butter bars that he gave me many decades ago. He was awarded these in 1935 IIRC.
Attachments
It's bullshit. The same group put out a video claiming some crew chief bent the prop of a F4U Corsair and increased the speed by 40mph.
That's absurd. First, you don't bend props. If it is one tenth of a degree off the vibration pulls the engine off of the mounts.
Secondly, ALL F4U's came with variable pitch props, so there would have been no benefit from bending the prop blade.
Like I said, their claims are bullshit. I'm a pilot. I have over 6,000 hours on multiple types. I actually am friends with fighter pilots, and test pilots. One of my best friends, who is now sadly passed away, was the director of the Test Pilot School at Edwards. I actually know what I'm talking about.
- Thread starter
- #260
1) Did you actually watch the video ?
2) That would be World War 2 Records/WW2 Records ?
WW2 Records
📖 WW2 Records — Forgotten Stories from World War II We tell dramatic stories about World War II, exploring innovations, tactics, and moments of courage. Our content is created using publicly available historical information and internet sources. These are narrative retellings. While inspired...
www.youtube.com
Yeah, looking at their website and the range of videos they offer, looks like a bit of photo-shop and other "embellishment" might be their style.
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