ME-262 video... (1 Viewer)

[binder001]

For those that aren't aware, there was (is?) an outfit called the Stormbird Project. They produced FIVE exact flying replicas of the ME-262, the world's first operational fighter jet. These were baed on the old blueprints, plus careful examination of a captured ME262 formerly used by the USN. They used modern engines, but apparently tried to match the original performance parameters of Willy Messerschmidt's jet.

One of these machines was flying at an airshow in Berlin and can be viewed at;

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7620890100890480

It's kind of interesting to see an ME262 in full camouflage zooming over Berlin. Pretty impresssive!

Gary

 

[Louis Badolato]

Wow Gary,

The ME-262 video is really terrific. Are there no surviving authentic swallows that can still fly? Does the confederate airforce have one? I think there is one at the Smithsonian, but it is a museum piece which I'm sure never flies anymore. Thanks for the link!

Louis

 

[binder001]

Hi Louis,

I have always been under the impression that all the surviving ME-262s were non-operational. I guess these guys from Stormbird Project went around and looked at several. I'd be shocked if there was an operating Junkers Jumo jet engine in running shape today. I read about this project (I'm guilty of leafing through the warbird magazines at Barnes and Noble) before, but this is the first info I've seen of one flying in public. I never heard why the Project was only going to do five aircraft. Each one is handbuilt, but is supposed to be an exact replica of the original. I'm sure the price is in the multiple millions each!

One thing missing from that replica - the Hakenkreuz. Since it's illegal to display a swastika in Germany it was omitted.

Still pretty cool. Be interesting to see one at an airshow versus the Mustangs that often show up.

I was hoping someone else would get a kick out of seeing the "new/old" Swallow flying.

Gary

 

[binder001]

By the way, it would be interesting to see if they copied the oriiginal engine start process. One of the surgeons at work is a pilot and be bought a DVD of the original pilot training film for the 262. To start engine #1 they fired up a little two-cycle "Lawn Boy" motor, that provided power to spin the turbine up to ignition speed, then engine #1 provided power for #2 start up. Kind of amusing to see the pilot of the highest-tech fighter in 1945 pulling a rope start handle to get his plane going!

Gary

 

[jazzeum]

That was pretty neat. I'm surprised there are no more 262s that can fly but maybe they're best left as museum pieces.

 

[nmrocks]

Now thats the ultimate toy!
Ray
I know they have a real problem with flying restored/ original old aircraft because once they go down, thats it. If I'm not mistaken that's what happened to the last flying HE-111 used in the filming of the Battle of Britain film

 

[Chuck Harris]

Now thats the ultimate toy!
Ray
I know they have a real problem with flying restored/ original old aircraft because once they go down, thats it. If I'm not mistaken that's what happened to the last flying HE-111 used in the filming of the Battle of Britain film

Most of the German Aircraft used in this film were leased from the Spanish AF.
With all the aircraft the used in filming the the Battle of Britain it ranked # 7 in size to World Wide Air Forces.

Has anyone ever noticed in the movie The Longest Day the allied aircraft type coming in low over Normandy Beach. They were AD Skyradiers another thing Hollywood thinks nobody sees.

Next time any of you view any of the old films of Dec 7, 1941 take little time to do some aircraft ID.

 

[binder001]

Has anyone ever noticed in the movie The Longest Day the allied aircraft type coming in low over Normandy Beach. They were AD Skyradiers another thing Hollywood thinks nobody sees.

It was just conenience, the US Seventh fleet in the Mediterranean was used for the "invasion fleet". Note the LSD in the scene where Robert Mitchum's LCM is pulling out. (I don't think any LSDs appeared at Normandy). The Skyraider was still in use by the Navy at the time the "Longest Day" was filmed, so they were used for "effect". There weren't any US carrier aircraft over Normandy, even the battleship floatplane pilots traded up to Spitfires for the operation.

 

[Chuck Harris]

Has anyone ever noticed in the movie The Longest Day the allied aircraft type coming in low over Normandy Beach. They were AD Skyradiers another thing Hollywood thinks nobody sees.

It was just conenience, the US Seventh fleet in the Mediterranean was used for the "invasion fleet". Note the LSD in the scene where Robert Mitchum's LCM is pulling out. (I don't think any LSDs appeared at Normandy). The Skyraider was still in use by the Navy at the time the "Longest Day" was filmed, so they were used for "effect". There weren't any US carrier aircraft over Normandy, even the battleship floatplane pilots traded up to Spitfires for the operation.

Skyraiders were in use until about 1979. Some are more than likely still flying for some 3th World Country. Best AC I ever flew. It was a flying tank.

 

[Fubar]

I just bought THE LONGEST DAY on DVD about a week ago .Wednesday nite I was feeling puny and decided to watch it, kind of a comfort movie thing.
I noticed the same things you guys are mentioning but was uncertain of the aircraft and landing crafts designations. I was quite certain they were not correct, but still .Classic film.

Fubar

Has anyone ever noticed in the movie The Longest Day the allied aircraft type coming in low over Normandy Beach. They were AD Skyradiers another thing Hollywood thinks nobody sees.

It was just conenience, the US Seventh fleet in the Mediterranean was used for the "invasion fleet". Note the LSD in the scene where Robert Mitchum's LCM is pulling out. (I don't think any LSDs appeared at Normandy). The Skyraider was still in use by the Navy at the time the "Longest Day" was filmed, so they were used for "effect". There weren't any US carrier aircraft over Normandy, even the battleship floatplane pilots traded up to Spitfires for the operation.