SlickHutto Takes A Spin Back In The Video Saddle... 2012 Fort Worth Air Show

 If you've been paying attention the last several years you know that the best post-Oshkosh videos have been made by youtuber slickhutto - but Slick's a busy guy these days with being in the Navy and playing working hard with airplanes, ships and textbooks. So busy in fact that he wasn't able to get to OSH12 to create a video... but there's hope for OSH13! It's not a slam-dunk yet, but he's got Wittman Field on the radar, and he's been recently flexing his video muscles when he found himself with a little free time.

 This video is from Sunday October 7th at the 2012 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show. It wasn't the most beautiful day for video, but as you can sure see it was a great airshow. And while Slick seems to think he's a bit rusty, I think he's looking pretty sharp! If you haven't seen his Oshkosh videos before, check out Videos: Oshkosh Dreamin' As We Head Toward Winter (posted 2 years ago) which includes the 2009 and 2010 OSH videos from Slick, and you'll find the 2011 video here: Heaven On Earth: 2011 Oshkosh Video Recap From 'Slick'.

 Thanx again Slick : )

Video screenshot from Slick's work at the 2012 Forth Worth Alliance Air Show in October

Video: War Is Hell... But Sometimes Mercy Rules The Day (A Higher Call - Book)

 This nearly 7 minute video shares the amazing story of the 1943 encounter of a heavily damaged American B-17 bomber and a German BF-109 fighter over German territory... what should have ended with an easy kill wound up being a mission of mercy. It's a fascinating story, but even more amazing, the pilots of these two aircraft met face to face in 1990. What a fantastic display of humble humanity between these two men in that meeting! Please watch this video and see the interaction between these two great men... (both passed away in 2008).

 This true story is about to be released as a book called A Higher Call. You can learn more about the book at this A Higher Call page at ValorStudios.com. The release date for the book is December 19, 2012 but it appears that the Kindle download version is available as of today at amazon.com. If you are interested in buying the book, I have placed an ad for A Higher Call on the right side of the page (or you can click this link) and a small affiliate-sales portion of your purchase will help support AirPigz.com.

 The associated artwork shown below gives you an idea of what the encounter looked like, including the significant amount of damage the B-17 had received before being found by the BF-109 (note the left stab on the B-17) - you can learn more about the artwork on this page.

 War is hell... but thank God for mercy.

Painting by John D Shaw titled the same as the book: A Higher Call (image: valorstudios)

The Really Big Story From 71 Years Ago At Pearl Harbor...

 This post originated on Christmas Day 2010, but it's also perfectly suited to looking back 71 years after the events of Pearl Harbor, so I'm re-posting it now for December 7, 2012 (just as I did in 2011). While you are likely to see and hear many stories from that terrible day of December 7, 1941, the life story of Mitsuo Fuchida (the Japanese Navy Airman who commanded the Pearl Harbor air attack) is almost certainly the most stunning. War is hell... but from the experiences of World War II, men like Mitsuo Fuchida and Jacob De Shazer (a Doolittle Raid bombardier) came to find the path to heaven.

also see: Pearl Harbor, The Doolittle Raid, And An Epic Film Project: Wounded Tiger

Japanese Navy Airman Mitsuo Fuchida who commanded the 1941 Pearl Harbor air attack

 One of the most amazing stories to come out of World War II is likely one you've never even heard about. It's not only a fascinating story, but it's the perfect one to acknowledge on this, Christmas Day.

 Mitsuo Fuchida (1902 - 1976) was the Imperial Navy Airman who lead the air attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Fuchida had a passion for the Japanese Empire, and for flying. But events that took place shortly after the war was over would transform him into a passionate Christian who spent the rest of his life sharing the gospel, Christ's message of forgiveness and salvation, in both the United States and Japan. He even became a U.S. citizen in 1960.

 You might find this an odd story to have on an aviation blog due to the deep spiritual meaning, but the truth is that man's quest to understand where we came from and where we go when we die, is unquestionably the most important information on all of earth. So if you're inclined to turn away right now, I humbly ask you instead to read on. Read the words below from Mitsuo Fuchida himself about the events of Pearl Harbor, and then how he came to understand God's plan and purpose for forgiveness. Fuchida shared our love for aviation, but through an amazing sequence of events, he found that in the end, it is Christ who gives meaning and purpose to life.

Jacob De Shazer, bombardier of the last B-25 to take off in the Doolittle raid on Tokyo

 Fuchida's story includes a powerful connection to Jacob De Shazer, the bombardier of the last of the B-25's to take off from the USS Hornet in the Doolittle raid. 16 B-25's with 80 men total carried out that mission knowing they wouldn't have enough fuel to return. Of those 80 men, all but 3 survived the mission, but 8 men, including De Shazer were captured and became prisoners of war.

 But shortly after the war was over, Fuchida would receive a pamphlet from the hand of De Shazer entitled 'I Was a Prisoner of Japan', and that set in motion an amazing story of forgiveness. 

 Read now this account from Mitsuo Fuchida, starting with details of the attack on Pearl Harbor, about how the true meaning of Christmas (Jesus Christ!) changed his life forever...

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 I must admit I was more excited than usual as I awoke that morning at 3:00 a.m., Hawaii time, four days past my thirty-ninth birthday. Our six aircraft carriers were positioned 230 miles north of Oahu Island. As general commander of the air squadron, I made last-minute checks on the intelligence information reports in the operations room before going to warm up my single-engine, three-seater "97-type" plane used for level bombing and torpedo flying.

Click to read more ...

CoolPix Triple Play: 2012 Reno National Champion - Strega!

(click pic for hi-res)  Get up close with the 'Merlin Power' sticker on Strega's wingtip!

 I updated the AirPigz facebook cover pic last night with a version of my incredible pic of Thom Richard and his Precious Metal P-51 (with the Rolls Royce Griffon and conter-rotating props) and that got me all hot and bothered about Unlimited air racers. So, I dug out a couple unusual pix of Strega from Reno 2012 for a CoolPix triple play... the one above that brings you in really close with the Merlin Power sticker on the right wingtip, and the one below that shows the cockpit area of the airplane, with the canopy open, as it was sitting in their spot in the pit. I like the details in this cockpit pic along with the Reno National Champion history behind the canopy. I figure these pix might make for a sweet December treat for anyone who respects and admires this airplane, especially since as far as I know the airplane is currently still retired from racing (after having won again in 2012 with young Steven Hinton at the controls).

(click pic for hi-res)  Unlimited racer Strega: that's a lot of winning at Reno!

 And then, to put these up-close images in better perspective, I've included a pic I captured of Strega on Friday (9-14-12) at Pylon 4 at Reno 2012. That view from behind is the view every competitor in the last several years has had of this amazing Unlimited racer. Strega: a true Champion.

 Thank you Team Strega!

(click pic for hi-res)  Steven Hinton and Strega just past pylon 4 at Reno 2012

HD Video: Ride Along With Matt Younkin In The Airshow Twin Beech!

 Here's a truly fabulous video uploaded a couple days ago to the Learn To Fly Canada youtube page that features an interview with pilot Matt Younkin, his crew chief Jeff Gibbs and then the most exciting part is the ride with Matt from the cockpit (and a few other HD cameras) as he performed his first ever airshow in Canada back in June at the 2012 Hamilton Airshow in Mount Hope, Ontario. The video runs a little over 28 minutes in all, so if you're in a hurry skip up to the 11:30 mark where you'll pick up with Matt making the long taxi out to get in position for takeoff. You'll notice on the taxi he pulls a couple strips off a roll of duct tape... I was thinking, hmm, what's that for? You'll just have to watch to figure that one out : )

 The way this video puts you right there with Matt in the cockpit of the Twin Beech as he horses the big ole gal around the sky is just fantastic. Plus, the classically styled Twin Beech with a really cool retro looking paint scheme and two perfect Pratt & Whitney 450hp radial engines making lots of music almost puts you right back in that Golden Age of Air Racing that I posted about yesterday. I know I sound like a broken record (I guess that would be a skipping CD these days) but airplanes were just way more awesome back in those days!

 Anyway, the video is a great piece of work done by (or maybe for) the people at LearnToFly.CA and definitely gets a 'must see' rating from me. You might also be interested in checking out my AirPigz Podcast #8 - Matt Younkin & Kyle Franklin: Sons Of Legends from February 2010 where Matt shares some details on what it's like flying the Twin Beech aerobatically, including the very challenging night shows he does as well. The interview includes a great chat with Kyle Franklin too. If you know much about Matt and Kyle, this podcast will certainly stir memories of Matt's sister Amanda Younkin Franklin (who was Kyle's wife) - a beautiful person and a great wingwalker for Kyle who tragically lost her life after a long battle with the injuries sustained in the forced landing and fire at the airshow in Brownsville Texas back in March 2011. Amanda is gone, but she will never be forgotten.

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Screenshot showing a relaxed Matt putting the Twin Beech thru lots of unusual atitudes!

Video + CoolPix: Aero Telemetry Starts Carving 20 Foot Wingspan Spruce Goose!

 Today marks the 65th anniversary since Howard Hughes made the one and only flight in the fascinating 320 foot (and 11 inch) wingspan Hughes H-4 'Hercules' - or Spruce Goose as we've always known it. That makes a pretty cool day to find out about a new project by the guys at Aero Telemetry. If you don't know about the off-the-scale cool stuff done by Aero Telemetry, check out:  OMGosh! Museum Quality, Half Scale (UAV) Hughes H-1 Racer.

 Watch the video above and read the info below (from the Aero Telemetry youtube page) - and then keep your eyes open for more updates on the project both here on AirPigz and at AeroTelemetry.com... oh, and check out the CoolPix of the Spruce Goose on its only flight from 65 years ago today at the bottom of the post : )

Video screenshot showing the 20' wingspan Spruce Goose fuselage halves

On November 2, 1947, Howard Hughes made history by flying the world's largest airplane, the mighty Hughes Flying Boat, more commonly known as the Spruce Goose. 

Today, 65 years later, November 2, 2012 Aero Telemetry is pleased to introduce the next airplane in our Hughes Aircraft Company Trilogy.... The AMA legal (120lbs), museum scale, 20 ft wingspan Spruce Goose.

Using experience gained from building and flying our original airplane for Martin Scorsese during the movie The Aviator, this new airplane is being meticulously designed with the most precise attention to detail.
Working with The Western Museum of flight and several ex-Hughes Aircraft employees, Joe Bock and his team of Aviators were given access to "never before seen" photographs and original Hughes Aircraft Company Flying Boat blueprints and documents detailing the technical intricacies of the complex and graceful Hughes Flying Boat. Joe and his team have turned this information into one of the most graceful and beautifully detailed model airplanes ever built. 

Aero Telemetry and Joe Bock have created the world's largest flyable, most historically accurate and detailed scale model of the Spruce Goose...again.

And so begins the life of the Aero Telemetry Flying Boat.

(click pic for hi-res) Howard Hughes on Nov. 2, 1947 and the only flight of the Spruce Goose

CoolPix: Avspecs de Havilland Mosquito In The Air - Bravo!

(click pic for hi-res)  The amazing de Havilland Mosquito in the air in New Zealand

 Words aren't needed here... just click this CoolPix to open it up big and savor the amazing work done by the people of de Havilland over 70 years ago, and the restoration work done the people at Avspecs (and others) over the last eight years. The Mosquito is a stunning human accomplishment, and this is the only one flying in the entire world.

(Mosquito on AirPigz)

(photo: Avspecs open house Saturday 9-29-12: from a friend of AirPigz in New Zealand)

Video: The Amazing Sound Of The Avspecs Mosquito! (Plus 3 Fighters)

 There was an Avspecs open house over the weekend at Ardmore Airfield in New Zealand celebrating the completion of the 8 year de Havilland Mosquito restoration project for Jerry Yagen... it must have been an incredible experience for all who where able to attend. The Historical Aviation Film Unit was there and captured the awesome sound of the Rolls Royce Merlin powered Mosquito flying formation with a Merlin powered Spitfire and P-51 along with an Allison powered P-40. Wow! The Merlin must surely be the best sound ever made by man!

 The first pass made by all four airplanes has been altered to look more like we remember seeing WWII aircraft in films, and then the other passes are as we would have seen them if we were there at Ardmore that day. This is definitely a 'must see' video! I highly recommend you watch this video in 720p HD in fullscreen mode and with your speakers cranked way up. Repeat as need : )

(check out the Histortical Aviation Film Unit youtube channel)

Video screenshot of the Mosquito in formation with a Spitfire, P-51 and P-40

The DH98 Mosquito Lives Again - Bravo Avspecs! First Flight 9-27-12

(click pic to enlarge) Mosquito flies after 8 year restoration (photo: Avspecs facebook)

 Here's an awesome pic from the Avspecs Limited facebook page of the Mosquito in the air near Auckland New Zealand on its first day back in the sky, Thursday 9-27-12. Could and airplane look more pefect than this?! The caption for the pic on their page: The DH98 Mosquito lives again! What a day! 3 flights and all home safe and sound.

 Bravo to all the people involved in making this dream become a reality. Lets hope that this is just the first of several Mosquito aircraft finding their way back into the wild blue yonder. 

 To keep learn more about the Mosquito project, check out these links:

Avspecs facebook page
Avspecs official website
Military Aviation Museum (owner) 
MosquitoRestoration.com
(builder of the molds for the Avspecs wooden fuselage and restoring another Mossie)

 And you might want to check the AirPigz Mosquito category for the other recent posts on this restoration as well as a few additional Mosquito posts from the past.

Video: Avspecs de Havilland Mosquito Landing Back At Ardmore On First Flight Day!

 The Historical Aviation Film Unit (New Zealand) has uploaded a video of the Avspecs de Havilland Mosquito from the first day of flying after their long and extremely detailed restoration. See my post from this morning on the first flight of the Mossie for more details. (if you're at the main page of AirPigz, it's the post right before this one)

 This video is of the airplane returning to Ardmore Airfield where the restoration was done and the first takeoff had been made a little earlier. The airplane spent some time flying in the Auckland region after departing on the first flight and made its first landing at Auckland International Airport. A pitot static system issue was resolved while at Auckland Int'l. The video that shows the airplane departing Auckland (that is included in this morning's post) is re-posted below in case you haven't seen it.  There will likely be no shortage of great videos to come here in the near future, but for all of us right now, anything that shows this amazing aircraft in the air is definitely 'must see'. Enjoy!