Mustang down at Legends, Pilot o.k
Discussion
Eric Mc said:
The real Apache said:
williamp said:
Glad all are OK. With this, the B-17, and one at Old Warden this has ot been a good year for vintage aircraft.
what happened to the b17?Apart from no loss of life, the good news is that, despite these airframe losses, the number of flying warbirds (especially of the WW2 era) is steadilly growing and these losses are of less impact on the warbird community than they would have had 10 to 20 years ago.
Indeed, with a very active mini-industry of warbird restoration, many of these "losses" turn out to be not losses at all.
Indeed, with a very active mini-industry of warbird restoration, many of these "losses" turn out to be not losses at all.
Eric's comments about the net increase in the active warbird population notwithstanding, it's always sad to hear of the loss of a historic aircraft much as it's sad when someone totals a D-Type. Glad no-one hurt though of course.
Note from the BBC that the pilot jumped and parachuted to safety. I imagine that the odds of successfully escaping from a pre-ejection seat era high performance aircraft after a mid-air collision at lowish level are stacked quite heavily against the pilot.
Note from the BBC that the pilot jumped and parachuted to safety. I imagine that the odds of successfully escaping from a pre-ejection seat era high performance aircraft after a mid-air collision at lowish level are stacked quite heavily against the pilot.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Monday 11th July 10:51
Seight_Returns said:
Note from the BBC that the pilot jumped and parachuted to safety. I imagine that the odds of successfully escaping from a pre-ejection seat era high performance aircraft are stacked quite heavily against the pilot.
They managed it often enough in WW2; I expect the prospect of otherwise certain death focuses the mind somewhat.Has anyone here saved their lives by bailing out/ejecting?
Here is a video from a slightly different angle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qME7VefLxFw
It looks like the P-51 pulled up and banked away, with the Skyraider banking and climbing after him. The Skyraider pulls a tighter turn and clips the tail of the P-51.
It looks like the P-51 pulled up and banked away, with the Skyraider banking and climbing after him. The Skyraider pulls a tighter turn and clips the tail of the P-51.
s
t! 
I live in Arlesey, not a million miles from Duxford etc...
Yesterday me & the girlfriend took a walk to see the horses near to my house... then I heard, unmistakeable sound of Merlin engines!
Then I saw them about 5-6 miles away & immediately recognised the Spit & Stang silhouette.
I stood & watched in the pissing rain, but was worth it!
Not the best weather for displaying, as I said, pouring with rain & low cloud base.
They both formed up & got the hell out & away from that weather..
Great to see...but what a shame this accident happened & we lost BBD, if indeed it was her?
Relief both pilots escaped!
t! I live in Arlesey, not a million miles from Duxford etc...
Yesterday me & the girlfriend took a walk to see the horses near to my house... then I heard, unmistakeable sound of Merlin engines!
Then I saw them about 5-6 miles away & immediately recognised the Spit & Stang silhouette.
I stood & watched in the pissing rain, but was worth it!
Not the best weather for displaying, as I said, pouring with rain & low cloud base.
They both formed up & got the hell out & away from that weather..
Great to see...but what a shame this accident happened & we lost BBD, if indeed it was her?
Relief both pilots escaped!
Flintstone said:
I saw both the nose over and the mid-air, bloody sad. First air show I've attended since I stopped flying the Rapides at Duxford about five years ago, maybe I'm a jinx.
I said exactly the same thing. In fact it was my first time ever. Before going, I said each time I think about airshows, aircrashes come to mind! Not sure if I should go to Fairford next week now in case...
I'm just glad there were no fatalities, although it was exceptionally lucky that this was the case.
Eric Mc said:
Was the Mustang damaged elsewhere (before the impact with the ground, of course)?
I think it was struck by the Skyraider wing just aft of the radiator intake. There was enough force to take part of the wing off the Skyraider, so presumably the Mustang had a fair bit of damage. I guess at that altitude you don't hang around too long to see if the aircraft might be flyable. I think he got out about 10 seconds after initial collision.ETA looking again it looks like the tailplane of the Mustang took the Skyraider wingtip off.
Edited by dr_gn on Monday 11th July 16:27
Eric Mc said:
Actually, the Mustang looks a lot more complete than I would have expected. I'm sure it'll be flying again at some time in the future.
I think the wreckage on the ground shows the fuselage and tailplane cut off just behind the radiator duct. There's what looks like the engine in a heap, but nothing of the centre fuselage or wings.So glad both pilots lived to fly another day... but what shame about the Mustang. 
Let's hope this doesn't give the lental munching brigade & Health & Safety idiots a cause to call for an immediate ban on old aircraft/warbirds displaying, or having the aircraft display no lower than 5000 feet & minimum 5 miles away from the display line!
Who was flying the Mustang?
Let's hope this doesn't give the lental munching brigade & Health & Safety idiots a cause to call for an immediate ban on old aircraft/warbirds displaying, or having the aircraft display no lower than 5000 feet & minimum 5 miles away from the display line!
Who was flying the Mustang?
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