The Aviators Thread

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Hawker Hurricane aerobatics from a helmet camera

Dave Hadfield gets to fly interesting aircraft and does a very good job of describing what he's doing and why.
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Hawker Hurricane aerobatics from a helmet camera

Dave Hadfield gets to fly interesting aircraft and does a very good job of describing what he's doing and why.

Very interesting and well filmed, thanks. There has to be a wrist watch check ;0).
It looks like they have added a fair amount to the instrument panel compared to this restored UK Mk1 and it’s Smiths Mission timer, but then again safety first and it does look amazing/ great to see it flying like that. I am not so familiar with the Mk 12. What are the two deflector plates above the exhausts? It looks like they were original to the Mk12 design - anyone know? .
 
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...... What are the two deflector plates above the exhausts? It looks like they were original to the Mk12 design - anyone know? .

I suspect they are glare shields to stop exhaust flashes from interrupting vision, note that they are in line of sight from cockpit to exhaust.
 
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I suspect they are glare shields to stop exhaust flashes from interrupting vision, note that they are in line of sight from cockpit to exhaust.

I did wonder that, and presumably the engine performance improved over time as with the Spitfire, so yes might have been more of an issue. They are in the right area for that.
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I suspect they are glare shields to stop exhaust flashes from interrupting vision, note that they are in line of sight from cockpit to exhaust.

I just asked a Hurricane pilot and they were added to stop glare at night, as shown by this BBMF night fighter variant (photo by Kevin Mape)
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Good to see my early aviation training hasn't been wasted. 😁
If only they could have come up with a similar solution for this beast, although the need for night fighters was well past by then.
This was an aircraft I did fire guard on during an engine run when I was a very junior Naval Airman.
It had been retired for some time but I think this was being prepped for restoration (mid 1960s).
Spine tingling for an 19 year old country kid.

(Internet pics, can't remember the serial of the actual one that impressed me).

 
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Which aircraft - a Cougar?
I have ejected on a few cougars in my time.... apologies for the juvenile hijack, I couldn't resist.
 
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So many great videos and links in this thread! Saving some for morning coffee. I wish I had more to contribute.
 
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They are about 60% size scale of a 737-200 series so not a small aircraft by any means and a range of 2000+ NMI. You can see why they were used in the in the Electronic Warfare role as they could stay up for a long time jamming radars and communication systems.
 
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I started my aviation life with these guys. At the time I knew Omega was a watch brand but wearing a watch swinging spanners was very dangerous (so was the wedding ring). The company (Omega Air) is owned by two brothers who were and still are legends in the Irish and global aviation world.

The 707 was my first love and still today is the most beautiful in my mind. I was lucky enough to fly a NATO 707 in 2011 on her last flight ever. I don't think I will get the chance again.

 
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I have ejected on a few cougars in my time.... apologies for the juvenile hijack, I couldn't resist.
I started my aviation life with these guys. At the time I knew Omega was a watch brand but wearing a watch swinging spanners was very dangerous (so was the wedding ring). The company (Omega Air) is owned by two brothers who were and still are legends in the Irish and global aviation world.

The 707 was my first love and still today is the most beautiful in my mind. I was lucky enough to fly a NATO 707 in 2011 on her last flight ever. I don't think I will get the chance again.


At the 4:20 mark…. That’s not in the instruction book….. well that’s one nice thing about the 707… she can do everything but read ;0)
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At the 4:20 mark…. That’s not in the instruction book….. well that’s one nice thing about the 707… she can do everything but read ;0)
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I have to watch the movie now 😀
 
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an Aviator story
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Thanks for sharing. I'm assuming that was part of an ad for Rolex watches. Which publication did you find it in?
 
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I started my aviation life with these guys. At the time I knew Omega was a watch brand but wearing a watch swinging spanners was very dangerous (so was the wedding ring). The company (Omega Air) is owned by two brothers who were and still are legends in the Irish and global aviation world.

The 707 was my first love and still today is the most beautiful in my mind. I was lucky enough to fly a NATO 707 in 2011 on her last flight ever. I don't think I will get the chance again.

That's really interesting. I didn't know that civilian contractors could provide aerial refueling services to military customers. Learn something new everyday.
 
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I have to watch the movie now 😀

My father worked in the NATO E3-A in Germany for a while. Everyone kept while back for ground tests.
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