P51 and Skyraider Collision at Legends 10 Jul 11
Given the shock of the collision, the ever reducing lack of height after it and the actions needed to bale out - what a truly remarkable escape! Sharp decisive mind notwithstanding the urge for self preservation 
Champagne anyone...?
Right then we will put an order in for 30 Skyraiders for the FAA, they seem tough enough.
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Anyone know who was flying the P51?
Just seen that Rob is was flying at the time.
Daily Mail
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I like the way the daily mail article described the Skyraider as suffering "only minor wing damage" if having 5 foot of wing missing is minor I'd hate to see what it considers as major damage?
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Big Beautiful Doll used to be owned and operated by an ex-SAC Mover....is that still the case?
went here
North American P-51 D "Big Beautiful Doll"
News
New footage out of the accident from below
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I like the way the daily mail article described the Skyraider as suffering "only minor wing damage" if having 5 foot of wing missing is minor I'd hate to see what it considers as major damage?
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I photographed the break of BBD and the A-1, then turned to photograph the next formation. My son tapped me on the shoulder and said 'Look!'. I saw something fluttering (presumeably the wingtip) and the A-1 very nose down, thinking that something had failed on the Skyraider and didn't notice BBD go in (there appeared to be no fire - no smoke) . I concentrated on the pull-out of the dive of the A-1. A few seconds later my son spotted the parachute open just before it disappeared behind trees. (He's used to seeing parachutes open from our last posting at Netheravon - one moment there is nothing, then suddenly a chute is visible). Until that moment I didn't realise that a mid-air had occurred, as the relative sizes of the two aircraft made judging the distance between them difficult from where I was. It was probably a good job it was a left hand circuit so the A-1 was turning away from the damaged wing. He rolled to a stop in front of us, having stop-cocked the engine. It was a good ten minutes later that a Follow Me jeep turned up to enquire of the pilot if he was ok, long after all the other emergency vehicles drove straight past him. It must have been very difficult for him, just 30 yards in front of a large crowd. There was no mention of the accident by the commentator for almost 30 minutes when it was mentioned that the third pilot had said he'd never seen anyone get out of an aircraft so fast. Well done to everyone concerned for how things panned out after the collision.
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Was sold recently to Germany, so it was a German and French owned American Aircraft over England......... hope that clears things up
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A big shout also for the Skyraider pilot. Understandably, concern was shown for the P51 and the fate of Rob, however, the A1 guy had it all play out in front of him, including what I would imagine was a fine view in the front screen, and nearly a mouthfull of P51.
Do a Hover - it avoids G
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maxred
There are rules associated with formation flying and believe me nobody is better equpped than BOAC to explain them to you should you care to drop him a PM.
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Thanks JF, and I would also agree that BOAC is highly experienced, and would not question his competence level.
I am also aware of the rules of display and formation flying, and I am also aware of what too much energy can achieve, and I watched both video snippets.
I am also acutely aware that accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, which is I why I generally await AAIB reports.
I am also aware of the rules of display and formation flying, and I am also aware of what too much energy can achieve, and I watched both video snippets.
I am also acutely aware that accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, which is I why I generally await AAIB reports.
After a couple of close looks at one of the videos: After impact and the loss of a good part of the right wing, the Skyraider winds up inverted and rolling right. By skill and/or luck, the pilot completes the roll and winds up on downwind for the runway, albeit a bit low.
Looks look he was trying to keep the nose up and when he realised it wasn't going to happen he bailed out. As he released the stick the shallow dive turned into a steep dive and may well have helped him out.
BOAC - I agree...
How could #2 on this vic break have become so unsighted from his leader as to have had such a collision?
Let's wait for the AAIB report to discover the cause - but frankly it was a miracle that both pilots survived.
Flying Lawyer - do you see what I meant now about Duxford, old chum....??
(with acknowledgements to David Taylor and FlyingFilm.co.uk)
How could #2 on this vic break have become so unsighted from his leader as to have had such a collision?
Let's wait for the AAIB report to discover the cause - but frankly it was a miracle that both pilots survived.
Flying Lawyer - do you see what I meant now about Duxford, old chum....??
(with acknowledgements to David Taylor and FlyingFilm.co.uk)
Last edited by BEagle; 11th Jul 2011 at 17:42.