For the warbird fans (documentary)

[Scream And Fly]

I love these documentaries and this one is especially good. I am always scouring YouTube for stuff like this and it's amazing how much great content is there. I generally do not like the current trend in documentaries, which relies heavily on computer animated reproduced scenes and dramatizations. This one does not use any of that.

This is a four-part series on the A6M "Zero" WW2 fighter that was aired on Japan's NHK TV in the late 90s. What's interesting is that it's entirely from the Japanese view, and it offers some spectacular details about the plane's development.

It is often mentioned that the A6M was the 'best dogfighter' in the world at the time, which was true to an extent when it was introduced. But the point isn't made that the plane's excellent handling came at the cost of no armor protection at all, no self-sealing fuel tanks, and even the use of bamboo stringers and canvas in areas to keep the plane as light as possible. To a point I think they reasoned that a more agile plane is the best kind of protection rather than adding heavy armor.

Anyway, it's in four parts, each one hour long.


Part 1

https://youtu.be/-0hq55rRTTs

Part 2

https://youtu.be/9bdEEtGkJW8

Part 3

https://youtu.be/KiTJFwE8DTI

Part 4

https://youtu.be/WT_J_PnfI5o

[Onetime]

Thanks for finding and posting!

Tried to buy a Zero many years ago. It was a crashed one in Russia. Way to much money even in its crashed condition. At least way to much for my budget! Figured availability of parts to repair was going to be non existent and would more then likely need to be re-powered with a different engine.

Think most everything regarding them was ordered destroyed after the war. Surprised you were able to find this series.

[Scream And Fly]

Thanks for finding and posting!

Tried to buy a Zero many years ago. It was a crashed one in Russia. Way to much money even in its crashed condition. At least way to much for my budget! Figured availability of parts to repair was going to be non existent and would more then likely need to be re-powered with a different engine.

Think most everything regarding them was ordered destroyed after the war. Surprised you were able to find this series.

How did an A6M end up in Russia? I assume that plane must have been obtained by them post-war?

This FW-190 was found in Russia in 1989, where it crashed in 1943. You've probably seen this. I think this particular plane is in the Planes of Fame museum now but I am not sure.


https://youtu.be/jueDXiuU6aM

[Onetime]

Not sure.


This was at least 15 years ago. Saw it advertised on one of the aviation for sale sites, maybe Barnstormers.
Think they were asking $800,000 or $900,000 for it. Communicated with the seller and received pictures. The condition looked a lot like the condition of the FW190 in your other video. Maybe even worse. Looked for the email communications about it but couldn’t find them. Maybe in an older computer.

[Forkin' Crazy]

My favorite WWII bird is a de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito. If you can find one of those!!! ;)

I have an hour in a 51 Mustang and a several hours in a T-6. Nothing like flying in old war birds.

I have a bit of time working on the T6 and helped a friend restore an L-21.

A T-6 isn't that expensive up front, it is the maintenance and FUEL!!!! Nothing like an old radial though!