OT: A P-38 Pleasure Flight

Bomber_12th

Bomber_12th

SOH-CM-2023
I couldn't pass up posting this amazing video here. The pilot is Nelson Ezell, flying Red Bull's P-38, restored by Ezell Aviation. It really shows the pure enjoyment in flying these aircraft, and from the looks of the control inputs and the aircraft's outputs, it really flies like an airplane should fly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS6Xd8xbd6A

I would love to have this video in a more high-res format. Interestingly, it was filmed by an individual crammed in behind the pilot.
 
Excellent video indeed! Wonderful low passes, I would have loved to be on the ground seeing this, let alone crammed in there with a camera...
 
Amazing! Just wonderful. The control inputs looks so smooth, must be so good to fly. About the extra seat behind, a hole must've been cut into the wing for that purpose. The wing spar goes through there, so i wonder how that was done. thanks John for sharing the vid.
 
I guess a number of folks have ridden in the back with Nelson over the past couple of months so far. If you pay enough money, the Planes of Fame museum will take you up in their P-38J, as long as you are willing to cram in the back. As I understand it, there is just enough room to put your legs down, but throughout the entire flight, you have to keep your back arched, more so depending on how tall you are. At 6', 2", I'd rather fly in the back of another warbird. There is no seat, you just simply sit on top of the spar, where the radios would traditionally be.

For a detailed look at this, here are some photos of POF's P-38J, showing the area behind the pilot, and of a passanger crammed in the back:

http://www.warbird-photos.com/americanflyers-2-5-05/images/IMG_1208.JPG
http://www.warbird-photos.com/americanflyers-2-5-05/images/IMG_1049.JPG
http://www.warbird-photos.com/americanflyers-2-5-05/images/IMG_1054.JPG

Here are some excellent photos of Redbull's P-38 in flight with Glacier Girl:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25356&highlight=red+bull
 
Those were great photos and an excellent video...I'd love to hear those Allisons though.
 
Exactly just like in the P-38M nightfighter! Without the P-38M's rear bubble canopy of course, it looks quite cramped!
excellent photos, thanks John.
 
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