That's a lot of bombers.
This one's in Atwater, Ca., just north of Merced.
Subtract Texas Raiders from the list after yesterday. How that collision could happen is a complete mystery. Hard to believe pilot error, but maybe. Or an equipment malfunction that sent the Cobra into the B-17. Looks like it all happened very quickly.
Most likely Pilot error. Or miscommunication as to who was supposed to be where (still pilot error).
ReplyDeleteThe video shows the Cobra turning into the B-17. It isn't like the bomber is easy to maneuver like the fighter....
Sad, no matter what the reason.
Sad for the loss of life. Also sad we lost two precious airplanes.
ReplyDeleteYes. The video puts it all on the king cobra. As to why, hopefully equipment failure.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the fighters were in formation and the B-17 cut through.
DeleteI don't even want to guess at what happened in this tragedy. I hope the families of those onvolved can find some peace. On another note, I got a real good look at Shoo Shoo Baby while they were restoring her at Dover AFB in Deleware back in the 80's. She's my favorite B-17 by far and I hope to get to see her again someday.
ReplyDeleteThe P-63s were notorious for poor visibility from the cockpit - there are quite a few 'cockpit views' out there now, and in the maneuver the pilot was banking away from the B-17, putting it squarely in its (large) blind spot.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.p63kingcobra.com/p63_images/P-63%20Cockpit_photos/Original%20Files/p-63%20parts%20wanted/kstsP63cockpit.jpg
A terrible tragedy, RIP.
Agree
DeleteAgree!
DeleteVaxxed pilot?
ReplyDeleteAs erratically as the AC was before the collision, I'm betting something along that line.
DeleteIt's a shame this country scraps it's history. How much was just dumped in the ocean?
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing this tragedy I started wandering around the web. In 1946 you could buy an airworthy P-38 for $1250 from Uncle Sam. That's only $19,900 in 2022 dollars. I'll take 2.
ReplyDeleteI took a flight on Aluminum Overide out of Rancho Cordova, Ca on my 50th 10 years ago. I will never forget the experience. $400 and worth every penny.
ReplyDeleteThose Air Show promoters broke an awful lot of rules and believed nothing bad would happen. All those planes were going too fast too close together and thought they were "top gun" aviators. Clearly one of them was not. This formation went right over the crowd 2 seconds before this crash.
ReplyDelete