Amazing Pictures And Videos

I've tried to collect amazing photographs and video clips showing aviation at it's best or it's funniest. These have come from fellow aviation enthusiasts and I have tried to give them credit next to each photo/video. I wish to thank all of the contributors. If you have any pictures and/or videos you wish to share, please feel free to email them to me at: AxA@FlyAndFight.com. Thank you! --AxA

Traditionally, on leaving overhaul at Saint Athan, aircraft would do a fly-by for the benefit of the groundcrew who had worked on it. The pilot of this particular Phantom FG1, a retiring Wing Commander, was chatting to a member of the ground crew the day before the departure flight. He said he was going to fly between the hangars and that the guy should be ready with a camera to record the event. It was due to be his last flight, so he was going to do something 'special'. The groundcrew weren't too convinced of the pilot's claim, but stood around as usual anyway watching as the F4took off, destination Leuchars. As the photo shows, the pilot was not joking, you can see the afterburner diamonds quite clearly in front of the hangar.

You can also see personnel standing underneath it. The recently tuned
Speys allegedly shook a man working in the roof of one of the hangars
enough for him to fall and break his leg. These hangars are set east to
west, about 75 yards apart, and you can estimate the height from the length
of the Phantom. Immediately after the event, the pilot was contacted by the
tower and was instructed in no uncertain terms to 'return and land immediately'.

As I am told, he did so and was given a severe rollicking. I don't know
what action was taken, but it was his last flight in any case. What a way
to go out, I wonder if it ranks as one of the shortest logged emergency-free
Phantom flights? This story is not exaggerated - I don't know the original photographer, but the picture was taken on an ordinary instamatic camera, and then a blow-up was made. The original is, as a favour, temporarily in the possession of the current Station Commander at St Athan who is an ex-F4 jockey. From the enlargement I have made the Phantom as XV575. The aircraft was scrapped in September 1991, but its legacy has to be this
photograph.

Mom always said, "Don't run with scissors, wait an hour after a meal before swimming and always look ahead when flying only 10 feet above the ground..."

Bill Nichols- C-5 Galaxy makes an emergency landing minus the nose-wheel! Click on the picture for more information on this incident.

Incredible "Thunderbird" shots. Click on each to download! Can use them wallpapers! "WARNING" these are large files. I did not wish to lose any quality by downsizing. Enjoy.

As per the Tomcat Driver, Dale Snodgrass: "It's not risky at all with practice…it was my opening pass to a Tomcat tactical demonstration at sea. I started from the starboard rear quarter of the ship, at or slightly below flight deck level. Airspeed was at about 250 knots with the wings swept forward. I selected afterburner at about 1/2 mile behind and the aircraft accelerated to about 325-330 knots. As I approached the ship, I rolled into an 85 degree angle of bank and did a 2-3 g turn, finishing about 10- 20 degrees off of the ship's axis. It was a very dramatic and, in my opinion, a very cool way to start a carrier demo. The photo was taken by an Aviation Boson's Mate who worked the flight deck on the USS America. Just as an aside...the individual with his arms behind his back is Admiral Jay Johnson, the immediate past Chief of Naval Operations for the Navy."

I received an email from "Steve" with some information on the B-1 Bomber pictures above:

"I didn’t know if you knew what happened in the photos of the B1 Bomber so I thought I might tell ya.

It happened at Ellsworth AFB SD. I think 1999 or 2000. I was stationed there for 7 years. I was AMMO. If I remember right. Someone left a fuel valve open that was supposed to be closed and the fuel loaded up in the rear of the aircraft causing it to do the wheelie you see in the photos."

Thomas Gantt "I'm an F-15E engine mechanic (civilian now) and the pictures in question did in fact happen at Lakenheath. The tailhook tiedown that is used for full power runs in the Hush House and open pad broke loose from the mechanics not installing it right. The mechanic running the aircraft won't be running any more any time soon. They don't have them in jail..."

The story goes they were doing engine runs and either they put too much power on and it jumped the chocks or that the engineer was doing the checks and his feet came off the toe brakes or he just put too much power on, anyway it went thru the hangar doors and caused sooooo much sh*t and was a very very expensive balls up. Hope this helps, you may have got a better explanation somewhere else I cant remember of the top of my head I just heard it from someone else and the pics reminded me of it. Hope it helps and keep up the good work with the site and all the addons."

Robert Taylor "This incident happened at the Jet Aviation(Aviat) located at Hanscom Fld. in Bedford, MA. The hangar had just been completed the week before and an electrician was finishing up some "loose ends" and triggered the Fire Suppression System. Immediately there was concern for the aircraft. After making some calls, a thorough cleaning, and an inspection it was determined no damage was caused. I actually was with the person taking the photos and I believe I have several more saved to an old computer of mine. I will try to locate them and will forward when able. This took place about a yr ago and luckily there were only three aircraft involved: 2 Falcon 10(s) and a Hawker 400A."

Chunx was recently stationed temporarily at Key West Naval Air Station in Boca Chica, which is several hours drive from my home. Unfortunately, due to car problems and terrible planning on my part, I was regrettably not able to link up with Chunx. He did, however, send me a couple of great looking pictures that he took while flying over the Florida Keys, particularly the Dry Tortugas. Beautiful waters and beautiful aircraft! Thanks, Chunx!