How low is too low for historic bombers?

Steve, that link doesn’t seem to work. What selections did you make on the IWM Collections site?

How low is too low?

Peter

To answer your question from an historic viewpoint, have a look at this B-24 preparing to drop supplies to Airborne troops on Operation Varsity. Here’s an eye-witness’s account:

Those planes came in at 100 ft. high. What a wonderful and impressive sight! Sadly, many of those planes could be seen turning around to go home with smoke trailing from engines. We all hoped they made it back safely.

“How low is too low for historic bombers”

Does that include landing? I can’t see how you expect to get an answer that is any more than sheer conjecture.

Nice photo by the way Ian. Be even better from a kayak you know.

Ian – It’s not about putting anybody ‘right’ . In the bigger scheme of things we all appreciate the efforts put into shows to entertain but in the course of that the element of risk will always be present .Whatever we feel about what is posted on forums – the effect on our lives is trivial in comparison to the events of the day .

I am puzzled by the response to my post,perhaps it was misunderstood on what has been a tragic day and left many feeling sad.

It was a good pic. The B17 appears to be flying low…so what. I then go onto say that in itself low flying is not always a hazard, that it depends on the routine being flown. A steady low pass can be safe and I have witnessed such passes at around sixty air displays and estimate over 500 low passes during my former career in military air traffic. I have also watched some really unsafe low flying by both display and private pilots and on one occasion filed a complaint with the CAA.Shock , horror yes I filed a complaint. I will not let reckless flying go unreported. A small number of pilots have no common sense and need to realise that they are being watched.

Far from uninformed sniping at the activity of display aircrew I have some awareness of what is happening during a display as a pilot myself and also have knowledge of the effects of camera lenses because I now work as a full time photographer.

As the person who took the shot I think I can add something to this.

I was at the eastern end of the display line watching Pink Lady go through her display. I am no expert and Melv please excuse me, as she came around for her final pass towards the west of the island, from where I was stood a good Km away and probably 30m up on the sea defences. She looked to be coming down very low as she turned to go out across the bay. I must admit I actually thought he had misjudged it, and my heart sunk into my stomach as I kept the finger on the button expecting the worse. Thankfully he was in full control.

Melv you were quite right, Canon 100-400 IS L bolted to a 1D Mk3.

Great pic, its not low flying in itself which is a danger but the actual type of routine being flown. A steady low pass can be very safe.

Threads like this make me puke. Were you there? How many hours do you have on a B17? Do you know the display venue? Have you spoken to the pilot since the display? Do you know whether the aeroplane was loading up or unloading? Can you tell from an image that may be cropped and taken with a stabilized (probably) lens of long focal length that will distort perspective EXACTLY the height, trajectory or speed of an aeroplane? Were you standing next to the Flying Control Committee at that airshow? have you any idead what the F you are actually talking about?

Armchair experts.

Carry on, keep up your ill-informed sniping. You are shooting yourselves in the foot. There are people that spend a lot of time and effort keeping shows safe and the crap that you come out with helps no one and neither does it make ANYONE with any real knowledge think you are anything less than a moron.

unsubscibe time.

Following several people with real experience who have got sick of the rubbish spoken on this anorak forum I am out of here for good.

Great pic, its not low flying in itself which is a danger but the actual type of routine being flown. A steady low pass can be very safe.

Is that real? Looks like Jersey.

James

I’ll be the first to mention foreshortening and claim my prize. We’ve been here before 😉

I refer you to the old adage; there are Bold Pilots, Old Pilots, but not too many Old Bold Pilots!
Rgds
Resmoroh