ONCE A THUNDERBIRD U.S. AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS PROMOTIONAL FILM 81714
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
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The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds (USAF Air Demonstration Squadron) are the topic of this McDonnell Douglas promotional film. Titled “Once a Thunderbird…” the color film dates from the early 1970s and opens with scenic views of the Western United States when we come upon a decorated U.S. Air Force captain, who reminds us: “For a hundred centuries, before the white man set foot on the craggy rocks of New England, these vast reaches were peopled by the Red Man … Like all men they feared nature, declaring natural calamities to be the work of the gods, especially thunder and lightning … which were the work of their great god, Thunderbird.” The lengthy preface, and the reminder that the god Thunderbird “was a force for good, not evil,” gives way to five jets streaking across the sky as “the dream became reality.”
Comprised of 95 officers and enlisted men, the film explains at mark 3:55 that the Thunderbird Squadron moves through the sky “in a fantastic aerial ballet, flashing man-made aerial lightning … then calling forth the thunder.”
The planning and execution of such precision aerial wizardry is not easy, the viewer is reminded. “Each year, hundreds of applicants from throughout the United States Air Force vie for openings in this elite squadron,” we are told at mark 05:05, as the film details the selection process, including the three months it takes to review the applicants and select about 20 semi-finalists. From there, five finalists are selected.
“These finalists must be able to meet the public well and be good at public relations,” it’s explained at mark 06:00. “And of course they must be outstanding pilots.”
While pilots get nearly all the glory, the promotional film also heralds “the backbone” of the squadron - the enlisted personnel who make up the maintenance crew and support personnel who keep the aircraft flying. Introduced at mark 06:25, the narrator reminds us that “these are the dedicated professionals who have perpetuated one of the proudest Thunderbird records: not one flight demonstration has ever been canceled because of maintenance difficulties.”
Based in the desert southwest, the “home of the legendary Thunderbird,” the squadron can log as many as 100,000 miles in a single year, the viewer is told starting at mark 07:40, with more than 100 flights in front of millions of spectators worldwide. As the narration continues, scenes of the Thunderbirds in action fill the screen, we are told pilots also visit orphanages, hospitals, and schools to meet “young America.”
Yet, it’s still the flight demonstration that captures the attention of audiences, and at mark 09:00 we’re shown a group of pilots as they march to their aircraft and prepare for takeoff. Each show consists of five Thunderbird pilots and lasts about 30 minutes, we are told. Four pilots form a diamond formation upon takeoff and are joined a few seconds later by a solo pilot. “I demonstrate the tight, high-G turn radius of the airplane. I demonstrate the maximum rate rolls … and upside down flying … my job is demonstrate the maximum performance capabilities of the airplane, whereas the diamonds job is to show the beauty of precision aerobatics,” a pilot explains starting at mark 10:00.
The film continues with explanations of the duties of the team leader and the slot pilot (who flies behind the leader and between the two other aircraft), while the viewer continues to be treated to scenes both from the ground and from cameras mounted on the aircraft, and sees maneuvers including the “roll back to arrowhead” (at mark 12:47) and the spectacular “bomb burst” (mark 14:45).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...
What wonderful memories. I was one of the photographers for this video and was the team photographer for two years. I have over 150 hours back seat time. I was so fortunate to serve as a Thunderbird.
Dear David Sommers,
I am doing some research on the Thunderbirds Phantoms. I have seen your comment on You Tube. As far as I understand you been working with the team and taking photos and videos.
As modeller I want to do some research on small details on Thunderbirds Phantoms.
Like there is absolutely no images of the Smoke generator vent tube under the tail. All surviving ex-Thunderbirds in museums, on displays had them removed, so all I have are some shaky video stills of the “tube” but how it looked like exactly and where it was on the tail is unfortunately somewhat mysterious!
The other question is concerning the after cockpit. I have seen the T.O. for the Thunderbirds detailing the cockpit instrumentation. All the radar equipment was removed, but what was there in the after cockpit between the pedals? Just the empty frame of the radar (like on QF-4E’s)? Or everything was taken out altogether?
Any first hand help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Best regards
Gabor
I saw them twice back in the early 70's when I was a kid. Still feel they were the best Thunderbirds Airshows. Nothing like seeing that many F-4's flying in formation.
Great post! The F-4's did a good show. First time I saw the was in the early 60's at Meridian MS. They were in F-100's then and not found that yet. Funny part was? Mother took her eye off me for a nanosecond and I ran under the safety rope to welcome them back to the parking area! A Sharpe MP didn't miss me and saved me from a good old whooping when he caught me and turned me over to a tougher power for punishment!
That MP couldn't save me then.
Spent the afternoon playing inside of a trio of retired P-47's And mother couldn't figure out how I got inside of the Fuselage! Long drive home!
درودبر آمریکا با فانتومهایش خیلی عالی بود
What a great performance! The sound of Freedom!
I love the model of the Thunderbird F-15 that the pilot was showing to the children. Certainly fun to imagine. ;-)
This film mentions the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, used by the Thunderbirds team from 1967-73. Today they fly Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons.
pro tip: you can watch series on Flixzone. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies lately.
@Marvin Rodney Yea, have been watching on flixzone} for since december myself =)
@Marvin Rodney Yup, I have been watching on Flixzone} for since november myself =)
@Marvin Rodney Definitely, have been using Flixzone} for since november myself :)
Phantoms in my opinion we’re the best when flown in this time period.
1969 Tucson, Arizona
Great show
There is a film - Threshold done of the Blue Angels in F-4's.
Thanks for sharing
Muito bom !!!!
Thunderbirds jets = F-84 , F-100, F-4, T-38 and F-16... what's next ?
At 8:33 is he holding a model F-15? How is that possible in 1965?
The film has a 1973 copyright date, and the F-15 first flew in 1972.
where are the clowns? they ought to be clowns.
im sorry we got the wrong description placed up these the are clowns you are seeking czcams.com/video/8u9EVhEB8fc/video.html
Clowns ....where?
Thunderbirds?