DOGFIGHTS On The History Ch

[NeedForSpeed]

Since theres a couple of threads on Jets/Birds going on, Was wondering if anyones else has checked this show out. It's in its second season, And it is very entertaining, And of coarse historical. Basically they pick a famous Air Battle, Break it down step by step with computer animation, And walk you through the fight. They have covered a few US aces, And there most harrowing dogfight. There was the guy in a F105 holding off 5 migs, With 3 kills. Another F4 battle against 8 or 10 Migs, This guy lost his wing man due to engine failure, Was on his own, Engaged all of them. He kept going vertical with full afterburners, They could'nt catch up, He'd go over the top and get them one at a time doing some loop that put him behind at "There 6" everytime, And shot'm. This guy got 4, the rest took off. Anyway, It's a cool show if you like Jet history. They have done a couple WWII shows, But mostly Korea/Vietnam. If your into Air Warfare, Check it out.

I've managed to catch a few episodes when visiting others who have the History Channel (love that channel, wish I had it) including the one you described. The special effects are lousy, but the accuracy is great and that's far more important. It really goes to show that despite the technology and once you get passed the fighter as a missile carrier, aerial combat depends entirely upon the skill and training of the pilot.

- JP

[NeedForSpeed]

Originally Posted by Charivari

I've managed to catch a few episodes when visiting others who have the History Channel (love that channel, wish I had it) including the one you described. The special effects are lousy, but the accuracy is great and that's far more important. It really goes to show that despite the technology and once you get passed the fighter as a missile carrier, aerial combat depends entirely upon the skill and training of the pilot.

- JP

Exactly, Also being with a Navy flight crew, I remember how exhausted the pilots were climbing out. The show really shows how fearless these guys are. I mean a guy in the infantry or rifle company can Take a breather for a second. Not a guy engaging in a air battle. This one show, The guy was in a fight for like 45 minutes (A lifetime in a dogfight), And they had to pull him out, And he had lost 7lbs from sweat, And could'nt unclench his hands for 2 days from flying that thing! It's much more that just flying around having fun I guess.

[DENNYDOG]

I don't know, I think the special effects are pretty cool.

But I still think the best part is when the pilots are telling their stories. I could listen to em' all day long.

[Bigerik]

Some of the best TV I have seen! Truly great use of computer graphics to really explain what happened. Would love to own the set.

[Fisherdude]

Another reason why the History Channel is one of the best things on the tube.

Believe it or not, my wife has become a total Dogfights addict!

Listening to the pilots talk is just fascinating, especially how calmly they talk about their battles.

I read somewhere that the average lifespan of a fighter pilot in a dogfight in WWII was 20 minutes.

[NeedForSpeed]

Originally Posted by Bigerik

Some of the best TV I have seen! Truly great use of computer graphics to really explain what happened. Would love to own the set.

Is there a box set? Guess I need to watch those commercials.

[Filmboydoug]

Great show.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by DENNYDOG

I don't know, I think the special effects are pretty cool.

But I still think the best part is when the pilots are telling their stories. I could listen to em' all day long.

I agree. It's great that someone captured those guys talking about their experiences, many of which happened over 50 years ago.

They had one show on the WWI boys too, when the dogfight began. The aces in those days wrote the books that inspired the WWII boys.

[Fedallah]

I don't mind the special effects. They're good at providing a visual representation of what happened, something that would be difficult to impossible without them. They get the job done. Great show, it seems like History Channel is one of the last reasonably 'educational' channels on cable TV. All the others have gone over to home makeovers and 'A Wedding Story'.

[mech986]

There was a great Dogfights episode highlighting the P-47 Thunderbolt and how a lone 'Bolt was caught under an umbrella of ME-109's and managed to get out alive. Also a number of fights where the 'Bolt absorbed so much punishment that the attackers broke it off after acknowledging the stalemate.

Great show, hope to see more of them.

Regards,

Bart

[VinylHanger]

I liked the one where the Skyraiders took on a couple of Migs.

[panhead]

Best show on tv .

[soundmotor]

Originally Posted by mech986

Also a number of fights where the 'Bolt absorbed so much punishment that the attackers broke it off after acknowledging the stalemate.

After that episode I understood why the German nickname for the plane translated to "Flying Tank".

What I like about the show is the context it brings to the events. I had never thought about the danger of being shot down by your own flack yet here were Marine F4U pilots chasing kamikazes right down the throat of the Navy anitaircraft fire.

Good God!

[ARguy]

Wish I had cable...love the F4 Phantom!