Roaring Glory Warbirds

Producer James T. Flocker and director David E. Jackson had produced a series of video programs that demonstrated how thrilling the sport of aviation could be on television.  ABC Wide World of Flying was a huge success for Capital Cities/ABC, and pioneered the concept of putting the viewer into the pilot's seat during its five year run.

Having developed their techniques of in-the-cockpit-production, Jim and Dave undertook a new challenge: producing a series of high-end videos utilizing on-board cameras and Dolby Surround sound to place home theater viewers behind the controls of a World War II fighter plane.   Roaring Glory Warbirds was about to be born.

Part One: Flying the Warbird

The first fighter plane was an easy choice.  The P-40 Warhawk was made famous by General Chennault's Flying Tigers in China prior to World War II.   John Wayne even made a movie about this heroic American aircraft!

Now the question was: who should host this new series?  Warbird pilot and aviation writer Jeffrey L. Ethell had worked with Jim and Dave as a writer and on-camera host of ABC Wide World of Flying; appeared regularly on  PBS, CBS-TV, and The Discovery Channel; had authored over 75 books on aviation and military subjects; and was published worldwide with over 1,000 articles in periodicals.  He is admired worldwide and a recognized expert on the subject of World War II aircraft.  Jeff had the right stuff to launch a new series recreating the thrill of flying these amazing war machines.

Director Jackson and his crew met Jeff at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, where one of the finest P-40 restorations was on display.  Dr. Bill Anderson's Warhawk is authentic to the last rivet; every switch instrument, armament and insignia true to the tradition of the original Tigers.  The script called for recreating an actual mission in the P-40, beginning with a pre-flight checkout, startup, taxi, and takeoff from Geneseo's grassy airstrip.

Extremely limited space inside the cockpit of the P-40 required the crew to mount specially-designed Toshiba cameras for over-the-shoulder views.  A tiny, sub-miniature camera head engineered for medical examination purposes was modified to accept standard 16mm C-mount professional motion picture lenses.  The cameras (no larger than an ice cube) were mounted onto Plexiglas windows with a high pressure suction cup.

Stereo microphones were installed both inside the cockpit and outside to capture full dynamic range digital stereo recordings of the Allison V-1710, V-12, liquid-cooled 1,090 horsepower radial engine.  Fortunately, Sony Corporation had begun manufacturing  professional DAT (Digital Audio Tape) field recorders barely three months before the start of production.  These  lightweight, full range digital tape decks fit snugly underneath the pilot's seat.

Roaring Glory Warbirds air-to-air sequences employ a wide variety of aircraft as aerial camera platforms.  The most basic requirement is power and speed, since the camera ship must keep pace with the subject aircraft.  Only planes with removable doors are used, enabling the camera operator to shoot all angles. Camera stabilization systems are similar to those used by Hollywood. Close formation flying requires highly experienced pilots in both aircraft.   Aerial shots of this type should never be attempted by anyone without supervision by experienced formation pilots.

Many proud warbird owners throughout America have generously offered their restored airplanes to be featured in Roaring Glory Warbirds.  The producers select each plane using one chief criteria: authenticity.  Are the paint schemes and squadron markings historically accurate?  Is the cockpit and panel restored to original military specs? What about armament?  A beautifully restored fighter with a Loran-C navigation system or modern radios installed in the panel won't work for videotaping.

Planes of Fame Air Museum was established in 1957 by Edward T. Maloney, a man who believes that these wonderful old warbirds should be lovingly restored in every detail; but most of all, they must keep flying.  Today, the Planes of Fame collection is based at Chino Airport (itself a World War II airfield), which has become a Southern California landmark attraction.  Aviation enthusiasts worldwide visit to experience the thrill of antique aircraft, custom air racers, historic jet fighters, military collectable bombers and fighters, and one-of-a-kind rarities such as the Mitsubishi A6M5 Japanese Zero and the Northrop N9MB Flying Wing. 

Warbird pilot and Unlimited air racer Steve Hinton worked with Jim and Dave on ABC Wide World of Flying, appearing in segments featuring the F4U Corsair and the Reno Air Races. As President of the popular Planes of Fame Air Museum, Steve offered the museum's many flying treasures for the Roaring Glory Warbird series.  Steve also agreed to lend his experience, knowledge and proficient flying skills to the series.   The air museum's support has enabled the producers to include such extremely rare classics as the A6M5 Japanese Zero.

Part Two: The Young Pilots 

DVD versions of Roaring Glory Warbirds contain many extra features, one of which is a half-hour  program that dramatizes true combat adventures experienced by real World War II pilots.  This extra program has also been added to the VHS versions of the following titles: P-47 Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning, A6M5 Japanese Zero, TBM Avenger, F6F Hellcat, and F4U Corsair. 

Both parts of the new Roaring Glory Warbirds are recorded in Dolby Surround sound, adding incredible realism to the sensation of starting up a 2000+ horsepower radial and taking off.  This magical Dolby Surround sound technology is included on all VHS and DVD editions.

In addition to being a high-time pilot with ratings in IFR, multi-engine and singles, Dave Jackson's extensive experience in directing dramatic feature films and television programs has added to the poignancy of The Young Pilots.  All of the true life exploits shown were drawn from the emotionally charged memories of the World War II pilots who, in their late teens and early twenties, grappled with the prospect of death in every mission they undertook.

Combat in the air - whether bombing Berlin or dogfighting Zeroes over the Pacific - had its own set of rules.  A pilot's life depended upon careful planning, coordination, and swift responses.  The odds for survival were terrible and chilling.   Life and death challenges, faced each and every day by these courageous young warriors, seem unthinkable a half century later.  Yet, every word is true; each moment of heroism a fact; every painful loss of a friend burned indelibly into the minds and hearts of The Young Pilots.

Our Roaring Glory Warbirds squadron mission is to take you along on an adventure in aviation never possible before DVD.   This creative team has worked very hard to bring the thrill of flying a warbird to you; whether you view the programs on your PC or in your home theater in Dolby Surround sound.

We hope that you will share your thoughts and suggestions as we continue to add new titles to the series.

If you would like to be kept informed about the upcoming live webcast, contact WebcastingTV to be added to the email status report.