"AND THERE I WAS..."
Even before Man invented & learned to fly heavier-than-air vehicles, he used his hands to describe the aerial maneuvers of birds & other creatures of flight. Ever since humans took to the skies themselves, all aviators naturally use hand gesturing to communicate about their flying experiences & as a simple tool for flight instruction.
Vintage photos of wartime fighter pilots using their hands, while detailing air combat encounters for each other, have become classic images of historic flying lore. Everyone's 'flown' their own hands since they were kids- sticking them out the family car windows, whilst speeding down the road. 'Hangar Flying' sessions wouldn't be any fun without wavin' one's mitts about in the process.
Here's a misc. 'handful' of pics illustrating this time-worn custom in action, and perhaps some fans just might care to share a few of their own photos on this subject on this thread.
DBD
Top row photos (L-R):
1. Sun. 9/19/99 - Champion Unlimited air race pilot- Bruce Lockwood, gives Adm. Mike Bowman a tour of P-51D Race #4 Dago Red's 'office', and shares some tactical strategies learned out on the racecourse at Reno.
2. Sat. 9/15/84 - Lloyd Hamilton (at left) recounts his exciting experiences racing his Super Sea Fury #15 in Unlimited Heat-3B, with fellow late & great race pilot- Robert J. 'Bob' Love (center-looking at the camera), after his R-4360 backfired & blew its' engine cowlings into the desert at the W. Guide Pylon, as amazed fans listen-in.
3. Mon. 9/20/99 - Steve Hinton in the cockpit of the Planes of Fame Lockheed T-33 Unlimited Class pace plane, describing a fun flying moment for race pilot- Matt Jackson, brother John Hinton (standing on wing) & Steve's passenger prior to departure from Stead Field.
4 & 5. Sun. 9/13/87 - An excited & hopeful rookie Unlimited race pilot- Joann Osterud relates some details of her ferry flight to Reno in the highly-modified Levolor-sponsored Hawker Sea Fury - #88 Blind Man's Bluff to Ruth & Frank Sanders following her arrival at Stead.
Bottom photo:
Sat. 5/19/07 - Chino, CA. Planes of Fame Airshow. P-38 'pilot's briefing' - (L-R) Jeff Harris & Kevin Eldridge listen, as flight leader- Steve Hinton goes through formation flying sequencing while the pilots grab some shade under Glacier Girl's wings prior to takeoff by their trio of Lightnings.
Vintage photos of wartime fighter pilots using their hands, while detailing air combat encounters for each other, have become classic images of historic flying lore. Everyone's 'flown' their own hands since they were kids- sticking them out the family car windows, whilst speeding down the road. 'Hangar Flying' sessions wouldn't be any fun without wavin' one's mitts about in the process.
Here's a misc. 'handful' of pics illustrating this time-worn custom in action, and perhaps some fans just might care to share a few of their own photos on this subject on this thread.
DBDTop row photos (L-R):
1. Sun. 9/19/99 - Champion Unlimited air race pilot- Bruce Lockwood, gives Adm. Mike Bowman a tour of P-51D Race #4 Dago Red's 'office', and shares some tactical strategies learned out on the racecourse at Reno.
2. Sat. 9/15/84 - Lloyd Hamilton (at left) recounts his exciting experiences racing his Super Sea Fury #15 in Unlimited Heat-3B, with fellow late & great race pilot- Robert J. 'Bob' Love (center-looking at the camera), after his R-4360 backfired & blew its' engine cowlings into the desert at the W. Guide Pylon, as amazed fans listen-in.
3. Mon. 9/20/99 - Steve Hinton in the cockpit of the Planes of Fame Lockheed T-33 Unlimited Class pace plane, describing a fun flying moment for race pilot- Matt Jackson, brother John Hinton (standing on wing) & Steve's passenger prior to departure from Stead Field.
4 & 5. Sun. 9/13/87 - An excited & hopeful rookie Unlimited race pilot- Joann Osterud relates some details of her ferry flight to Reno in the highly-modified Levolor-sponsored Hawker Sea Fury - #88 Blind Man's Bluff to Ruth & Frank Sanders following her arrival at Stead.
Bottom photo:
Sat. 5/19/07 - Chino, CA. Planes of Fame Airshow. P-38 'pilot's briefing' - (L-R) Jeff Harris & Kevin Eldridge listen, as flight leader- Steve Hinton goes through formation flying sequencing while the pilots grab some shade under Glacier Girl's wings prior to takeoff by their trio of Lightnings.
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