Warbird Information Exchange

from LIFE google images



Fleet of US Air Force operational planes flying in a single formation over Gulf Coast (top row, L-R) B-36 bomber, B-47 bomber, KC-97 tanker, RC-121 observation, B-57, B-66, (2nd row L-R) B-52 bombers, C-131, C-119, C-124 transports, (3rd row (L-R) F-86D, F-84G, RF-84F, F-102A fighters (bottom row L-R) F-94CF-89H, QF-80A target towing, T-33 jet trainer, F-84F, F-86H, F-100A

Location: FL, US
Date taken: 1956
Photographer: J. R. Eyerman

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Now that would have been something to see!

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

And something to hear as well!

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Neat! Judging by the scale, the single-engine types are much closer to the camera. Probably a separate formation that overtook the slower bombers and transports, which were cruising at a lower altitude. Must have taken a fair bit of coordination to get both formations lined up with the camera ship.

I want to say no, but upon reviewing it again, I'm going to have to say that I don't know. It would have ben one hell of a sight!

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Kevin Kearney
Vice President
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation


C-54D "Spirit of Freedom" 43-17228
C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" 52-2718 (painted as YC-97A 45-59595)
C-54E/R5D-4 "Spirit of Freedom" 44-9144 BuNo 90414 (wfu April/2020)
http://www.spiritoffreedom.org

Some of the aircraft are in deep shadow on their starboard side, some are well lit on that side. I say not real.

Steve G

I don't want to say that you'are wrong, but i wonder if it could not be possible that some planes are shining on the sun, and others are in the shadow of a cloud ?

just my 0.0000002 cents

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Sorry for my bad English:-(

It's real to the best of my knowledge. There's a writeup of how it was done that I've read somewehere on the net.

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I would assume it's real, if it appeared in Life. At that time they were doing some of the best photography in the world, and had the integrity not to run doctored stuff.

August

I don't know if it's real or not, but a google search on the photographer (J. R. Eyerman) shows that he took some pretty famous photos. My gut reaction is that neither the photographer nor Life Magazine would try to pass that photo off as real if it was a fake.

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Steve
www.eaglesmereairmuseum.org
www.net2nite.com

With Eglin and MacDill AFBs in the general area it wouldn't be beyond belief to have all these types available. After staring at the photo for a bit I noticed that the jets are making power on the B-36 and you can see the B-52 streaming a little exhaust trail also.

S

It seems they are missing a few: F-104, B-58, C-54, C-118, C-130?

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as well as the B-25s and the B-26 Invader

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Its real. Life did a whole story on it describing how it was done.

It was in the June 18th , 1956 issue. Here is a link to it.

http://www.tias.com/image.html?s=http:/ ... tml&z=1000


I will keep digging for more on it!

.

it's not real...... it's a fantasy!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!