Warbird Information Exchange

Not sure if I completely agree with that, I seem to recall that there was more than one CAF guy starting to moan loudly about the end result of the protracted restoration. Good point though.

I will say, however, that the point in the flim where Lefty Gardner straps in and actually flies that contraption made me realize just how ballsy he is. I'm talking solid, polished mil-spec machined units here boys.

greg v.

Hello all first post and new member. Well let me tell yall after working
on the Zero from 1989 till it left the dfw wing. I have the video and
showed it at a wing meeting. for the members that never new the
real story. I think its on the top ten best list . We still have members
to this day. But the best video is the one with
Randy flying. the Zero super good

Just remember that the movie is copyrighted and distributing copies is technically piracy so discussing it here might not be the wisest of choices

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R4DMEC - the other video you mention was shot by Sony Music Entertainment in 1994 at Midland and Big Spring, Tx - actually they made two videos, one about our A6M2 Zero, which I few, and our P-51D Gunfighter, flown by Reg Urschler - titles were Nostalgic Fighter: Zero and Nostalgic Fighter: P-51 but they were produced just for the Japanese market, best I know. I don't know if there are very many copies in the US. One of our Japanese CAF Colonels was kind enough to even send me a copy of the Zero video on LaserDisc which I still treasure.

The videos and especially the sound in both were really amazing and there was no narration only engine sounds and music, except for a brief narration by the two pilots, Reg and myself - well, mine was brief, which is unusual for me. We were both subtitled in Japanese, which is pretty funning in itself.

I know that some folks at CAF HQ and elsewhere got copies of these but I don't know where to suggest anyone interested look for legal copies other than the usual searches through amazon and others. A quick search turns up a few copies of what looks like the Zero movie but I'm not sure from the limited descriptions. The DFW Wing was the old home of the A6M2 and myself, so I'm pretty sure there are copies floating around there. The same for the Omaha area where Gunfighter is based.

As Scott notes above, don't forget all these videos have valid copyrights so keep that in mind in your public posts and actions. Fly safe.

Randy

Hello Randy yep the sound is great I love to put the sound system
on 45 to 50 and start it up . The wife and dog run for cover. And it brings
back some real good times. Thanks for flying it

Was this real or a comedy? Is that the real story of the CAF Zero? ANd where is that Zero today. Anybody know if he si still building aircraft?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

The Defender was a real documentary. It was just produced in such a way that it turned out to be a great comedy as well.......a docucomedy.

It does cover the building of the CAF's first Zero. Truly hilarious (yet scary) stuff.

The Zero is at the Pearl Harbor museum now (forgive me, as I can't recall the proper name of the museum), as a static display.

Not sure if he's still building aircraft, but I can't imagine that he isn't.

Gary

I heard a couple of years ago that he was working on a racer in a northern state. If I remember correctly the engine mount included sections of angle iron

It was so funny, and I have never heard of it, that I just has to ask. I love the ending when he is like, well we spent five years on this, Oh well we need to scrap it. I also love the chase car!

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

mustangdriver - yes, Chris, a.k.a. Kato and "Chase One" are an integral part of The Defender - especially the part where Chase One won't start! You do have an electronics expert in your crew, right? Glad you enjoyed it. It is a classic. Fly safe.

Randy

The EAA is asking members to list the greatest aviation movies made.
The winners will be shown in the "drive in theater" in Camp Scholler during AirVenture.
Maybe we should start a write in campaign for The Defender...

Okay, I just saw it and can now appreciate what everyone was talking about. I liked the "calibrated instruments" on his wind tunnel (bathroom scales mounted vertically).

Getting the runway ready with the power mower was also priceless, though at least it had and engine.

It must have been a serious effort when the filmmakers started but I think they quickly realized what they had on their hands.

You have to give Diemert a "A for Effort," though.

Unfortunately for him, endless optimism does not an airplane make.

I too finally got to see this movie, funny as heck.

Is there a specific link for the EAA recommendation? I looked around but didn't find it.............

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


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