Typical warbird display

[planecrazy]

I hope this isn't a silly question, I am hoping someone out there maybe able to
refer me to a typical sequence of manoeuvres someone like Keith Skilling would
perform in a display of a Corsair, Kittyhawk or Spitfire.

Are the manoeuvres pretty much the same for each machine, does the limitations
and/or advantages of each machine differ the way they are displayed?

I am sorry if this is a bit corny but I would like to fly my rc warbirds as they would
be displayed in real life. Wondering if there is a chart showing a typical warbird
display?

Thank you.....

[trojanfan]

Hi planecrazy, there isn't really a "typical" warbird display, it is very much up to the individual pilot to decide on the maneuvers that he/she is capable of and of course what the airplane can realistically achieve, all within the confines of the display box. As the warbirds can be anything these days, in NZ at least, from the L38 to a WW1 Triplane, you can see the difficulty in a "set" sequence. I note you've mentioned Keith, he is very very good at what he does, and tends to fly a display that will show off the aircraft he is in, it's positives if you will. As the piston powered warbirds don't have the ability to recoup energy such as a jet will, the display will generally start with a high speed pass into a pull up to be able to trade height for energy for the next maneuver, say another pass with an aileron roll, hesitation roll etc. The key is energy management throughout the display, something which I imagine your RC would have plenty of! After a pass with an aileron roll, perhaps a loop or barrel roll or even a knife edge pass to show the "lines". One very important aspect is the linking maneuvers you use at the end of each pass, wingovers and derry turns being the most common as they look good and can conserve or build some energy for the next sequence. That is also why you will see a lot of displays end in a slow pass, usually dirtied up and around to land or soon afterwards. There isn't a chart that I'm aware of, but there are plenty of videos on youtube showing various and numerous ways to display a warbird. Good luck and enjoy!

[planecrazy]

Hi trojanfan and thank you, I have done exactly as you have suggested and been watching
DVDs of displays, I have found it is a lot harder to fly a sequence than it is to just fly. Most
Rc planes have much greater power than their true to life versions, you can fly them off the
prop and save yourself frequently, I do try and fly off the wing! Getting it sussed but it's not
easy!

[ZacYates]

I love to fly "airshows" in Flight Simulator on the computer that's based on watching real displays in person and video/DVD, drawn out on a piece of paper for reference. Doing RC flight I'd say Keith Skilling's work is an ideal model!