FighterControl

Check out this trailer for documentary coming to Netflix about the Thunderbirds.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0-BjU97fv ... gAo7VqN5tD

I have just watched it, for my money its a good watch and shows a lot of the behind the scenes. There is a lot of background on the pilots and the impact that it has on their family life. there is also a lot of the spectacular flying.

Spectacular flying and the Thunderbirds do not go hand in hand. The dullest fast jet team in existence.

Disagree with the Above remember they are flying f16s

As a Precision Flying Team, there is none better. Remember that they are NOT an aerobatic team.

Bilvo wrote: ↑

Tue May 27, 2025 6:48 pm

Spectacular flying and the Thunderbirds do not go hand in hand. The dullest fast jet team in existence.

The flying is without a doubt spectacular, possibly not visually but certainly in precision. They explain at one point in the performance the leader is flying the Jet into the ground and the only reason it doesn't happen is beacuse the wingman is so close (18 inches) that their wing is providing lift for the leaders aircraft. If the wingman is out of position the four jets will all fly into the ground which is what happend in 1982 at Indian Springs.

Always enjoyed watching them over the years

It was a refreshingly honest documentary.
The part where the team got the timing wrong for the flyover and had to eat a large piece of humble pie (with cool whip) showed that things don't always go to plan. The pilots struggling with the bomb burst finale demonstrated the high standards and the dedication needed to be a member of the Thunderbirds.

Recommended viewing.

Always felt they were given a run for their money by the blue angles but I guess their flying style is very different as raptor9 states

cat1 wrote: ↑

Wed May 28, 2025 7:38 am

Always felt they were given a run for their money by the blue angles but I guess their flying style is very different as raptor9 states

Are the Blue Angles better than the Blue Angels?

RAF4EVER wrote: ↑

Wed May 28, 2025 11:19 am

cat1 wrote: ↑

Wed May 28, 2025 7:38 am

Always felt they were given a run for their money by the blue angles but I guess their flying style is very different as raptor9 states

Are the Blue Angles better than the Blue Angels?

Don't be obtuse...........

Are they Acute ?

Thought the photography was excellent. Good insight into the intense training and sadly the fatal outcomes when things go wrong. Well worth watching.

I've seen the Thunderbirds many times,I don't like the ground crew antics. I know it's very American, but the flying I have always enjoyed. The red white and blue f-16's look very cool.

I've seen the Thunderbird's display, and practice, many times and also the Blue Angels on my annual trips to Nellis (as per my profile photo!) for Red Flag, Miramar and other US airshows. For me the Blues just have it especially in the latest Super Hornet guise it really has presence in sound and sight. The Thunderbird's still are impressive but just not as much.

Mindful that both are not aerobatic teams like the European ones, but more so are demonstration teams. Agree with the above that with some of the ground crew stuff, it's more an American thing than what we see or indeed want in Europe.

Just a bit of detail.. The Indian Springs accident was not caused by someone being out of position. A line abreast loop was being performed. Everybody is looking right towards the leader to keep their position. On the downside of the loop, the leader [as per official report] had an elevator malfunction, and was unable to pull out before hitting the ground. As per the rules, the wingmen were keeping their position on him and not looking at the ground, sadly did not see the accident coming. Sad and unfortunate day.

Thanks for the heads up, I really enjoyed the programme, it would be awesome in IMAX.
There were some great air to air shots, I like the Blue Angels more myself. Fly Navy.