Battlefield Pilot

Amazing low level flying in an Australian Army Pilatus Porter. You may have seen this before as this short film was shown in cinemas as the trailer before the first Star Wars movie in the 1980s. The Australian Army no longer flies Porter aircraft. Unbelievable flying and inspired cinematography.

[@26TptCoy]

In the mid 70's on exercises in central NSW a Porter arrived from Oakey to Nymagee airfield taking part in the exercises. I was assigned to accompany the pilot each morning for refuelling from 44 gallon drum's and manual pumping.The pilot would do his checks including fuel sampling and testing. After everything was made ready I returned to my normal duties. At one point some officers arrived of which I transported to the airfield. They were loaded into the plane and it left for a flight over the exercise area which was quite large. On return late in the afternoon they were treated to take off and landing in different scenario's, the strip was unsealed and dusty. At dark they tried different types of landings using lights, flares smoke etc. I was taken up and we circled around the town then landed in the dark with only two Landrovers parked either side of the strip at about 60 degrees. The headlights crossed in the centre of the strip and also gave indication of the direction. We landed safely. Next day again the officers took off to a location where the plane landed on an unsealed road. They were picked up and driven around the exercise area meeting different groups and the troops. On return they loaded into the plane again and took off. During their time away the wind had picked some and as the plane lifted it was blown sideways into the trees where both wings were sheared off. Only injury was a broken ankle or someting. The next time I saw the aircraft it was in pieces on the back of a semi covered up. It was never going to fly again. My own experience with the Porter was that it seemed a versatile aircraft suited to army demands.

[@greatdivide]

Incredible flying. My dad (PR Smith) recommended this film to me. Glad he did.

[@stephenmatthews8375]

Indeed I remember watching this film before a movie at the pictures decades ago. The memory of it always stuck with me and I just decided to check TH-cam to see if it was here, and bingo! Great flying and it brought back many memories. Thanks for posting!

[@randybowden5207]

Me too. Searched for years but here it is!

[@davidpierce5752]

renember watching this as part of Army recruitment drive

[@AndToTheRepublic4WhichItStands]

I miss presentations like this with the old footage and gradually intensifying classical music.

[@davidpierce5752]

thank you for uploading, wash so glad when I found this, brought back great memories

[@jorjam8015]

The soundtrack is phenomenal!!! Great flying Stuart

[@JordanGough97]

Great meme JJ

[@tewantin1966]

Great pilot - great aircraft

[@jamesperan3557]

Excellent

[@markumin8474]

Pilot looks like Dave Chaney.

[@crow7505]

Takes me back to being an army brat in oakey!

[@peterclark7879]

I remember one of these aircraft carrying skydivers at the Pakenham Victoria Australia airfield in the 70's, would love to see 1,000 of these heavily armed in the Ukraine at the moment. To all in the Ukraine you are not alone the free world is behind you and needs to catch up and walk by your side. Best wishes

[@user-ct1nv1yb7n]

การบินทุกวันนี้ก้าวหน้าไปมากทั้งเครื่องยนต์วัสดุที่ใช้สร้างรวมทั้งเทคนิคใหม่ๆ

[@Inferalanding]

The cattle didn't seem to be the least bit disturbed. Wonder what they were filming it from? Another Porter?

[@user-ct1nv1yb7n]

มีเครื่องบินรุ่นหนึ่งของกองทัพเรือสหรัฐเรียกว่าเครื่อง f8 มันสามารถยกปีกเพื่อสร้างแรงต้านในความเร็วต่ำ

[@user-ct1nv1yb7n]

มันน่าเสียดายที่เขาไม่ได้ประจำการไว้อีกแล้วมันจะเพิ่มขีดความสามารถการจัดส่ง