Death of MvR solved (Yea, right!)

pmirl · 3 June 2006, 08:42 PM

Tuesday June 13 at 8 PM on our local PBS station, Nova is going to "answer" that never ending question of "WHO KILLED THE RED BARON" once and for all!

My money is on Snoopy!

Paul

margaret smith · 4 June 2006, 05:58 AM

Hello, Pmirl! Is this a new show or has it aired before?

pmirl · 4 June 2006, 07:22 AM

I think it is probably a repeat. I will record it just in case.

Paul

Gregvan · 4 June 2006, 07:26 AM

Hello Margaret,

This NOVA program has aired at least once, possibly twice. It is a British program (by 3BM Television, based in London) developed in cooperation with NOVA. The NOVA version has a new "American" narration added (with a little input from your truly and many more erudite folks). It's actually quite good, offering a pretty decent look at the development of aerial warfare in general in WWI. Oddly enough, the science editor of the whole NOVA series is Evan Hadingham. Many of you will recognize the name - he wrote the excellent book "The Fighting Triplanes" way back in the late 1960's when he was a teenage schoolboy (it's still one of my favorite books).

The latest issue of WWI Aero (No 192, May 2006) features an in-depth article by Hadingham himself on how the whole program was conceptualized and created. They used some CGI, some footage of a Morane and Eindecker replica from the Blue Max Collection at Wycombe Air Park, some good shots of the Shuttleworth aircraft and a repro Dr.I from the Real Aeroplane Company. Ironically, the Dr.I replica is NOT red but is painted in

Josef Jacobs' black color scheme. This same Dr.I was used in parts of "Flyboys" with its markings somewhat altered. Of course, the program also has real 1917-18 footage and some judicious use of re-enactments.

You also get to see pithy comments from Norman Franks and Alex Imrie.

I hope this link still works:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/redbaron/

Greg VanWyngarden

margaret smith · 4 June 2006, 08:51 AM

Thanks Pmirl and Greg, will keep a watch out for this program!

WinterHawke · 4 June 2006, 08:55 AM

As a further note, I recently bought the DVD copy of this NOVA program while browsing through the giftshop at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

Best regards,

Lee McD
the WinterHawke

4 June 2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmirl

Tuesday June 13 at 8 PM on our local PBS station, Nova is going to "answer" that never ending question of "WHO KILLED THE RED BARON" once and for all!

It was probably the same poor Rummy that capped Jimmy Hoffa (At that horse farm.. you know.)! LOL.. Did the FBI help NOVA with this case as well?

"Prost!"

Simba · 15 June 2006, 04:09 PM

I saw this programme here in the UK when it was first released.

One intriguing point made in it was that the wind that day was blowing in the opposite direction to normal, i.e. from the east. This would have propelled Richthofen to a position over the lines far faster than he would have been accustomed to and would have reduced his effective airspeed for lift purposes as well. Was this why he was in such a vulnerable situation when the fatal bullet hit him?

mustang · 16 June 2006, 01:13 AM

Simba

Whether an aircraft is flying into a head or tailwind doesn't affect the lift, provided the indicated airspeed is maintained constant, that is constant power and level flight. What it does affect is the ground speed. If MvR was flying into a headwind after he turned and headed back to his own side of the lines his ground speed would have slower than his airspeed and he would have presented a more vulnerable target, particularly to ground fire.

The affect of wind on aircraft in flight, was of course, well known then and still is. However, there is one aspect which I believe could be well discussed in this Forum, but probably more suited to Off Topic. That is, does an aircraft lose airspeed, IN THE TURN, when it turns from into wind to downwind, and gain airspeed, IN THE TURN. when it turns from downwind into wind. Any change would of course be transitory until equilibrium is re-established.

BTW I never ask questions unless I know the answer. But, I am interested to learn what some of our forum aerodynamicists would have to say.

Regards

Mustang

Minima · 16 June 2006, 01:28 AM

It doesn't lose / gain speed.
imagine if you would be swiming in a river. You could swim in perfect circles relative to the water all day long. The only thing is that they would not be perfect circles relative to the bank of the river.
So to be more precise - the IAS and TAS remain the same, while the GS changes of course.
Kindest regards