This really reminds me how much I miss the old days... Back when military fighters flew this route. Now, I think civilian aircraft are cool dont get me wrong, (I love the occaisional F-5) but nothing beats the F-18s, F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s that flew by around 300-500knts. I heard the sidewinder route is similar in some ways, I just haven't seen much info about it. Anyway, great video Erik! I love the content.
Around 1964/65 I was horseback with two friends in the Superstition Mountains, it was rainy, heavily overcast, clouds hung below the mountain ridges….a 104 jet fighter (I believe it was ) dropped into the canyon out of the clouds, very loud,we could see the pilots face. I was conscious of the enormous contrast in transportation modes….it was amazing. The pilot kicked in the afterburners and straight up through the clouds and gone, even out of hearing….Ten minutes later he was back for a repeat ! Very risky ! I doubt that was authorized….At the time there were German pilots training at a base south of those mountains, It may have been one , they crashed quite often it seemed. 👍🏻
I was there about 1 month before the crash and saw a f18 fly it backwards far lower than any others - had to literally look down into the canyon. I wonder if anyone here saw that?
L-39s and T-38s always please the eyes. Visually my favourite jet trainers, right behind the Su-27UB. Can't beat the sexy look of the Flanker 😊 That An-2 was a really cool surprise, too. Looks like a relic from the past, but it's a fascinating airframe. Good stuff. Any plans on visiting the Mach Loop in the UK any time soon?
It doesn't look all that long of a 'canyon run'. Is there more of it behind the ridge they drop in over? The AN-2 will probably still be flying long after the rest are aged out airframes and grounded,.. And the Citation looked to be the most fun.
Everyone trying to go fast. Then along comes an An-2 at a stately pace! :D
While honking it's horn 😂
That AN-2 was maxed out. It probably felt like it from inside.
What fun!!! Also - the F-5 and F-20 were the coolest looking fighter aircraft ever!
Respect for adding trainhorns to a plane
I thought you were joking but no, they actually did that 😂
There’s always something crazy about looking *down* at a flying aircraft
Very cool - loved the sound of the radial An-2 engine and its hooter.
Good to see it back open and those participating enjoy it. Looks like a good place for a EA-330.
Antonov AN-2….awww…bless his heart!
Now that Reno and Red Bull are gone the L39 gang needs something fun to do.
Ohh my that looks so fun it is like the Nüburgring in the air!
This really reminds me how much I miss the old days... Back when military fighters flew this route. Now, I think civilian aircraft are cool dont get me wrong, (I love the occaisional F-5) but nothing beats the F-18s, F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s that flew by around 300-500knts. I heard the sidewinder route is similar in some ways, I just haven't seen much info about it. Anyway, great video Erik! I love the content.
Thanks so much! Glad you liked it
Holy tree top skimming Toledo! That looks like a blast! Great video!
Stunning photography!!
Keeping focused and on the jets has to be as difficult as imaginable.
Damn that Lancair looks like it’s missing half of each wing
That Lancair sounds nice
Around 1964/65 I was horseback with two friends in the Superstition Mountains, it was rainy, heavily overcast, clouds hung below the mountain ridges….a 104 jet fighter (I believe it was ) dropped into the canyon out of the clouds, very loud,we could see the pilots face. I was conscious of the enormous contrast in transportation modes….it was amazing. The pilot kicked in the afterburners and straight up through the clouds and gone, even out of hearing….Ten minutes later he was back for a repeat ! Very risky ! I doubt that was authorized….At the time there were German pilots training at a base south of those mountains, It may have been one , they crashed quite often it seemed. 👍🏻
It is still closed off to the military. 1500' agl restriction in place.
That Lancair was crankin’ and bankin’!
that lancair was getting it. it was one of the faster looking of the group.
Weirdly small wings
I was there about 1 month before the crash and saw a f18 fly it backwards far lower than any others - had to literally look down into the canyon. I wonder if anyone here saw that?
Good stuff, Erik! Thumbs up.
Thanks my friend! Hope you’re doing well!!
To quote Ron White, the An-2 is flying at the speed of smell.
Cool catches!
Que buena grabación para un gran video. Un saludo.
Eric 💯💯. The best was the CJ+3
Just a dinky little Ukrainian Antonov AN-2 taking Star Wars Canyon with a horn. LOL
Nice!!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Did that AN-2 have a horn? 😄
Haha, yes
That was a pretty cool collection. Bet it was twice as good in person.
It was awesome!
@@ErikJohnston Thanks for always sharing!!
So I maxed out the playback speed for the AN2 and waited…
Haha, that’s funny!!
L-39s and T-38s always please the eyes. Visually my favourite jet trainers, right behind the Su-27UB. Can't beat the sexy look of the Flanker 😊
That An-2 was a really cool surprise, too. Looks like a relic from the past, but it's a fascinating airframe.
Good stuff. Any plans on visiting the Mach Loop in the UK any time soon?
I’d love to go to the Mach Loop, but don’t have any plans as of yet. But man that would be awesome
Ever hike up into Sidewinder or out to Eureka dunes area? That's not far from here.
The airplane starting at 3:51 looks like an old twin-seat F-5B Freedom Fighter, with its shorter nose and smaller LERX than an F-5F Tiger II.
It is an F-5
What kind of airspace goes through Star Wars canyon? If it's class E or G can't civilians go through it at anytime? What agency said they couldn't?
nice shots
Thanks!
That gray T-38 had wingtip stations as if it could mount sidewinder missiles!! I did not know T-38’s could be armed? 🤔🤔🤔🤔
It's not a T-38, it's an F-5
Thank you, that’s why I put the graphic title with the pilot name and aircraft type.
It doesn't look all that long of a 'canyon run'. Is there more of it behind the ridge they drop in over?
The AN-2 will probably still be flying long after the rest are aged out airframes and grounded,.. And the Citation looked to be the most fun.
Sweet. Worth 20 Likes.
How often do the hornets and other military traffic send it through the canyon still ?
Mustang at them … mustang for my money
I want to go to this valley！
There’s one in the UK that’s even better.
@@suspicionofdeceit I would like to go there someday too
So it reopened for civilian aviation only?
I used to bullseye prairie dogs in my L-39 back home. They’re not much smaller than womp rats.
Haha
Does the antanov have a horn? 😮 fav was the citation
I didn’t know a Citation could cut up like that 😮💨
Yeah the Antanov had a train horn. We made sure to text him and have him blare it while flying through.
😎
How do you know when to go? I'd love to see this in real life.
I was wondering the same thing! It’s quite the drive for me but it’s still something I’d like to see!
Look up the Airman lagoon Foundation, I think they may have a schedule on their site.
Thank you! @@ErikJohnston
Mach loop.
2 meters?.... I used to Bullseye womp rats in my T16 back home and they're no bigger than 2 meters