Roaring Glory Warbirds, Volume g: The P-38

Flight Journal, Summer 2003 by Farmer, James H

7. Roaring Glory Warbirds, Volume 6: The P-38 Historic Aviation; www.HistoricAviation.com; DVD/VHS; 48 minutes; $29.95/$19.95.

For the closest thing next to actually flying a P-38, check out this now tragically poignant Jeff Ethell instructional video. Through the use of professional-quality video and cockpit-- mounted cigar-cams, we have a pilot's-eye view of what it is like to fly this grand piece of history. Imagine looking out over the sloping fighter's nose as we taxi onto the main runway, the arc of the twin-engine propeller blades flashing by the outside corners of our eyes. With Jeff offering an enthusiastic step-by-step running narrative of the requisite cockpit procedures, we're soon breaking ground, the gear neatly tucked in its wells and heading for higher altitudes "... like a homesick angel."

And the devil, as they say, is in the details. Sadly, Jeff lost his life on June 6, 1997, in the sister ship of the P-38 featured in this remarkable documentary. And this writer lost a dear friend.