1979 Reno Air Races -- Part 1

[@glydrjocky]

Awesome! I have wanted to see this since I first saw it on TV back in 79' when it first aired!!! As a young A&P mechanic I worked on wings for Precious Metal, The Healer #39, Georgia Mae and Stilletto back in the mid 80's so this is just a rush to watch. Thanks so much for posting!

[@12345fowler]

The TV speaker really asked smart questions in these days. All about the speed equation.

[@LonMoer]

I remember this day :( I was working on the race crew for #7 Ridge Runner and we shared a pit with the #6, so we were all pulling for John Crocker and then the RB-51 came by real quiet and we all watched as Steve tried to turn the plane and it disappeared below the end of the runway

[@newsdude1964]

This is incredible. I remember watching this show when it originally aired a few months after the events. We didn't have a VCR in those days, but I recorded the audio on cassette tape, I still have it buried in a box somewhere. It's great to see the video again after all these years. On part seems to be missing though..in the original broadcast there was a performance by the Canadian Snowbirds aerobatic team (set to disco music of course.)

[@RagdollOC]

Thank you for uploading!

[@brentjon]

My first Year , 2023 my last year at reno

[@geojettdirt]

Wow! I have been telling friends about this since 1979. I was lucky enough to be helping pit for Lefty Gardner and White Lightning during the race as a 17 year old. Heard the whole thing on the radio in the pit and jumped into a station wagon to tear down the runway with the crew. I have pictures somewhere of the wreckage still smoking and only thought to take pictures after Steve was helicoptered out. Ran around with the crew carrying my camera like a stone.

[@warbirdfotos]

Nicely done, way better than my copy of this episode! Thanks for sharing!

[@TJDOZIER1]

Steve looks so young.

[@AV8R4HM]

@TJDOZIER1 yes he does. :)

[@neatstuff1988]

A person in our group found a piece.

[@drpork1360]

My dad was at this one he was very lucky

[@oudevangsantos6499]

Qem vio o ovine que pasou acima do reporter

[@DoctorShocktor]

And 50 years later it’s exactly the same, unlimited still same airframes and engines, loads of T-6s, added a jet class with Jets from the 1970’s, no new power plant designs, no new airframes. Maybe the formulas have some new materials? Sad lack of significant progress for half a century.