P-47 Thunderbolt Wicked Wabbit helmet cam - Part 1

Unedited helmet cam footage from a recent air show. Lot's of cool segments. Formation and 300 mph show line flyby's with a P-51 Mustang and P-47, Hun Hunter XIV. Smoke at air show center and a cool ground explosion at 20:00. Enjoy.

[@jshoff725]

Thanks everyone. Glad you like it. The Thunderbolt is a joy to fly, it loves to go. I'll do more. See you soon.

[@Mr.XJ.96]

John Shoffner....The Jug is by far my favorite Aircraft of all. Was a pleasure to watch your video Sir.

[@kurtromkey1536]

gotta back seat?

[@Danger-ds7vz]

What's with the tape before takeoff?. Great video by the way! I could smell the grass on a couple of those passes !

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting. I am having a memorial service at my local airport KCTJ on May 21 2022 for Captain Harold D. Coonley. He flew 100 missions in the P-47 over Europe and recently passed at 98. Thanks for keeping em flying.

[@garyseeseverything8615]

What about the bf109 doesn’t it deserve the same 150 octanes the p47 used to make power? The bf109 used cheap 87 but historians don’t want the truth for you!

[@keithskillz90210]

Hey man, you wanna go cruise the strip in our riced out Honda Civics? "No." You wanna go ride motorcycles downtown? "No." You wanna take out the Lamborghinis to dinner and get them valeted in the front of the restaurant? "No." Well, what do you want to do? "Let's go take the warbirds and fly in formation!" What a life! I

[@jshoff725]

keithskillz90210 Classic. Thanks for watching.

[@v7bp25aq]

If I was ever offered the chance to fly a WWII Plane I think I would screech like a little girl!

[@Theo-hc5ob]

Beautiful. A bit of deja vu for me. My uncle Harrison flew a Jug in WWII, my dad, his brother, flew a P51 out of England (Two different theaters). My dad named his plane after my mom, Quenice Thomasina, who was born on March 14 (Pi, 3.14) Dad always called mom Cutie Pie. His plane was named QT (symbol for Pi) for her. Here was my uncles plane showing a Mustang with FT (symbol for Pi), I was floored, and teared up. Thanks for posting this, I am jealous and grateful. And thank you for the brave men that flew these beautiful aircraft and the men and women that still do today.

[@Blaydrnnnr]

Ah.. you guys living my dream....

[@tbobborap1]

absolutely awesome ! many thanks for sharing such an amazing insight into a world most of us can only imagine, what an adrenaline rush you guys must get every time you fly these beasts, regards from the uk,

[@bowser515]

11:50 what an epic pass! How great life must be to have a machine like this to fly.

[@hostelsituations2647]

+bowser515 I was going to comment on that too!! What a thrill that would be!!

[@chrisS613]

My grandpa flew P47's with the 353rd Fighter Group out of Raydon January-August 1944, and I got to thank you for posting this footage. It's one thing to see the black and white as well as the rudimentary color footage shot in the 1940's, but yours with the actual audio of the engine is absolutely phenomenal.

[@jshoff725]

Thank you for watching. And my salute to your grandpa!

[@gregorymccullough3801]

Chris Strobell , did your grandfather know Jack Epperson?

[@usagiyojimbo1996]

Wow! 1.37 looks terriffic in FRB! =P

[@Quintonzo9000]

lol WT

[@axessdenyd]

Well, 10 people got it.

[@wmfife1]

I see the alt. set @ zero. I get it. No explanation necessary.

[@Westsailor]

Wow... this is the way flying is supposed to be. Many thanks for sharing what must be a proud thrill flying these warbirds.

[@jacobbuchino8038]

This is just incredible... I've always wanted to see what it looks like flying in a formation of old planes... Really something amazingly beautiful about it.

[@jshoff725]

That's fabulous your grandfather flew the P-47. Got any pics? Thanks for your comments here.

[@timmayer8723]

A tank with wings. Two thousand horsepower. Dog fighter, bomber, strafer, PIT BULL of the sky.

[@jshoff725]

Haha! Perfect description. Thanks for tuning in! - JS

[@NelsonLoia]

Senta a pua !!! tudorama.blogspot.com.br/2008/12/senta-pua.html

[@greenseaships]

Wow! I just rode in the pilot's seat of a P-47 Thunderbolt for 43 minutes!! only problem is I was leaning about 30 degrees to the right the whole time... :P Seriously though, nice upload!!

[@yahatinda]

I wish a rich Asian Company would build a NEW Zero ,A BETTY as well. American radials of about the right hp. would be ok,its the airframe and correct colors etc. that would make it.The Oscar was a stunt plane with tw0 guns .It would be an air show favorite flown well.

[@jackthompson1382]

You sir, are my hero. The p47 is what got me into aviation. I’ll never forget my first air show hearing the big R2800 spool up. Please keep this old girl flying.

[@momcilogavric4930]

Well,i will never fly this machine,but i have IL-2 game 😀

[@av8tore71]

I just built the P-47 out of Adams Ready Board from Dollar General. 48 inch wing span. Thanking about painting it like the Kansas Tornado.

[@spiff2776]

Hey Jug fans, if you haven't already download a copy of "Thunderbolt!" by Robert S. Johnson to your Kindle or whatever your tablet is. It will make you feel like you're in the cockpit with him on his missions. He dedicates an entire chapter to the mission where he was jumped by 190s, went down in flames, pulled out, and was attacked two more times by a German ace. His aircraft was a flying wreck, but it got him home. A must read if you're a P-47 fan. Thanks for the great vid, John!

[@Drpboston1]

This is auditory orgasm. Love me some Jugs. Very nice flying and thank you for preserving some of the best machinery from our great history.

[@Hedwardwynn]

My grandmother built these in Evansville, Indiana back during the war. Good to see these old birds still out and about. Let me know if you're ever in the area. I'd love to see it!

[@n9347y]

Edward Wynn This a/c was built in Evansville. I have flown it in the Evansville air and water show a couple of times, latest last summer.

[@Hedwardwynn]

I'm sure that my grandmother probably riveted parts of your plane! Thanks for sharing!

[@rodmauldin]

Thanks VERy much for the ride, love the Jug!

[@Prrocess]

Well that was awesome. Thanks for uploading

[@walkersullivan9153]

I remember years ago, you telling me the P-51 was a dime a dozen and there were only seven or eight P-47's in operation. Well, by God, it was a pleasure to sit inside your machine in Z-Hills 20 years ago. Good to see you're still kicking.

[@jshoff725]

Thanks. For the record, I was not casting dispersions on the P-51. It's a great aircraft with a huge history. My comment was simply about availability today. Thanks for checking in.

[@davidoneill8612]

Very special to see one of the best flying still. My father fought with these in WWII, it was his favorite plane.

[@Bannerskjold]

GREAT Video :-) the blue tape ,why do you put it on the panel?

[@groovechampion1462]

probably a warning lamp, i do that all the time in my car:D

[@fed8925]

Good morning, my name is Friend Deming and I'm a PVT Pilot out of Flabob Airport. Was wondering what are the qualifications needed and Ratings or type certificate needed to do something as awesome as this. Currently am working on my IFR rating as of now with 152.6 hours logged. Any suggestions or career-oriented guidelines for this unique opportunity? Thanks for posting this.

[@jshoff725]

Well, you are pretty close to Chino, so to the Planes of Fame Museum there and introduce yourself. They fly a lot of this type of stuff and can surely give you guidance. But basically, you'll need 500 hrs before you could fly >600hp and start the process of moving up the ranks of large warbirds. Be patient and fly everything you can. Good luck.

[@fed8925]

I will and thank you for the advice, fly in sometime to Threshold. That's where I work, just got hired on there back in April. Hope all is well.

[@davey.f.demarco3858]

Thanks for the awesome video John. We have Nellie B over here in the UK and saw her do a display a few years ago. For a aeroplane nicknamed the flying jug she sure could move. Beautiful aircraft. All the best and stay safe 👍🏻👍🏻

[@wilsontoddd5253]

Just. The. Past. Airshow. Here. In. San. Antonio. Texas. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@PeekPost]

P-47 Thunderbolt is probably the most underrated aircraft from ww2 !

[@lenchewbacca]

***** wat.

[@ReptileRescue]

***** ...I don't think so. Nobody who knows very much about these aircraft ever underrated a P-47.

[@GnonplussedGnome]

PhrynosomaTexas Except the British when they first saw them.

[@ReptileRescue]

GnonplussedGnome I said those who know very much. And the British are characteristically arrogant and highly overrate anything they ever built anyway.

[@yahatinda]

PhrynosomaTexas The BRITS hate to admit the U.S. did ANYTHING for them in WW2 .... They were winning WW2 all by themselves,Damn Yankkes not wanted.

[@tyclairep3744]

Awesome video! P-47's are my favorite war-bird, I wanted to see the landing too though lol but it was still really cool. Great Job Flying!

[@jshoff725]

Ty Pierce Thanks for your kind comment. You can find the landing on Part 2.... enjoy.

[@tyclairep3744]

Awesome thanks

[@xBMF9000x]

Damn, that P-51 at about 12:00 was really haulin' ass! lol

[@longshot7601]

I love Jugs! Especially when they come in pairs like that!

[@sammoon2906]

I watch too many videos..When the three aircraft lined up abreast, I expected to hear three honks before the drag race started.. Great video, Mr Shoffner!

[@fox2thor]

Battle Rating 3.0

[@Noke28]

hahaha lmao i was searching for this my friend

[@arnoldmosk494]

Very Strong bird , but let‘s face it still depends on the pilot!!!

[@mr.marmot39]

YOU GOT A HOLE IN YOUR LEFT WING!

[@Voinar010]

Hmm... canopy is closed, and the noise... increases??? That's strange. Did you have the same feeling when you were flying? I expected the noise to diminish, after closing canopy.

[@jshoff725]

Voinar010 When the canopy closes it leaves a small gap and whistles. It gets pretty annoying after a while.

[@fluffycat087]

Sorry but I am watching this and DROOLING. Most favorite WW2 aircraft. Thanks great vid!!. Go Jug!!!.

[@DETUDOUMPOUCOBRASIL]

Muito legal, temos um avião destes em uma praça aqui em Curitiba, foi herança da guerra, deixaram para nós,

[@CIWS1]

I love this video! I wish there were many more POV video's like this with these old warbirds. It's great to see the start up and checks as the pilot see's them. This was a whole experience lol. Thanks for sharing!

[@bearbon2]

Is the canopy power operated? It came forward pretty quick and smooth and I didn't see the pilots arm on it. Never knew that.

[@vintagesurvivor]

She doesn't swing much on takeoff...unless you're standing on that rudder?

[@gustavodeborgonhaassis2209]

11:54 amazing low pass! i'm brazilian. thanks for this video.

[@stephenasbridge878]

Where are those wascally third weich wascals?

[@wilsontoddd5253]

Almost. Time. For. Take. Off. 😊😊😊

[@woooster17]

Fantastic, loved every minute of that!! I recently did a taxy trip in the Lancaster bomber 'Just Jane' as my uncle flew as a pilot with 100 Sqd during the war. Great experience. The plan next is to book a Spitfire flight in the Boultbee 2 seater!! I did 2 AEF flights and aerobatics years ago in a De-Havilland Chipmunk, so the Spitfire flight would be amazing!!

[@davidgibson1524]

OMG! I want to fly a Jug more than ever now! Thank You for this video! I wish you had shown the landing as well!

Save your lunch money, it's a gas guzzler.

[@Brianthehistorynerd]

Wow this was AMAZING!!! I’m going to be starting a P-47 model build. Now I know what it’s like to fly in this big beautiful bird.

[@kansasjayhawk8386]

It sounds like a dragster on steroids. Awesome video! 🇺🇸

[@bobelayer]

Damn that P-51 pass was epic. Right over your head.

[@eddienash5426]

Why on earth are there 93 DISLIKES on this awesome video?

[@garyshelly6555]

I was wondering the same thing how could you not like this

[@richsimpkins4855]

Thank you for taking back to a boyhood dream.

[@jshoff725]

Yes, by the third pass we were all on opposing passes, offset of course. Nice fun!

[@sultros]

If you listen very closely you can hear the sound of my head exploding from jealousy.

[@OviWanKenovi]

+John Shoffner You should come to Georgia this year! It's my dream to see a P-47 fly in real life... I play an online game called War Thunder the P-47 is the main plane I fly... and my name... is p47lover.... Come to Wings Over North Georgia!

[@douglasfulmer5483]

P-47N is now in war thunder.

[@OviWanKenovi]

Douglas Fulmer Yes it is, I unlocked it two days ago :)

[@douglasfulmer5483]

Austin Davis I got it on first day, the grind was real :D

[@bassturkey]

It's amazing how quickly and how much altitude you gain only a moment after being down on the deck. You and your fellow pilots sure gave the crowd their monies worth!

[@AbsoluteyAmerican]

I keep coming back to this video. I love it! As a military historian that focuses primarily on WW2, videos like these are gems! It demonstrates what formation flying is like, the sounds of the plane, and when visible, how the pilot operates and manages the systems. Absolutely phenomenal. Got to ride in a 1929 American Standard (bi-plane) up at Rhinebeck Aerodrome. That was an experience. Ear shattering, open cockpit, wind whipping. Oil flinging out. The smell and feel of what it was like to fly in WW1. It was astounding.

[@jshoff725]

Wow, I appreciate your comments and for keeping this on your favorites list. Regards - John

[@edgi55]

Strange, seems like there was more noise with the canopy closed

[@jshoff725]

Yes, the canopy does not seal perfectly and we get a bit of whistling. Annoying at high speed.

[@voccmoccer2262]

Hi John, thank you that i can fly with you and your beautiyful old Lady. Greetings from the Land of Messerschmitt and Junkers.

[@thalestheodoro2063]

P 47 - foi um dos melhores caças-bombardeiros da Segunda Guerra Mundial. Uma Bela Máquina.

[@KB4QAA]

Why did you cover up the callsign with the blue painters tape? Great video, enjoyed the formation work. b.

[@teddystephens5587]

keep the history in the sky

[@Drsnafubar]

I got a crooked neck from watching that crooked camera but anyway thanks for the wonderful upload. Love those old birds and I am envious you get to enjoy flying one.

[@fredsalfa]

Cool video. My dad flew P51Ds and Thunderbolts in WW2 against the Japanese near the end of the war

[@jshoff725]

Alfa Won Very cool. Any pictures you can share?

[@fredsalfa]

John Shoffner Do you have an email address I can send them to ? There are about 3 full photo albums at my brothers place but it is interstate. I only have a few on me personally.

[@jshoff725]

Alfa Won Sure. Message me on Facebook.

[@fredsalfa]

John Shoffner Which one are you on facebook ? there are several

[@jshoff725]

Alfa Won Look for the race car.

[@normanjtongmd]

"It's time to buzz the tower, Goose!"

[@jesteris25]

negative ghostrider the pattern is full lol

[@slpss2002]

How could any sane person thumbs down one of the greatest planes from WW2? Keep um flying!!

[@FluffyThumper4k]

G-L-O-R-I-O-U-S.

[@TheOldelwood]

Always loved the old birds.The Jug and the AD-1 Skyraider were two of the toughest birds out there! They could dish out all kind of hell and could take it also. Like the A- 10 Warthog today.

[@ampman1961]

John Thanks for posting this amazing video. The feeling is like being there in real time including all of the moments required to initiate flight, from the pilot perspective. Simply incredible. The helmet cam gives us such an amazing point of view. Thanks again! A P-47 lover since a child. Billy in Tucson

[@baraskparas9559]

Wow! Such a massive fighter looks so compact from the pilot's pov. Makes me appreciate the great job WW11 Fighters by Jane's simulations did all those years ago.

[@gattology30cal]

THE JUG BABY!!! THE JUUGGGGG!!!!!

[@SanderAnderon]

out-freaking-standing! thank you

[@AB-re6re]

Well said and,. .what a flight 😁

[@AB-re6re]

Fantastic 😊!

[@MARCIO1974MHP]

I'm in love with the World War II fighter aircrafts, especially the P47 Thunderbolt, I'm from Brazil and in my city there's a square where a P47-D is exposed. I would love to see such an aircraft in flight live.

[@jshoff725]

Can you send us a picture of the Thunderbolt on display near you.

[@MARCIO1974MHP]

Of course, it would be my pleasure. What is your e-mail?

[@MARCIO1974MHP]

Please, give me your e-mail address to send you the photo of the Thunderbolt I told you about.

[@jshoff725]

Thanks for the reminder. I'd rather not post my email in the open here. I'll send it to you via FB. You have the red truck on your page?

[@MARCIO1974MHP]

facebook.com/marcio.magoo.7

[@robertgantry2118]

That looks like so much fun.... I definitely missed my calling in life.

[@jshoff725]

Great project! Looking forward to seeing the Rat in the air.

[@jmh8743]

hello, well done. 3rd pass did you meet the 51? My friend and boss, Tom Gloor now gone, flew the 47 in Europe. He later flew G100R. I made the stencils. Owned a famous race track. hand signals, no radio? Thanks

[@Beat69420]

My great grandpa died a few years ago but he flew a p47 thunderbolt in ww2. he once got into a dog fight and was shot down but survived. Ive missed him so much recently but i know he is still in my heart and will always be with me.😭😭😢😢😢😢

[@yahatinda]

"YA HOO".... too much fun ..... Id rather watch this than maybe Katy Perry singing naked except for hi-heels

[@marilyn3583]

It would be nice to see a P-47 some day in the markings of the Mexican Air Force 201st squadron from 1945. Mexico does have one left that is kept hangered, although not flight worthy.

[@alyciamarrison2916]

My God sometimes you were flying LOW! Under 100 feet? So that is definatly not in the UK as the safety rules are quite extreme after accidents & with regard to crowd line safety. I nearly got the jitters just watching on a 24" screen!

[@bobford01]

Mustangs make movies. Thunderbolts make hustory! Oh by the way, what airplane did Gabby fly? Enough said...

[@guizzmohsam1571]

A very interesting video - but didn't enjoy the rubbish thrown out of the window @11:30

[@jshoff725]

I appreciate the kind comment and I apologize for littering.

[@guizzmohsam1571]

@@jshoff725 Hello John firstly I really didn't expect a reply... so, good on you for that and - apologies man, I wasn't trying to have a 'mean' go at you with my comment - go well and fly safe - kind regards

[@guizzmohsam1571]

.. and it's not a window, is it? it's the cockpit.. lol

[@rickhargett2803]

Gotta love it. Go "Jugs"!!!

[@TFWS6]

Once again while watching one of these videos I have to wonder what a person does after something like this? When someone asks you how life is treating you, what do you say? "Life was great but I'm pretty much finished now"... hahaha.

[@jshoff725]

Haha! Yes, awesome question. For sure the Thunderbolt is a joy to fly and a privilege I don't take lightly. Thanks for tuning in. More videos coming this summer.

[@andersonsimmons2398]

Great video. Awesome machines. What was with the blue tape? (I haven't watched beyond take off yet, in case it's obvious later)

[@gustavodeborgonhaassis2209]

11:54 amazing low pass! i'm brazilian. thanks for this video.

[@franklin5194]

The Brazilian Air Force has made history and is recognized worldwide for its exceptional service aboard the P-47s in World War II.

[@PvtPartzz]

Damn, that is the perfect weather to play around in. I hope you get to enjoy playing in the clouds as much as I would :D What's the highest altitude you've taken it?

[@jshoff725]

Connor Gadson Normally we stop at 17,500', to stay below controlled airspace that requires a formal flight plan. Below that it's game on.

[@dam1041960]

Can you install bright led lights with a smoke generator in the guns to sim gun fire.? Or use propane with a smoke genreator to sim gun fire.? Love the video thank you....

[@passwordbosco407]

Funny to me how these planes went from 22 year olds being paid around $59 a month during the war, to multi millionaires owning them and flying them now.

[@kocsisjanos850]

Anyone knows about Thuds strafing trains in the Czech side of the German border last days of WW II?

[@PeekPost]

Check out this video i made for P-47 Thunderbolt: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYDPi4Vqopdpoqc

[@garychynne1377]

little circles little circles just the same

[@Maxum97SeaDoo91]

Love this video! I'm guessing it's a P-47D you're flying jodging from the visibility out of the canopy? Some nice formation flying, very smooth as if on rails.Bet she's a real crowd pleaser with some of those passes you made! What octane fuel are you running and is it hard to find? Love the sound of a Big Ole Radial !!! On the list of things to "To Do" before I die. Great Sound and video quality! Very much enjoyed it!

[@HobbitHomes263]

without Da Fiddy's Blazin...just more vdeofromsomeold airplane

[@andrewnorgrove6487]

Purrs like a kitten No rev's and all the Torque in the world ) Set and forget. It reminds me of an old side valve V8 purring along.

[@jhettish]

Nice. My dad got about 8 hours in P-47 and it became his favorite airplane for the next 60 year until he died. He didn't fit the "fighter pilot" role and instead became a co-pilot at 25 in a B-24 flying out of Italy in the last days of WWII. Later he flew the RF-51F which is what the USAF renamed the airplane after the USAAF was no more. He flew in the Air National Guard out of BNA at Nashville. If you remove "RF" from what he flew and replace it with a "P" you will have the P-51F. The 118th was a tactical recon unit and the the RF-51F was loaded with cameras. Later my dad became an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA and later retired. He was too smart to picket in the early 80s and get fired like all the other controllers did. It would be nice to know where this air show was going on. The airport definitely appeared to be a WWII training facility, based on the triangular pattern of runways.

[@jshoff725]

John Hettish Correct, this airshow was at Dyersburg, TN near Nashville. Congrats to your Dads history, sounds like he had some gear adventures and served us all well.

[@HiVoltish]

Wow you could play a game of nerf basketball in that cockpit, can you imagine going from spit to jug?

[@DannyOvox3]

How does one manage the thrust on the Thunderbolt? I mean, did it use a HOTAS like system?

[@johngnang6724]

Picture this.You're a young pilot in world war two.This is you're first mission.

[@mreid08]

Are these the P47 from the museum in Gatlinburg Tennessee? If so how do I find out when they fly them there?

[@vetitoe362]

These two aircraft are way to close to Smyrna TN to not make it to the airshow. A strong warbird presence is always a treat.