rocket.aero Flightline series DVDs:

FJ Fury – Wings for the Fleet
A3J/RA-5C Vigilante

Reviewed by Gerry Nilles

These interactive DVDs include rarely seen film footage and stills of two of the US Navy’s 1950 early 60s vintage combat aircraft, the FJ Fury and the Vigilante. The images, on these separate DVDs are certainly something you have not seen before even on those specialties TV channels devoted to military and historical subjects. Some of the video, including narration, is taken from manufactures training films, while others are non-audio test footage. However the producers of these DVDs have included in places the choice of their own unique audio that is specifically directed at the model builder or the aviation historian. Of course being DVDs they can be played on either a DVD player or on your computers DVD-ROM drive where in the freeze mode the many detailed shots and slides can clearly be seen.

FJ FURY:

The FJ Fury DVD contains visual data on the FJ-2, -3 and –4. The producers note that visual data on the FJ-1 is almost non-existent. However a few rare shots of the FJ-1 can be seen in a special additional section that covers the development and construction of North American Aviation’s 16” wind tunnel. The sections on the FJ-2 show procedures and carrier operation. Visual footage on the FJ-3 & 4 includes FJ-3 operation at Barber’s Point Hawaii and FJ-4 weapons testing. Finally, a Navy training film on FJ-4 aircraft recognition is also included. Running time for this DVD is about 89 minutes and a special “Modeler’s Notes” audio track is included.

A3J/RA-5C VIGILANTE:

The Vigilante DVD contains visual data on both the original A3J Attack version of the Vigi and the later RA-5C recon version. The DVD is divided into two sections with one covering the A3J and the other covering the RA-5C. The section on the A3J includes both operating procedures, with lots of good detail shots, as well as operational footage taken on board the USS Enterprise. The section on the RA-5C includes footage taken during operations on “Yankee Station”, RVAH-12 Photo Recon operations on board the USS Constellation, and LSO operations and Training with a special audio commentary from a retired USN Captain added. Running time for this DVD is about 60 minutes and likewise a special “Modeler’s Notes” audio track is included.

My thanks to rocket.aero for the review copies.