Tex Johnston rolls a 707

[ElectraGSX]

Daaaang!

[kriegmeister3000]

That's one way to sell a plane.

[Pilotguyr6]

Look up bob Hoover if you don't think you can roll at 1g. Prove that wrong!

[pavwgn]

Fascinating, in 1955 they were able to do that already,

simply amazing

pavwgn

[TheBBoyJmE]

SICK just what i wanted to see!



[Sidewinder9877]

That pilot was one of the best I've ever seen. A barrel roll in an airliner. Damn wish I could have been a passenger.

[DelNegro10]

FAKE!

[NA734]

@DelNegro10 And just how is it fake? Sir, I believe very well that it is a completely real barrel roll. Yes, real. So could you expose to me your arguments supporting your claim that this video is fake?

[yoyoyoyoshua]

@DelNegro10 real

[LTSHater]

This might have been said earlier but this is not a 707. It was the 367-80, the prototype for the KC-135 (717) and the 707.

[yoyoyoyoshua]

@LTSHater first the the KC-135 prototype was a 707 a 717 is a MD95 and second I've heard from tons of current and retired boeing enployeees that it was a 707.

[scarabmango]

Open question to pilots (as in experienced military/ex-military, not weekend hobbyist): is there any reason monsters like 747s, C-17s, C-5s, A380s, etc can't do this? I've always perceived a vibe of "technically yes, but we don't go there." Any insight would be appreciated.

[gwgokey]

@scarabmango the 747s and C-17s and such can do this, but you piss off a bunch of people when you do it, which is why they don't. However regarding the A 380s and such the fly by wire technology has limits on the pitch and bank computers which makes a restrictive window the pilots are allowed to fly in, if they attempted this (although possible in an A380) the computer would stop the pilot from continuing the maneuver.

[Tygersai]

@scarabmango You want to be the crew chief cleaning up the spilled-from-being-upside-down­ toilet? Didn't think so.

[WolfKotenberg]

@Tygersai a good barrel roll will not spill coffee ( or unload a toilet ). A lomcevak will.

[WindOF80x]

The best, that pilot can do agaist terrorist inside)

[ReneeNme]

How bloody cool was that of Tex. Hell yah !!!

[zcg3]

He almost got fired for this...

[TwoEyeCyclops]

When asked what he was doing, Johnston replied:

"I'm sellin' airplanes!"

[blakegriplingph]

Press Z or R twice!

[timmiser]

Before Tex took off for this famous fly-by, there was a small contingent of media (reporters and photographers) there were to ride in the plane as passengers on this flight. Tex told the passengers what he was planning on doing and if anyone didn't want to be on that plane, now was the time to get off.

Not a single passenger stepped off that plane prior to takeoff!

[posthastey]

Tex was a Mo-Ron to do that.

[tpsossff]

707 was the best in its day and he was showing what it could do. For me it reassured me that the plane could take severe out of envelope situations and survive. It was a bloody good aircraft.

[mickrussom]

@tpsossff

This was not out of envelope. A properly executed barrel roll will result in the plane not recognizing the attitude due to being +1G (or slightly higher) through the roll.

[tpsossff]

@mickrussom

You are quite correct, my wording was not too good. In theory any aircraft can do such a roll providing it keeps positive G. Even negative G providing the fuel flow is not disrupted. Concorde did the manouvre a few times during flight testing.

[viewstuff36]

regular service commercial planes ought to do this every time they take off. It would put entertainment back into flying! Yee haa!

[RMRockstar]

only someone with balls like tex johnston would fathom a maneuver like this in a 707...good stuff!!

[betomas]

Tex Johnston told Boeing CEO that he was just "selling airplanes" nothing less, and nothing more after he did that goddamn belly roll! Fuckin' ey! That SonofaBitch sure knew how to sell a goddamned fuckin' plane!!!

[13w15h0y]

if that ain't skill, i dunno what is!!!!!

[kvltdvl666]

Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. Please fasten your sealbelts, lest you be SEVERLY FUCKEDUP. Enjoy your flight

[nealshireman]

just. amazing.

[VercettiVice]

this guy is like... the marlon brando of jumbo jets

[Defender78]

@VercettiVice what do you mean, that he was fat, bloated, greedy, and bisexual?

[MrNOTaMiscreant101]

Woo Hoo! He was the best!

[drebyrd54]

If its a fake, there are tens of thousands of people here in Seattle who are in on the hoax. It happened at the hydro races which drew half the city in those days.

[Nighthawke75]

No fake, this! Friend of mine was radio engineer on board the -80 at the time Tex did his famous roll.

[bottomgunner]

@zimmermann10 No, that was not a fake. That barrel roll is what sold the plane. The pilot kept the plane flying with positive gravity. The plane didn't know it was upside down.Great pilot.

[WolksVagon449]

So awesome... SO AWESOME

[zimmermann10]

@WolksVagon449

A fake

[mrunning10]

This is NOT the Aug. 1955 Lake Washington film.

[Coderoid]

u might have a point there..

[mrunning10]

Next time I find the '55 film am going to keep it forever.

[EricSymb]

he who invented the condoms jontex?

[MajorCrissMoga13]

(MOUTH WIDE OPEN!!!)

[Fekmann]

I saw this on a documentary on TV. The pilot's son, who viewed it from the ground, said, "yeah, that's my dad; that's pretty cool."

[DancingSpiderman]

Tex?  Hmmm...

Playtex, or likely.

[pinz2022]

In the interfview, Johnston made it clear that it was a 1G maneuver and well within the safety margin. It just looked hair-raising.

[kassandrasduplex]

Watching this knowing it was done more than 50 years ago gives me pride in being an American. Absolutely stunning.

[mickrussom]

@kassandrasduplex

Yes, when Marxian oligarchical collectivist Trotskyites aren't in control, America can do anything.

[kassandrasduplex]

@mickrussom

Marxian Trotskyites have never been in charge of America. BTW in the past ten years (when the Bush Admin. slashed taxes on the rich and ushered a new age of laissez fair capitalism) the average age of an American dropped from 24th worldwide to 49th. Since "capitalism" (free booting gangsterism) came to Russia the average age went from 64 in 1989 (the year the Berlin Wall fell) to 58.

Some are too stupid to see that collectisivism actually raises the standard of living for citizens

[kassandrasduplex]

@mickrussom The more I re-read your post the more disheartened I am in the future of my country. The greatest period of the American republic (before it became an oligarchy and empire) was marked by very high taxation and the highest levels of unionization we've ever had. Since Reagan the national debt has skyrocketed (he tripled the national debt) and increased military spending (some 0.53 cents of every dollar now goes in some form to "defense". The New Deal is GONE. What's left? CRAP!

[mickrussom]

@kassandrasduplex You are the enemy within. You the unions, the progressive, the seditious rats. You have destroyed this country. We will not hire you. I wont hire you. My friends wont hire you. you union? progressive? maoist? Youare big buddied stalin, mao, pol pot, che, castro, MURDERERS. The lot of them. That makes you are crusader FOR MURDER. Expect a STRONG defense. I wont be herded into the gulags and shot. You will not succeed.

[kassandrasduplex]

@mickrussom You need professional help. I hope you get it before you hurt someone. BTW Neil Amrstrong has come out publicly opposing Obamas plans to privatize NASA (or didn't you know Bush was continuing the Bush privatization schemes?)

Oligarchs are running your country now! Goldman Sachs gave almost $1 million dollars to Obama in 08 but only $230 thousand to McCain. Obama is bought and paid for by Wall Street. That's why he's expanding the Bush wars and implementing cuts to Medicare etc.

[kassandrasduplex]

@kassandrasduplex Sorry for the typo. I meant Obama is continuing the Bush privatization schemes!

[kassandrasduplex]

@mickrussom BTW the progressive American political movement was started by a Republican, pro-regulation and pro-union Wisconsin Republican Gov. Robert "Fighting Bob" LaFollette. Without the unions you wouldn't have ever had the 40 hour week or been free of child labor sweatshops. Read your history. You are ignorant.

[kassandrasduplex]

@mickrussom Are you even aware that the American progressive movement was started by a Republican? He was pro union and pro government regulation. You are ignorant.

[kassandrasduplex]

@mickrussom Are you even aware that the American progressive movement was started by a Republican? He was pro union and pro government regulation. You are ignor. ant.

[gcmc2]

Yes chi773guy, great old bird too. This was the main testbed for 707 development for 20 years. Most developments were tested on this before being applied to other craft. As you say it was KC-135 prototype and was always in cargo/utility configuration. Boeing had actually decided that passenger jet liners were not being well received and resigned themselves that it would be mainly a military craft. Then Pan Am placed an order for 20 in 1955 and things started to take off. The rest is history !

[chi773guy]

gcmc2, i'm glad you mentioned that the plane which Tex Johnson barrel roled was the Dash 80. I started to correct some people he until I saw you mention it. The Dash 80 was the prototype to the KC-135. Us Crew Dawgs in the Air Force definitely hear about Tex Johnson and his barrel role. It's quite amazing to see.

[gcmc2]

I found the one where Tex tells the story here on youtube. Many have probably seen it but for those who haven't it's called "Boeing 707 roll by Test Pilot Tex Johnson" It also shows a photo the engineer took looking down at the ground from a window at the wing with the engine on top instead of underneath.

[gcmc2]

Yes, Tex told the story himself in a TV interview and I saw it here somewhere. This original prototype (the dash-80) was recovered from The National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC in 1990. A crew went to recover it, got it airworthy and set off for Seattle. Tex was invited and was on board the flight as were many other boeing people from the period. The old gal was restored and returned to the Smithsonian Aerospace museum in Aug 2003. Needless to say she looks like a million bucks !

[strassj]

It is such honor to see those famous Boeing 707 and Tex!

I wish those will be again because tech is improve so flim should be better to witness whole Barrel roll!

But those old one is still proof well enough for everybody to believe.

[gcmc2]

When the boss called him to the office he asked Johnson what he was doing up there and Johnson replied "selling planes". The boss had to agree but did say that the rolls won't be necessary in future airliner demo flights.

[Archie23rulz]

That's one of those meetings where the boss calls you into the office to wrap you over the knuckles for contravening company policy - for the sake of company policy. But then turns around and pours you a congratulary shot! Amazing!

[nick0912nascar]

thats crazy!

[HumAnimAlien51]

I hope he turned on the seat belt sign first.

[VHASE]

After that he crashed and died.

[FeeNominal]

You're why everyone hates YouTube comments

[youareallchumps]

you're the reason people get their heads stomped on curbs and throats cut

[Ross3]

Peppy: Do a barrel roll!

[godbecomeanimal]

A barrel roll?

[jgq85]

A barrel roll.

[Ugleskjegg]

@jgq85 A barrel roll?

[cashdudehomie]

(Z or R twice)!

[CommanderLightning]

Don't... ...even... ...say it...

[CCCrepresentative]

Can't... resist urge...

D- D- DO A-

[CommanderLightning]

[pulls out a Luger P08] Don't.. ..even.. ..think about it..

[CCCrepresentative]

I'm sorry.

B- BB- BARREL ROLL!

[CommanderLightning]

[bang!]

[wompasdub]

do a barrel roll! engine on head

[xliver4]

@CCCrepresentative I'm sorry.

A- AA- AILERON ROLL!

[Coderoid]

Hahaha..epic..

[DelNegro10]

@Ross3 FAKE

[75kilroy]

@DelNegro10

real, idiot

[DelNegro10]

@75kilroy I am a pilot, it is impossible without Break the wings!

[75kilroy]

@DelNegro10

Ahh yeah, and I'm an astronaut. The chandelle (the type of roll Tex performed) is a 1G maneuver, and not dangerous at all.

[DelNegro10]

@75kilroy 1G, are kidding?At The very least 3.5G if not 4Gs, sorry! My son also plays like astronaut on PC!

[TV843]

@75kilroy You are absolutely correct, no matter what these schmucks say. It is possible to roll at a constant 1g . The funny thing is that if you were a passenger on this plane when it rolled and you didn't look out the window to see everything momentarily upside down, you wouldn't even know you were rolling, because you would be under a constant 1g load (which we obviously experience all the time--so it's not an unnatural sensation).

[hyungsup2]

@TV843 I think I would....

If we assume that the plane rolled at a constant 1g force downwards from the plane, the force of the lateral movements will exist.

There are 3 directions of the force.

It would only mean that we won't fall off the seat when the plane is upside down.

[VIR092]

@hyungsup2 Actually, there were would be no transverse (sideward) force if the airplane maintains zero beta flight (no problem with good airspeed) throughout the maneuver, it's only normal acceleration. You could have people walking up and down the inside of the fuse and no one would come off the floor as along as you are at 1+ g.

There's something to do: Have people get on a large bird, stand in the isleway and perform a barrel roll, that would be some fun.

[hyungsup2]

@VIR092 I don't think you're thinking through. I think you have to tell me what zero beta flight is because what you are explaining seems like a boring ride to me....

If you are having fun you have to be feeling a sudden force in a particular direction.

What I've said is that people won't fall down from their seats but they won't be walking down the aisle as if you are in a commercial airline. That's what I want to say.

[VIR092]

@hyungsup2 In simple words, if you stood in the cabin of an airplane, the pilot then performed a barrel roll that was more than 1-g as you feel standing on the ground, you would not come off the floor. Sure, you would feel a sudden downward force from the initiation of the maneuver. Zero beta flight means no sideslip, if you perform a slip in an airplane (you kick the rudder), you'll feel like you're being pushed sideways in your seat (i.e. a lateral force) as you already I know I'm sure.

[zasoars]

@DelNegro10 then you are a particularly bad pilot!

[DelNegro10]

@zasoars I am not a stupid pilot!

[ubermom]

I'd heard that a pilot in a commercial jet (might have been a 707) hit some wind shear that inverted the plane and he just completed the roll. Anybody know anything on that?

[e633xx]

Do you have any fuckin clue about what a wind shear is? Fuckin clueless people DIE!

[mejia85710]

I saw that pilots son on TV he said he was proud of his dad that day and no one has every done something like that since

[antiochblade]

Most of you who read this have never experienced a sonic boom . I grew up on the east coast in the early 1960s near an airport AND military base . My dad was in the military . 3 to 6 times a day we would here a sonic boom . If you think you might have heard a sonic boom then you didnt . It sounds like Gods own thunder or 2000lb bomb hitting 500 yards away . The whole house would shake . This is why politicians made it illegal to fly at supersonic speed over land. Its an impressive experience .

[SteffanLlwyd]

Yes. In Wales the RAF used to break the sound barrier reguarly. We kids loved the big bang. Just once I waved at a pilot of a 'Canberra' bomber as it came over the ridge near a farm I lived on and he did a roll just for me. What a buzz. About 100' above my head... The cows mooed big time after that! G-r-e-a-t.

[Cantstopdamuzik]

I live near Tinker AFB in Oklahoma and back in 89 an F16 accidentally slipped past the sound barrier. It sounded like someone fired a cannon outside my house and shook the dishes.

[antiochblade]

I saw the original footage on Modern Marvels I think . It was a picnic atmosphere at the Boeing factory . Families were there on the hillside overlooking the plant Bar-B-Queing ect. Tex taxis out lines up , full throttle , takes off and does the roll . I man next to the cameraman man was heard above the others saying the same thing "wow" ! An 8 year old kid was also standing next to the cameraman and says "aw he just my dad" Yep Tex Johnsons son . It was a great piece on aircraft .

[charliepippin]

Don't try this at home..

[hrford]

...or your neighbours will complain about the wings going through their walls.

[vashonislandguy]

GOOD OL' TEX, Lake Washington

[gchampi2]

WOW! I'd heard about this maneuver, and I've seen a photo taken by a journalist onboard the plane before, but this is the first I'd heard of anyone filming it. Incredible footage of some incredible flying!

That said, I can't help but feel there's something inherently 'wrong' in seeing a large passenger jet pulling a move like that. Just kinda makes me nervous, I guess...

[crazysunami]

wow this is the highest quality video of the roll ive ever seen.

[cobrachoppergirl]

I'd buy a ticket on a commercial flight if they offered this.... you can toss my cookies any day

[AznCommie]

It's easy to do a barrel roll. All you have to do is press Z or R twice.

[Ovechkin81]

ROFL

[WolksVagon449]

Jesus. That is not something that is supposed to happen.

[zejunkers]

crazy motherfucker

[ice9fetus81]

wow!can you do that on a 747?

[kinsley2108]

it has happened on a 747 already, but unfortunately half the tail and elevator flaps got ripped off, due to the speed it was traveling at. However, the pilots in the 747 did not do the roll intentionally, it was a design fault with one of the hydraulic components of the rudder. Amazingly they landed the plane in one piece and all the passengers were fine.

[ice9fetus81]

So you're saying that you can never do that on a 747?

[kinsley2108]

well, it is possible, but you probably won't be able to put the plane on the ground again

[UnravelingThread]

Barrel rolls are different than aileron rolls. The G force of the aileron roll if executed properly will be constant. Thats an aileron roll. You're not likely to rip anything off a 747 if you do it like that.

[gypsykingg]

its possible to pretty much role anything. but recovering from the role is a different story

[ice9fetus81]

ok,got your point...

[ubermom]

A 747?

I'd heard of a commercial jet that was inverted by wind sheer and the pilot just continued the roll and managed to land the plane safely.

[cjnewson88]

wanna see it*

[cjnewson88]

aw i wanna it do a snap roll too :P

[jetboat316]

Thats my grandpa who did the role. and whoever posted this our last name is spelled "JOHNSTON"

[445chris]

cool,your grandpa must be awsome!

[ggute]

My Grandpa can beat up your Grandpa....

[shutterbun]

thanks for pointing out the misspelled surname; that probably explains why info on "Tex" is so hard to come by. They replay this clip just about every year during SeaFair and it never fails to amaze. Gotta be one of, if not THE all-time ballsiest stunts by a pilot, EVER.

[Fania54]

shutterbun: There ia actually quite a bit of info on Tex Johnston, a hero of mine....I was just reading his biography today. A hard cover book "Tex Johnston:Jet Age Test Pilot". Great book see if you can find a copy!

[georgesturdy]

could you do this with an airbus 330?

[jetdriven]

no, airbus have flight envelope protection and wont let you exceed any limitation.

[ibook133]

Yep, that's what i said.

[ibook133]

Barrel rolls involve only roll, no pitch or yaw, this wasn't a barrel roll, but it was one heck of a sight.

[jetdriven]

actually a barrel roll involves rolling the aircraft around the axis of the roll, an aileron roll rolls the aircraft on the axis of the roll.

[jetboat316]

dude u do not know what your talking about because in a barrel roll you pull up and turn and then push back down while your still turning then u level out (pitch=up and down yaw=left and right) and he told me himself that it was a BARREL ROLL!!! What you are talking about is a snap role which also has yaw.

[admiralnomad]

Actually, a barrel roll has a little rudder so you cut a circle in the air. An aileron roll or just "roll" is standard side pressure on the stick. Both of those maneuvers are performed after a very short pull up, which means you don't have to push on the stick at all. Usually, "snap roll" refers to a hard roll with rudder towards the same direction, pushing the tail out violently.

[ibook133]

Jet engines, and the large flying and control surfaces make it possible, not to mention it's light aluminum.

[lotsotube]

Any Fixed wing aircaft can be rolled if the pilot has the skill and the guts. A good one knows their limitations. "It is said that there are old pilots and bold pilots; but there are no old bold pilots!" - with some exceptions like Tex Johnson !

[hahahahaitsjoe]

do a barrell roll

[muchogringo]

a barrel roll???

[kingradon]

a barrel roll

[DrSteinwater]

piece of cake

[nihil1]

much better with this dark filter!