Scudrunners

But why?

Just a normal day in Russia?

If that’s true, how many others in the squadron have performed such a display?

Apparently they used to do the same things with Spitfires in the 2nd world war.

I believe that happened as well to an RCAF jet around the late 50s or early 60s.

They got airborne, I believe, but subsequently ejected...

Someone who can research archives might be able to find it.

What’s the theoretical operational reason for doing that ?

It looks pretty cool when it works, but I guess it ultimately is like trying to set the low flying record.

Back in the late 1990’s I remember watching an Airspray A26 take off from High Level Alberta on an extremely hot humid windless day. After using a substantial part of the runway it appeared to lift off about a foot and then flew perfectly level as the gear retracted before starting a very gentle climb. This was not for show, just some pretty high order flying skill with a very heavy airplane.

Selecting gear up prior to starting T/O roll has been around and people doing it ever since the discovery that the gear will not retract until unweighted. So there was always people temping fate.

For all the guys/girls who got away with this there are a lot who didn't - no surprises there.

What’s the theoretical operational reason for doing that ?

That question can be asked for all aviation fuckups - people just do stupid things and sometime pay the price.

There will be no new causes for aviation aviation accidents until someone is shot down by an alien space craft.

Not quite Aliens but related as I was having a debate the other week if a plane has ever been hit with a meteorite.

Just found this.

https://foxnomad.com/2019/08/23/what-ar ... in-flight/