“The Real Thing Series”

DVD Productions for AEROPHOTO Publishing

by Luigino Caliaro 

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

This series of four DVDs known collectively as “The Real Thing” series is the brainchild of Luigino Caliaro. This native Italian is an accomplished aerial photographer who has been photographing and filming military aviation subjects since 1994. His work has been published extensively in the international arena, with Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, International Air Power Review amd Koku Fan being the magazines where I personally have most seen his work. That is not to say he is not published elsewhere and a quick perusal of his website (www.aerophoto.it) reveals an extensive portfolio of European publications where Caliaro is also regularly published.

Aerophoto’s credentials in the print arena though are not was this review is all about, for Luigino has branched out in collaboration with Video Aviation (www.videoaviation.com), a multi-media aviation production house, to bring to the public the many videos he has taken over the years whilst on assignment around the world. The first four releases demonstrate the range of experiences Luigino has had the opportunity to be involved with. These are:

• RT 001 Porte-avions (aircraft carrier) Charles De Gualle which covers the air wing workup of the French vessel in the Mediterranean (http://www.videoaviation.com/products_pacdg.htm);

• RT 002 USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 and Carrier Air Wing 14 which documents operations in the Arabian Sea in the immediate period before Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 (http://www.videoaviation.com/products_lincoln.htm);

• RT 003 Neuberg Phantoms covers the operation of JG 74’s F-4Fs in the defence of Southern Germany (http://www.videoaviation.com/products_phantoms.htm); and

• RT 004 The Last Starfighters is a visit to 5 Stormo of the Italian Air Force during the wind down of the F-104S fleet (http://www.videoaviation.com/products_starfighters.htm).

(note: see the hyperlinks above for promotional shorts and more screen captures)

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Each video is approximately 40 minutes long and can best be described as covering a typical day or operating period of the subject unit or air wing. At the land based units we start with the morning brief (I should not have been surprised that the Italian Air Force morning brief is eerily reminiscent of the many I have experienced in my own service, although the greater emphasis on weather and diversion airfields reveals a climate a lot less predictable than the one I enjoy), followed by individual formation briefs. Then we get into the start/taxi/takeoff sequences where a great insight is gained into the process not only from an aircrew perspective but also that of the launch crew who support the operations of these aircraft. There then follows a sequence of air to air footage which is quite spectacular, followed by footage of the return to base.

The carrier based footage is somewhat similar, starting with the deck FOD walk and then progressing through briefs to the launch, flight and recovery of the air wing aircraft. What appears to be a complicated routine to launch an F-104 pales into insignificance compare to the complications of getting a jet from its parking position to be spotted on the catapult on the confined and busy space of a carrier deck. One thing that stood out was the commonality of operational processes and procedures between the USN and French Navy when operating there air wings, hardly surprising given the close relationship between the two via alliances and the operation of similar equipment over many years.

In addition to the main sequences on each disk, the viewer is also treated to extensive bonus material that is of considerable value to the modeler as well as aviation enthusiast.

Each disk has a still photo gallery to complement the main subject (very useful when viewed on a computer monitor) as well as a gallery of patches. Knowing that the Abraham Lincoln was heading home when turned around at Fremantle Australia to participate in OIF, therein lays a possible explanation for some of the cruise patches which likened it to a jail sentence. Finally the bonus material also includes short segments that cover topics such as a tour of the F-4F front and rear cockpit, gun and ejection seat, F-104 training, Rafale walk around, OIF weapons system videos and visits to NASWC, which has fantastic footage of F-16, F/A-18 and F-14 aggressors. This is also where the one small drawback of these productions lies, as there are no sub-titles provided, hence a limited amount of school boy German and French revealed some information but not complete understanding. That said for the modeler it is great as the footage contains many close ups of cockpit fittings and displays.

This package is very professional, belying Luigino’s own statement that “you will surely not find the “Top Gun” atmospheres, neither the perfect documentary style of Discovery Channel”.

However as he says, “but for sure the images will engross you in the daily hectic flying activities.”

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to AEROPHOTO Publishing for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2008 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 13 January, 2008
Last updated 9 January, 2008

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