How are a WW1 Pilot and the Chinese Balloon Linked?

It’s September 12th, 1918 and at the controls of his SPAD S:XIII fighter is 2nd Lieutenant Frank Luke. He’s about to take down his first German observation balloon. The Germans have been spying on the enemy using these Hydrogen filled balloons as a way to get vital information on troop movements.
Frank pulls the trigger. Finally, one of his incendiary bullets detonates within the balloon. The small flame of the explosion grows rapidly, swelling and consuming the highly flammable hydrogen, exploding out of the balloon, and continuing to grow into the air as it chases the plume of leaking gas.
But this is just the start for the Arizona balloon buster. He went on to become an ace in a day, having 17 confirmed victories and receiving the medal of honor. A brave and daring pilot his legacy echoes through history even to today when in 2023 the callsigns for the F-22s that shot down the Chinese balloon were Frank01 and Frank02.

00:00 Frank Luke's first balloon
03:58 Friends discover a new way to take down balloons
04:58 Birth of the Arizona Balloon Buster
06:41 The loss of a friend
07:44 Frank's final mission
09:49 The Chinese balloon

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[joeverna]

It was nice for the current airforce to honor an American pilot who flew a hundred years ago. Thank you Frank!

[ghostcreeper]

Fun fact: the German pilot who killed Wehner is Georg von Hantelmann, an ace with 35 confirmed kills, two of his kills were from opposing aces David Putnam(13 kills) and Maurice Boyau(35 kills). Since Wehner is also an ace(6 kills) this makes Hantelmann a WW1 ace killer achieved in just one week. Maurice is also a rugby union player

[mr.verzier.akaspy]

The fact that the German in the Observation Ballon had one of the semi auto ballon rifles is a really nice touch

[flmo]

I can’t believe that yarnhub went from 2d animations to these hyper realistic 3d animations in less than 5 years and how unbelievably detailed every part of the animation is ❤

[warrmalaski]

Even with incendiary rounds, ballons were surprisingly hard to lite. Due to the 1/2" or less holes the bullets left. Not allowing enough oxygen to allow combustion. They had to cut a larger hole with multiple rounds in a small area to get the air full mix right.

[-Arrow-]

Rest In Peace Frank I’m surprised they used the call sign for their F-22s though huge respect

[LancelotChan]

These WWI flyers were always incredible to me. They flew in wooden boxes that acted as coffins, often have no means to escape once broken. They were beyond courageous to me, and I have utmost respect to these mad men.

[odd-ysseusdoesstuff]

7:20
Frank Rizz HAHAHAHAHHAA

I love how these models are getting more and more expressive, thanks Yarnhub for another story I didn’t know! ❤❤❤

[xdeepxfreezex]

Lmao, American pilots are definitely balloon hunting champions. Congratulations Yarnhub for doing your first video regarding modern aircraft to my knowledge. Excellent work as always. To hell with those Balloons 😂

[howardamey]

A 105 year memory of a hero brought back to life. What a wonderful tribute to a hero if the first order. Thank-you Yarnhub for a truly great and inspiring story. My weekend can hand me anything, and I'm good to go!

[JearBears]

I love that you guys made Frank do the Chad face while Wehner was going down. Cool story and thanks for the delivery of that story.

[Spudtron]

Really says something about the attrition rate of the air war that even a legend like him only lasted seventeen days.

[Richthofenweber]

The crumbling biplane was a good addition to this amazing video by an outstanding team that is better then most movie productions that have millions poured into.

[arnaudboisse-malervergne]

The fucking chad/sigma face at 7:16 is perfect. Might not be 100% historical be it is 100% hysterical !

[thatcringyplaneguy]

5:29 felt like a movie thank you guys for making your videos better and better

[Peppzy]

7:20 Sigma rule #1: Always shoot the balloons

[JourneysEnding]

The airforce base here west of Phoenix, AZ is named after this man; Luke Airforce Base. I remember ending up on the base's Wikipedia article during one of my usual Wikipedia rabbit hole dives, and it was really fascinating learning of the man they named it after, so needless to say watching this video and learning more about him and his endeavours was super cool. Even though it's a hundred years apart, I can't help but feel pride at sharing the same home city of this great man!

[weebee]

I remember reading his story when I was a young boy. It was one of the first stories that captured my imagination. Daring, commitment, grief, determination, sacrifice.
A half century later, I stumble across a YT video and my memories come flooding back.
Thank you, Yarnhub.

And thank you all members of the military for your service.
This submariner salutes you.

[ranick]

These animations keep getting better after each videos! Nice job!

[thomaskeller]

A little surprised they didn't mention Luke Air force base. But I didn't know those pilots used the call signs Frank.