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That video is a great find.

I don’t understand your conclusion: “If the third plane is just a conventional F-16, then the Lucas theory is out.”

Can’t the 3D IMAX camera be mounted on asn F-16?

I don’t understand your conclusion: “If the third plane is just a conventional F-16, then the Lucas theory is out.”

Can’t the 3D IMAX camera be mounted on an F-16?

I imagine, yes, but then it wouldn't be conventional. If the camera plane was an F-16 with an external IMAX camera pod, then the Lucas theory is just about proven.

According to this WSJ article , the camera plane was also an F-16, with a combat photographer on board. No IMAX or movie camera. Based on this, I think the Lucas theory doesn't hold. If it was film production it would have been probably a civilian Gulfstream or the like that regularly does such filming.

The only thing that needs be explained, is why the DC National Guard F-16 had a red tail? But there is no scandal in that.

The 747-200B aircraft, one of two used as Air Force One, was accompanied by two F-16 fighters from the D.C. Air National Guard, which operates out of Andrews.

"We've never been asked to do this before," said Capt. Byron Coward, a spokesman for the guard unit.

While the F-16s were flown by guard pilots, the photographs were taken by Master Sgt. Andrew N. Dunaway, a specially trained Air Force photographer based with a combat camera squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

Only one of the F-16s was involved in the photo shoot; the other peeled off once the 747 reached New York, but both accompanied the plane back to Andrews. According to Vicki Stein, an Air Force spokeswoman, the cost for the fighters, both of which flew nearly two hours, was $28,000.