A U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) training film titled 'How to fly the B-17. Part I. Ground Operations.' about inspections and safety precautions by a pilot prior to take off. A USAAF officer trains a new pilot beginning his career as a USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress pilot. The instructing officer, trainee pilot and aircraft engineer in the cockpit, prepare for take off. The fire guard gives the all clear. The pilot is instructed to check and adjust the: master and ignition switches, batteries and inverter power, volts on the inverter. The pilot reaches out of the cockpit window and gives the hand signal for external power (source of electric power). The ground crew man turns on the portable generator and links the power cable to the aircraft. Further cockpit check includes turning on or inspection of: parking brakes, hydraulics check, booster pumps, pressure carborator filters, fuel quantity in the tanks. the pilot is instructed to give the signal to start engine number 1 and adjust the throttle. Check: the starter switch, hand timer, other start and mesh controls, oil pressure, RPM. The pilot gives the signal to start engine number 2. Adjustment of the vacuum selector switch, flight indicator check. The officer instructs the pilot to repeat all inspection procedures for engine number 2 as conducted for engine number 1. (World War II period).
A U.S. Army Air Forces ( USAAF ) training film on instructions to fly USAAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft in the United States. An officer turns on a radio switch. Trainees wear head phones. Men check fuel pressure gauge. Governor control is operated to get desired revolutions per minute ( RPM). The RPM gauge shows readings. A system engineer communicates with men in aircraft. A gauge shows flap position. The flaps are turned down. A dial shows zero flap position. A compass chord, a hydrolic pressure gauge and a suction gauge show readings. A trainee turns a vacuum pump switch. He checks for oxygen cylinder pressure. An officer checks filter warning lights. A trainee turns on an output switch. A pilot communicates with a man in a control tower. A crew man gives hand signals to a man on the ground. The man removes wheel chokes. Switches and handles are operated as the aircraft taxis. The pilot locks the tail wheel. The aircraft taxis past other parked aircraft. Th pilot turns on the automatic control switch. The tail wheel is unlocked.
The United Service Organizations (USO) in the United States. The Andrews Sisters sing for soldiers. Men record the song. A man takes out a disc from a recorder. People pack discs. Men stack the packed discs. Two men check the packed V-discs. (World War II period).
The United Service Organizations (USO) of the United States during World War 2. Recovering soldiers learn arts and crafts at a Port Moresby hospital (New Guinea) with support from the American Red Cross. A man works on a leather craft machine. A man cuts a wooden plank while learning carpentry. Men make paintings and sculptures. Two men read. A man writes a letter. Men play cards.
The United Service Organizations (USO) of the United States during World War 2. Soldiers advance on a battle filed in Europe. Two soldiers fire guns. The soldiers walk on a pier and load supplies in boats. A soldier talks over a field telephone. The soldiers fire field artillery. They walk in a single file. A vehicle moves through a mud pit. The soldiers unload shells from a truck. They carry shells on a snow covered road. Truck moving in deep muddy conditions. The soldiers crawl near a wall. They run on a field. Change of scene to soldiers enjoying USO shows and stage productions. A chrous line group of dancing girls perform. A juggler performs. Three comedians. Soldiers and sailors laugh, applaud, and enjoy the shows.
A World War II recruitment film bulletin 'Wanted: Men for Merchant Marine' asking men to join the United States Merchant Marines and go aboard Liberty Ships and other cargo ships supporting the United States war effort during World War 2. A World War II American ship convoy at sea. An official works in Ship Personnel Office aboard a ship. Merchant seamen board a ship. A group of engineers, seamen, radio telegraphers, cooks, bakers and mess men during a training. Supplies are loaded onto a ship. Tanks, bombs and locomotive are hoisted by a crane and loaded onto the ship. Seamen work aboard the ships. Narrator speaks of military materiel delivered by ships and a series of images of American military equipment in action in Europe during World War 2 is shown: Line of camouflage U.S. army tanks fire. U.S. Army Air Force bomber aircraft at an airfield including one with a damaged nose. U.S. Army tractor hauls a long artillery piece on war torn streets of a European city. U.S. Army tank moving by fast on a European paved roadway. A merchant ship at sea. A ship convoy at sea.