Ten Martin B-10 bombers taxi and take off from Bolling Field, Washington, DC, for mapping flight to Alaska, and back. View of Army Air Corps Lieutenant Colonel Henry H. Arnold, who commands the operation. The ten Martin B-10 bombers in formation, flying overhead. Scene changes to their return, as B-10 bombers are seen flying over the Potomac River at Washington, DC. Colonel Arnold, standing with some of his pilots, accepts the MacKay Trophy from Secretary of War George Dern for their accomplishment.
Men work on gondola, of the high altitude scientific balloon, Explorer 2, a joint venture of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the National Geographic Society. The balloon being filled with helium. The gondola is attached to the balloon and it lifts off. One of the two-man crew can be seen standing atop the gondola, as the balloon begins its ascent. Scene shifts to the return of the balloon. Captain Anderson, pilot, and Captain Steven, in charge of scientific observations, are seen retrieving instruments from the balloon.
Six B-17 Flying Fortresses in flight from Washington,DC, United States to Buenos Aires, Argentina. One is seen above snow-capped mountain. The American goodwill squadron brings a message of peace from the U.S. President. They are feted by the Argentines. A parade with Argentine soldiers on motorbikes and the U.S. B-17s flying overhead. Honor guard of Argentine soldiers stand on the street, as U.S. Ambassador and American and Argentine dignitaries ride in an open carriage. Scene shifts to the return of the B-17s as they are greeted on Langley Air Field, Virginia.
Views of extreme destruction from an earthquake in Chile, on January 24, 1939, that killed 25 thousand and injured 40 thousand persons. Homeless people stand out side wreckage. Relief supplies that the U.S. Army Air Corps flew from Panama are seen. Since all Red Cross medical planes were already being used, U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered additional medical supplies to be transported on the U.S. Army Air Corps XB-15 bomber, a single prototype, operated by the 2nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia. Views of pilot, Major Caleb V. Haynes, supervising the loading of supplies. With Major Haynes,at the controls, the XB-15 is seen taking off on its earthquake relief mission in February 1939. Later, it is seen landing back at Langley Field, Virginia, after completing its mission. (Note: For this exceptional flight, Major Haynes and his crew were awarded the MacKay Trophy, in 1939.)
U.S. Army Air Corps douglas Model O-2C biplane (number 26-410) taxis and takes off (possibly piloted by Army Captain J.R. Schumaker). The pilot demonstrates several aerobatic maneuvers, including loop, barrel roll, double roll, tail spin, and inverted flight.
Shadow is cast on the ground by camera airplane as it flies slowly, above U.S. Army Air Service biplanes demonstrating high speed low altitude tactical bombing. Bombs can be seen exploding behind the attacking airplanes. (These are possibly Curtis A-3 Falcon airplanes of the 3rd Attack Group which pioneered such tactics in the Air Service.)
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