Views of U.S. Navy pilots, their aircraft, and aftermath of Japanese bombing of Midway Island, in World War 2. Opening scene shows a formation of U.S. Navy Douglas Dauntless aircraft in flight. A U.S. Navy pilot climbs from the cockpit of an F4f Hellcat airplane on the deck of an aircraft carrier. His aircraft displays symbols for two Japanese aircraft downed. Another pilot in cockpit of his airplane that displays symbols for 7 downed Japanese aircraft. He climbs from his cockpit. Other pilots climbing out of their aircraft. One displays symbols for 6 kills. Three of them pose in front of an airplane. Scene shifts to Midway Island where a hangar is still burning from Japanese bombing. Glimpse of Gooney birds. Sentries stand on the airfield, with black smoke rising in the background. Closeup of wing from a downed Japanese airplane. Marines look through tangled pieces of crashed airplanes. One leans on a bent propeller blade. Heavy black smoke from petroleum fire is seen in background. Scene shifts to a PBY Catalina flying boat in flight, searching for survivors of the Battle of Midway. A U.S. Navy aircraft is seen floating in the sea, as a Navy warship heads toward it. A survivor is seen being helped from a PBY aircraft. Earlier picture of him smoking a cigarette inside the PBY aircraft. Sailors help him to a waiting ambulance. Other rescued survivors are seen standing about. Sailors place a litter aboard a PBY and use it to transport another survivor to sick bay. (Narrator states this is the 13th survivor rescued by the pilot of this PBY Catalina.) Ambulatory survivors being covered with blankets as they sit in the back of an ambulance, that then drives away with back door still open. Views of destroyed hospital on Midway Island. Red cross markings on are shown in the debris.
Recovery actions by U.S. Navy and Marine personnel in the wake of the Battle of Midway in World War 2. Opening scene shows religiious services being held by a bomb crater that had once been a chapel on Midway Island. That evening, marines are assembled near flag-covered coffins of fallen comrades, in a burial ceremony. A marine chaplain conducts a funeral service, as Marines stand, with their rifles, at parade rest Several views from different perspectives of the event. An honor guard fires a volley with rifles. The American flag is at half staff, in the background. Among the officers seen is Marine Major James Roosevelt, son of the U.S. President, Franklin Roosevelt. Next, Navy boats are seen offshore, carrying the fallen for burial at sea. U.S. Navy aircraft fly in formation overhead. A marine scans the sky with binoculars as dense black smoke continues to billow from the petroleum facility bombed by the Japanese several days ago, and hangs like a pall over Midway Island. The American flag on a tall pole, is highlighted against the black smoke. Film ends with series of Slates summarizing Japanese losses in the Battle of Midway. The first shows 4 Japanese Carriers sunk. It is painted over by a brush containing red paint. Another slate announces 28 Japanese Battleships, Cruisers, Destroyers sunk or damaged. A paint brush places a large black cross over that slate. A final slate states 300 Japanese aircraft destroyed. The red paint brush appears again, but this time it marks a big āVā for Victory across the slate.
USAAF Radioplane OQ-14 (unmanned drone target plane) maneuvers in El Paso, Texas in Fort Bliss area. Airmen assembling the OQ-14 radio-controlled aircraft at the firing range at El Paso, Texas. Views of various parts of the target drone aircraft. Testing of hand control showing the tail maneuvering with the control. Views of the 22 HP Righter / Kiekhaefer O-45-1 engine. Airman checking the parachute installation on the target aircraft. This parachute is the means of landing the aircraft after power has been shut off. Two civilians crank the portable catapult launching ramp into the correct elevation position for launching the OQ-14. Radio control truck and equipment used to control the missile in flight. Interior of truck showing the various instrument panels. An airman giving signal for firing of the target aircraft. The aircraft OQ-14 in flight. The drone plane maneuvers. Ft Bliss Anti-aircraft gun position set up using 75mm cannons and 50 caliber gun mounts on trucks and on tanks. The OQ-14 in flight. The anti-aircraft crew firing up into the air at the drone. The anti-aircraft gun positions firing. Small arms fire at the drone aircraft. The test range showing an OQ-14 descending by means of parachute. (World War II period).
USAAF radio plane OQ-14 as a target plane, maneuvers in El Paso, Texas (operating out of Fort Bliss). The pilot, sitting in an AT-6 (aircraft) used to control the target airplane from the air. The pilot handing out the hand control used to control the target aircraft in flight. The AT-6 which is used to control the Radioplane OQ-14 drone while in flight. U.S. Army team launches the OQ-14 drone from a catapult. The OQ-14 in flight. The OQ-14 performing aerial maneuvers. AT-6 aircraft take off near launching ramp, with Franklin Mountains in background. (This is more accurately a Harvard IIB control plane which is the first Lend/Lease Noorduyn AT-16-ND built for the British). The AT-6 and U.S. aircraft C-45 controller / camera plane taxi. Aerial views of thehe AT-6 in flight and the OQ-14 drone in flight. OQ-14 maneuvers. The OQ-14 parachute deploys and the OQ-14 descends to ground. View of parachute and aircraft lying on ground in Ft Bliss area.
Aerial gunnery by 50 caliber guns on target aircraft in the United States. Men place target aircraft on catapult. The launching of the target aircraft. Radio control apparatus used to control target aircraft. A row of tanks. The gunners fire at target aircraft. Target aircraft tracer bullets close to aircraft. Several shots of tanks firing at aircraft and various shots of target aircraft being shot at. The gunners operating 50 caliber gun. (World War II period).
Aerial gunnery by 50 caliber guns on target aircraft for anti aircraft target practicing in the United States. The gunners operating 50 caliber gun. The target aircraft in flight. The gunner fire guns. The recovery of target aircraft by parachute. Men load the target aircraft on a jeep. (World War II period).
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