Searchlights and sirens at night. B-18s at Mitchel Field taxiing in and airmen looking at map before taking off for test "bombing" of a wide area of the United States northeast during World War II. Cameramen at the field. Airmen boarding B-18 and B-18 taking off. Close up of button worn by civilian observers (many are Legionnaires from the American Legion), with label "Aircraft Warning Service - Volunteer Observor." Shows sky watchers at posts observing aircraft overhead and starting air raid drill. Telephone switchboard operators relaying information to airports. View of large wall map and controllers in pursuit plane headquarters noting details of incoming air raid report. Fighter pilots of U.S. Army Air Corps scramble at base and run to their waiting P-40 aircraft to intercept the bombers. P-40C aircraft conclude test and are then seen in formation flying over New York City. Skyline and skyscrapers of Manhattan Island seen below with fighter aircraft in formation.
A flight of three Curtiss P-40 aircraft, from the U.S. Army Air Corps 8th Pursuit Group, make a formation takeoff at Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York. Next, two flights of three aircraft each, take off in a formation of six P-40s. Scene shifts to a formation of 15 P-40s in flight overhead. The aircraft return and land by flights of three, in formation. Closeup of several taxiing, with canopies open, after landing. A flight of three with landing gears down, flying on a downwind leg in formation. Closeup of two P-40s touching down on the runway. All three squadrons of the Group (33rd, 35th & 36th) appear to be represented.
A formation of 18 Curtiss P-40 aircraft, of the U.S.Army Air Corps 8th Pursuit Group, fly low over the shoreline of Long Island, New York, for gunnery practice. The bullets from their gunfire raise jets of water in the air as they strike the vicinity of what appears to be a sailboat target. Glimpse of a flight of three P-40s overhead. View of the floating target. More splashes from P-40 gunfire. A flight of 3 P-40s diving, and others forming up in formation. Remnants of the target in the water (World War II period).
View from the front, of Curtiss P-40 aircraft, from the U.S. Army Air Corps 8th Pursuit Group parked side-by-side with engines running on the flight line of Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York. View from their rear. Next, three flights of three aircraft each are flying at low altitude, over the shore and waters of Long Island.
Parked P-40 aircraft of the U.S. Army Air Corps 8th Pursuit Group, seen from a vehicle driving along the flight line at Mitchel Field, Garden City, Long Island, New York. They are parked along the sides of hangars. Complete change of scene shows waterfront with P-40s diving in flights of 3 aircraft, each, and firing at target in the water. Next, they are seen flying overhead in a loose formation of 18 aircraft. Another shot of bullets striking water during gunnery practice. Brief glimpse of the 18 aircraft formation (World War II period).
Pursuit Airplanes of United States Army Air Corps. A tiny racer plane for a speed test at Port Washington, Long Island, New York. The pilot of the racer plane, Alford J. Williams. The plane in water with pontoons attached to a sailing craft in Manhasset Bay. The plane taxis on water and takes off. Aerial scenes of the flight.
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