A film titled 'This could be America' about the importance of buying war bonds during World War II. Aerial bombing of Japan. U.S. Navy F4F Wildcat aircraft in flight in the Pacific Theater. They peel off. The aircraft strafe and bombard Japanese positions. Smoke rises due to strafing. The F4F Wildcat aircraft in flight. A pilot in the cockpit of an aircraft. Aerial views of the ground below. An aircraft strafes a Japanese ship and beach positions. The aircraft in flight and descend after being hit. An aircraft makes a crash landing on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Crew members try to rescue the injured pilot but he dies. Dead pilot's body is wrapped in American flag. Funeral services being conducted aboard the ship. The casket being thrown into the sea. Information encourages people to buy 7th war bond.
Standing in front of an F4F with its engine running and the plane captain in its cockpit, Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, Commander of Navy Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) discusses a planned flight with Lieutenant Edward "Butch" O'Hare, as they look over a map. (This sequence is repeated again for the camera.) LCDR Thach boards his aircraft, as plane captain steps out of cockpit and stows his map. Thach's plane has 3 Japanese victory flags painted below the cockpit. The Squadron's Felix-the-Cat logo is seen on the fuselage.The plane captain helps Thach get strapped in and settled in the cockpit. Thach gives a thumbs up indicating he is ready. Lt. O'Hare climbs aboard his F4F, which displays 5 Japanese victory flags. (O'Hare is the U.S. Navy's first air ace of World War 2.) His plane captain stows his map and O'Hare straps himself in and runs his cockpit checks. He gives a thumbs up indicating he is ready.
The activities and joint demonstrations by the United States Readiness Command (USREDCOM), Brass Key II at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. People gather in a large number to watch the demonstration. Several dignitaries and officials arrive to watch the demonstration along with other people. The demonstration of air mobile assault and air strike by the U.S. Air Force Supersonic F-111. Airplane in flight. It drops parachute-retarded laser guided bombs on the target area for demonstration. Aerial view of two F-4 aircraft in flight. An F-4 drops a 2000 pound Laser Guided Bomb (LGB). F-4 drops an 2000 pound electro-optical guided bomb (EOGB). Smoke arises from target explosions.
A reunion of former United States Air Force ( USAF ) Thunderbird aerobatic team members at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. A crowd walks along parked aircraft at the air base. Five USAF F-100 Super Sabres followed by USAF C-54 Skymaster and USAF C-123 Provider taxi on a flight line. An F-100A being secured for inspection. The crowd gathers around the F-100s. A C-54 aircraft in the background. A group of former and present Thunderbird members talks. Major Robert Fitzgerald signs an autograph card. The crowd watches the F-100s.
Naval Battle of Santa Cruz Island in the Pacific Ocean during World War 2. View from The USS Enterprise (CV-6) during attacks by Japanese airplanes. F4F aircraft parked on her flight deck. A U.S. Destroyer is steaming aft and firing its guns. Battleship, USS South Dakota seen in distance. Black Flak bursts in the air. The Enterprise makes swerving defensive maneuvers while underway. A Japanese airplane flies overhead, aft. View from the ship's island of sailors gathered on flight deck and then running to an F4F that has collapsed with wing over antiaircraft gun positions. Sailors begin to right the airplane but abandon the deck when a bomb hits somewhere aft starboard. Smoke rising from the strike area. Enterprise making severe defensive maneuvers as her antiaircraft batteries fire. Anti-aircraft cruiser, USS San Juan CL-54, visible astern as Enterprise turns hard to starboard. Sky filled with black flak bursts. Black smoke rising from two downed Japanese aircraft in the water. Smoke drifting across the flight deck.
Speed and Altitude tests conducted by X-15 at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress takes off from the runway with X-15 under its wing. Pilot Scott Crossfield seated in the cockpit of X-15. Captain Charles Bock and co-pilot Captain Allavie get into the U.S. Air Force NB-52A Stratofortress cockpit. Ambulances and vehicles near the aircraft. 'National Aeronautics and Space Administration' written on the building. NASA technicians check graphs and radar and monitor each movement of the flight. The aircraft taxis and takes off from the runway with X-15 under its wing. Pilot checks controls seated in the cockpit. Pilots coordinate with the ground staff. U.S. Air Force F-100F, F-100C and F-104D aircraft in flight next to Boeing NB-52A. X-15 release from NB-52A Stratofortress.