A Supermarine Scimitar aircraft lands aboard British Naval aircraft carrier Victorious underway in the Atlantic Ocean. HMS Victorious underway at sea as a Supermarine Scimitar, a British fighter aircraft, comes in for a landing. The aircraft lands perfectly, but is suddenly thrown over the side, into the sea, as the arresting cable snaps. The pilot, Commander John D. Russell, is unable to open his canopy to escape. A helicopter is dispatched to assist. But a sailor suspended from the helicopter is unable to help because the plane's canopy is jammed shut. The aircraft sinks with the pilot trapped inside. (Note: This dreadful accident occurred while the HMS Victorious was operating off the Isle of Wight. The pilot, Commander John .D. (Des) Russell, Royal Navy, was Commanding Officer of the new 803 Squadron. embarking for the first time at sea from the Royal Naval Air Station Lossiemouth in Scotland. The aircraft, Scimitar F1. XD240 coded 145/V, sank in 220 ft. of water after plunging into the sea.)
Segments of film, shot under direction of John Ford,for documentary on Battle of Midway in World War 2. Two U.S. Navy F4F-4s take off successively from deck of an aircraft carrier. A Douglas Dauntless (SBD-3) takes off. Man in steel helmet strains to look directly overhead through binoculars, as a flight of five Japanese zeros peels off overhead and dives. One is seen releasing a bomb. The Five aircraft fly away in trail formation and then reappear flying toward the camera and dropping bombs. Flak clouds hang low in the air. Objects stike the water with splashes. Antiaircraft fire, with tracers visible, is directed at low flying airplane. Two Japanese zero fighters zoom low toward the camera and pull out overhead. A flight of three Douglas Dauntless aircraft in formation.
A United States Air Force Lockeed F-104 Starfighter aircraft takes off toward and over the camera, raising its landing gear as it passes. A slate reads: "High Flight." View from underneath as the F-104 flies above the camera. Next it is seen climbing into a clear blue sky. An aerial view as it performs a roll in flight. Views of earth below. Closeup show pilot in cockpit. During maneuvers the aircraft tail number "868" is seen. Closeup glimpse from inside the cockpit. The logo of the Tactical Air Command is seen on the 104's tail. The aircraft continues maneuvering, quietly, until TC: 00:45, when it's flight is accompanied by a voice reciting the sonnet, "High Flight," written by Royal Canadian pilot, John Gillespie Magee Jr., during World War 2.
U.S. Army Air Service Douglas World Cruisers (DWC) in the United States during their first flight around the world. In Dayton, Ohio: A formation of three world cruisers. A formation of six aircraft. American aviator Lieutenant Jack Harding seated on the shoulders of a man being welcomed by personnel. Lt. Erik H. Nelson's dog wags a friendly welcome. Greetings are given to Lt. Nelson as he is handed a bouquet of flowers and is greeted by his dog. Mayor F.B. Hale presents a traveling bag to each flier. A flier as he accepts a bag. Two other pilots holding bags. U.S. Army Major John F. Curry as he welcomes all the pilots and crew members. Homecoming for Lt. Nelson, Lt. Leigh Wade and Lt. Harding. A crowd along a ramp. A sign above a building: 'This Field is Small'. A world cruiser taxiing at McCook Field.
United States Army Air Service (USAAS) 94th Aero Squadron in Toul, France during World War I. April 1918 - Commanding Officer 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron Major John W.F.M. Huffer and French-American pilot Major Raoul Lufbery talk with AEF weekly newspaper "Stars and Stripes" editor Major S. P Adams. Captain David M. Peterson stands beside a Nieuport 28c.1 fighter aircraft,with its "Hat in Ring" insignia on the side. 1Lt. Alan F. Winslow stands beside Lt Rickenbacker's Nieuport #12 and starts walking. Jump to November, 1918 - the remaining officers of the 94th Aero Squadron reunite, including Captain James A. Meissner (C.O.147th Aero), 1st Lt Joseph Eastman, Captains Eddie Rickenbacker (now C.O. 94th Aero) and Reed Chambers, and 1st Lt Thorne Taylor (all 94th) standing beside Rickenbacker's SPAD S.XIII #1 parked in front of a hangar at Foucaucourt Aerodrome, France, November 1918. (WWI,WW1, World War One, First World War)
Camera pans into crater of Kilauea volcano, where someone has scrawled an inscription in the lava (not readable). Scene shifts to Secretary of War, Dwight F. Davis, and Hawaii Territorial Governor, Wallace R. Farrington, stepping out of the local volcano museum, onto a patio, where other persons are standing. Scene shifts to deck of the battleship, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) where Secretary Davis stands near the railing. Closeup of Major General Fox Conner, Commander of the U.S. Army Hawaii Department, standing with Rear Admiral Robert R. Marvel, aboard the Pennsylvania. Marines firing gun salute with artillery field pieces as the Pennsylvania arrives at Pier 5 in Pearl Harbor. Secretary Davis on the dock, with his party including: daughters, Alice and Cynthia; Civilian aide, John H. Holliday and Military Aide, 1st Lieutenant Lester J. Maitland. The daughters are assisted as they enter a car. Next, Secretary Davis and Aide Holliday, enter a car displaying the Secretary of War Flag on its hood.
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