Ground and air search operations for missing crewmen of a Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-52 aircraft of 99th Bomb Wing. The plane crashed against the side of Elephant Mountain, Maine. Military men stand around HH-43B helicopter on snow covered ramp. Rotors of the helicopter turn. Helicopters in the background. Pilot and co-pilot search over lake and mountain. Helicopter crewmen in rear of helicopter look out. Two men in basket hoisted inside helicopter.
John Cobb, a butcher, rides an ornithopter bicycle with wings in San Fernando Valley, California. John has a collar to flap wings when he raises his torso. The bicycle has a rocket to assist takeoff. William Modes helps him as he starts riding. Ralph Spergis lights the rocket. The heat of the rocket sets tail on fire. Tail sets John's pants on fire. He purposely falls down, yelling for water. John is caught in the collar wires and can't get away. The rocket breaks loose, which it was do after takeoff, and sets wings on fire. A man throws water from a bucket to extinguish John's pants. (William Modes later became a director at Northrup Aircraft Company. Ralph Spergis later became longtime manager at Agua Dulce Airpark. Ralph and William, at the time this was taken, were roommates in Santa Monica, both working as aircraft mechanics at Douglas Aircraft Company.)
Early attempts at flight during history of aviation. The Pitt Sky Car ornithopter device is seen: A car equipped with an umbrella-like rotor intended for vertical takeoff. 'Sky car' written on a cloth sign on the chassis of the aircraft. A man in aviator's clothing seated at the controls of the machine. The powerful motions of the pulsating rotor cause the machine to rise several inches. But it simply drops to the ground again. This happens with each oscillation of the rotor. (The motor-rotor devise was invented by John W. Pitts, of Detroit, Michigan, and patented in 1926. However, as seen in these images, it was a failure.)
Milestone arrow with Pisinimo written on it. Cactus plant with a cross over it in front of a church. View of a Native American Indian carpet that includes two swastika symbols, used commonly by the American Indian before its use by Germany. The murals on ceiling include 'The Last supper' done in traditional, centuries old geometric pottery design. Indian priests walk out of the church, located on the Tohono O'odham reservation (sometimes previously called the Papago Reservation), wearing white robes.
Change of command ceremony at Naval Headquarters in Virginia. Admiral Robert gives a brief speech. Naval officers seated on chairs with their wives. Admiral Smith gives a speech on stage during the ceremony. Naval staff fires artillery.
Dirigible USS Macon at the coast in California. Aerial view of airship Macon in flight over Point Sur. View of USS Macon control room showing pilots and officers. Aerial view airship USS Macon over San Jose.
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