.Strategic Air Command launches its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from new facilities at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Shrouded Atlas missile on trailer enters the Pine Canyon Gate of Vandenberg AFB. Trailer being backed into the Missile Assembly Building (MAB). Electronic checkout of Atlas being carried out by computerized equipment at the MAB building. Views of Hollerith 88-column punch cards being loaded into the computer equipment and tape outputs being produced. Atlas on launch pad. USAF airmen and officers at controls and consoles at SAC (Strategic Air Command) headquarters and Vandenberg air base. The order to perform a test launch is issued by SAC headquarters and received by the launch control officers at Vandenberg AFB. The Atlas missile is successfully launched. (Note: According to a Convair technician, who was there, this launch was done in cooperation with Convair Astronautics of San Diego. Although this film shows only U.S. Air force personnel, it was the Convair Test Conductor and the Convair Crew that did the countdown for the launch, which was the final step to sell the Launch Sites (A-B-C) and the Block House to the Air Force. Reportedly, Convair celebrated with a launch party afterwards, that included James Dempsey, head of Convair Astronautics.)
A loading operation of relief supplies, army personnel and equipment in a C-130A Hercules at Ramstein Air Force Base and NATO Command Base in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The C-130A Hercules taxis on the ground. A plane is stationed at the air base. Another plane lands and taxis. Ramp of the plane. Crewmen stand near it. 7th Army personnel board the plane. They work on a machine. A plane is ready to depart from the base. The engine starts. Wings of the propeller move. Ground crewmen stand near the plane and remove the power cable. The ramp retracts. Crewmen chief and firemen stand nearby. Men carry baggage and equipment towards the plane. Vehicles near it. The plane taxis.
United States Air Force Lockheed U-2 aircraft are assigned to Strategic Air Command's 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing for filter duct calibration flight testing. A Lockheed U-2 aircraft lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California, United States with its drag parachute deployed. A crewman places an outrigger gear under the left wing. 'United States Air Force' and '66714' painted on the aircraft. The aircraft taxis on a runway. An aircraft lands and taxis at the air force base.
Although narrator states "General Chennault's United States 10th Air Force," this film actually depicts Chennault's 14th Air Force formed in 1943. Its B-25s and P-40s are shown during an attack on Hong Kong during World War 2 U.S. Army Air Force B-25 Mitchell aircraft take off from an air base in China to attack Hong Kong. The aircraft in flight. Propellers of the aircraft. Aerial view of the area below. Bombs being released over Hong Kong. View of crew in cockpit of B-25.The aircraft landing at an air base in China after the mission. P-40s with tiger teeth paint job parked on the airport tarmac. Aircrews relax with refreshments on the ramp.
United States Army Air Corps exercises on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Engines of the United States Army Air Corps Lockheed XC-35 aircraft being started. Air tight cabin of the aircraft. Crew get ready for flight. Crew boards the aircraft. An airman closes door of the aircraft. Aircraft taxis on a field and takes off. Aircraft in flight over the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Multiple retakes during filming at the Air Force Test Pilot School in Edwards Air Force Base, California. Film opens showing Brigadier General James Stewart speaking with Base Commander, Brigadier General Irving L. Branch. They are standing outside a building labeled: "United States Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School." Air Force officers and airmen going to and from the building walk past the two as they converse. (Those passing do not salute, so as not to disturb the filming.) After a while, the two Generals descend steps toward the Pilot School entrance. At TC:01:08, the sequence is reshot. At TC: 02:04, the Generals disappear but filming continues. At TC:02:14, another sequence begins with frontal closeup of General Branch and the back of General Stewart, as they face each other. The two continue a sustained conversation, and finally turn to enter the school building. This scene is retaken several times. The next scene begins with frontal closeup of Jimmy Stewart, who appears to be conversing with General Branch (not seen). Stewart blinks as something seems to get into his eyes. The scene is shot twice more.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.