Opening scene shows large group of retired Air Force officers seated at a number of tables in the Bolling Air Force Base Officers' Club. Closeups of General Carl Spaatz, Lieutenant General Ira Eaker, Lieutenant General James Ferguson (Deputy chief of staff for research and development at Headquarters Air Force), and Major Sidney J. Kubesch (who, in October 1963, was aircraft commander of the B-58 bomber that set a speed record, flying 8,028 miles from Tokyo to London in 8 hours, 35 minutes and 20.4 seconds). Old time aviators, Colonel Harry Halverson and aviation mechanic, Sergeant Roy Hooe, who both flew on the Question Mark, are also seen. Closeup of a model B-58 Hustler bomber sitting on a luncheon table. Closeup of a model of the Fokker C-2A "Question Mark" next to old log book. ( This clip also shows two unidentified women participating in the luncheon.)
Herbert Hoover visits Argentina during his tenure as Secretary of Commerce . The secretary, later President Herbert Hoover, walks beside President HipĆ³lito Yrigoyen, surrounded by other officials. A year later, visiting delegates from the Second Pan American Highway Congress are seen walking toward the entrance of the President's home to pay respects to President Irigoyen. Christopher Columbus monuments behind the Casa Rosada (Casa de Gobierno) in Buenos Aires. Scene changes to the Puerto Nuevo port on La Plata River. Electric cranes and lighting equipment at shipyard. Crane transfers goods from docks to waiting ships. Ships docked at harbor. Horses take rest. The "Frigorifico La Negra" refrigerating plant for chilling and freezing meats, and a Wool warehouse.
The U.S. Army Air Corps Fokker C-2 named the 'Question Mark' is rolled out and takes off.from Van Nuys, California, on New Years Day 1929 with Capt.Ira Eaker at the controls. Shortly thereafter,it is refueled by a C-1 airplane piloted by 1st Lt. Odas Moon and 2nd Lt. Joseph G. Hopkins., View of the The C-1 above and slightly ahead of the Question Mark, maintaining 20 to 30 feet of vertical separation, with both aircraft stabilized in level flight at 80 mph. The refueling hose is reeled out. View of the Question Mark in flight over the coast of California. At the conclusion of the mission, cut short by engine trouble after 150 hours aloft, the crew, Sgt Hooe, Lt. Elwood Quesada, Lt Halverson, Captain Eaker and Major Spatz are seen standing in front of their airplane, the FokkerC-2, Question Mark.
The U.S. Army Air Service modified Atlantic-Fokker C-2A, named the 'Question Mark,' taxis and takes off. Refueling operation between the Question Mark and a Douglas C-1 aircraft. Question Mark in flight over the coast of California. A U.S. Army Air Service Douglas C-1refueling plane, with hose trailing below it, flies above the Question Mark. Crew member can be seen disconnecting the 3 inch fuel hose and throwing it off the Question Mark. After being aloft continuously for 6 days, the Question Mark landed at Metropolitan Airport, Van Nuys, California on January 7, 1929. Staff Sergeant Roy W. Hooe, Lieutenant Elwood R.(Pete) Quesada, Lieutenant Harry A. Halverson, Captain Ira C. Eaker and Major Carl A. Spatz, stand beside their airplane. (Spatz later changed spelling of his name to Spaatz.)
Aviator Charles Lindbergh aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3) in the Pacific near the Panama Canal. Charles Lindbergh seen in a Boeing F3B-1 carrier based fighter bomber (BuNo A-7739) from Bombing Squadron VB-2B aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. Lindbergh visited the USS Saratoga on 8 February 1929. He was aboard for two days and while he was there he was invited to fly the new Boeing F3B-1. The VB-2B made him an honorary member of the squadron. U.S. Navy officers talk to Lindbergh on the deck of Saratoga, including Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves (aka "Bull" Reeves), A.P. Storrs, and W.V. Davis. Pilots pose for a photo with Lindbergh. Lindbergh seated in the aircraft. Squadron emblem of Felix the cat holding a spherical bomb is painted on side of plane. Plane takes off from the carrier deck. Lindbergh, U.S. Military and Navy officials aboard Saratoga talk to each other. Another naval ship can be seen in the sea. Bow of the aircraft carrier.
Ford workers on assembly line assemble Ford model-A automobiles at a Ford motor plant in United States. Several phases of the assembly line operation are seen, including chassis work, engine block work, and body canopy placement. Model-A cars driven out of the plant and inspected. Exterior views of the plant and plant workers. Motorcade of Ford model-A cars and trucks leaves the plant, including one car with front seats and no rear body. Model A sedan and Model A Coupes drive off the line. One Model A Roadster is seen at the end of the line. Circa 1928-1929.