A helicopter is seen in flight, high overhead. Scene shifts to an OH-6 helicopter of the U.S. Army 54th Field Artillery Group, parked on the ground at a Base Camp, during the Vietnam War. Camera focuses on a 155mm M109 howitzer in a dugout position. U.S. troops standing atop the M109 and others look over their location, where mounds of earth are piled up from excavated defensive positions. Closeup of soldiers taking measurements for the defenses. another view of two persons strapping in an OH-6 helicopter. Soldiers working on the defense preparations, nearby. The helicopter takes of raising lots of dust. Camera follows it as it climbs and passes over the U.S. base, showing various buildings and other features of the base. (Note: Reportedly, the 54th Artillery Group was deactivated in November 1969 and all aircraft were given to other units.)
Mix of actual footage and period dramatized scenes. Japanese fleet at sea on its way to attack Pearl Harbor in World War 2. Japanese fleet commander aboard carrier ship asks all personnel to face Tokyo and worship. Pilots take off. Pilots seen in cockpit. Japanese bomber planes in flight. (Dramatized) bombing on Pearl Harbor battleships and fuel storage tanks. Hickam and Wheeler Air Force fields are hit. Interior views of cockpit of Japanese aircraft. Japanese aircraft spot the British ship Prince of Wales and Repulse on their way to Singapore. A Japanese flier radios sinking of the British ship Prince of Wales. (World War II period).
The first successful powered flight of the X-15 Rocket Plane. Contrails at high altitude above, are seen, generated by the X-15 Rocket plane, 56-6671, and three chase planes. Scene shifts to view from a camera vehicle speeding across the Rogers Dry Lake bed towards the X-15 already landed on a runway. The three chase planes breaking away in background. Two Piasecki H-21 helicopters hovering low over the runway as the X-15 is obscured by dust it raised during its landing. The X-15 becomes visible as the dust settles. Officials step from a staff car that just arrived. The X-15 silhouetted with sunlight reflected on its top. Officials approach and surround the cockpit. One climbs upon the aircraft nose and helps open the cockpit canopy. Pilot, Scott Crossfield seen in the cockpit. Fire trucks and Air Force officers arrive. Firefighters direct a stream of cooling liquid at the rocket motors and rear of the X-15. Scott Crossfield, still in the cockpit, converses with officers and officials. Closeup of Crossfield in the cockpit. Technicians begin examining the exterior of the aircraft.
Mating of rocket powered aircraft X-15 with B-52 Stratofortress. B-52 with pylon mounted under wing. Weather truck, engineers and technicians gather around aircraft. X-15 sits on ground underneath pylon. X-15 sits underneath pylon and man work on each side. Weather truck and tug in the background. X-15 sits under B-52. Auxiliary power unit (APU) on right side and workmen between APU and X-15. Full view of X-15 sitting under the pylon attached to the B-52 wing. Overall view of X-15 sitting under the pylon. Upper fin turns back and forth. Barking flaps on upper fin open and close. Tail of X-15 sitting under pylon. X-15 sitting under pylon and a man works on cockpit. Two men work under X-15 on landing apparatus. Men work with jack under right wing gear. X-15 under pylon and workmen all around it. Overall view of X-15 on hoist in mating place. Men work all around it. Some men work on ground, some up on the X-15 and some on work stand. Nose of X-15. Men work around cockpit. X-15 mated. Men work off stand. Three men stand in front of camera blocking a lot of good view. Inboard and outboard engines along with the nose of the B-52. Nose of X-15 sticks out between the inboard engine and nose of B-52. X-15 is mated but still on hoist. Right wing of engine and wing gear is suspended in air. B-52 with X-15 mated.
Army Material Command (AMC) logistic support of Air Force X-15 project in United States. X-15 is towed with tug and taken out from a hangar. Insignia of United States. X-15 parked on flight line. Two men stand near X-15. X-15 parked at revetment. A pilot walks in near the nose of X-15. An aircraft in the background. Three officer walk towards the X-15. They stand and talk. One of the officer stands near the nose of X-15 and poses. Two officers stand and talk. The nose of X-15 with a landing gear under the nose. X-15 towed with a tug is taken out from a hangar. The tail of X-15.
Formation of U.S. Army Air Forces B-17s is seen in flight with clouds behind. Narrator speaks of salvaging them and similar older aircraft. . B-24 bombers landing at Davis- Monthan Airfield, to be placed in storage for preservation or salvaging. A sign reading, "Bone yard." B-24 taxiing into a Bone Yard filled with other aircraft. Among aircraft seen in the yard are those named: 'Double Trouble;' 'Gentle Annie;' and 'Boobie Trap.' Crews salvaging aircraft wheels and tires. Men removing an airplane wing, with a derrick. Aircraft being de-militarized. Plexi-Glass is replaced with aluminum skin. . Workers steam blast and paint aircraft that will be re-used for non-combat missions.
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.