CAVALCADE OF EARLY AVIATION

crack up a few years later their first flight at kitty hawk north carolina in december 1903 is a milestone in man's quest of new horizons and historic events that electrified the world another trailblazer was glenn curtis who flew at the unheard of speed of 47 miles an hour back in 1909 harriet quimby brought fresh fame to america by flying across the english channel isn't that flying suit uh honey when war broke out in 1914 the airplane was attunio and the pilot considered a reckless hero but aviation grew up during the war here was something new and dramatic a new horizon that changed man's concept of battle america salutes its heroes of the first war in the air eddie rickenbacker our ace of apes is shown in these rare pictures taken in france of the hat in the ring squadron heroes like eddie rickenbacker flew their frail machines into flaming skies from the infant of the wright brothers aviation grew into a destructive giant that altered the ways of war first air mail aviation begins to prove its worth as our war president woodrow wilson officiates at the first air mail flight from washington to new york an event that foreshadowed our great male and passenger service of today the battleship alabama was the target of aerial bombs in the first test of air power versus sea power 20 years ago the controversy started by these tests has raged ever since air power against the power even 20 years ago american planes could have sunk any dreadnought air power wins round number one america's naval air arm is the finest organization of its kind in the world its long-range bombers its fighters and dive bombers are ever ready to drive away those who would dare invade our shores we have seven carriers and eleven more on the way for years after the wright brothers inventors have tried new angles to this flying game accepted methods were not for them and the results well this one luckily didn't have far to fall this little number made its debut in 1934 yes there were many who left but the dern thing flew what seems like a strange idea today may turn out to be the aeronautical wonder of tomorrow to counter the terrific torque created by one propeller this inventor devised two in one and it works the trip to mars by rocket plane looks like heaven can wait this is a flyaway rocket bike well it's a bike anyway and it looks like anything can happen look out it's going up we've seen hot foot but this is the first hot seat next the umbrella plane you might think it's good only in case of rain but no skirt april showers have a silver lining and this invention works the umbrella of the skyway when a fella gets an idea well you know how it is every time somebody laughs he believes in it all the more there's only one way just give him a helping hand in this so-called gyroplane dr valentine neubauer ventured forth in search of the stratosphere if clothes make the stratosphere pilot he's a cinch okay winder up would this be a shakedown flight come on brother more steam we know just how you feel tried and true is the auto gyro it has long been accepted in the ranks of aviation it plays a big role in man's dreams for the future igor zigorski noted designer built his first helicopter in russia years ago his 1941 model is one of the aeronautical wonders of our time another milestone in man's struggle for mastery of the air from the youth of today will come the skilled airmen and designers of tomorrow youth with wings with inventions and miniature already have pointed the way for their elders the novel designs that appear at model plain wheat are now watched by government experts as never before gas-powered and glider models beautifully built and skillfully flown uncle sam's youngsters are the vital reservoir of knowledge and skill for the years to come their dreams are as big as some of the models they build the entire world was electrified by the daring exploits of lindbergh bird and others the lone eagles thrilled all mankind he flew alone 3600 miles new york to paris clarence chamberlain in the blanca he later flew across the atlantic saved the lives of the four passengers in a crash landing one wheel was broken a terrible tragedy is averted by another great american no story of aviation would be complete without a salute to those daredevils the stuntmen they gamble with death high in the sky while he posts around the world fame and beloved will rogers their tragic alaskan flight ended two famous careers amina earhart will live in the hearts of americans her atlantic flight was followed by other exploits with a tragic end in the pacific ruth elder took her place in aviation's hall of fame along with ruth nichols speed and altitude record holder they blazed the trail for sister americans tragedy has dogs the progress of aviation men like lowell bales gave their lives in man's quest for speed and more speed death for themselves and for their native land as they took off from floyd bennett field for portugal the plane is overloaded don't hurt but they live constantino blackos was sure his rocket type brainstorm would fly cool heads and quick hands save his life he never even lost his hat the airship akron in a dramatic tragedy a sudden gust of wind and up she goes carrying two ground crew men to a terrible death general de pinedo's tragic attempt to fly from new york to europe his ship is heavily overloaded the hindenburg on its last atlantic crossing who will forget the stark drama of the next few seconds scores trapped in the flaming wreckage many killed as they jumped in vain but others miraculously dashed to safety never has man seeing such a sight never will that sight be forgotten why is imminent in europe what we desire to do is keep out of it this becomes increasingly difficult from year to year as the interdependability of nations becomes greater the only way that we can keep out of it is by maintaining an adequate national defense in this country no matter how many treaties that's the paper or agreements we have unless we are backed up by adequate force it will be impossible for us to maintain peace today the war is very different the last european war was now air power the dominant feature of military operations air fire can fly directly to the vital centers of an opposing state and neutralize it it can destroy the city conrect the aqueduct it can knock out the lines of communication it can destroy the food supply and make the people help us do it the world again in flames europe africa asia and now japan's treachery in the pacific today a terrible new weapon the modern bomber spreading a new technique of death over a terrorist-freaking world now america has been forced into the maelstrom of war never in all civilized history has such infamy and treachery been unleashed on a people at peak but this nation will fight back we'll keep fighting until the perpetrator of that treachery has forever been silenced dunkirk rants on her knees and britain's heroic evacuation or here britain's royal air force bought the boarded luftwaffe to a standstill the battle of the atlantic and now the pacific general mitchell's words were so true the growing might of the democracies will triumph in the end a nazi blasted from the skies coventry a symbol of destruction but a symbol too of democracy's will to win in the hands of aggressors armies from the skies become a modern terror in less than 40 years aviation has become a modern frankenstein that threatens to destroy man its creator for us the answer is clear rightfulness from the skies can be prevented only by overwhelming superiority in the air i should like to see this nation geared up for the ability to turn out at least 50 000 planes a year america answers a clarion call from its president today it's war we americans united as never in our history work for victory in our research centers we are keeping abreast of every new development in aviation and behind the battle of aircraft production are great men and great american industries america has gone all out to build an air fleet second to none today is never before that job is vital for the preservation of our way of life today in war american aviation is playing a dominant role in our determined fight for victory our new bombers and fighters are the best in the world they're in the thick of the fight now a mighty army with wings to carry on where general pershing left off countless thousands of pilots a year is our goal warriors of the skies to avenge the treacherous assault on american lives and property cannon on wings the aracobra can stop enemy bombers the best ship of its kind in the world today curtis p40 one of our best pursuit planes the marvin b-26 the fightingest toughest bomber ever turned out with other first-line planes it's now in action against our double-crossing enemy in the pacific america where aviation was born has nothing to fear we can out build and out fight japan and any other power on earth we'll be turning out warplanes at the rate of 50 000 a year well ahead of schedule we didn't start this war but we can finish it uncle sam's flying battleships have a job to do and they're doing it and our multi-gun fighters like the arakuda will make our enemies japan germany and italy choke on their infamous words and pressure attacks america's plan is to turn out one thousand four engine bombers a month to carry our message of defiance to the warmongers of europe and the orient our parachute battalions are ready to fight to preserve our way of life with aviation we will be victorious our priceless heritage of freedom will keep us steadfast remember pearl harbor as we work and fight for a glorious victory we have the will to win we have the men the tools to build the plane the planes that will be our safeguard of freedom our bulwark against aggression they spell victory for america keep them flying you