Vintage Air Force Films

In my research about aviation, I have acquired some video transfers of vintage Air Force film reports dating to the 1940s and 1950s from the National Archives. I will be posting more of these short films in coming weeks.

First flight of the Republic XP-84 Thunderjet

Excerpt from the Air Force Engineering Division film report 342usaf14150 Initial Flight Tests of Experimental Fighter and Research Aircraft: The first prototype XP-84 flew for the first time at Muroc Army Air Field with Major Wallace A. "Wally" Lien at the controls on February 28, 1946. It was powered by an Allison J35-GE-7 engine producing 3,745 lbf (16.66 kN). YP-84As differed from XP-84s by having an upgraded J35-A-15 engine, carrying six 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (four in the nose and one in each wing root), and having the provision for wingtip fuel tanks holding 226 U.S. gal (856 L) each. This film is silent.

First flight of the Convair XB-36

Excerpt from the Air Force Engineering Division film report 342usaf14150 Experimental and Research Aircraft featuring the first flight of the prototype Convair XB-36 Peacemaker 42-13570 on August 8, 1946. This film is silent.

First flight of the North American XB-45 Tornado

Excerpt from the Air Force Engineering Division film report 342usaf14150 Experimental and Research Aircraft: The first flight of the North American XB-45 Tornado at Muroc Army Airfield on March 17, 1947. This film is silent.

First flight of the Convair XB-46

Excerpt from the Air Force Engineering Division film report 342usaf14150 Experimental and Research Aircraft: The Convair XB-46 took off on its first flight from the Convair plant at San Diego on April 2, 1947. The flight concluded at Muroc Army Airfield. The XB-46 was powered by four 3,820-pound thrust Chevrolet J35-C3 turbojets. This film is silent.

First flight of the Martin XB-48

Excerpt from the Air Force Engineering Division film report 342usaf14150 Experimental and Research Aircraft: The Martin XB-48 took off on its first flight from the Martin plant at Baltimore on June 22, 1947. The flight concluded at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The XB-48 was powered by six 3,820-pound thrust Chevrolet J35-C3 turbojets. This film is silent.

First flight of the Convair XC-99

Excerpt from the Air Force Engineering Division film report 342usaf14150 Experimental and Research Aircraft featuring the first flight of the Convair XC-99 at San Diego, California on November 23, 1947. This film is silent.

Initial Flight Tests of the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

Excerpt from the Air Force Engineering Division film report 342usaf14150 Experimental and Research Aircraft. The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was developed to be carried inside a bomb bay in the Convair B-36 bomber. The Goblin made its first flight from a Boeing B-29 Superfortress named Monstro on August 23, 1948. This film is silent.

Reconnaissance Parasite Aircraft

Air Force film 342usaf19661 Reconnaissance Parasite Aircraft Part 1: It was envisioned that Fighter Conveyer (FICON) composite aircraft would perform long-range reconnaissance missions into areas equipped with anti-aircraft defenses that existing reconnaissance airplanes could not penetrate. FICON operations would rely on the great range of the Convair RB-36 to carry a jet powered parasite airplane to a location within range of targets inside defended territory. The high speed and maneuverability of the parasite would allow it to dash into enemy territory to take pictures of the targets and then rendezvous with its flying aircraft carrier to be carried back to its home base. Many targets that were out of range of conventional reconnaissance airplanes would be accessible to the FICON parasite airplane.

Air Force film 342usaf19661 Reconnaissance Parasite Aircraft Part 2.