Warbird Information Exchange

I've linked a few clips from the original link below. Some interesting color film with lots of plane spotting. Some familiar scenes you'll notice that were staged, but overall some rare footage for sure. I've selected the films below that show some of the best scenes of aircraft. All well worth watching.
Pearl Harbor: Spring of 1942
US National Archives
https://catalog.archives.gov/search?ava ... l%20harbor

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663098

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663436

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663369

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663273

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663240

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4747559

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663234

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663143

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663400

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2663230

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/80313

Great color shots of the SBD and PBY in the first film in the first video (3098).
When photographing the wreckage, the photographer tried to frame his images.
Notice in one shot how the neutrality star is carefully framed.
Also, he lets the wind move the rudder on a wrecked aircraft before beginning his pan.
So, a bit of art there, not just documentation.

Notice too, how some of the PBY hulks have been striped for parts. Some are mixing control surfaces from relatively undamaged areas.

In the second video (3436) trying to recreate the attack, notice how a burning PBY wreck, probably one of those seen in the first film, is missing its nose turret.

We have all seen the often used shot of SBDs diving to illustrate the attack.
Anyone know for certain what film that (and these recreations) were for?
Someone went to a lot of trouble to re-stage the attack.
I always thought it was for a Frank Capra or William Wyler propaganda film.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

Mark, has anything happened with those post-attack color slides you found out about a few years ago?

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Hi Chris, I’ve heard nothing nor have I seen anything happening with them. I’m assuming they will show up somewhere sometime…. Hopefully.

Thanks for sharing!

This footage was shot by John Ford, as I recall. Some pretty incredible stuff in there.

Lynn

Well, that explains the well composed shots as Ford's film "December 7th" was shot and directed by academy award winning cinematographer Gregg Toland.
Presumably the shots of the burning wreckage were taken for that film.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

Great stuff!!!
A lot of the "action" in these films with burning wreckage and men running is all staged recreations. Notice the jeep drive by in one shot. Jeeps had not arrived in Hawaii in December of 1941. Interesting that in 1942, when these films were shot, that the forward end of a Kate was still around and lit on fire for the filming.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."