This 1940s black and white military recruiting and educational film, Flying Cadets of the U.S. Army Air Corps, was produced by The Material Division, written and directed by Captain John H. Fite, A.S.C. The film opens with a sky full of biplanes and monoplanes (:49-1:03). They may be Stearman, PT-19s, or PT-22s, planes used for training in the early 1940s. The four recruits are dressed in 1940s single- and double-breasted suits, followed in Air Corps uniforms (1:09-1:32). The guys arrive by bus, 1940s cars, and a Pan American Airways System 307 Clipper (2:07-2:15). The “dodos” (cadets who haven’t flown solo) pick up suitcases, bedding and clothing, and make their beds the correct way (2:16-2:56). Cadets pick up parachutes, helmets, and goggles (3:10-3:20). A cadet in his boxers gets a check-up; others get eye exams (3:28-3:44). Cadets learn to drill (3:50-4:30). Cadets wearing parachutes approach PT (primary trainer) aircraft (4:40-4:56). Closeups show the instructor and pilot (5:03-5:54). Cadets sit in a classroom (6:08-6:22). Cadets in parachutes have up-close plane views (6:24-7:07). A cadet solos, followed by the others (7:08-7:35-8:37). The instructor uses a pointer at chalkboard diagrams. Miniature airplanes and controls explain maneuvers (8:47-9:08). Cadets practice maneuvers, including loops (9:14-9:57). Cadets drill in uniform (10:05-10:30). Cadets, wearing 1940s suits and shoes, arrive in 1930s/1940s cars (including a Mercury and 1940 Ford Convertible) to Randolph Field (11:12-12:06). They pick up new uniforms and get shoes, haircuts, photographs, and rifle (12:55-14:21). The sunset flag ceremony is shown (14:25-14:50). The kitchen prepares French fries and steaks; the men sit at tables with tablecloths (14:56-15:55). Cadets drill in flight uniforms, wearing leather flying helmets (16:00-16:22). What may be SNJ Texans make synchronized turns, takeoffs, and landings (17:24-19:25). Cadets in a classroom wear headphones and practice Morse Code, airplane radio use, and weather mapping (19:44-20:25). They study the propeller (20:29-20:46). A line of planes taxi and take off (21:12-21:58). The view behind the pilot is shown as the plane goes through maneuvers (22:00-22:35). Shirtless cadets in shorts exercise and play different sports (22:37-23:23). Closeups of planes in flight (23:50-24:09). “Blowing up the wind sock” gag (24:30-24:39). Rifles are cleaned (25:34-25:52), inspection shown at (26:11-25:25). $75 paychecks are picked up (26:30-26:40). Off base, dressed in suits, cadets dance and talk with women in 1940s dresses (26:42-27:42). Night solo flying is practiced (27:47-28:33). A parade review is before leaving (28:36-30:12). A line of planes stands at Kelly Field (30:17). Cadets get out of a “black Mariah” truck (30:32). An advanced trainer plane and its mechanisms are studied with close-ups and in flight (30:54-31:55). Formation flying uses three model airplanes followed by actual (32:00-32:52). An enclosed Link Trainer is shown in use (32:55-33:19). Formation flying uses six model airplanes followed by actual closeups (33:32-35:00). For trying to land without wheels down, the “DUMB Croix-de-Gear” award is hung around a cadet’s neck (35:06-35:52). The cadets use a compass to make maps (36:00-36:08). A night flight is shown (36:22-36:45). The cadets practice skeet shooting (36:50-37:03). Dressed in flight uniform with parachutes and leather helmets, the four cadets discuss a map (37:08). Cadets take the Oath of Allegiance, receive graduation certificates and wings, kiss pretty women in 1940s dresses and hats, and wear new uniforms (38:40-39:38). A long line of planes taxi and fly (39:41-40:35). A large group of Air Corps men salute the camera (40:41-40:45).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com