Three exciting films and F2H Banshee Pilot's Handbook

The Boeing B-47 Stratojet

The Ultimate B-47 Resource!

* Stratojet: Meet Your Boeing B-47 (Color, 1955, 30:00) Exclusive Color Correction You'll see the design, development, and manufacturing of the B-47. Then you'll follow a crew from SAC's McConnell Air Force Base (3250^th Combat Crew Training Wing) on a training mission that simulates a night attack on a target in the US. There are some great shots of the Stratojet on the ground and in the air, including night air refueling. You'll also hear crew dialog as they work through various procedures during the bomb run.
* B-47 Combat Maneuvers (Color, 1955, 20:00) Exclusive Color Correction In 1954 the Air Force conducted a series of maneuver tests that showcased the B-47's outstanding agility. Theses tests were specifically designed to explore the B-47s ability to “toss bomb.” The aircraft would approach the target low and at high speed, pull up sharply, open bomb bay doors, use momentum to literally fling the bomb towards the target and then execute the rest of a half loop Immelman turn so that they were flying back in the opposite direction at the top of the loop. This maneuver allowed the bomber to drop nuclear and high explosive weapons at low altitudes without danger of blast damage or flying directly over heavily defended targets. Seeing the big, sleek B-47 execute this maneuver (and barrel rolls too!) is truly memorable. Cameras located all over the aircraft give unique views during the test flights.
* Boeing B-47A "Stratojet" Flight Handbook (92 pages with color Illustrations) See B-47A (the original production model) detailed operating instructions, cockpit photos, systems diagrams, flight characteristics, emergency procedures and much, more in Adobe acrobat .pdf file format
* Boeing TB-478B "Stratojet" Flight Manual (780 pages with color illustrations) Flight Manual for the TB-47B, the training version of the B-47B. In addition to flight procedures. Includes the complete performance index.in Adobe Acrobat .pdf file format

Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs Go to War DVD Three color films and F-105 Fighter/Bomber Flight Handbook

* There is a Way: The 421st Squadron Fighting Cavaliers and their F-105 Thunderchiefs. (Color, 1966, 55:00) Digitally restored color Without doubt this is the best documentary showing an Air Force unit from the Vietnam War. Filmed in November, 1966, this up close and personal look at the 421st Sq, 388th TFW has everything from exciting footage of a bombing raid on Hanoi, dodging SAMs and fighting Migs, to feverish overnight activity to repair and rearm the big "Thuds"at their base at Korat, Thailand. Best of all, its told through spontaneous interviews and open mics that capture air combat radio chatter, after mission pilot stories, and conversations with everyone from the base commander to pilots and mechanics. You'll see mission briefings and after action intelligence debriefings. Veteran pilots coach newbies on fighter tactics. The maintenance chief talks about the Thuds reliability. A pilot's best day: knocking out four SAM sites on a "Wild Weasel" mission. The squadron gets together after hours to celebrate a young Lieutenant's 100th mission. An amazing time capsule!
* The Twenty Five Hour Day: A story of Air Force F-105s (Color, 1967, 28:00) This film, produced by Fairchild-Hiller-Republic for the US Air Force, offers a unique look inside F-105 “Thunderchief” fighter-bomber operations when the air campaign against North Vietnamese supply lines was ramping up into to high gear. Secretary of State Robert McNamara gives the broad outline of the Thud's primary mission in a series of strategic briefings: to strangle the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the strategic supply line from North to South Vietnam, through Cambodia and Laos, that was showing a quantum increase in activity and importance. You'll see exciting color footage of F-105s and other aircraft hitting bridges, supply depots convoys and other key targets along the Trail, and carrying out tactical operations in the South in conjunction with air mobile units. You'll see F -105 mission briefings, base operations, midair refueling, maintenance, and up close scenes of everyday pilot life on an extremely active forward base, working “Twenty-Five Hour Days.”
* Faces of Rescue (Color,1967, 25:00) F-105 flight leader Lt. James Devoss tells the dramatic story of his rescue from enemy held territory. You'll hear the story of his mission from takeoff to pickup by a "Jolly Green Giant" after being shot down, including actual footage of his rescue. You'll also see all aspects of "search and rescue" operation that saved so many lives in Vietnam. *
* Flight Manual for the USAF Series F-105 Series D, F and G 'Thunderchief” all-weather fighter bomber. Over 800 pages of information in Adobe Acrobat,pdf file format on normal and emergency flight procedures, operating limitations, flight characteristics and the full performance index. You'll see detailed info on all control panels, instruments, fuel, hydraulic, electronic, computer, radar, ejection, communications, engine, weapons systems and much more. Charts, diagrams, indexes in black and white and color. “Everything you ever wanted to know about the Thud!” Zeno

X-Planes and Test Pilots (Sound & Video Digitally Restored)

* Profile of a Flight Test Pilot (1945, B&W, 30:00) This film was developed by personnel at the Army Air Corps top secret Wright Field flight test facility during World War 2 to give pilots the low down on what to expect if they joined their aircraft testing program. As such, the film is both very informative and interesting, with plenty of info about flight testing at that time, including climb, level flight, take off and landing, test instruments, and pilot responsabilities. But, there is much more. You also get a look behind the curtain at Wright Field at some of the rarest and most bizarre aircraft produced during World War II, including one-off prototypes. You'll see a Bell P-63 Kingcobra doing aerobatic spin & stall tests, a Bell P-59 Airacomet jet fighter, a Plat-LePage XR-1A twin rotor helicopter, a tiny Bell XP-77 fighter, a Curtiss XP-60C with contra-rotating props, a weird hybrid B24/B-17, a beautiful 20-mm canon equipped test P-51A from the first Mustang production run, captured enemy aircraft,and more. This film is a real gem and beautifully preserved.
* Research Test of Convair Model 7002/XF92A Airplane at U.S. Air Force Test Base Muroc, California (1948, COLOR, 10:00) From the description at the US Air Force Museum web site: "This airplane was the world's first jet aircraft to fly using the radical delta-wing configuration pioneered by Germany's Dr. Alexander Lippisch during the 1930s. The Convair Model 7002 was completed in 1948 as a flying mock-up for the proposed delta wing XP-92 interceptor. (In 1948 the Air Force changed the designation from P for pursuit to F for fighter.) The Model 7002 was designed to investigate delta wing behavior at low and high subsonic speeds. The 7002 was initially powered by an Allison J33-A-23 turbojet engine and later the J33-A-29 turbojet with afterburner. It was formally delivered to the USAF on May 14, 1949, and named the XF-92. It was flown by Air Force test pilots until its nose gear collapsed on landing on Oct. 14, 1953, ending its flying career. With the experience gained from the XF-92 program, Convair was able to win the competition for the "1954 Interceptor" program and to build the successful delta-wing F-102 Only one XF-92A was built; it was delivered to the Air Force Museum in 1969 from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn."
This rare color film shows the 7002 being tested by Consolidated (later Convair) in 1948 at the Muroc Test Base in California, (later Edwards Air Force Base). Surely there is no more Godforsaken spot on the face of the Lower 48! It's hard to imagine a more influential aircraft, as the delta wing was not only adopted in the Convair's F-102 and B-58, but also in a long series of other US, British, French, and Russian designs. Charts shown in the film do a good job of illustrating the many virtues of the 60 degree delta wing.
* X-15 (1959, COLOR, 27:00) This documentary was produced by North American Aviation to show the development of the X-15 rocket plane. The legendary test pilot, Scott Crossfield, is at the controls. The test site is once again Edwards Air Force Base. There is beautiful color footage of X-15 flights here as well as scenes from support, development and construction. The film also gives background for the X-Plane program, going to the Bell X-1. The purpose built X-15 experimental aircraft broke speed and altitude records almost every time it flew. If ever there was an aircraft where form followed function, the X-15 was it! Fans of the "Right Stuff" will remember that the X-15 arguably entered Space before the astronauts of the Apollo missile program. ("Spam in a can!")
* X-15 1961 Annual Report (1961, COLOR, 18:00) The X-15 program really takes off in a record breaking year with Joe Walker, Scott Crossfield, Niel Armstrong and other legendary test pilots at the controls, soaring past Mach 3. Two planes are used for flight and engine testing -- there's an amazing scene of a walk away explosion. More remarkable color footage of the series of test flights and a couple of wonderful post mission debriefings by Scott Crossfield.

X-treme Bombers: The Northrop YB-49 "Flying Wing" and the North American XB-70A "Valkyrie" Four films and two flight manuals on one DVD

* Initial Flight of the YB-49 (1948, B&W, 5:15) This film was produced by the US Air Force and Northrop to show the first test flights of the YB-49 Flying Wing at Northrop' s Hawthorne, California facility, introducing it to the American public for the first time. The YB-49 was a redesign of the propeller driven B-35, upgraded with six GE Allison jet engines and various structural design improvements (see the description below for more info). The revolutionary design and almost other worldly, alien spacecraft-like lines of the jet powered Wing are highlighted in this very clean black and white footage. This aircraft is revealingly shown at all angles, including up close on the ground and in flight.
* The Story of the Flying Wing (1949, Color, 24:00) It may be hard to believe today, but Flying Wing's innovative design was often used against it by detractors from competing aircraft companies ("An airplane that doesn't have a tail??!!") So, Northrop Aircraft produced this information film to extol the Wings virtues and answer her critics. The result is a film that gives a compelling overview of the principles of advantages of the Wing design, delivered by Northrop's Director of Engineering, Harrison F. Burke. You'll see color film of the jet powered Wing in operation, supplemented by an extensive use of instructive animations. You'll learn about the role of drag in flight in relation to efficiency in aircraft design, the advantages of a swept wing, the inherent advantages in structural integrity of the Wing design, simplicity and ease of maintenance, the role of center of gravity in tail design and much more.
* XB-70 Valkyrie Flight Test Program (1966, Color, 13:00) This film, produced by North American Aviation, gives a concise overview of the early phases of the XB-70A aircraft design, construction, development and testing in 1964. You'll see Phase one & two flight tests and "proof loading" structural tests. The use and testing of "folded wing tips" and retraction of the "windshield ramp"in supersonic flight is shown in detail along with the innovative air induction system. On 14 October 1965, the Valkyrie broke the Mach 3 barrier. The extensive use of flight test instrumentation in the program is also discussed.
* XB-70A Valkyrie: Phase One Flight Testing (1966, Color, 26:00) The critical first four flight tests of the XB-70A over 34 days at Edwards AFB are shown in detail culminating in the aircraft's first supersonic flight (with an B-58 Hustler chase plane!). As might be expected, these early f lights included some dramatic moments, including an in flight engine flame out and one of the landing gear bursting into flames during touch down. But, as mission chief test pilot Col Al White says, "if there were no problems during testing, you wouldn't need test pilots or test flights." You'll see the unflappable Col White and copilot Col Joe Cotton work the sleek Valkyrie through a series of crtical tests, including landing gear, flaps, flight controls, advanced hydraulic systems, first deployment of the folding wing tips and more. A highlight of the film is a press conference/debriefing by the XB-70 test flight team. As you'll see, there's nothing "routine" about testing a revolutionary and extremely complex aircraft like the XB-70A Valkyrie.
* Flight Handbook for the Northrop YB-49 Airplane (77 pages) See detailed operating instructions, copious illustrations, cockpit photos, systems diagrams, flight characteristics, emergency procedures and much more in Adobe acrobat .pdf file format.
* North American XB-70A "Valkyrie" Flight Manual (380 pages ) See XB70A operating instructions, cockpit photos, systems diagrams, flight characteristics, emergency procedures, performance charts and more in Adobe Acrobat .pdf file format.

The Airstrike Vietnam DVD

Five color films and three F4C-D-E Phantom Fighter Technical Manuals
C 2011 Military Art's Pictures All rights reserved Exclusive -- We "color corrected" these films You can see the difference

* The United States Air Force in Vietnam (1967,Color,27:00) This wide ranging video covers the rapid expansion of the US Air Force's roll in the Vietnam War in the mid 1960s. Bases are set up at Cam Ran Bay, Phan Rang, Bien Hoa and other sites. A wide range of aircraft are shown in action including F-100 Super Sabres, F4 Phantoms, F-104 Star Fighters, F-102 Delta Daggers, F-105 Thunder Chiefs, A-1 Skyraiders, B-52 and B-57 bombers and more. There's exciting combat footage throughout the film showing air strikes over both South and North Vietnam. Meet the aircraft and the men who flew and maintained them. You'll get a detailed view of the command structure and mission planning, including a look inside revolutionary airborne command and control centers that managed battles thousands of feet above the jungle. Covers vital air transport, SARs, and FAC operations and much more.
* The Twenty Five Hour Day: A story of Air Force F-105s (1966,Color, 28:00) This film, produced by Fairchild-Hiller-Republic for the US Air Force, offers a unique look inside F-105 “Thunderchief” ("The Thud!”) fighter-bomber operations when the air campaign against North Vietnamese supply lines was ramping up into to high gear. Secretary of State Robert McNamara gives the broad outline of the Thud's primary mission in a series of strategic briefings: to strangle the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the strategic supply line from North to South Vietnam, through Cambodia and Laos, that was showing a quantum increase in activity and importance. You'll see exciting color footage of F-105s, F-4s, F-100s and other aircraft hitting bridges, supply depots convoys and other key targets along the Trail, and carrying out tactical operations in the South in conjunction with air mobile units. You'll see F -105 mission briefings, base operations, midair refueling, maintenance, and up close scenes of everyday pilot life on an extremely active forward base, working “Twenty-Five Hour Days.”
* FAC F-100 Supports US Army (1967,Color,4:00) This short film is a real gem. You'll see an Air Force Forward Air Controller (FAC) assigned to the 1^st Division, flying a tiny Cessna O-1E “Bird Dog” and operating in conjunction with three F-100 fighter bombers out of Phan Rang and local Army Artillery. Their mission is in support 3^rd Brigade operations against VC bases near Lai Khe, 50 miles from Saigon. Specifically, to “prep” an LZ so chopper borne troops could land and conduct offensive operations. You'll see spectacular color footage of the Bird Dog operating in tandem with the F-100s, striking at very low altitudes, followed closely by a Huey assault. The importance of FAC air operations in the Vietnam War cannot be overstated. Pilots flew the equivalent of vulnerable paper airplanes within rifle shot of the enemy to coordinate air and artillery strikes and the rescue of downed pilots.
*Air Power at Khe Sanh (1967,Color,15:00) During the Spring and Summer of 1967, North Vietnamese commander General Giap targeted III Marine Amphibious Force and South Vietnamese Army units stationed in and around Khe Sanh, in Northwestern Quang Tri province, with 2-3 NVA divisions. His goal was to create a second Dien Bien Phu by destroying the base and dealing the US a psychological knock out blow like he had to the French 13 years before. Khe Sanh was besieged for 77 days by a series of desperate attacks. You'll see dramatic low level airstikes against enemy forces almost on top of besieged US Marines, part of Operation Niagara, the coordinated aerial defense of the base. Marines fight back, despite a devastating enemy artillery barrage. C-130s fly in vital supplies in the face of heavy ground fire. You'll see a revolutionary flying command post coordinating air operations, using the latest high tech equipment to deal heavy blows against enemy troop concentrations that helped neutralize Giap's offensive.
* Tactical Air Power (1967, Color 20:00) This film, produced by the US Air Force's Military Airlift Command, gives an overview of US tactical air operations and doctrine, circa1967, with an emphasis on the ongoing Vietnam War. You'll see Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircraft, including F4s, F-100s, F105s and conducting dramatic airstrikes and the introduction of the new F-111”swing wing” bomber. C-130 cargo operations are shown in detail, including very low level air drops, resupply under fire and worldwide refugee relief.
* Three F4 Phantom Technical Manuals: Flight Manual (343 pages), Performance Data Manual (416 pages), and Air Crew Weapons Delivery Manual (Non-Nuclear, 674 pages) for the McDonnell USAF Series F-4 Series C, D, E "Phantom” Aircraft in Adobe Acrobat,pdf file format You'll see detailed info on all control panels, instruments, fuel, hydraulic, electronic, computer, radar, ejection, communications, engine, weapons systems and much more. Charts, diagrams, indexes in black and white and color. “Everything you ever wanted to know about the Phantom!” Zeno

Pilot's manuals are in the popular Adobe Acrobat file format (software included) and are viewable on a computer DVD player.