binder001
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,729
Here is a movie that any WW2 buff or airplane fan MUST see;
http://www.archive.org/details/TheLastBomb1945
This is a 1945-46 documentary done by the USAAF on B29 operations against Japan. In full color this movie takes one from mission planning (with GEN Curtis E. LeMay presiding) through take off from the Mariannas, passing Iwo Jima and picking up P51 escorts through the bombing and home again. Not only good photography, but take a step back and think of the sheer logistic effort it took just in operation of XXI Bomber Command, let alone the other efforts and operations around the Pacific. Another detail to note is the take off runs of those B29s - a 67-ton bomber was using ALL of the available runway. If an engine coughed on take-off eleven men died! Another detail is the effort put into air-sea rescue, ships, subs and aircraft were positioned along the route in an effort to save airmen. For all the admiration people show for the German military, one never hears about them taking such efforts to safeguard any of their men. By the way this video is from several reels of film so don't be shocked when the film appears to run out - it's all spliced for one showing.
Anyway, a movie well worth seeing.
By the way, by my math a B29 in 1/32nd scale would have a wingspan of about 53 inches!
Gary B.
http://www.archive.org/details/TheLastBomb1945
This is a 1945-46 documentary done by the USAAF on B29 operations against Japan. In full color this movie takes one from mission planning (with GEN Curtis E. LeMay presiding) through take off from the Mariannas, passing Iwo Jima and picking up P51 escorts through the bombing and home again. Not only good photography, but take a step back and think of the sheer logistic effort it took just in operation of XXI Bomber Command, let alone the other efforts and operations around the Pacific. Another detail to note is the take off runs of those B29s - a 67-ton bomber was using ALL of the available runway. If an engine coughed on take-off eleven men died! Another detail is the effort put into air-sea rescue, ships, subs and aircraft were positioned along the route in an effort to save airmen. For all the admiration people show for the German military, one never hears about them taking such efforts to safeguard any of their men. By the way this video is from several reels of film so don't be shocked when the film appears to run out - it's all spliced for one showing.
Anyway, a movie well worth seeing.
By the way, by my math a B29 in 1/32nd scale would have a wingspan of about 53 inches!
Gary B.