AROUND THE WORLD BY AIRPLANE Reel 1 · Part 1

Description

Summary: Coverage of the first world flight, 6 April- 28 September 1924 (Photo'd by Air Service). Reel 1: Pilots assembled in room plan route for round-the-globe flight. President Calvin Coolidge wishes aviators a safe journey. In Santa Monica, California, crews prepare for departure on the first leg of their journey to Sacramento. Mayor Elkins of Sacramento welcomes the aviators and crew and wishes them good luck on the remainder of their journey. Planes land in Seattle, Washington. Planes land in Canadian territory, where each aviator receives ceremonial British flag. Flight commander Martin and Mechanic Harvey pose after being rescued at Port Moller, Alaska, where they hiked after crashing into a fog-covered mountain. Maps show flight path of crashed plane and subsequent hike and rescue points. 884 Total footage in reel. Reel 2: AIR SERVICE. ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA. WORLD FLIERS AT ALASKA BEFORE THE HOP ACROSS THE PACIFIC TO JAPAN. 20' LS camera pans right to round-the-wor1d-flier Douglas cruisers on lake.--snow-covered mountain in bg. 37' CU two of the cruisers. 53' CU one of the cruisers warming up. ONE OF THE PLANES IS HAULED ABOARD U.S. COAST GUARD SHIP FOR REPAIRS. 75' CU one of the cruisers as it is being raised onto the Coast Guard ship. A NEW ENGINE IS FITTED IN LT. WADE'S PlANE IN READINESS FOR HOP TO ATTU ISLAND IN JAPAN. A DISTANCE OF 1,350 MILES. 102' MS camera pans left with the raising of aircraft engine--shows engine change. LT. LOWELL H. SMITH WHO ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE SQUADRON SUCCEEDING MAJOR MARTIN. 124' CU of Lt. Smith standing at the nose of the aircraft holding the propeller blade. (snow is falling) 135' MS 3/4 RV stationary cruiser on shore. Camera pans left to show another cruiser--both are equipped with pontoons. ON THEIR WAY. THE FIRST FLIGHT FROM AMERICA TO ASIA. 156' LS low angle, three of the world cruisers in flight to the right. RV same scene description. START OF SECOND LAP--ANIMATED MAP SHOWS THE DANGEROUS ROUTE ACROSS THE PACIFIC. THE FIRST TIME THE PACIFIC HAS BEEN CROSSED BT AIRPLANE. (1924) Animated map of the coastline of North America and Asia--written on map: SECOND DIVISION CHICAGOFF TO KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN. YETOROFU, JURILE ISLANDS, JAPAN, DECLARES HOLIDAY AS NAVAL OFFICERS, FIRST WHITE MEN THEY EVER SAW, ARRIVED TO PREPARE FOR THE FLYERS COMING FROM ALASKA. 225' MS natives congregating and carrying flags. FIRST CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD, OLD AND YOUNG CELEBRATE. 257' MS natives of the island observing the Americans. 265' Children do a dance--several views of the natives performing for the Americans. AROUND THE WORLD FLYERS ARRIVE, THEIR FIRST STOP IN JAPAN. 288' LS world cruisers flying over snow-covered mountains. 296' CU one of the cruisers on a lake. 301' MS of the cruiser--personnel in fg. 308' LT. LOWELL SMITH AND HIS COMRADES SAFE ON LAND AFTER THE MOST DANGEROUS OCEAN FLIGHT ON RECORD. 319' CU SV Lt. Smith and others. 328' Several views of the flight crews. THE ISLANDERS HOLD A FEAST IN HONOR OF THE YANKEE PIONEERS. 341' MS mixed personnel enjoying a feast. 360' CREW OF THE JAPANESE DESTROYER "ISOKAZE" ENTERTAINS WITH THE ANCIENT SPORT OF SUMO. Several angles of the sport of Sumo (Similar to wrestling). 419' CU one of the cruisers afloat in water--camera pans right to show meechanics working on aircraft. 433' LS large crowd of Japanese children waving flags. 458' Several views of the Japanese welcoming the Americans. 465' ANIMATED MAP: 3RD DIVISION, KAGOSHIMA To CALCUTTA, INDIA, DISTANCE OF 4,860 MILES. SHANGHAI, CHINA. AMERICAN GLOBE C1RCULARS REACH CHINA. PICTURESQUE CRAFT ON WHANGPO0 RIVER DONS GALA GARB TO WELCOME U.S. FLYERS. 494' Several views of the boats on the river. THE AVIATORS LAND AFTER HAVING COMPLETED 7,800 MILES OF THEIR ROUND TRE WORLD FLIGHT. 518' LS fishing vessels on the river--the world cruisers circling in bg. 525' MS world cruiser on the river. A FLEET OF BRISK LITTLE JUNKS GREETS THE FLYERS IN TRUE NATIVE FASHION. 540' MS Chinese men in junks row out to greet the world cruisers. 558' MS Chinese band playing. CHINESE AVIATION OFFICERS GREET THE AMERICANS, LT. NELSON AND LT. WADE. 570' CU of the greeting. HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD. U.S. FLYERS REACH CALCUTTA, INDIA, HAVING FLOWN 12,500 MILES. 589' Harbor scene, Calcutta, India--world cruisers in bg. 599' MS RV cruisers taxiing on water. 625' Several views of the Indian people crowded around the cruiser. 640' MS camera pans left as one of the cruisers is lifted troa the water onto pier. 659' Animated map: 4TH DIVISION, CALCUTTA TO SAN STEFANO, TURKEY, DISTANCE OF 4,355 MILES. 677' CONSTANTINOPLE, THE LAST STOP ON THE CONTINENT OF ASIA. 684' LS the world cruiser flies low to ground, then lands. 699' MCU of world cruisers--mixed personnel in fg. 709' Several CU's of the flight personnel. 716' NOW THE WORLD REALIZES THAT THE FLIGHT APPROACHED SUCCESS AND, AT PARTS, AN UNPRECIDENTED OVATION AWAITED THEM. 727' Animated map--camera pans over to European section titled: FIFTH DIVISION, SAN STEFANO TO LONDON, DISTANCE OF 1,795 MILES. 747' SITE OF MAGNIFICENT GARDENS AT VERSAILLES MAKES THE FLYERS FEEL THAT AT LAST THEY ARE NEARING HOME. 760' ADS on the gardens. 800' PARIS, FRANCE. U.S. WORLD FLYERS IN FRANCE. SPECTACULAR AIR TOUR OF THE GLOBE NEARS LAST STAGES AS AMERICAN AVIATORS LAND AT LE BOURGET FLYING FIELD NEAR FRENCH CAPITAL. 819' THE AIRMEN HAVE COVERED A DISTANCE OF 17,500 MILES SINCE LEAVING SAN DIEGO. ACTUAL FLYING TIME, 240 HOURS OR TEN DAYS. 838' LS low angle, formation of four world cruisers. 846' MS two motion picture cameras pointed toward the sky--mixed personnel in bg. 854' LS a world cruiser landing. 866' MS of cruiser after landing personnel run toward aircraft which turns and taxis toward camera. 910' LAST EYNAC OF THE AIR MINISTRY CONGRATULATES THE AMERICAN SKY PIONEERS. 918' MS of the greeting. 944' LEAVING LE BOURGET FIELD FOR THE JUMP ACROSS THE CHANNEL TO LONDON. 952' MS cruisers taxi left--camera pans with one of the aircraft taking off. 972' Total footage in reel. Ree1 3: 7' ENGLISH PLANES ESCORT THE AMERICAN AIRMEN TO THE CR0YDEN AIR DROME AT LONDON. 15' ASV two of the cruisers in flight; another cruiser flies into frame--in fg are the braces and guide wires of the other cruisers. 26' CROSSING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. 30' ALS SV of the cruisers. 38' THE FLYERS ARE GIVEN A CORDIAL WELCOME ON THEIR ARRIVAL AT LONDON. LS cruiser coming in for landing to left. 59' CU cruiser taxiing to left. 65' CU crowd around the cruiser. 70' FIRST TO CONGRATULATE THE AIRMEN, MRS. MAC LAREN, WIFE OF THE BRITISH AIRMAN ATTEMPTING TO FLY AROUND THE WORLD IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. 84' CU of the greeting. 92' MS high angle of the crowd. 97' CU one of the men shaking hands with one of the pilots of the world cruisers--camera pans to the cockpit. 106' CU English officer greeting one of the pilots. 110' THE MEN WHO ARE MAKING AVIATION HISTORY TO THE GLORY OF UNCLE SAM. 119' CU posed picture of five of the world cruiser pilots. BROUGH, ENGLAND, THE AIRMEN WORK ON THE PLANE AT RAPID PACE, PREPARING FOR HOP TO ORKNEY ISLANDS AND FIRST LAP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. 143' MCU 3/4 RV one of the world cruisers--camera pans right. 157' CU 3/4 RV the world cruiser--maintenance man is cleaning the aircraft. 167' LT. SMITH SUPERINTENDS UNPACKING OF NEW ENGINE FOR HIS PLANE. 173' CU the unpacking of the engine. 184' Several views of the engine changeover. 207' MCU 3/4 FV engines starting. Another angled same scene description. 223' MS as ground crew members push pontoons. Several views of the replacing of wheels to pontoons. 246' Animated map of the Atlantic Ocean: 6TH DIVISION, LONDON TO WASHINGTON, D.C., 4,615 MILES. 264' A SHORT HOP IS MADE FROM BROUGH, ENGLAND, TO THE ORKNEYS, 370 MILES, IN FIVE AND ONE-HALF HOURS. 275' MS RV the cruiser in water--personnel in fg. 285' MS camera pans right with the cruiser as it takes off from water. 298' CU Naval personnel looking through telescope. 302' LS low angle of three cruisers in flight to the left. 311' LT. SMITH IS THE FIRST TO LAND AT HOUTON BAY, THE ORKNEYS. 319' MS FV landing of the cruiser on water. 354' MS two cruisers on water--small boat is pulled up to aircraft. 373' NAVAL OFFICERS ESCORT THE AVIATORS ASHORE, THE LAST STOP BEFORE THE HOP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. 383' High angle shot down into Naval vessel. 395' CU the pilots and Naval officers as they alight from vessel. 404' CU as greetings are exchanged. 410' SCAPA FLOW, SCOTLAND. BEFORE HOPPING OFF FOR ICELAND, THE AMERICANS INSPECT DREADNAUGHT, HINDENDERG SUNK BY THE GERMANS. 432' Several CU's of this ship. 455' CU two of the flyers on the gun barrels. 464' CREW OF THE USS RICHMOND CHEER AMERICAN AVIATORS PREPARING TO HOP OFF TO ICELAND. 472' CU mixed personnel as they raise their hats and give three cheers. 484' MS the crew members being escorted out to the planes. 493' REFUELING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 497' CU the world cruiser. Several views of the aircraft being refueled. 550' THE BIRDS SCREAM A FAREWELL AS THEY START FOR THE ARCTIC. 568' LS the birds on the water. 572' LS low angle of the world cruiser in flight to the right. 578' FATE, ALWAYS LURKING IN THE BACKGROUND, TAKES A HAND IN THE HOP FROM ICELAND TO GREENLAND. LT. WADE IS FORCED DOWN AND PICKED UP BY THE USS RICHMOND. 595' MS World Cruiser No. 3 afloat. 6O2' High angle shot of World Cruiser No. 3 afloat near ship. 611' MS the USS Richmond attempts to pull the world cruiser aboard. 633' UNABLE TO HAUL THE PLANE ABOARD, IT IS TOWED BEHIND THE RICHMOND UNTIL SO BADLY DAMAGED AS TO HAVE TO BE ABANDONED AND WADE IS TEMPORARILY OUT OF FLIGHT. 650' MS the world cruiser being towed in very rough waters. 660' THE ITALIAN FLYERS, LOCATELLI, ALSO ATTEMPTING A WORLD FLIGHT, IS FORCED DOWN AND IS PICKED UP BY A U.S. CRUISER. 672' CU Italian plane afloat. (Night scene) 681' HIS MONOPLANE SO BADLY DAMAGED IT IS SET AFIRE AND ABANDONED. 689' MCU the aircraft burning. (Night scene) 700' L0CATELLI IS TAKEN ABOARD THE RICHMOND. 704' CU Locatelli being greeted by the captain of the ship. 709' CU head and shoulders of Locatelli. 715' LABRADOR. U.S. FLYERS REACH NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT. A NEW EPIC IN HISTORY IS SET AS LT. SMITH AND NELSON LAND AT LABRADOR. 20,616 MILES BEHIND THEM AND SUCCESS IN SIGHT. 737' LS the world cruisers circling. 757' LS world cruisers afloat in the inland. 766' NAVAL OFFICERS GIVE THE DARING AVIATORS A REAL GLAD HAND AFTER THE LINKING OF TWO CONTINENTS. 777' MS the vessel coming toward shore. 791' CU greetings exchanged. 813' WELCOME WORLD FLYERS. AMERICAN AIRMEN IN U.S. ONCE MORE. HEROES OF THE GREATEST AVIATION FEAT IN HISTORY WING THEIR WAY TO BOSTON AFTER A SHORT STOP ON THE MAINE COAST. 833' MS low angle, as seen from the ship, of three world cruisers flying overhead. 839' RV same scene description. 848' THOUSANDS, UNDAUNTED BY THEIR DELAY IN THE FOG, WAIT TO GREET AMERICA'S DARING AIRMEN. 858' LS camera pans right to show the crowd awaiting the flyers. 871' LS camera pans right to show the harbor--world cruisers flying overhead. 886' THE GIRDLE OF THE WORLD BEHIND THEM, THE PLANES LAND AT LAST IN HOME WATERS. 896' MS a world cruiser coming in for landing. 913' CU the world cruiser afloat--two men standing on pontoons. 924' CU the pilots as they alight from a Naval vessel. 940' MS high angle of greetings being exchanged. 949' LT. SMITH CAN BARELY GET ASHORE BEFORE HE IS CALLED UPON TO SAY HELLO TO THE USA OVER THE RADIO. 960' MS the flyers talking on the radio. 965' Total footage in reel. Reel 4: 4' THE RECEPTION IN BOSTON COMMON. MAJOR GENERAL PATRICK PRAISES HIS AERIAL PIONEERS AND MAYOR CURLEY PRESENTS LIEUTENANTS SMITH AND NELSON WITH WATCHES. 20' MS of the ceremony. 47' WITH THEIR SEA FLYING ENDED, WHEELS REPLACE PONTOONS AND MAJOR GENERAL PATRICK INSPECTS THE PLANES BEFORE LEAVING BOSTON. 60' MS Patrick inspecting the aircraft. 74' NEW YORK CITY. A FLEET OF WELCOMING PLANES ESCORT THE FLYERS SPEEDING HIGH OVER NEW YORK CITY. 85' Aerial high angle of squadron of planes flying over New York City. 108' OVER NEW YORK EIGHT MILLION SOULS CHEER THEM ON THEIR WAY. 122' MS the crowd. 127' Aerial high angle of two of theworld cruisers in flight. 141' THE PRINCE OF WALES ANXIOUSLY SCANS THE SKYLINE. 148' MS mixed crowd--some are looking through binoculars. 156' MS crowd. 169' MS world cruiser coming in for landing at airfield. 176' FLAGS WAVE GAILY OVER MITCHELL FIELD, LONG ISLAND, AND THE CROWD SURGES IN TRIUMPHANT WELCOME ABOUT THE ARRIVING PLANES. 191' MLS high angle, camera pans right to show the crowd. 201' LS high angle of the world cruisers on airfield--crowd around the aircraft. 217' CU of the Prince of Wales in the crowd. Several views of crowd. 236' WASHINGTON, D.C. NATION EXTENDS OFFICIAL WELCOME TO U.S. WORLD FLYERS. PRESIDENT AND MRS. COOLIDGE, CABINET MEMBERS, VISIT BOLLING FIELD TO GREET GALLANT SEXTET OF AIRMEN AS THEY TRIUMPHANTLY CROSS THE CONTINENT. 259' MS camera pans right with the president's car. 266' CU as President Coolidge alights from car. 277' CU cabinet members. 282' A THREE AND ONE-HALF HOUR DELAY, CAUSED BY STORMS, ON THE AVIATOR'S FLIGHT FROM MITCHELL FIELD FAILS TO LESSEN THE OFFICIAL ENTHUSIASM. 298' MS the crowd at Mitchell Field--camera pans left to show the world cruisers landing. 325' CU two world cruisers parked wingtip to wingtip--personnel in fg. 330' AS SOON AS THE FLYERS LAND THEY ARE CONGRATULATED BY PRESIDENT COOLIDGE AND SECRETARY OF WAR WEEKS. 340' CU personnel. (Quality poor) 365' PRESIDENT COOLIDGE IS ANXIOUS TO GET A FIRST HAND LOOK AT THE VETERAN PLANES. CU personnel examining the planes. 388' DAYTON, OHIO. THE GIANT BARLING BOMBER IS PART OF THE ESCORT COMING INTO DAYTON. 399' MS low angle, formation of three world cruisers. 414' LS low angle, formation of six aircraft. 425' LT. JACK HARDING IS WELCOMED HOME. 430' CU Lt. Harding seated on the shoulders of a man, being welcomed by mixed personnel. 440' NOME, LT. NELSON'S DOG, WAGS A FRIENDLY WELCOME. 450' CU greetings given to Lt. Nelson--he is handed a bouquet of flowers and is greeted by his dog. 467' MAYOR HALE PRESENTS EACH WITH A TRAVELING BAG. 472' CU flyer as he accepts the bag--camera pans right to show two other pilots holding bags. 482' MAJOR J.F. CURRY ALSO EXTENDS A WELCOME. 488' MS Major Curry as he welcomes all the pilots and crew members. 496' IT WAS A HOMECOMING FOR NELSON, WADE AND HARDING. 507' MLS camera pans right showing the crowd along the ramp, then to a sign above building: THIS FIELD IS SMALL. 515' OFF TO CHICAGO. 518' CU 3/4 FV one of the world cruisers taxiing to the right at McCook Field--sign on building in bg: THIS FIELD IS SMALL. USE IT ALL. Camera pans with the aircraft. 538' SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. THOUSANDS ARE EAGER TO WELCOME THE MEN WHO CIRCLED THE GLOBE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE NAME OF AMERICA. 554' MS a large crowd in bleachers--cars driving in front of bleachers. 568' CU flyer with a floral decoration over his shoulder, standing in open car, receiving the cheers from the crowd. 579' ARRIVING AT SAN FRANCISCO WHERE THE WARMTH OF THE POPULAR GREETING IS NOT DIMINISHED. 589' ASV three world cruisers. 602' LS a large crowd cheering. 615' CU the world cruisers stationary--pilots in front of the aircraft; crowd in fg. 625' THE TRAFFIC COPS HAD TO GIVE UP. 631' MS camera pans right with the open car carrying the pilots. After the car passes, the crowd pushes forward. 651' OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 656' ASV the three world cruisers flying to the left over the Rockies. Repeat same scene description to the right. 698' AMS world cruisers flying line abreast. 715' SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. END OF THE WORLD FLIGHT. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY AN AERIAL CIRCUIT OF THE GLOBE IS MADE AS U.S. AIRMEN LAND AT SEATTLE, THE POINT FROM WHICH THEY STARTED 176 DAYS AGO. 736' LS the world cruisers in flight. 761' MS world cruiser coming in for landing. 776' GREETED BY MAJOR MARTIN, WHO WAS FORCED OUT OF THE WORLD FLIGHT WHEN HIS PLANE WAS WRECKED IN ALASKA. 791' CU Major Martin as he greets the pilots. 807' LTS. NELSON, SMITH AND WADE. 812' CU posed picture of Lts. Nelson, Smith and Wade in dress uniforms. 820' AN EXACT PORTRAYAL OF THE UNPRECIDENTED FLIGHT BY AMERICA'S AIR CONQUERORS ANIMATED BY BURT GREEN. 831' Animations of the North American continent, pinpointing Alaska, where Major Frederick F. Martin crashed against mountain. Camera pans left to show the path which the world cruisers flew, pinpointing the place where Lt. Wade was forced down and wrecked, then follows the course to Seattle. 953' DISTANCE COVERED 27,534 MILES; ACTUAL FLYING TIME, 351 HOURS. 976' Total footage in reel. Fair to Good

Collection

Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities