EARLY HELICOPTER AND AUTOGIRO TESTS Part 1

Description

Summary: Coverage of early flights and tests of helicopters and autogiros flown by Mr. Leavitt from 1937-1943. Included are scenes of Pitcairn Model C-130 autogiro built for the RAF (approximately 1937) the Kellet YG-1C landing and taking off from in front of the US Capitol (approximately 1937), the P-V Engineering Forum (later the Piasecki Co.) Model P-V2 and earlier prototype in tests at Morton, Pennsylvania in 1943, and the Platt-Le Page XR-1 in tethered and free flights at Eddystone, Pennsylvania in 1941. ALS high angle of small airport in residential area of city. 20': MS FV pilot walking away from Pitcairn T-2 autogiro. 22': Scenes of pilot and other men. 25': MS FV low angle, two men talking -- two place open-cockpit biplane in bg. 31': MS FV pilot standing by cockpit of RAF Pitcairn Model C-130. 39': MS FV pan right to US Capitol with news heading superimposed: WASHINGTON D.C. HEARST. METROTONE NEWS -- AUTOGIRO CIRCUS DONE. 45': MS's to MCU's left FV low angle of Kellett YG-1C autogiro landing in front of Capitol building -- aircraft has civilian registration Marking. 47': CU left RV high angle pilot Mr. Lou Leavitt in cockpit of YG-1C. 48': MS to LS pan left with YG-1C taking off in front of Capitol. 51': Several MS's left FV pilot attempting tethered flight in a one-place stripped P-V2 helicopter (P-V was later Piasecki Co.) 79': CU left FV P-V2 -- pilot assisted by mechanic enters cockpit. 89': CU left SV cockpit and rotor hub of P-V2 as pilot starts engine. 100': Scenes of P-V2 lifting off ground, maneuvering, making 360 degree turn and fishtailing. 164': Several CU's FV and right SV of Platt-Le Page helicopter XR-1 tethered flight test. 185': Scenes of XR-1 right rotor hub and helicopter lifting off ground in tethered flight test. 201': Scenes of XR-1 tethered flight test, being pulled into hangar and in front of hangar. 226': CU right SV pilot Mr. Lou Leavitt in XR-1 cockpit. 229': Two MS's right FV of XR-1 in front of hangar with engine starting. 239': MS pan right with several men watching and photographing action. 247': MCU several men including Mr. Platt, Mr. Le Page, pilot Leavitt and Grover Loening talking. 252': MS right SV low angle XR-1 hovering -- truck and car parked in bg. 259': Scenes of XR-1 in flight, touching down and hovering a few feet off ground. 279': Two MS's left FV low angle of XR-1 hovering -- steam ship under construction in bg. 283': Series of CU's right FV low angle, XR-1 lifting and hovering just off ground. 307': Scenes of XR-1 hovering and in flight just off ground. 328': Series of MCU's right SV of XR-1 lifting, hovering and touching down. 386': MCU left SV of pilot Leavitt in XR-1 cockpit -- small boy at side of cockpit. 389': MCU RV man and boy at side of XR-1 cockpit -- pilot in cockpit. 391': MS FV four men and boy standing in line. 393': MS left SV of XR-1 lifting off ground. 395': CU right FV low angle XR-1 in flight -- camera pans to right rotor hub. 402': MS right SV XR-1 in flight. 406': MS right FV to left SV pan left with XR-1 flying sideways. 415': Total footage in reel. Fair (Basic: Print)

Collection

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

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities