Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In Big March 2009 Newsletter
Hello World War 2 plane fans —
You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com to view this month’s powerful collection of six memorable documentary films, including two Premieres.
As always, all of our films show for free, for the enjoyment of World War II aviation fans everywhere.
Now showing “At the Matinee”
“Stratojet: Meet Your Boeing B-47 Premiere COLOR
With the launch of the B-47 Stratojet, the US Air Force jumped in a single decade from B-17 bombers lumbering at 200 mph over Germany to a 600 mph jet capable of hitting intercontinental targets. As the USA’s first swept-wing multi-engine bomber, she was one of the most influential bombers in aircraft history. 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 on a training mission that simulates a night attack on a target inside 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.
“The Capture of U-505” NEW
In June, 1944, Task Force “Guadalcanal,” composed of the escort aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60), and five destroyer escorts under the Commander Frederick S. Hall were on station off the Cape Verde Islands, where code intercepts placed German U-boats. Hall’s objective to capture an intact German sub for the first time. He developed specific tactics that led to the dramatic seizure, on June 4th, of U-505 before she could be scuttled. How Hall’s did it is the subject of this fascinating film that shows the operation as it happened.
“The Fight For The Sky: Allied fighters win air superiority over Europe” A Drive-In favorite!
In February of 1944, General Jimmy Doolittle “turned loose” his fighters to go after the Luftwaffe where they lived. This marked a radical change in strategy from the disastrous tactics of 1943 that kept escorting fighters chained to bombers. Now, US fighters, including the P-51, probed deep into Germany, catching the opposition on the ground, inflicting mortal damage. This feature combines thrilling combat footage filmed by 8th Air Force combat cameramen with some of the most action packed, down and dirty World War II gun camera film you’ll ever see.
“Uncrating and Field Assembly of the P-47 Thunderbolt” One of Zeno’s favorite flix!
This truly remarkable step-by-step training film shows how a ground support crew of fifty men could assemble a massive P-47 Thunderbolt fighter in a field using nothing more than muscle, unpowered hand tools, and pieces of the shipping crate it came in. We’re talking nothing more than hammers, screw drivers, wrenches and bicycle pumps! You’ll also get a unique look at the inner workings of the big Jug as it is literally bolted together by field personnel. A must see for P-47 fans and shade tree mechanics alike!
Flight Deck Crew: Catapulting on a Carrier
Small World War II aircraft carriers depended on their catapults. This unique film offers a rare look (in color) at how US Navy carrier crews were trained to operate hydraulic catapults to launch aircraft, even from very short decks. As a bonus, you’ll see GM FM-1 “Wildcats” up close, handled expertly on the tiny deck of a CVE “jeep” escort carrier.
“Target for Today” Return of a Drive-In Favorite
This is the classic World War II documentary of a “maximum effort” US Eighth Air Force daylight bombing mission deep into Germany. There are no actors in “Target For Today”. This film was shot on location under combat conditions and features the officers and men of the 8th Air Force going about their deadly business. All aspects of an actual major raid in 1943, including a strike on the FW 190 plant at Marienburg, from early planning through final touch down and crew debriefings are covered in this very detailed account. There is probably no better account of the theory, strategy and tactics of an unescorted US Army Air Force bomber raid in early 1943.
If you haven’t stopped by Zeno’s Drive-In before, we also feature 1940-45 vintage WWII Army & Navy films and pilot’s manuals on how to fly the F4U, F6F, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51, P-61, TBF/TBM, AT-6/SNJ, B-17, B-24, B-25, A-20, A-26, B-26, B-29, and Stearman N2S .Alert! – Alert! There’s been an F-86 jet sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!
That’s over 16 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!
Tally-ho!
Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 12 years on the Internet 1997-2009 http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com
PS, If you have any concerns about using the RealNetworks RealPlayer to watch our videos, I recommend using the “RealAlternative” media player instead. (It’s what I use.) It will play RealVideo files just fine, is independently produced, and has none of the vices (adverts etc) of RealNetworks RealPlayer. You can download the RealAlternative player here:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htm
Online Vids: B-47 Stratojets, U-505 taken!, Bolting a T-Bolt, WW2 Fighter Fest & More