Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In Big April 2011Newsletter
Hello World War 2 & jet aircraft fans –
You are invited to drop by Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/ for this month’s flight of six exciting aviation & combat documentary films playing over the Internet. All of the videos shown on our web site are for your free viewing pleasure.
NEW Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/ZenosWarbirds to see previously unreleased videos from Zeno’s vault, sneak previews of new projects and more!
Now showing “At the Matinee” at Zeno’s Drive-In
The Fight for the Sky 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. US fighters 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.
The 98th Bomb Group: B-24 Liberators Over Africa Exclusive original documentary. The US Air Force hit targets in Libya more than 60 years ago. This recently discovered footage shows Medal of Honor winner Col. John R. "Killer " Kane and the men of the 98th Bomb Group in the Summer of 1943, shortly before the heroic, Ploesti mission, at their desert base in Benghazi, Libya. You’ll see legendary B-24s like “The Vulgar Virgin,” “The Sandman,” and “War Cloud.” Several of these ships were filmed here for the last time before they were lost over Romania. There’s an unexpected gem too. Soon after the Axis surrender in Tunisia, 9th combat cameraman Jim Bray hitched a ride on a B-24 and filmed all the major North African targets the 98th had hit from the air from El Alemein to Tunis. You’ll see Tobruk, Tripoli, Benghazi, Bizerte and more from the air, the way pilots and crew saw them during the Desert War. This is a priceless time capsule
The Story of the Black Cat PBYs Enhanced edition, restored print. For the first time anywhere, we reveal the identities of the previously undisclosed secret PBY base shown in this film and the men who flew from it in this exclusive release. What was that mysterious plane swooping down out of the night sky on unsuspecting Japanese ships and bases, hundreds of miles from any known American airstrip? You’ll see in this good humored, affectionate film: the slow but deadly “Black Cat” PBY. The big twin engined Catalina’s super long range, all-weather capability, capacity to lug both bombs and radar, ability to loiter for hours hunting convoys and operate from anywhere in the PTO, made it an ideal naval night attack bomber.
Saipan Superforts Exclusive original documentary from Military Arts Pictures. Color with stereo sound!This recently discovered footage shows the 73rd Bomb Wing, based on the island of Saipan in the Marianas, operating against Japan in early 1945. You’ll see B-29 pilots & crews on R&R and on mission in their magnificent Superfortresses. The fates of many of the B-29s seen in this picture are documented during the film - some made the ultimate sacrifice. There’s a gallery of memorable 73rd Bomb Wing nose art too – all in living color. The maximum effort take-off scene is an awe inspiring combination of 18 cylinder engine roar and a musical score that’s guaranteed to raise goose bumps.
Boeing B-47 Stratojet Combat Maneuvers Exclusive Color Correction. In 1954 the Air Force conducted a series of maneuver tests that showcased the B-47’s outstanding agility, including 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 in the opposite direction at the top of the loop. Watching 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
US Caliber .30 M1 Rifle: Principles of Operation NEW During World War 2 the US infantry’s M-1 rifle gained legendary status, but it’s revolutionary role is still not fully appreciated. Designed by the brilliant John C. Garand, the M1 was the first semi-automatic rifle issued en masse to the army in the world. In 1936 after ten years of rigorous competition, it officially replaced the bolt-action Springfield M1903. Semiautomatic operation and an eight shot clip gave U S forces a big advantage in firepower and response time. General George Patton called the M1 “the greatest implement of battle ever devised.” The immediate impact of the M1 on the battlefield was one of the chief inspirations for the next generation of assault rifles. See how it works inside & out.
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! - don’t miss the F-86 & B-58!
Free admission for all. That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props & jets for free viewing over the Internet!
Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7 since 1997
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/
Now on Twitter http://twitter.com/ZenosWarbirds/
Web Videos: B-24s Over Libya, WW2 Fighter Action, PBYs, B-29s & the M1 Rifle
