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#21

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In November 2006 Newsletter

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com and take in this month’s parade of free World War II plane videos showing live online.

“At the Matinee,” we’re showing s triple feature: the P-47 squadron classic, “Thunderbolt,” carrier crews learn how to turn on a dime in, “Landing and re-spotting carrier aircraft” and B-25 and B-17 bombers of the 321st and 97th Bomb Group take on Rommel in “Bombers Over North Africa.”

“Thunderbolt!” (Color) This exciting film chronicles the exploits of the P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the “Fighting Gamecocks/” the 65th Fighter squadron, 57th Fighter Group. Based on the island of Corsica off the northwest coast of the Italian boot, they flew from behind the enemy’s flank. As part of “Operation Strangle,” they continuously attacked highways, bridges, ammo dumps, railroads and just about anything that moved to choke off the flow of supplies to the Axis front line. This film not only features one-of-a-kind P-47 combat footage, it also shows fascinating slices daily life work and play on a MTO forward air base, including vintage pilot slang.
“This has to be finest combination of great photography, a hard bitten, realistic script, stirring music, powerful narration and full bore Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59W Double Wasp radial engine roar I have seen or heard in a World War II documentary. Truly memorable and highly recommended.” Zeno

“Flight Deck Crews; Landing and Re-spotting Aircraft on a carrier.” (Color) Major air battles in the Pacific in World War II often turned on the ability of each side to quickly launch, land, rearm & refuel, and then re-launch their aircraft. This unique film is an unusual look (in color) at how US Navy carrier flight deck crews were trained to quickly land, park, fuel & re-arm incoming aircraft. As a bonus, you’ll see GM FM-1 “Wildcats” and Grumman TBF “Avengers” up close, handled expertly on the tiny deck of a CVE “jeep” escort carrier. Built on merchantmen hulls, the 78 jeeps were rushed into service for a variety of rolls, including anti-submarine war in the Atlantic and covering amphibious landings in the Pacific. Their greatest moment came on Oct. 35, 1944, in the battle of Samar in the Philippines, when the CVEs of Task Group 77.4 (Task units “Taffy 1, 2, 4”) launched a furious attack on Adm. Kurita’s overwhelming task force and caused it to retreat. The CVE St Lo was lost and several others were heavily damaged, but the landing at Leyte was successfully protected.

“Bombers Over North Africa” This is a rare look at early war US Air Operations in North Africa. B-25 and B-17 bombers of the 321st and 97th Bomb Group help cut off Rommel’s retreat from Tunisia. Part of the “North West African Strategic Air Force,” these groups were initially tasked with preventing men and material from reaching the Afrika Korps, and later with preventing them from escaping. The missions for the day of this film were to strike from bases in Algeria at the junction at Manouba, near Tunis, and the air field at Sidi Ahmed, near Bizerte, where a large number of extremely valuable JU 52 transports were based, a key element in German evacuation plans. (Ironically, the 321st would soon occupy Sidi Ahmed as their new base for the Sicilian campaign.) The film features an introduction by the theater commander, then 4 star General, Dwight Eisenhower and an afterward by Air Operations Commanding General “Jimmy” Doolittle.
Perhaps most memorably, this film is notable for it’s extended “up close and personal” look at the men of the 97th & 321st BGs. You’ll see real pre-mission and after action debriefing sessions with the men who flew them, including a B-17 crew’s account of an FW 190 shoot down and the water ditching of a heavily damaged B-25.

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 just been a jet aircraft sighting over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ props for free viewing over the internet. And, we just updated our “Control Tower” page, where you’ll find hundreds of World War II aviation links.

Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#22

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In December 2006 Newsletter

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com and take in this month’s Holiday Extravaganza of World War 2 plane videos showing live online.

At the Matinee, we’re playing s Quadruple Feature (!). You’ll see a dive bombing Mustang fan favorite in “A Day with the A-36s” (color); the Drive-In premier of an original color classic in “The Memphis Belle;” B-29s launch a long distance strike in “Target Tokyo;“ and a ground crew assemble a P-47 in a farmers field using unpowered hand tools in “Uncrating and Field Assembly of the P-47 Thunderbolt.” Whew – that’s a hot lineup for cold weather!

A Day with the A-36s
This unique documentary features very rare color combat footage of an A-36A “Invader,” (ground attack version of the P-51 Mustang) fighter/bomber squadron in action in Sicily. The A-36A was equipped with the Mustang’s original Allison engine, as opposed to the Rolls Royce Merlin adapted so successfully in the escort versions, which worked just fine for low level work. There are dive breaks on the wings too! You’ll also see ground crews doing their critical support work, including fueling, rearming and maintaining these sleek birds. This exciting film includes incredible cockpit views of actual ground attack runs as well as fascinating views of a captured air Italian base. One of the hidden gems in this film are up close views of captured or destroyed Axis aircraft, including an He 111, FW-190, Ju 88, and a rare view of an intact Italian Macchi 202 “Folgore” in full desert cammo.

The Memphis Belle”
This film chronicles the 25th mission of the Boeing B-17 Memphis Belle, flying deep into Germany to strike the all important U-boat submarine pens at Wilhemshaven. This is the original wartime documentary, written and directed by legendary Academy Award winner William Wyler. If this film looks and sounds familiar, it’s because this is the same production crew that brought you another wonderful classic, “Thunderbolt!.” (Don’t confuse this “original” Memphis Belle with the well intentionally but flawed Hollywood fluff piece produced in the 1990s.) You’ll see Capt. Robert Morgan and the men of the B-17 “Memphis Belle,” 324th Squadron, 91st BG, going about their deadly business in rare Technicolor footage. The mission shown in the film is both routine and climactic, because 25 missions completed meant the crew could rotate out of combat. (Too many never made it to 25 missions. Bomber losses were high.) It’s a measure of both the times and the men who flew these planes that several of the Belle’s crew signed on for more missions, finishing the War flying B-29s against Japan. See them in Target Tokyo. (below)

Target Tokyo
Follow the men of the 21st Bomber Command and their B-29 Super Fortresses from their training base in Grand Island, Nebraska, to the newly built air base at Saipan and right into the first 3,000 mile raid on Tokyo. Great up close and personal footage of the lives of air & ground crews, along with rare B-29 combat film shot on that first big raid on the Nakajima aircraft plant. Features cameos of crew members of the famous B-17 “Memphis Belle,” who signed up for another tour of duty to fly B-29s against Japan. Narrated by Ronald Reagan. This film is especially memorable for it’s dramatic use of photo-journalistic style black and white cinematography. It’s as if one of those great photo essays from a World War II issues of “Life” magazine was put right on the screen.

Uncrating and Field Assembly of the P-47 Thunderbolt
This truly remarkable step-by-step training film shows how a ground support crew of fifty men could assemble a P-47 in a field using nothing more than muscle, un-powered hand tools, and pieces of the shipping crate it came in. We’re talking nothing more than hammers, 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 buy field personnel. A must see for P-47 fans and shade tree mechanics alike! One of my personal favorites!

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 just been a jet aircraft sighting over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ props for free viewing over the internet. And, we just updated our “Control Tower” page, where you’ll find hundreds of World War II aviation links.

Have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#23

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In January 2007 Newsletter

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com for this month’s cavalcade of World War 2 plane videos playing live online.

As always, every film on our web site is showing for free.

This month “At the Matinee,” you’ll see “We Flew the Mig,” starring Chuck Yeager testing the first Mig 15 to fall into US hands, “P-47 Combat Operations,” where Jug pilot’s learn to deal with life and death situations, “Black Cat PBY,” the story of the USN’s night bombing ops in the Pacific, and “Target for Today,” the classic feature film documenting all aspects of an 8th Air Force raid into Germany in 1943,

  • We Flew the Mig – In September, 1953, a North Korean defector handed over the first Russian Mig 15 to fall into US hands. This was a momentous occasion because the Mig had proven to be a worthy adversary for the North American F-86 Sabre in the skies over Korea. You’ll see Chuck Yeager and other top test pilots putting the Mig through it’s paces and hear what they learned, along with a point by point performance comparison with the F-86. Nice footage of the Mig’s armaments too. Attentive Russian fans will no doubt pick up on the fact that some of the “faults” listed by the US test pilots - like problems with the heating & defrosting systems – were malfunctions in this particular aircraft and not endemic to the Mikoyan Bureau’s design.
  • P-47 Combat Operations This film was shown to fledgling Jug pilots before they shipped out to forward air bases around the world. This engrossing video features a half dozen real pilots flying real missions in a variety of roles in all theater of war, including very rare footage of Thunderbolt napalm attacks against Japanese pill boxes in the Pacific. You’ll hear the action described in their own words, including a liberal sprinkling of vintage pilot slang. Another fine narration by Ronald Reagan.
  • Black Cat PBY – 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? The answer was, as you’ll see in this good humored, affectionate film, the slow, ungainly, but deadly “Black Cat” PBY. Originally designed as a reconnaissance and antisubmarine amphibious patrol plane, 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 watery PTO, made it an ideal naval night attack bomber.
  • Target for Today – This is the classic World War II documentary details a “maximum effort” US Eighth Air Force daylight bombing mission deep into Germany. There are no actors. 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, are shown, from early planning through final crew debriefings. 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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the internet!

Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#24

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In February 2007 Newsletter

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com for this month’s hit parade of World War 2 plane videos playing live online.

As always, every film on our web site is showing for free.

This month “At the Matinee” you’ll see “The Last Bomb,” an Academy Award Nominee, with B-29s & P-51s striking Tokyo, “Air Attacks Against Italy,” featuring full bore US dive bombers, “Ramrod to Emden,” where the P-47 Thunderbolt aces of the 56th FG penetrate into Germany, and “Mission Accomplished,” the story of the first US 8th Air Force daylight B-17 strike in Europe.

  • “The Last Bomb” (color) vividly documents an almost forgotten chapter of World War II: the long range B-29 “Superfortress” bombing raids on Japan. Launched from hard won Pacific islands, these missions were over 3,000 miles round trip and could take 12 hours or more to complete. You’ll see the huge B-29 bases that were carved out on Guam, Tinian and Saipan. Rare Technicolor film documents all aspects of a XXI Bomber Command daylight raid carried out at just 12,000’ (!) on Tokyo in 1945. The mission is covered from planning by General Curtis LeMay and his staff, through fighter action and “bombs away,” to final touch down. You’ll also see spectacular color gun camera footage taken by escorting P-51 Mustangs, based on Iwo Jima. They ranged over southern Japan, seeking targets of opportunity in the air and on the deck. These P-51 sorties were among riskiest missions undertaken by any fighters during World War II. Just imagine – flying thousands of miles over trackless ocean in a single engine ship to take on the enemy!
  • Air Attacks Against Italy – More exciting from the cockpit views of A-36 Invader (aka “Apache”) dive bombing & strafing attacks.( The A-36, ground attack version of the P-51 Mustang, is also featured in our popular “A Day with the A-36s.”) This is a short film, but it’s nonstop action! Some of the best footage of US dive bombing attacks you will find anywhere. Watching these high speed, precision runs definitely benefits from a broadband internet connection if you have access to one.
  • Ramrod to Emden – The 56th Fighter Group (made up of the 61, 62 & 63 squadrons) was one of the most storied Air Corps units of World War II. Home to aces like David Schilling (22 kills), Frances “Gabby” Gabreski (28), Robert S. Johnson (27), Fred Christensen (21.5), Walker Mahurin (21), and CO Hubert “Hub” Zemke (18), the 56th blazed an early trail across the skies of the ETO in their massive, but deadly P-47 Thunderbolts. “Ramrod to Emden” is the story of the Dec 11, 1943 bomber escort mission (a.k.a. “a ramrod”) to Emden, Germany. As you’ll see in the film, the 56th encountered heavy, determined opposition from Germans, but it proved to be an exceptionally productive day.
  • Mission Accomplished: The story of the first US 8th Air Force daylight B-17 strike in Europe – On August 17, 1942 eighteen B-17Es from the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group, Eighth Bomber Command (later Eighth Air Force), performed the first daylight raid over Northern Europe by US heavy bombers. Escorted by RAF Spit Vs & IXs, 6 bombers ran a diversion along the French coast, while 12 more Fortresses attacked the primary target., the important rail yards at Sotteville, France, near Rouen. This mission was a crucial first step in establishing the efficacy of American daylight precision bombing doctrine.

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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#25

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In March 2007 Newsletter

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com for this month’s “finger four” of World War 2 plane videos playing live online.

As always, every film on our web site is showing for free.

This month “At the Matinee,” you’ll see the fighter action favorite “The Fight for the Sky,“ the Drive-In carrier classic, “The Fighting Lady,” low level bomber action over New Guinea in “Air Operations Lae-Salamaua”,” the irrepressible Ron Reagan learning to deal with those pesky Zekes in “Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter.”

“Fight For the Sky” In February of 1944 General Jimmy Doolittle “turned loose” 8th Air Force 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 combat cameramen with some of the most action packed, down and dirty World War II gun camera film you’ll see anywhere.

“The Fighting Lady” follows the fictional career of an Essex class aircraft carrier from the Marcus Islands campaign, through Tinian, Truk, the “Mariana’s Turkey Shoot” and much more. But don’t let the term “fictionalized” miss lead you. All of the footage shown in this fascinating composite documentary is real – shot on board ship and in the air, showing actual Navy and Marine pilots and crewmen up close and personal. ("The Fighting Lady was actually the nickname given to the Yorktowns, CV-5 & CV-10.)

“Air Operations Lae-Salamaua” covers a key battle of the oft-overlooked 1943 New Guinea campaign in the South Pacific. General Douglas MacArthur and his staff put together a brilliant combined arms strategy that utilized Air Power as a key element to leap frog over rugged jungle terrain and isolate and destroy Japanese strongholds. While tough Australian jungle fighters spearheaded the frontal ground assault, American paratroopers accompanied by Aussie light artillery volunteers dropped on, seized & secured a Japanese air base behind enemy lines so that an Aussie division could be ferried in on C-47s and attack the enemy from the rear. This film effectively uses maps & illustrations to show the strategy and tactics used in this this classic battle. In this almost impassable terrain, that made transport of heavy guns slow and difficult, air power functioned as “flying artillery.” You’ll see spectacular in cockpit views of B-25 Mitchell medium bomber making strafing runs on Japanese bases at tree top level as well as some of the first ever “on the deck” tail gunner views of delayed action and “para frag” bombs dropping & exploding right behind the hedge hopping Mitchells. Some nice A-20, B-24 & P-38 action footage too!

“Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter” Lieutenant “Jimmy Saunders” (Ronald Reagan) learns how to tell a P-40 from Japanese A6M Zero, the hard way. (That’s a very angry Craig Stevens aka “Peter Gunn” on the receiving end.) Contains plenty of interesting info about what US pilots were told about Japan’s most produced and feared fighter and how to spot it. Includes seldom seen footage of a captured Zero doing spectacular aerobatics. Even though this is “only” a 20-minute training film “the Gipper” gives a very convincing performance as the cocky yet apprehensive new P-40 pilot, Jimmy Saunders. This earnest commitment to give his very best, regardless of the size or scope of the job, was a hallmark of his long and distinguished career

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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#26

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In April 2007 Newsletter

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com for this month’s flight of World War 2 plane videos playing live online.

As always, every film on our web site is showing for free.

This month “At the Matinee” you’ll see a new film premier “Luftwaffe Finis,“ documenting the end of the German air force in living color, with Goering, Rudel, Galland & more; “Winged Artillery” (color), where 75mm canon firing B-25Gs raid a Japanese airbase on the deck; ”Angel in Overalls,” staring the versatile P-38 Lightning; and “Catapulting on a World War 2 Carrier” (color).

“Luftwaffe Finis” This original documentary is composed of recently discovered color film of top Luftwaffe leaders and pilots taken as they fell into Allied hands at the end of World War II. See Reichsmarschall Herman Goering, commander of Luftwaffe fighter forces Adolf Galland, Stuka pilot & tank buster supreme Hans Rudel and many more. Captured aircraft are shown as well, including an Me 262, the first jet fighter, and an FW 190. These color images make history come alive. (I was unable to identify a few of the figures shown in the final scene in the film. If you know who they are, please email Zeno zwarbirdmail@zenoswarbirdvideos.com. Include the time code on your video player when they appear and evidence, if you have any. Informed guesses are OK)

“Winged Artillery” Nine 75mm canon firing B-25Gs of the 48th Bomb Squadron, 7AAF, based on Apamama in the Gilbert Islands, conduct a hair raising tree top level strike on the Japanese air base on Mille. Also features amazingly well preserved and very rare color footage of daily life of air crew and ground personnel stationed on the islands. As a bonus, you’ll watch Sea Bees using heavy equipment to transform these hard won tropical atolls into fully functioning air bases and ground crews maintaining the Mitchell’s massive canons.

“Angel in Overalls. This film was developed to show US Lockheed P-38 production line workers the Lightning at war in a wide variety of combat roles. The dramatic framing for the piece involves a straggling B-24 that is saved from certain destruction by the arrival of “Angels in Overalls” – P-38s. You’ll see all aspects of Lightnings in action, including air-to-air gun camera, bombing, rocketing and photo recon. There’s a cameo by Air Corps P-38 ace of aces Dick Bong too. This dramatic film is a must see for all P-38 fans! The dramatic ending of this film brings home a sobering reminder that the life of the fighter pilot was risky and often dangerous. Many young pilots made the ultimate sacrifice.

"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. Built on merchant men hulls, the 78 jeeps were pressed into service for a variety of rolls, including anti submarine war in the Atlantic and covering amphibious landings in the Pacific.
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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#27

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In May 2007 Newsletter

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com and sample this month’s outstanding lineup of World War 2 plane videos playing live online.

As always, every film on our web site is showing for free.

This month “At the Matinee,” you’ll see a new film premier, “354th Fighter Group Color Scrapbook,“ featuring top P-51 aces in living color; “Thunderbolt” (color) the rock ‘em sock ‘em P-47 fighter/bomber classic; ”Combat America,” (color) Clark Gable’s tribute to the B-17 crews of the 351st BG; and “Bombers over North Africa,” where B-17s and B-25s of the 97th & 321st BGs” strike the retreating Afrika Korps.

“354th Fighter Group Color Scrapbook” Drive-In Premier – Exclusive!
Rare color film of the legendary 354 Fighter Group, with over 700 Kills, the highest scoring American unit in Europe. You’ll see great aces like G. T. Eagleston and the amazing B.W. Carr at work and at play in their newly captured base in Germany in Spring, 1945. Nice scenes with the group’s well known P-51Ds too, including “Margie Maru” and “Angel’s Playmate.” This was the first group to fly P-51s in the ETO, so they were known as “the Mustang Pioneers.”

“Thunderbolt!” A Drive-In favorite! This exciting film chronicles the exploits of the P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the “Fighting Gamecocks,” 65th Fighter squadron, 57th Fighter Group. Based on the island of Corsica off the northwest coast of the Italian boot, they flew from behind the enemy’s flank. As part of “Operation Strangle,” they attacked highways, bridges, ammo dumps, railroads and just about anything that moved. This film not only features one-of-a-kind P-47 combat footage, it also shows day-to-day life on a MTO forward airbase, including vintage pilot slang. “This has to be finest combination of great photography, a hard bitten, realistic script, stirring music, powerful narration and full bore Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59W Double Wasp radial engine roar I have seen or heard in a World War II documentary. Truly memorable and highly recommended.” Zeno

“Clark Gable’s Combat America” This warm hearted documentary was produced, written, directed, and narrated by movie star Clark Gable while he was on assignment with the 8th Air Force, developing a gunnery training film. Though it contains plenty of combat footage and doesn’t flinch in showing the high cost of war, in many ways, it’s more of a Kodachrome album than a “war information film.” Gable chronicles the experiences of the men of the 351 Bombardment Group from the morning mists of Colorado to the frigid skies over Germany. His affection and admiration for these men comes through loud and clear. Though he doesn’t mention it (and generally keeps in the background) Gable flew combat missions with the Group until he was ordered to stop by “the brass.” He was 42 and a Hollywood star, but he felt he couldn’t accurately portray the air war unless he shared the experiences of the men who fought it. He did. It shows.

“Bombers Over North Africa” This is a rare look at early war US Air Operations in North Africa. B-25 and B-17 bombers of the 321st and 97th Bomb Group help cut off Rommel’s retreat from Tunisia. Part of the “North West African Strategic Air Force,” these groups were initially tasked with preventing men and material from reaching the Afrika Korps, and later with preventing them from escaping. The missions for the day of this film were to strike from bases in Algeria at the junction at Manouba and the air field at Sidi Ahmed, where a large number of JU 52 transports were based, a vital element in German evacuation plans. This film is notable for it’s “up close and personal” look at the aircrews. You’ll see real pre-mission and after action debriefing sessions with the men who flew them, including one B-17 crew’s account of an FW 190 shoot down and the water ditching of a heavily damaged B-25.

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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#28

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In June 2007 Newsletter

Hello World War II plane fans —

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In and sample this month’s memorable lineup of World War 2 plane videos playing live online at www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com.

As always all the videos on our web-site are free for your viewing pleasure.
This month “At the Matinee,” you’ll see a new film premier, “Saipan Superforts,” plus "Flight Deck Crew: Landing & Respotting Carrier Aircraft, “The Memphis Belle,” and the RAF classic “Target For Tonight.”

Saipan Superforts (color) New! 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. You’ll see a gallery of memorable 73rd Bomb Wing nose art too – all in living color. "The “maximum effort” take-off scene in stereo sound is an awe inspiring combination of 18 cylinder engine roar and a musical score that’s guaranteed to raise goose bumps. If your PC is hooked up to a robust sound system, I suggest you crank it up. IMHO, this is one heck of an evocative film!

Flight Deck Crew: Landing & Respotting Carrier Aircraft (color) Major air battles in the Pacific in World War II often turned on the ability of each side to quickly launch, land, rearm & refuel, and then relaunch their aircraft. This unique film is an unusual look (in color) at how US Navy carrier flight deck crews were trained to turn around their planes quickly. As a bonus, you’ll see GM FM-1 “Wildcats” and Grumman TBF “Avengers” up close, handled expertly on the tiny deck of a CVE “jeep” escort carrier. An unscripted, unplanned highlight occurred during the filming – a TBF came in too hot and crashed on the flight deck! Fortunately, no one was hurt. We just finished digitally restoring the color balance on this film in time for this month’s Matinee and it looks great.

The Memphis Belle (color) This classic film chronicles the 25th mission of the Boeing B-17 Memphis Belle against the U-boat pens at Wilhemshaven. This is the original wartime documentary, written and directed by legendary Academy Award winner William Wyler. If this film looks and sounds familiar, it’s because this is the same production crew that brought you another wonderful classic, “Thunderbolt!.” (Don’t confuse this “original” Memphis Belle with the well intentioned but flawed Hollywood fluff piece produced in the 1990s.) You’ll see Capt. Robert Morgan and the men of the B-17 “Memphis Belle,” 324th Squadron, 91st BG, going about their deadly business in rare Technicolor footage. The mission shown in the film is both routine and climactic, because 25 missions completed meant the crew could rotate out of combat. (Too many never made it to 25 missions. Bomber losses were high.) It’s a measure of both the times and the men that several of the Belle’s crew signed on for many more dangerous missions, finishing the War flying B-29s against Japan.

Target for Tonight follows the crew of “F for Freddie,” a Vicker’s Wellington medium bomber (Millerton Station, Group 33), through an entire low level night mission attacking a oil storage depot at a rail yard. Notice how the film highlights the participation of not only servicemen from all classes from around the British Isles, but also Canadians and a navigator that sounds a lot like a Yank volunteer. The film exemplifies the understatement, dry humor, and “business as usual” approach typical of British information films of the period, along with a clear “get the job done” attitude.

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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the internet!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-38 fans everywhere!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#29

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In July 2007 Newsletter

Hello World War 2 plane fans —

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In and enjoy this month’s memorable lineup of World War 2 plane videos playing live online at www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com .

As always all the videos on our web-site are free for your viewing pleasure. July 15th marks our 10th anniversary as an Internet video landmark! (“YouTube” who?)

This month “At the Matinee,” you’ll see:

“We Flew the Mig” In September, 1953, a North Korean defector handed over the first Russian Mig 15 to fall into US hands. This was a momentous occasion because the Mig had proven to be a worthy adversary for the North American F-86 Sabre in the skies over Korea. The Mig was immediately subjected to comprehensive testing. You’ll see Chuck Yeagar and other top test pilots putting the Mig through it’s paces and hear what they learned, along with a point by point performance comparison with the F-86. Nice footage of the Mig’s armaments too. Attentive Russian fans will no doubt pick up on the fact that some of the “faults” listed by the US test pilots - like problems with the heating & defrosting systems – were malfunctions in this particular aircraft and not endemic to the Mikoyan bureau’s design.

“A Day with the A-36s” This documentary (a full version unique to the Drive-In) features very rare color combat footage of an A-36A “Invader,” (ground attack version of the P-51 Mustang) fighter/bomber squadron in action in Sicily. The A-36A was equipped with the Mustang’s original Allison engine, as opposed to the Rolls Royce Merlin adapted so successfully in the escort versions, which worked just fine for low level work. There are dive breaks on the wings too! You’ll also see ground crews doing their critical support work, including fueling, rearming and maintaining these sleek birds. This exciting film includes incredible cockpit views of actual ground attack runs as well as fascinating views of a captured air Italian base. One of the hidden gems in this film are up close views of captured or destroyed Axis aircraft, including an He 111, FW-190, Ju 88, and a rare view of an intact Italian Macchi 202 “Folgore” in full desert cammo.

“Uncrating and Field Assembly of the P-47 Thunderbolt” This truly remarkable step-by-step training film shows how a ground crew of fifty men could assemble a P-47 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, 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!

“Target for Today” The 8th Air Force Strikes Germany 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. While the film doesn’t sugar coat the cost of these raids, there’s no doubt that it also over states the effectiveness and sustainability of the American bombing campaign at that time Losses were not sustainable. (The audible moan from aircrew when the targets and bombing altitudes are announced are all too real.)

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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 15 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-38 fans everywhere!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#30

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In August 2007 Newsletter

Hello World War 2 plane fans —

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In - World War 2 airplane videos playing live online and sample this month’s solid lineup of five World War 2 plane videos playing live online. August 1 was the 64th anniversary of epic low level raids on the Ploesti oil fields in Romania. We’re marking the occasion with two films on the Ploesti missions and another on the remarkable B-24 Liberator bomber that was flown on that amazing long range attack.
Now showing At the Matinee

Medal of Honor: Ploesti August 1, 1943 On August 1, 1943 specially trained elements of the 8th and 9th Air Forces flying B-24 Liberators based in Benghazi Libya launched a daring low level attack on Ploesti, over 1,200 miles away. They struck hard, but the cost was high. Unescorted by fighters and coming in literally at tree top level to surprise the enemy, 54 out of 162 of the attacking bombers were lost, along with 540 American air crew. Every member of the attacking force was awarded a medal, including 5 Medals of Honor, the highest decoration awarded by the U.S. military. Of the Medal of Honor recipients, only Col. Leon Johnson, 44th Bomb Group, and Col. Jon “Killer” Kane, 98th Bomb Group, survived the mission.
Air Siege Ploesti March to August 1944 The capture of the Foggia airfield in on the Adriatic coast in Italy in 1944 provided the 15th Air Force with a new base to launch a new series of new attacks on Ploesti. This time, B-17s and B-24s attacked with fighter escort at high altitude. Losses were again heavy, with over 1,800 air crew lost to FLAK and enemy fighters. Accuracy suffered when defenders used smoke pots to obscure the target, so P-38s were used as dive bombers to penetrate the defenses. Soon P-51s helped to achieve total air superiority over the target. By the end of the Ploesti air campaign in the fall of 1944, 90% of Romania’s oil production was knocked out at a cost of 270 bombers and 49 fighters and their crews. Narrated by Ronald Reagan.

Ramrod to Emden The 56th Fighter Group (made up of the 61, 62 & 63 squadrons) was one of the most storied Air Corps units of World War II. Home to aces like David Schilling (22 kills), Frances “Gabby” Gabreski (28), Robert S. Johnson (27), Fred Christensen (21.5), Walker Mahurin (21), and CO Hubert “Hub” Zemke (18), the 56th blazed an early trail across the skies of the ETO in their massive, but deadly P-47 Thunderbolts. “Ramrod to Emden” is the story of the Dec 11, 1943 bomber escort mission (aka “a ramrod”) to Emden, Germany. As you’ll see in the film, the 56th encountered heavy, determined opposition from Germans, but it proved to be an exceptionally productive day. With Lt. Col. Schilling leading 50 planes of the group, they claimed 17-0-5, with two aircraft lost in a midair collision and no aircraft lost to enemy action. Allied bomber losses were minimal.

Mission to Rabaul 12th October, 1943 The island of Rabaul, located in the southwest Pacific, northeast of New Guinea, was one of two strategic lynchpins for the Japanese, the other being the Island of Truk. The Japanese poured tens of thousands of troops, hundreds of airplanes, and thousands of tons of supplies onto Rabaul to make it a mighty fortress. Douglas MacArthur’s brilliant solution to the Rabaul challenge was to isolate it, slowly starve it, and bypass it – rather than assault it. One of the key steps in this strategy was the seizure of airfields in northern New Guinea to base Army P-38 fighters that would escort bombers on long range missions against the heavily defended Japanese stronghold. By the end of the War, once mighty Rabaul was cut off and reduced to a virtual prison for the starving Japanese. “Mission to Rabaul” shows how each piece of this classic campaign culminated inevitably in the first escorted, massed bomber strike on 12th October, 1943. The film focuses on the decisive and revolutionary impact of the air component, including high & low level attacks, parachute drops, and re-supply. You’ll see amazing on the deck footage from attacking A-20s and B-25s.

B-24s Get Back! This remarkable film shows how B-24s overcame incredible battle damage to bring their crews home. Numerous examples of seemingly critically damaged B-24s making it back. This is a fascinating instructional training film too with specific techniques to bring your badly crippled ship down safely. Some great B-24 combat footage too.

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 just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-38 fans everywhere & remarkable new P-61 footage!

Tally-ho!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos celebrating 10 years on the Internet 1997-2007 Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In - World War 2 airplane videos playing live online

#31

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In September 2007 Newsletter

Hello World War 2 plane fans —

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com and sample this month’s solid lineup of four vintage WW2 combat aircraft documentary films playing live online “At the Matinee.”.

NEW: We just added photo tours of the Collings Foundation’s B-17 “Nine O Nine” and B-24 “Witchcraft,” that we shot last 4th of July in Fort Collins Colorado. For your viewing pleasure, there are more than 200 color pics of these magnificently preserved aircraft. It was a privilege to step aboard these amazing World War II survivors.

Now showing “At the Matinee”

THE FIGHTING 51ST Drive-In Premier! This seldom seen documentary was produced by the US Air Force during the Korean War. You’ll see members of all sections of the 'Fighting 51st" Fighter Group and their F-86 Sabres in action. The film covers a typical mission, from planning through touchdown. One of the highlights of the film is an address by Francis “Gabby” Gabreski, legendary World War II ace and CO of the 51st in Korea. (He can also be see in the briefing room back in 1944 in “Ramrod to Emden.”

THE FIGHT FOR THE SKY A Drive-n 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.

THE FIGHTING LADY follows the fictional career of an Essex Class aircraft carrier from the Marcus Islands campaign, through Tinian, Truk, the “Mariana’s Turkey” and much more. But don’t let the term “fictional” mislead you. All of the footage shown in this fascinating composite documentary is real – shot by combat cameramen on board ship and in the air, showing actual Navy and Marine pilots and crewmen up close and personal. ("The Fighting Lady was the nickname given to the Yorktowns, CV-5 & CV-10.) You’ll see dramatic action showing Hellcats, Hell Divers, Corsairs on deck and in the air, including exciting dive bombing, anti-aircraft, and gun camera footage and some amazing walkaway crash landings. And there’s a fascinating tour below decks too. But most memorably, you’ll see the faces of the officers and enlisted men of the “Fighting Lady” at work and at rest, making it all possible. Powerfully narrated by Hollywood legend Lt. Robert Taylor and directed by Academy Award winner William Wyler. This is one of the half dozen “classic” documentaries to come out of World War II.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! On August 17, 1942 eighteen B-17Es from the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group, Eighth Bomber Command (later Eighth Air Force) from Grafton Underwood, performed the first daylight raid over Northern Europe by US heavy bombers. Escorted by RAF Spit Vs & IXs, 6 bombers ran a diversion along the French coast, while 12 more Fortresses attacked the primary target., the important rail yards at Sotteville, France, near Rouen. This mission was a crucial first step in establishing the efficacy of American daylight precision bombing doctrine. Success of the raid was vital so that VIII Bomber Command CO Gen Ira C. Eaker went along for the ride in B-17E "Yankee Doodle. Click here for more info on the Sotteville Raid. Though small in scale, the raid was a success, with precision hits on important rail assets, with only two Fortresses sustaining minor damage. Lucky for us, combat cameramen recorded this historic action from briefing through "bombs away

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!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-38 fans everywhere!

Tally-ho!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 10 years on the Internet 1997-2007 http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#32

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In October 2007 Newsletter

Hello World War 2 plane fans —

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com and partake of this month’s colorful lineup of four vintage WW2 combat aircraft documentary films playing for free, “live online.”

Now showing “At the Matinee”

LUFTWAFFE FINIS (Color, 1945) Exclusive production. This original documentary is composed of recently discovered color film of top Luftwaffe leaders and pilots taken as they fell into Allied hands at the end of World War II. See Reichsmarschall Herman Goering, commander of Luftwaffe fighter forces Adolf Galland, Stuka pilot & tank buster supreme Hans Rudel and many more. Captured aircraft are shown as well, including a Me 262, the first jet fighter, and an FW 190. These color images make history come alive. I was unable to identify a few of the figures shown in the final scene in the film. If you know who they are, please email Zeno through our website. Include the time code on your video player when they appear and evidence, if you have any.

WINGED ARTILLERY (Color, 1944) Nine 75mm canon firing B-25Gs of the 48th Bomb Squadron, 7AAF, based on Apamama in the Gilbert Islands, conduct a hair raising tree top level strike on the Japanese air base on Mille. Also features amazingly well preserved and very rare color footage of daily life of aircrew and ground personnel stationed on the islands. As a bonus, you’ll watch Sea Bees using heavy equipment to transform these hard won tropical atolls into fully functioning air bases and ground crews maintaining the Mitchell’s massive canons.

THE LAST BOMB (Color, 1945, newly restored) vividly documents an almost forgotten chapter of World War II: the long range B-29 “Superfortress” bombing raids on Japan. These missions were over 3,000 miles round trip and could take 12 hours or more to complete. You’ll see the huge B-29 bases that were carved out on Guam, Tinian and Saipan. Rare late war Technicolor film, shot by combat camera men, documents all aspects of a XXI Bomber Command daylight strike carried out at just 12,000’ (!) on Tokyo in 1945. The mission is covered from planning by General Curtis LeMay and his staff, through fighter action and “bombs away,” to final touch down. You’ll see spectacular color gun camera footage taken by escorting P-51 Mustangs, based on Iwo Jima. They ranged over southern Japan, seeking targets of opportunity in the air and on the deck. These P-51 sorties were among the longest and riskiest missions undertaken by any fighters during World War II. Just imagine – flying thousands of miles over trackless ocean in a single engine ship to take on the enemy over their territory!

BLACK CAT PBY (B&W, 1944) What was that mysterious plane swooping down out of the night sky on unsuspecting Japanese ships, hundreds of miles from any known American airstrip? The answer was, as you’ll see in this good humored, affectionate film, the slow, ungainly, but deadly “Black Cat” PBY. Originally designed primarily as a reconnaissance and antisubmarine amphibious patrol plane, 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 watery PTO, made it an ideal naval night attack bomber. These black painted PBY “VPB” (’”Patrol Bombing") squadrons spread destruction and chaos far out of proportion to their relatively small numbers. A frequent tactic was to cut their engines and float in almost silently on their prey. As this film shows, night ops were very risky, but the rewards could be huge, including the sinking of a 6,000-ton Katori class light cruiser by Lt. William B Sumpler, of VPB-33, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross.

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!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-38 fans everywhere!

Tally-ho!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 10 years on the Internet 1997-2007 http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#33

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In November 2007 Newsletter

Hello World War 2 plane fans —

Today (and every day) honor our Veterans.

You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com to view this month’s memorable collection of four WW2 combat aircraft documentary films playing for free, live on line. These films were all produced during the War and provide a unique widow on our past.
Now showing “At the Matinee”

354th Fighter Group Color Scrapbook New! Exclusive production. Rare color film of the legendary 354 Fighter Group, with over 700 Kills, the highest scoring American unit in Europe. You’ll see great aces like G.T.Eagleston and B.W. Carr at work and at play in their newly captured base in Germany in Spring, 1945, only a few months before war’s end. Nice scenes with the group’s well known P-51Ds too, including “Margie Maru” and “Angel’s Playmate.” This was the first group to fly P-51s in the ETO. They were known as the “Mustang Pioneers.” Amazing color gun camera film!

Thunderbolt! A Drive-n Favorite. This exciting film chronicles the exploits of the P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the “Fighting Gamecocks” of the 65th Fighter squadron, 57th Fighter Group. Based on the island of Corsica off the northwest coast of the Italian boot, they flew from behind the enemy’s flank. As part of “Operation Strangle,” they continuously attacked highways, bridges, ammo dumps, railroads and just about anything that moved to choke off the flow of supplies to the Axis front line. This film not only features one-of-a-kind P-47 combat footage, it also shows day-to-day life on a MTO forward air base, including vintage pilot slang. "This has to be finest combination of great photography, a hard bitten, realistic script, stirring music, powerful narration and full bore Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59W Double Wasp radial engine roar I have seen or heard in a World War II documentary. Truly memorable and highly recommended.

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. Built on merchant men hulls, the 78 jeeps were pressed into service for a variety of rolls, including anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic and covering amphibious landings in the Pacific. Their greatest moment came on Oct. 25, 1944, in the Battle of Samar in the Philippines, when the CVEs of Task Group 77.4 (Task units Taffy 1, 2 & 4) launched a furious attack on Adm. Kurita’s massive task force and caused it to retreat in confusion. The CVE St Lo was lost and several others were heavily damaged, but the landing at Leyte was successfully protected.

Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter with Ronald Reagan Lieutenant “Jimmy Saunders” (Ronald Reagan) learns how to tell a P-40 from Japanese A6M Zero, the hard way. (That’s a very angry Craig Stevens aka “Peter Gunn” on the receiving end.) Contains plenty of interesting info about what US pilots were told about Japan’s most produced and feared fighter and how to spot it. Includes seldom seen footage of a captured Zero doing spectacular aerobatics. Even though this is “only” a 20-minute training film “the Gipper” gives a very convincing performance as the cocky yet apprehensive new P-40 pilot, Jimmy Saunders. This earnest commitment to give his very best, regardless of the size or scope of the job, was a hallmark of his long and distinguished career

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!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-38 fans everywhere! (Almost ready!)

Tally-ho!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 10 years on the Internet 1997-2007 http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

#34

As always Zeno, thanks for your links. They are always very good.

#35

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In December 2007 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 action packed collection of five WW2 combat aircraft documentary films playing for free, on line. And there’s a Christmas present from Zeno – two new films premiering at the Drive-In!

Now showing “At the Matinee”

“The Back Door Gang: 430th FS Color Scrapbook” (Color) Premier! Drive-In Exclusive. Newly discovered color film of the 430th FS, 474th FG, 9th Air Force. From the get go, the 474th was configured as a P-38 ground attack unit, though they also provided bomber escort and level bombing, led by Norden equipped “Droop Snoops.” One of three P-38 squadrons in the 474th, the 430th’s, call sign was “Back Door,” and its planes and pilots are featured in this film from the Spring of 1945 at their base in Florennes, Belgium, a former Luftwaffe Night Fighter base. You’ll see intense (and rare) color gun camera film showing strafing attacks inside Germany, as well as color footage of B-26s and a P-61 Black Widow. Perhaps most memorable are the all too brief, silent portraits of the men who flew those dangerous missions. It’s amazing how color film brings 60+ year old images to life.

“Target Invisible” Premier! Remarkable documentary on how airborne radar was used for navigation and bombing on B-29 night strikes against Japan. Rare footage of radar in action on an actual Superfortress mission. This story was so highly classified, it couldn’t be told to the American people until after Japan surrendered.

“A Day with the A-36s” (Color) Exclusive version. This unique documentary features very rare color combat footage of an A-36A “Invader,” (ground attack version of the P-51 Mustang) fighter/bomber squadron in action in Sicily. The A-36A was equipped with the Mustang’s original Allison engine, as opposed to the Rolls Royce Merlin adapted so successfully in the escort versions, which worked just fine for low level work. There are dive breaks on the wings too! This exciting film includes incredible cockpit views of actual ground attack runs as well as fascinating views of a captured air Italian base. One of the hidden gems in this film are up close views of captured or destroyed Axis aircraft, including an He 111, FW-190, Ju 88, and a rare view of an intact Italian Macchi 202 “Folgore” in full desert cammo.

“The Memphis Belle” (Color) chronicles the 25th mission of the Boeing B-17 Memphis Belle, flying into Germany to strike the all important U-boat submarine pens at Wilhemshaven. This is the original wartime documentary, written and directed by legendary Academy Award winner William Wyler. (Don’t confuse this “original” Memphis Belle with the well intentioned but flawed Hollywood fluff piece produced in the 1990s.) You’ll see Capt. Robert Morgan and the men of the B-17 “Memphis Belle,” 324th Squadron, 91st BG, going about their deadly business in rare Technicolor footage. The mission shown in the film is both routine and climactic, because 25 missions completed meant the crew could rotate out of combat. It’s a measure of both the times and the men who flew these planes that several of the Belle’s crew signed on for more missions, finishing the War flying B-29s against Japan. (See them in Target Tokyo.)

“Target Tokyo” Follow the men of the 21st Bomber Command and their B-29 Super Fortresses from their training base in Grand Island, Nebraska, to the newly built air base at Saipan and right into the first 3,000 mile raid on Tokyo. Great up close and personal footage of the lives of air & ground crews, along with rare B-29 combat film shot on that first big raid on the Nakajima aircraft plant. Features cameos of crew members of the famous B-17 “Memphis Belle,” who signed up for another tour of duty to fly B-29s against Japan. Narrated by Ronald Reagan with outstanding life Magazine style Black and White cinematography

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!

Happy Holidays!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 10 years on the Internet 1997-2007 http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

New Online Vids: Back Door P-38s & Target Invisible, plus Memphis Belle, A-36’s, more

#36

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In January 2008 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 action packed collection of five WW2 combat aircraft documentary films playing for free viewing online.

Now showing “At the Matinee”

“We Flew the Mig” In September 1953, a North Korean defector handed over the first Russian Mig 15 to fall into US hands. This was a momentous occasion because the Mig had proven to be a worthy adversary for the North American F-86 Sabre in the skies over Korea. The Mig was immediately subjected to comprehensive testing. You’ll see Chuck Yeagar and other top test pilots putting the Mig through it’s paces and hear what they learned, along with a point by point performance comparison with the F-86. Nice footage of the Mig’s armaments too. Attentive Russian fans will no doubt pick up on the fact that some of the “faults” listed by the US test pilots - like problems with the heating & defrosting systems – were malfunctions in this particular aircraft and not endemic to the Mikoyan bureau’s design.

“Uncrating and Field Assembly of the P-47 Thunderbolt” This truly remarkable step-by-step training film shows how a ground support crew of fifty men could assemble a P-47 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, 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 Landing & Re-spotting Carrier Aircraft” (Color) Major air battles in the Pacific in World War II often turned on the ability of each side to quickly launch, land, rearm & refuel, and then re-launch their aircraft. This unique film is an unusual look (in color) at how US Navy carrier flight deck crews were trained to quickly land, park, fuel & re-arm incoming aircraft. As a bonus, you’ll see GM FM-1 “Wildcats” and Grumman TBF “Avengers” up close, handled expertly on the tiny deck of a CVE “jeep” escort carrier. An unscripted, unplanned highlight during the filming was when a TBF came in too hot and crashed on the flight deck! Fortunately, no one was hurt.

“Air Attacks Against Italy: A-36 strikes near Rome, April 1944” More exciting “from the cockpit” views of A-36 Invader (aka “Apache”) dive bombing & strafing attacks.( The A-36, ground attack version of the P-51 Mustang, is also featured in our popular “A Day with the A-36s.”) This is a short film, but it’s nonstop action! Some of the best footage of US dive bombing attacks you will find anywhere. Watching these high speed, precision runs definitely benefits from a broadband internet connection if you have access to one.

“Target for Today” The 8th Air Force Strikes Germany. 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… While the film doesn’t sugar coat the cost of these raids, there’s no doubt that it also over states the effectiveness and sustainability of the American bombing campaign at that time Losses were not sustainable. (The audible moan from air crew when the targets and bombing altitudes are announced are all too real.)

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!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-47 Thunderbolt fans everywhere!

Happy New Year!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 10 years on the Internet http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

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Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In February 2008 Newsletter

Hello World War 2 plane fans —

You’re invited to drop your flaps & drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com to view this month’s unique selection of four WW2 air combat documentary films playing online.

As always, all of the flicks showing on our web site are free, for the viewing pleasure of our audience.

Now showing “At the Matinee”

“Saipan Superforts” (Color) A new, exclusive presentation from Military Arts Pictures that’s already a favorite of B-29 vets and their families. 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 silver Boeing Superfortresses. The fates of many of the B-29s seen in this picture are documented during the film. You’ll see 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. This film is very evocative of Pacific B-29 operations in the Spring of 1945.

Angel in Overalls This film was developed to show US Lockheed P-38 production line workers the Lightning at war in a wide variety of combat roles. The dramatic framing for the piece involves a straggling B-24 that is saved from certain destruction by the arrival of “Angels in Overalls” – P-38s. You’ll see all aspects of Lightnings in action, including air-to-air gun camera, bombing, rocketing and photo recon. There’s a cameo by Air Corps P-38 ace of aces Dick Bong too. This dramatic film is a must see for all P-38 fans! The dramatic ending of this film brings home a sobering reminder that the life of the fighter pilot was risky and often dangerous. Many young pilots made the ultimate sacrifice.

Clark Gable’s “Combat America” (Color) This warm hearted documentary was produced, written, directed, and narrated by movie star Clark Gable while he was on assignment with the 8th Air Force, developing a gunnery training film. Though it contains plenty of combat footage and doesn’t flinch in showing the high cost of war in the air, in many ways, it’s more of a warm home movie than a hard bitten, wartime “information” film. Gable chronicles the experiences of the men of the 351 Bombardment Group from the cool early morning mists of Colorado to the frigid skies over Germany. His affection and admiration for these men comes through loud and clear. This film is like a Kodachrome album out of the past, giving us snapshots of life on a front line air base in 1943. Though he doesn’t mention it in the film (and generally keeps himself in the background) Gable flew combat missions with the Group until he was ordered to stop by “the brass.” He was 42 at the time and, of course, a Hollywood Star. But, he felt he couldn’t accurately portray the air war unless he shared the experiences of the men who fought it. He did. It shows.

“Target for Tonight” Last month, we saw a massive US 8th Air Force bombing mission into Germany in “Target for Today.” This month we’ll see how the Brits did it. “Target for Tonight” follows the crew “F for Freddie,” a Vicker’s Wellington medium bomber (Millerton Station, Group 33), through an entire low level night mission attacking a oil storage depot at a rail yard. Notice how the film highlights the participation of not only servicemen from all classes from around the British Isles, but also Canadians and a navigator that sounds a lot like a Yank volunteer. The film exemplifies the understatement, dry humor, and “business as usual” approach typical of British information films of the period, along with a clear “get the job done” attitude.

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!
Coming soon: A new film that will fire up the engines of P-47 Thunderbolt fans everywhere – including a shoot down of an Me 262!

That’s over 16 hours of rockin’ World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Coming soon: A new film that will fire up the engines of P-47 Thunderbolt fans everywhere – including a shoot down of an Me 262!

Tally-ho!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 10 years on the Internet 1997-2007 http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com

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Online Videos: Saipan B-29s, RAF Night Attack, P-38s, Gable’s ‘17s & More