Stop by Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In (
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com) and catch our newest plane, the North American AT-6/SNJ advanced trainer. Four classic training flicks featuring the SNJ version are now available for free online viewing.
Probably the most produced (17,000+) "Advanced Trainer" in history, used by the US Air Corps (AT-6) , Navy (SNJ) and by many other countries (notably the RAF and the RCAF as the "Harvard"), this handy little aircraft was an important step for tens of thousands of pilots on the road to certification for combat aircraft. In service well into the 1950s and renowned for her nimble, forgiving handling, it's only natural that this was the aircraft chosen when an easily disguised double was needed for the Japanese Zero in numerous movies and TV shows, including "Ba Ba Black Sheep" and "Tore Tora Tora!."
The four films we're showing are representative of the basic skills training every fledgling pilot received:takeoff, approach, landing, emergencies, small fields, and crosswinds.. With a fairly modest, but responsive, 550 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine, provision for front and rear firing machine guns or light bombs, roomy cockpit with good all around vision, and rear seating for an instructor/observer, the sturdy "Texan" was a truly outstanding all around flight training platform. The Allies ability to crank out many thousands of such effective aircraft and employ them in thorough training programs that produced proficient pilots ready for combat was one of their under appreciated keys to victory in World War II.
And in honor of our newest addition, we're featuring two related flicks At the Matinee: "Winning Your Wings" and "Cadet Classification."
"WINNING YOUR WINGS" The United States entry into World War II seemed to happen almost over night. That meant that the Army Air Corps needed thousands qualified air and ground support crew yesterday. "Winning Your Wings" is an early war recruiting film hosted and enthusiastically narrated by Capt Jimmy Stewart. Already an accomplished pilot, Stewart enlisted early and served as a combat bomber pilot and squadron leader through out the war. This film shows that joining the Air Corps provides a quick path to non com and officer status and an advanced (for the time) training program. It also emphasizes that lack of a college degree is not a prerequisite for advance rank or pilot training. And last, not but not least, the girls sure go for those pilot's wings! "Winning Your Wings" is also notable for glimpses inside the relatively rare pre war vintage B-17s used to film some of the in-flight sequences.
"CADET CLASSIFICATION" "Bombardier, Navigator, or Pilot?" That question is what the cadet classification process was all about. Back in 1942, the US Army Air Corps used a whole battery of written, manual, and surpassingly sophisticated electro mechanical tests to fit the right man with the right job. In fact, the film takes great pains to show that this was a scientific process culminating in a cumulative score that dictated the final result, with little subjective human intervention, other than the right of appeal of final classification.
If you haven't stopped by Zeno's Drive-In before, we also feature 1942-45 vintage WWII Army & Navy films on how to fly the F4U, F6F, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51, P-61, TBF/TBM, B-17, B-24, B-25, A-20, A-26, B-26, B-29, and more. That's over 12 hours of rockin' props for free viewing over the internet. See detailed charts, diagrams, and interior photos from original WWII pilot's manuals too.
Finally, our "Control Tower" page has the largest collection of World War II Aviation links on the 'net
So drop your flaps & drop in!
That's
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com Check Six!
