B-29 and X-15 Documentary Film Library

This DVD contains several films related to the famous B-29 and X-15 military planes. The films also include footage of several other classic military planes like the B-25 and the C-74 and many others.

Here are all the films that make up this historical collection:

Target Tokyo From Saipan B-29 Base, 1944/11/27 (1944)

(1) Target Tokyo From Saipan B-29 Base - "Saipan (1,500 miles below Tokio) was seized by the Americans in June of this year. Since that time the Seabees and Aviation Engineers have been industriously re-shaping the face of the coral island, laying out a tremendous airfield. Coral hills are blasted into particles, then 'bull dozed' and trucked to the air field site, where they are rolled and hard packed. Then an asphalt surface is given the gigantic strip. In Washington, Gen. Hap Arnold sends a B-29 Super-Fortress on its way. Next we see it arriving at Saipan. The first of a mighty air fleet whose exploits over Japan are already becoming daily occurances." scenes of Saipan B-29 base built; B-29 bomber lands; loads bomb signed by soldiers, takes off; map shows attack on Japan; (2) Hull Honored By Variety Clubs - "Washington, DC: The retiring Sec. of State Cordell Hull is named the 'outstanding humanitarian of the year' by the Variety Clubs of America. Sec. Edward Stettinius in a fitting speech, accepts the award for Mr. Hull." (3) Negro Nurses In Britain - "A detachment of negro Army nurses arrive in England, to be greeted with good old American coffee and doughnuts. Then they entrain for assignment where required." (4) Eisenhower Tours Front - "General Eisenhower visits the 29th U.S. Division at the battle front, accompanied by Gen. Omar Bradley. They both display that sincere charm which produces such intense loyalty and devotion in their armies. later, Gen. Eisenhower is greeted by the Belgian cabinet in Brussels ... then he places a wreath at their Unknown Soldier's tomb." (5) Churchill Visits French Army Sector - "Winston Churchill and his daughter Mary, visit the French First Army in the company of Charles de Gaulle, just prior to the powerful French offensives in their battle sector." scenes of the soldiers in snow; (6) Ohio State 18 Michigan 14 - "Columbus, Ohio: 72,000 fans watch Ohio State win Big Ten championship as their backfield puts on an all-star performance against Michigan." The End - Buy Bonds.

Production Company: Universal Studios
Audio/Visual: silent, Black & White

Birth of the B-29 (1945)

Learn how the B-29 was designed, manufactured and tested.

Producer: U.S. Army Air Forces
Audio/Visual: Sound, Black & White
Run time: 20:06

Operation Crossroads (1946)

A documentary about the Able Day and Baker Day blasts of the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Island in the Pacific.The film looks at the tests from a variety of different angles with aerial cameras being used to record the blasts from various aspects. The footage begins with B-29 aircraft "Dave's Dream" dropping an atomic bomb on Bikini Atoll and continues by showing the explosive effects of the bomb as it unfolds.

Producer: Jam Handy Organization
Audio/Visual: Sound, Black & White
Run time: 26:36

Special Delivery (1946)

This Air Force film shows a variety of military jets and bombers with a primary emphasis on dropping an atomic bomd on the Bikini Atoll as part of Operation Crossroads.

Some of the planes in this film:

"B-25 Mitchell"
"XF 12"
"XP 84", "XB 35"
C-74,
B-29, aerial shots of it dropping atomic bombs

Producer: U.S. Army Air Forces
Audio/Visual: Sound, Black & White
Run time: 11:49

X-15 Aloft. First Free Flight Of Manned Space Plane, 1959/06/11

Edwards AFB B-52 takes X-15 aloft under its wing, is "cut loose over Mojave Desert" landed by Scott Crossfield (2) Connecticut - Groton CT launch of USS George Washington Polaris sub (partial newsreel)