| On The Flight Deck
This film takes us inside one day in carrier aviation aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. The film was probably shot in 1961 or 1962. This film celebrates the unsung heroes of the flight deck and the dangerous activity that occurs aboard an aircraft carrier. During the filming one naval aviator looses his life.
White House field carrier landing practice sessions are shown flying the meatball in preparation for departure. The following day the crew prepares to leave home in a heavy rainstorm. Wives and lovers bid farewell at the dock as sailors toss their caps to them from the carrier.
The operational equipment is tested early the following morning and a single aircraft is catapulted into the sky. We learn all about flight deck control and the movement of aircraft and coordination of aircraft below deck.
We visit the bridge and observe the coordination that must occur between the bridge and the flight deck. The below decks coordination with catapult operations is shown as well.
After the flights are launched we see in-flight footage of A-4 Skyhawks and F8U Crusaders in-flight and refueling while the deck crew gets a few minutes of rest before the cycle begins again.
The recovery process is show with detailed explanations on how the arresting wire system functions.
Night operations are explained as the flight deck remains busy around the clock. A nugget pilot attempts to make his first night landings and has a difficult time and is running out of gas. You’ll have to watch the movie to find out how that story ends. He does not die.
A recovery helicopter brings the body of dead pilot aboard the ship. A ceremony is held in his honor.
Some of the aircraft seen in operation include:
F8U Crusader 9161 with VF-11
F4 VF-14
A-4 Skyhawk with VA-172
A-3 Skywarrior
VAH-11
AD Skyraiders
Squadrons Seen: VA-12, VF-11, VF-14, VA-172, VAH-11, VAW-12
Runtime: 54 minutes |
