This promotional film was created for Boeing (:09) to promote the Vertol division, which it acquired in 1960. Boeing was (and is) an American multinational corporation which manufactures and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment and missiles globally. The film “CH-46A Sea Knight New Weapon System for the Marine Corps” features the Boeing Vertol CH-46A Sea Knight. This is a medium-lift tandem-rotor transport helicopter powered by twin turboshaft engines. This craft first flew in 1958 and over 500 were produced from 1962–1971. The Sea Knight was operated by the USMC to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment until it was replaced by the MV-22 Osprey in 2015.
The Sea Knight touches down at the Boeing Companies virtual division flight test center (:24). The craft has been set up with special test equipment (:43). High ranking Marine Corp officers (:48) arrive to watch the tests. 300 military personnel also were in attendance (:54). The auxiliary power plant starts the engines (1:11). The Sea Knight lifts up here (1:44). A demonstration of its sideways and rear-way flight follows (2:09). Its payload capabilities are about 4,000 pounds of cargo (2:28). Vertical take offs (2:55) permit take off from confined areas. A combat situation is simulated (3:13). The Sea Knight demonstrates a spiral descent (4:18) as the rear door is automatically opened. It touches down here (4:43) and taxis to it’s shut down position (4:54). Maintenance men climb aboard the craft (5:20). It is prepped for a static display (5:37). Marine officers (5:53) climb inside for a first hand inspection of the craft (5:57). In March of 1963, the craft tested it’s sea capabilities (6:31) aboard the USS Okinawa. The USS Okinawa saw service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It moved down the Delaware River from the Philadelphia Navy Yard. It made 14 touch and go landings on the Okinawa (6:46). The vessel’s landing spots are noted (7:11). The level fuselage attitude is pointed out (7:31). The Okinawa was designed specifically in order to carry helicopters for the Marine operations (7:51). It was to join the fleet in 1964. The film concludes and was produced by Public Relations and Graphics Vertol Division of the Boeing Company (9:03).
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