A documentary tracing the history of aviation from the Wright Bros. first flight, this film also includes hilarious footage of ridiculous flying machines — many of which would never fly! This includes a rocket powered bicycle and a plane that flapped its wings.

This film “Cavalcade of Aviation” is comprised of newsreel footage depicting the progress of aviation. It was produced by Joseph O’Brien and Thomas Mead (:21). The film is dedicated to the pioneers who had help to blaze trails in the field of aviation (:33). The very first airplane (:49) built by Orville Wright (:53) as well as his brother Wilbur (:56). Wilbur perished a few years after creating the plane. Their historic first flight took off from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in December of 1903 (1:04). Glenn Curtiss (1:11) is pictured, who hit a record speed of 47 miles per hour in 1909. Harriet Quimby is pictured hopping from her plane as she completed a flight across the English Channel (1:26). “Europe in Flames” 1914; aviation really came into age during World War I (1:41). Early fighter planes load out for missions (1:44). These early planes were curio’s (1:49) and most pilots were generally considered to be reckless heroes. As the war continued, aeronautics also advanced as the DH-4 plane (1:58). Pilots including (2:04) American Ace Eddie Rickenbacker standing to the far right (2:07). He enters the cockpit of his craft of the Hat in the Ring Squadron (2:13). As Eddie and his plane take to the sky the film notes aviation greatly changed the ways war had been fought (2:33). A piece of the world’s first Air Mail appears (2:43). Woodrow Wilson (2:46) is seen speaking at the first air mail flight designated to leave from Washington to New York. The US Airmail Service wagon is pictured (2:49). Wilson stands next to the Airmail pilot (2:56). The Battleship Alabama (3:08) was involved in the first air versus sea competition (3:13). Bombs drop onto the ship deck (3:21). Combat footage follows as bombs spill from fighter planes and explosions of black smoke rise up (3:53). The vessel floats on it’s side, a harpooned whale (4:00). Crafts of the American Naval Air Arm are highlighted (4:11) comprised of long-range bombers, fighters and dive bombers (4:13). The view of a carrier flight deck is captured here as a dive bomber takes off for a mission (4:24). The Wright brothers and their invention sparked an interest in other inventors as the film turns to show some of the test models created during this period (4:42). One example is shown from 1934 (4:59) as the men spin propellers to get it started (5:03). Despite it’s odd shaping, the craft lifts off here (5:09). Another craft is seen built with two opposing propellers in order to counter the torque created by a single prop (5:29). Worker’s of Rocket Airplane Corporation of America (5:39) shoot a rocket plane from a catapult (5:42). A ‘fly away rocket bike’ pedals over ground (5:52). The tail of the rocket bike is ignited (5:58) as the rider takes a comical hard turn and a tumble (6:02). The “umbrella plane” (6:14). It takes to the skies delivering an aerial view of the land below (6:25). An inventor attempts to turn himself into a flying device (6:29). A gyroplane created by Dr. Valentine (6:41). After a few attempts, the plane cannot lift from the ground (7:07). The autogyro (7:18) was invented by Juan de la Cierva. It was a tried and trusted type of rotorcraft. The Russian-American aviator; Igor Sikorsky (7:28) flies his first model of a helicopter in Russia in 1941. This craft was known as one of the aeronautical wonders of this time period (7:37). Young inventors of American Airlines Gas Model Club work with scale model planes (7:48). These students and their models were being monitored by government experts (8:01). The creators set off their gas powered and glider models (8:09). Aviation’s Hall of Fame (8:30). Charles A. Lindbergh (8:37) enters the Spirit of St. Louis (8:41) as he set to cross 3,600 miles from New York to Paris in 1927. Clarence Chamberlain (8:53) flies his Bellanca (8:55) across the Atlantic and saved the lives of four passengers in a crash landing (9:01). The passengers safely exit the plane (9:13). Stunt flying (9:20) as a man perches on a buzzing airplane wing (9:26). Will Rogers; a popular humorist is pictured here (9:36). He and aviator Wiley Post were killed in a crash just outside of Point Barrow, Alaska in a Lockheed hybrid airplane. Amelia Earhart (9:42) is pictured as her Atlantic flight on June 18th, 1928 sparked similar exploits. Earhart disappeared while flying her Lockheed Electra in 1937. Ruth Elder (9:50); known as the Miss America of Aviation, is pictured prior to Ruth Nichols (9:53); a simultaneous speed and altitude record holder.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com