This rare U.S. Navy film focuses on early research into pilotless aircraft, drones and missile systems. At mark 0:55 are stories on the Kettering Flying Bug experiments. There were failures at first as seen at mark 1:30, but in October 1919, this flying torpedo was successfully launched at mark 1:34. At mark 1:53 is a disarmament conference which followed WWI. The post-war period economies were bad, and hampered research and development of guided missiles. As years passed, great strides were made in the development of aircrafts and also progress in field of electronics which makes it possible to fly aircrafts remotely.
At mark 2:20 is the first U.S. Navy aircraft to be flown with remote control equipment, as a target drone (n.b. the British flew similar drones prior to the USA developing one). This gives room for acquiring more information, and by 1939, more compact cheaply produced target drones became available as seen at mark 2:50, with the Radioplane OQ-2. At mark 3:10, is a simulation with remote control crafts. Remote controls are then applied to glider bombs called glombs as seen at mark 3:44. Such a missile can be guided from a plane several miles away. They had disadvantages as seen at mark 4:34. At mark 4:52, some modifications are made from which the “Bug” is launched on an automobile as seen at mark 5:02. The missile’s television camera enabled the bomb director to fly it as if he was actually in it. The speed of 180miles/hr was possible but with expensive and cumbersome equipments, it’s not been operational but experiences about launching and remote control were gained.
A new modified missile drone is seen at mark 6:05. With all the controls it has been used successfully used in France and some German cities. But this drone also has 3 disadvantages as seen at mark 6:33. At mark 6:56 is a new improvement called the Bat. Its 10ft long and has a large weight. At mark 7:30, the drone is air launched which continues homing the missiles to the target area allowing the aircrafts to leave the area immediately after launching as seen at mark 7:40. This is the first automatically guided missile of the guide bomb type and has record many use and relevance. A new development called AZON is seen at mark 8:14 with a free falling bomb. Movable radio activated control services are substituted here as seen at mark 8:30. At mark 9:05, it’s been launched. Flair is seen which helps to guide the bomb to its target. The AZON bomb also has its own disadvantages as seen at mark 9:50.
Beginning at about 10:18, the use of “Weary Willy” aircraft is seen as part of Project Option, and its counterparts Operation Anvil and Operation Aphrodite. Here, bombers stuffed with TNT replace are flown by remote control into enemy targets. Guidance is made from a radio in an accompanying craft. It is been launched at mark 11:01.some of these machines was dispatched against German installations in France where they record slight degrees of success. Intense gunfire makes it vulnerable as seen at mark 11:23.
At mark 11:46 the German efforts are shown at Peenemünde a site in Germany where secret research and development of guided missiles are done in the 1936 era. Here the German scientist produced the V-1 missile and V-2 rocket. At mark 12:27, the V-1 is launched. At mark 12:38 is evidence that the B-1 was an effective weapon. At mark 13:00, the first B-2 was launched against England in September 1944. The Germans too experienced failures as seen at mark 13:12. The length of the missile is seen at mark 13:30. At mark 14:47, the American model JB-2 is seen. Much progress have been made and as result of past experience implemented with constant research the missiles have been developed through time.
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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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
