“Airlift: Viet Nam” (c. late 1960s) is a short, color report about the Military Airlift Command (MAC) during the Vietnam War. Hosted by Bob Considine, this film is a 5-minute version a longer documentary film by the same name sponsored by American Airlines (see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9cEmL5olNA) .
The film highlights combat airlift operations by commercial airlines, such as the Boeing-707 operated by American Airlines, and military cargo aircrafts. The film also features interviews with American Generals and commanding officers at various air bases such as Scott Air Force Base and Cam Ranh Base in Vietnam. Host Bob Considine (1906-1975) was an American journalist, author, and commentator. He is probably best known as the co-author of Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and The Babe Ruth Story.
Opening credits play over aerial footage landmines exploding in jungle (0:07). Bob Considine introduces segment, speaks to camera from outskirts of perhaps United States Army base (0:14). Men unload cargo from back of American Airlines Boeing-707 (0:22). Boeing-707 takes off from runway, aerial view of Vietnamese farmlands, rice fields below (0:31). Bob Considine speaks to camera and discusses upcoming segment (0:44). Interview with Wayne Bennett, captain of plane that flies supplies to “Saigon,” interview takes place on airfield of United States Air Force (ASUAF) Travis Air Force Base in Solano, California (0:48). Considine speaks to USAF General in charge of airlift operation, Howell Marion Estes Jr., from Scott AFB, IL – command center of MAC(MAC) (1:35). Considine shakes hands with American Airlines flight captain John Jones who discusses airlift operations from Travis AFB (2:24). Men work quickly to load cargo onto American Airlines Boeing-707; close-up document listing delivery details for cargo traveling from Travis AFB to VCR Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam (3:04). Exterior of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Saigon Airport, today known as Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat Airport (3:22). Vietnamese man operates fork lift, drives it up to side of plane, helps to unload cargo shipment (3:27). Major American airlines on runway: Pan American Boeing-707, Flying Tiger Line, troops board Trans World Airlines (3:38). Entrance gate to USAF Cam Ranh Base in Cam Ranh Bay, Khánh Hòa Province (3:54). Perhaps Lockheed C141-B lands at Cam Ranh Base, delivers valuable cargo, unloaded by military personnel (3:55). Cargo is then placed onto smaller DHC-4 Caribou planes sitting on tarmac (4:03). Marines Sikorsky H-34 helicopter delivers supplies to remote contingents in jungle, frontlines (4:12). Considine sits with General William C. Westmoreland in his office (Westmoreland was commander of United States forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968); Westmoreland discusses details of MAC (4:23). Footage cuts to nurses taking care of wounded soldiers on board one of the MAC planes, Dodge WC54 medic truck approaches base (4:39). Interview with Sergeant Jimmy Mars (from Brooklyn) who speaks with Considine from base in Vietnam Highlands (4:58). Considine closing words (5:30).
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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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
