RKO Radio Pictures presents a film in the “This is America” series about an aircraft carrier. The carrier shown is not mentioned by name, but appears to be one of the Essex class (there were 24 Essex carriers). RKO’s Frederic Ullman Jr. produced this short (:11). A smashed bottle of champagne signals the launch for this large new (unnamed) aircraft carrier (:23). Carrier moving at high speed at sea (:54). A whistle is blown (1:00) as they prepare to draw anchor. Sailors hammer at the chains of the anchor (1:11). One of the men runs a white paint brush along the chain (1:21). Water sprays as the anchor is drug up (1:39). The engine room follows (1:41). The officer of the watch transmits orders from the bridge to the throttle man (1:54). Men operate the controls from the bridge (2:11). The captain is pictured next to the lookout on the bridge (2:13). A Grumman Hellcat is brought up on one of the ship’s elevator (2:44). On the deck, aircraft are set into precise positions (2:52). Plane directors control traffic (3:00). A good shot shows the magnificent arrays of planes neatly ordered on deck (3:06). Ordinance men send belts of ammunition (3:12) to machine guns and aircraft cannons. 500 pound bombs (3:29) are wheeled away (3:29). One is shipped up to the bomb bay (3:35). The fat bomb is taken to its craft (3:43). Sailors bring up shells for fighter plane’s wing guns (3:58). The navigation staff is pictured hard at work (4:36). The squadron commander delivers instruction in the Ready Room (4:47). The faces of the pilots remain serene (4:57). Pilots are ordered to man their planes (5:04). Fliers move with precise ease through the carrier (5:16). A pilot slides into cockpit of his Grumman F6F Hellcat (5:34). The plane captain enforces the plane check (5:47). Air Officer signaling the bridge here (5:58). Men pull the guard rail down (6:22). The command is given to start engines (6:35). Another order is given (6:59) as the carrier is about to launch aircraft. Wings unfold (7:06). A plane director waves his hands (7:17). Engines are revved (7:28). The first Grumman TBF Avenger takes off (7:40). Wheels tuck under as the craft takes to the sky (8:33). A view from the air captures a Helldiver and the aircraft carrier (8:49). Unused aircraft are sent below to the hangar (9:05). Squadron Engineering Officers ensure the planes remain in tune (9:11). Mechanics work (9:31) to keep the engines sharp. Welders work on plane parts (9:51). Two decks below are the sail makers (9:57). Sailors play cards below deck (10:16). A crew member writes a letter in the crew’s quarters (10:30). Men play cards with smokes dangling from mouths (10:50). The ship’s galley follows (10:54). The cooks prepare veal for dinner (11:01). Stuffing is pulled up from a large vat (11:12). Church services are performed on the hangar deck (11:27). A weather balloon (11:44) is released. Anti-aircraft gunners fire off rounds (12:11). Empty shells spit out from the back (12:23). A flag signals the carrier’s planes were ready to come in (12:47). The ship bends into the wind (13:11). The red flag is removed so it is known the course has been cleared (13:20). The landing signal officer LSO waves with arms outstretched (13:28). Grumman TBF Avengers land on the deck (14:04). A view from the plane in the sky shows the planes touching down on America (14:29). Wings fold up (14:44). The wave off signal is thrown out (15:06) with a personal touch for flare. The plane moves off (15:13). The plane concludes noting the aircraft America was to be an answer to Pearl Harbor which took place on December 7th, 1941 (15:48).

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