Produced by the U.S. Army Air Force’s Wright Field during WWII, this pilot training film gives an overview of basic aircraft instruments. These include the artificial horizon, gyro compass, oil and temperature gauges, manifold pressure, RPM, rate of climb indicator, turn and bank indicator, air speed indicator, flight indicator, suction and pressure gauges, cowl flap position, air temperature, etc. At 4:30, the navigator’s instruments are also shown including a drift meter, compass, altimeter and air speed indicator, etc. The film details those used aboard a bomber, and then at 6:00 shows the simpler panel seen aboard a glider, and then shows a trainer at 6:20, an advanced trainer at 6:30, a multi-engine aircraft at 6:40, etc. At 7:00, a panel is shown outside of the aircraft showing how they are mounted and serviced. At 8:12, instruments are tested thoroughly with high precision equipment. At 9:00, instruments are moved prior to installation and handled with extreme care before being packed and shipped. At 10:20, standardization of instruments is shown — done across all USAAF aircraft so that instruments can be easily replaced.

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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