CAP (SFP 251) is a 1950 film on the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) that gives viewers a look at its founding, its role in national defense and emergency services, how it fits into the structure of the Air Force, and how it trains its young cadets. The film opens with a shot of a clock tower at what appears to be a community center. Men and women leave their homes and places of work to head to their weekly Civil Air Patrol meeting. Civil Air Patrol men gather on a grassy air field next to a biplane and another single prop plane. A pilot flies a plane (possibly a J-3 aircraft) over the ocean during a patrol. Pilots taxi a plane out onto a runway (03:04). Congress meets (03:28) to make the Civil Air Patrol an official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. CAP cadets go to classes in a variety of buildings (schools, bases, etc.) throughout the U.S. Students review the CAP manual. Cadets are taught the parts of an airplane (05:26). The film shows cadets training in the classroom, studying airplane engines (06:39), working models of plane mechanisms, and training in flight simulators (07:14). Young cadets practice sending codes (07:47) and drill in a field (08:47). CAP cadets observe aircraft at a local airport (09:37). A young cadet goes for a flight with a pilot. Cadets study weather patterns at a weather control station (10:25). Cadets exit what appears to be a Beechcraft AT-7 transport plane (10:44) at an Air Force base for a two-week training program. Cadets stand at attention. They learn about guns, radar, and how to respond to a plane crash (11:46). A cadet sits in the co-pilot seat during a flight. The young men and women of the CAP training program play softball, dance, and visit nearby points of interest, including Mt. Rushmore (12:39). Young cadets receive their CAP certificate (13:05). CAP members fly over a forest on an observation mission. A wounded person is loaded into a CAP plane. CAP operators (14:54) man radio stations to assist in the military’s communication system. CAP members drive cars or ride bikes to an airfield for training maneuvers. Pilots run out to their planes, including North American T-6 Texans (16:38), and prepare to take off during the maneuvers for “Operation Flood.” The film ends by showing several planes taking off.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was created by Administrative Order 9 in December 1941, with Maj. Gen. John F. Curry as the first CAP national commander. The organization was originally formed to provide civilian air support to aid the war effort of World War II through border and coastal patrols, military training assistance, courier services and other activities. These efforts were recognized and, after the close of the war, Civil Air Patrol was transferred from the United States Army to the newly formed Air Force. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization of volunteers and declared to be of a benevolent nature, never again to be involved in direct combat activities. Since that time, Civil Air Patrol has carried out three congressionally mandated objectives: emergency services (including search and rescue operations), aerospace education for youth and the general public, and cadet programs for teenage youth. In addition, it has been tasked with assisting the United States Department of Homeland Security, and also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross.

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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