Flight was a short-lived TV series that debuted in 1958 and only lasted one year. Hosted by Gen. George C. Kenney, the program focused on dramatic tellings of stories from the chronicles of the U.S. Air Force. Production company California National also produced “The Silent Service” which profiled the Navy’s submariners, and “Navy Log”. This particular episode tells the story of Col. Robert Evans, who in 1947 was involved in a special Cold War mission to prove that the Air Force’s new Strategic Air Command could fly to any target in Europe with minimal notice, no matter what the weather conditions. We’re not 100% sure of the episode title but believe it is “Show of Force”. It was directed by Jean Yarborough, and written by Leonard Heideman aka Laurence Heath. It stars Douglas Kennedy as Col. Robert Evans, Ron Hagerthy as Capt. Tom Hughes, Chris Dark as G.C.A. Operatore, and Addison Richards as Baxter.

This episode begins with shots of Berlin during the Cold War and in particular the Berlin crisis (1:08-1:46). Berlin, Germany. Russians in Germany. Soviet troops. General Theodore Baxter talks with Col. Robert Evans of the 91st Bomb Wing (aka 91st Reconnaissance Group) in his office at the Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. The two discuss the situation in Berlin and the mission — to show the Russians that the Air Force can fly anywhere in the world, in any weather, when called upon to do it (1:47-4:27). An officer takes a picture of his wife in her bathing suit near the pool when he is called to report for duty. He kisses his wife goodbye. Maintenance is performed on some planes. Col. Evans explains the situation to his men. Men load up to board a plane, two get into the cockpit (4:28-6:28). A Boeing B-29 takes off, followed by a few more behind it. B-29s in the sky. One of the pilots looks at the picture of his wife in her bathing suit, Col. Evans radios in. german people look at newspapers, Russian soldiers aren’t pleased. Two officers discuss the weather deteriorating (6:29-8:30). Col. Evans radios in and the planes head for bad weather. They are in the clouds. Col. Evans talks with men at the Rhein-Main Air Base near Frankfurt, Germany on his radio about the weather (8:31-10:28). Col. Evans talks to his other planes about landing at Rhein-Main in bad weather with low fuel. Russian officer looks out of the window. Radar antenna spins. Rhein-Main radar. Men on the ground at Rhein-Main speak to Col. Evans and explain the situation. Col. Evans tells his men the situation via radio (10:29-13:05). The B-29 in the clouds. Bad rain on the ground. Russian officer picks up a phone. Ground men at Rhein-Main. B-29s move through the air. Communication between the ground and Col. Evans via radio. Nervous crewmen on the plane with Col. Evans (13:06-15:35). radio communication between the B-29 and the ground. Bad weather on the ground. Landing check is completed on the plane. Radar is watched on the ground. B-29 heads for the ground (15:36-17:18). Ground men talk with Col. Evans on his B-29. Radar is watched. B-29 descends. Very cloudy skies. The man at the radar relays information to Col. Evans about the proper coordinates to land, both are stressed due to the weather and low visibility, plane tries to land but pulls up at last moment, they were too far to the left (17:19-19:07). Col. Evans talks with his co-pilot about what he saw on the ground, they’re going to try and land again. Man at the radar continues to speak with Col. Evans. Col. Evans radios he’s going to try it again and land this time. B-29s fly. German people look up (19:08-21:11). Col. Evans flies, is nervous. Man on the radar radios Col. Evans and explains what he’s facing in the bad weather to land. B-29 descends. Radar screen on the ground. B-29 is one mile from landing (21:12-22:43). Col. Evans looks down. B-29 in the air. Propeller spins. Col. Evans lands on the runway in the bad weather, all is well. Col. Evans radios the other planes Ground crew lands every B-29 in the wing. Russians at a table are “congenial” (22:44-24:33). General Kenney wraps up the episode, discussing the importance of flying by instrument (24:34-24:55). End credits (24:56-25:56).

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