This WWII, U.S. Army Air Forces ground crew training film provides a training on the servicing of the P-39, the principal fighter aircraft in use when the United States first entered WW2. It’s a great example of the type of detailed and rather exceptional instructional film produced by for mechanics during the war, that likely saved many millions of dollars in equipment loss and lives.

This film focuses specifically on the care and maintenance of the wheels and tires of the craft which (as the film points out a bit obviously) are only in use during take off and landing, though those few moments in use are vital to the pilot’s safety (:30). The main wheel from the P-39 is first to be removed (:48) as a mechanic demonstrates removal of the hub as well as the use of pliers to remove the cotter key and removal of the high castellated nut (:56). After the hub nut and bearing is removed, the wheel is jacked up (1:52). The three screws holding the dust cover in place are then removed (2:06) and the wheel is moved partly off the axel so the bearing can be easily taken out (2:45). The wheel is pulled straight out so as not to damage the axel thread (3:01). In order to pull the tire from the wheel, all the air must be let out (3:13) after the removable ring is taken off. The tube is pulled from the tire and carefully inspected for damage (4:17). The tire is then reset onto the wheel (4:45) and the rim is pulled over the lock ring (5:29). The bearing is cleaned prior to reinstallation with carbon tetrachloride (5:46). The brake disks are then cleaned (6:10). The bearing is replaced and lubricated according to the directions shown at (6:39). The noise which is made when wheels revolve is the brake disks rubbing against one another (7:19). The bearing dust cap and wheel dust cover are then replaced (7:38) as well as the three screws on the outside. After the jack is released, the film turns to the changing of the nose wheel (8:20). Brakes must be set and the nose of the plane is jacked up (8:27). The safety wire (8:39) is first to be taken off and the demonstration man keeps a pan nearby to hold all of the parts (9:19). A pair of plyers is used to pull off the valve cap (10:10) and the stem is turned out which will deflate the tube. The lock ring (11:50) is then removed and the tube must be deflated to remove the tire from the wheel (12:08). To replace the tube into the tire the air is forced out (14:08). The valve is replaced and the tube is refilled so the wheel hub can be reinserted (14:36). The hub is then aggressively forced through the center of the tube (15:29) and the rim is replaced (16:18). The lock ring is then reset into the grooves (16:33) and the rim is pulled over the lock ring. An air filler is seen struck through the stem to refill the tube (17:17). The dust cover is added again (18:00). The wheel is then taken to the plane for installment (18:26). First, the spacers on either side of the wheel and the axel are to be cleaned (18:36). The axle nut is tightened and the safety wire is rethreaded (20:08). The film concludes at (20:45).

The Bell Aircraft P-39 Airacobra was an innovative WWII American fighter aircraft featuring an the engine that sat behind the pilot and a tricycle undercarriage. Due to the fact that it lacked an efficient turbo-supercharger, the plane was not suited for high altitude combat and instead was used primarily at low altitude. This made it well suited for the Eastern Front, where it was used extensively and very successfully by the Soviet Air Force.

We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example like: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”

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