This untitled, uncredited silent color home movie shows what it was like to attend a “Senior Scout encampment”. These were special residencies for Boy Scouts in Region Seven which were held at Selfridge, Chanute and Scott Air Force Bases. The film, which was likely made in 1948 or 49, details for the viewer the day to day activities and lessons of the Senior Scouts. (The Boy Scout of America or BSA created a “Senior Scout” division for boys 15 and older in 1935. The Senior Scout programs included the Sea Scouts, Air Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Rover Scouts, and a few others. Explorer Scouts focused on advanced camping and worked on advancement leading to the Ranger Award. Senior Scouts was not a specified program but rather a collection of programs that covered different skills like air scouting, sea scouting, and explorer scouting among others. This particular film, covers the Senior Scout air scouting program.)
1:00 Shots of hangars, probably at Chanute AFB
1:33 Even navigation is fun
1:53 Hey Look, Jet Planes! Scouts examine a Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star #485120
2:57 A P-51 Mustang is shown on the ramp, PF #216
3:25 C-47 airplanes on the tarmac
3:44 Incredibly, a German Me-163 Komet is on display at the base. The Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet was a German wonder weapon — a rocket interceptor. Only five were shipped to the USA after the war.
3:59 Scouts clamber over a Grumman TBM Avenger
4:27 Fire drill with a de-commissioned aircraft. The fires are quickly extinguished
5:55 Crash boats to the rescue — Scouts board a small boat and cruise the harbor
7:00 Scouts attend church
8:32 Scouts exit pilots lounge wearing Mae West vests
9:20 B-25 Mitchells are seen on the ramp
9:36 Scouts are seen wearing parachutes and board a C-46 Curtiss Commando
12:00 A visit to the control tower
13:30 Boy Scouts eat watermelon
13:36 Boy Scouts play baseball
13:50 Boy Scouts entertain girls and play camp games
14:57 The Colonel inspects the Boy Scout troop, and presentation of certificates to participants
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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
