“How to Fly the B-26 Airplane – Loading” is a short 1940s educational film produced by the First Motion Picture Unit of the Army Air Forces (AAF) about properly loading the B-26 Marauder to incorporate its center of gravity (CG). After reviewing the basics of a plane’s weight distribution, a lieutenant learns how to properly load his aircraft. The Martin B-26 Marauder twin-engined medium bomber saw extensive service during the war, with over 5000 produced between February 1941 and March 1945. The plane emerged from the war with one of the lowest loss rates.

(0:30) A B-26 airplane taxis into position, takes off, and makes turns in the air. The plane then approaches for landing. Narrator explains that the pilot should ensure the plane is loaded properly so that the aircraft will have a smoother flight. It’s key to determine that the center of gravity is known (2:04) Animation, likely from either the Disney or Warner Bros. studios, of the B-26 taking off and demonstrating the plane’s nose diving due to improper center of gravity and crashing. Another clip demonstrates the center of gravity when tail heavy, resulting in the plane climbing and stalling. When there is little elevator power, the nose gear may exceed its strength (3:19) Men huddle together to level the airplane and take weight measurements. They write down the numbers and subtract the weight of the jacks and determine the center of gravity (CG) (4:08) A cartoon with a plane hanging from a string at its CG demonstrates the CG of the plane located toward the nose of the plane and the datum line located exactly 15.306 inches behind the tip of the nose. After loading, other measurements are taken using the nose wheel, left main wheel, right main wheel, and total inch pounds. The new CG is determined (7:36) Outside the office of the 332nd Bomb Group. A lieutenant walks in and is taught by his senior how to use a load adjuster to account for loads as weight is added. The ruler shows red and yellow areas, with the best being in the center (10:11) Close-up of the load adjuster, with notations for bomb bays and wing tanks. They continue talking about the various measurements on the load adjuster and do calculations for the lieutenant’s plane (13:20) They return from a break and the lieutenant is given a list of crew and baggage to incorporate into his weigh. They both use a load adjuster to make the calculations and discuss the numbers with one another (17:52) The load adjuster demonstrates the ideal loading range of the lieutenant’s plane with bombs loaded in the rear bay, also keeping in mind crew change and shifting gasoline loads (20:19) Close-up of a basic weigh checklist for all fixed equipment weighing 5 lbs. or more (21:27) Close-up of a record of structural changes document which notes a history of airplane modifications affecting weight and balance (22:47) The two men wrap up and the lieutenant is reminded to not take chances about the load on the plane. They leave the office to fly the plane, with a final shot of the B-26 taking off.

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: “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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com