Produced at the Naval Photographic Center by the David Taylor Naval Ship R&D Center and narrated by Jackson Beck, “A Ship Whose Time Has Come” (July 1977) sheds light on the work that went into the development of the USS Pegasus (PHM-1) – the first ship in a new class of hydrofoils and the US Navy’s first missile equipped patrol hydrofoil combatant ship.

Details US Navy Pegasus-class hydrofoil attack patrol boat on the open sea (0:08). Hydrofoil seen in distance breaking through choppy sea (0:25). Aerial view of hydrofoil (0:49). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) speeds through choppy waters (0:59). Various angles USS Pegasus (PHM-1); seen lifted above water through foil system (1:16). Enrico Forlanini in first hydrofoil model 1898 (1:34). 1918 Alexander Graham Bell, Case Baldwin take Hydrodrome #4 (hd4) out on water (1:41). Other hydrofoil models (2:00). Perhaps US Navy 5 ton experimental hydrofoil developed by Gibbs & Cox, Inc. “Sea Legs” (2:17). Larger commercial hydrofoil boat, close-up surface piercing foil system (2:30). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) automatic control board (3:05). Foil system seen just below water’s surface (3:18). Canard Configuration of foils (3:32). Airplane/ Conventional Configuration of foils (3:45). Mechanical details of foils, their impact on boat speed, stability discussed over footage of model of USS Pegasus amid black background (3:51). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) speeds through water, narrator details technology used for speed above 40 nots (4:30). POV from captain’s wheelhouse of hull of ship; breaks through waves (5:06). Hull model tested on miniature model, David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Washington D.C. (5:28). POV from floor of model basin at test center; looking at bottom of test ship as it makes its way through water (5:43). Engineer’s sketch of boat design, other employees at test center work on various experiments (6:00). Engineers, business men sit around conference table discuss designs (6:16). USS Highpoint by Boeing Company tested in water, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington (6:35). Aerial view USS Plainview (AGEH-1) by Grumman Aerospace, Lockheed Shipbuilding Company also tested (6:59). Interior of USS Plainview control room switchboard illuminated by red light, civilian Navy technicians and navy crew work side by side to record results (7:15). Perhaps USS Highpoint on stilts at shipyard undergoing modifications (7:47). Perhaps USS Highpoint passes under Golden Gate Bridge (7:59). Aerial view USS Flagstaff (PGH-1) by Grumman Aerospace (8:17). Facade of USS Flagstaff (PGH-1) repurposed as US Coast Guard ship (8:33). USS Tucumcari (PGH-2) by Boeing (8:41). Crowd gathers on dock for inauguration ceremony of USS Pegasus (PHM-1) November 1974 Seattle, Washington – Navy’s first missile equipped patrol hydrofoil combatant; first multinational project (9:12). Woman in red skirt suit opens bottle of champagne (9:35). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) on open water, narrator compares to USS Tucumcari (PGH-2) (9:58). Close-up helmsman at wheel, turning abilities (10:18). Water jet nozzles at rear of ship; ship backs up (10:53). Crew down below enjoying meal together (11:08). Perhaps Navy navigator below deck charting the course (11:10). Interior of engineering operations station – single engine man sits in tight space of control panels, monitors (11:17). Harpoon missiles on deck near fantail (11:38). Harpoon on assembly line at factory (11:42). Harpoon missile launch in slow motion (12:12). Combat information center (CIC) (12:30). Close-up 76mm gun (12:44). Fire Control System (12:59). Hydrofoils test firing guns, torpedos, missiles during trials (13:12). Rope with Navy Monkey Fist knot (13:53). Mobile support team services hydrofoil, brings ship to local dock (13:56). Squadron of PHMs serviced by support ship; men in orange life jackets on upper deck (14:24). Montage PHMs at sea, narrator details various operations ship can be used for (14:57). Hydrofoil training program. Tactical navigation system on USS Highpoint (15:45). Passengers board commercial Boeing 929 Jetfoil in Hong Kong (16:37).

USS Pegasus was the lead ship of her class of hydrofoils. These were designed for high speed and mobility, and carried a powerful armament for their size. Homeported in Key West, Florida, all six ships of the class were decommissioned in 1993. Pegasus was sold for scrap in 1996.

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