Online Vids & Pix: 8th AF Fighter Frenzy, Gabby’s F-86s, WW2 Carrier Strikes & more

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Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In September 2007 Newsletter

Hello World War 2 plane fans ---

You’re invited to drop by Zeno's Drive-In Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In - World War 2 airplane videos playing live online and sample this month’s solid lineup of four vintage WW2 combat aircraft documentary films playing live online “At the Matinee.”.

NEW: We just added photo tours of the Collings Foundation’s B-17 “Nine O Nine” and B-24 “Witchcraft,” that we shot last 4th of July in Fort Collins Colorado. For your viewing pleasure, there are more than 200 color pics of these magnificently preserved aircraft. It was a privilege to step aboard these amazing World War II survivors.

Now showing “At the Matinee”

THE FIGHTING 51ST Drive-In Premier! This seldom seen documentary was produced by the US Air Force during the Korean War. You'll see members of all sections of the 'Fighting 51st" Fighter Group and their F-86 Sabres in action. The film covers a typical mission, from planning through touchdown. One of the highlights of the film is an address by Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, legendary World War II ace and CO of the 51st in Korea. (He can also be see in the briefing room back in 1944 in "Ramrod to Emden."

THE FIGHT FOR THE SKY A Drive-n Favorite. In February of 1944, General Jimmy Doolittle "turned loose" his fighters to go after the Luftwaffe where they lived. This marked a radical change in strategy from the disastrous tactics of 1943 that kept escorting fighters chained to bombers. Now, US fighters, including the P-51, probed deep into Germany, catching the opposition on the ground, inflicting mortal damage. This feature combines thrilling combat footage filmed by 8th Air Force combat cameramen with some of the most action packed, down and dirty World War II gun camera film you'll ever see.

THE FIGHTING LADY follows the fictional career of an Essex Class aircraft carrier from the Marcus Islands campaign, through Tinian, Truk, the "Mariana's Turkey" and much more. But don't let the term "fictional" mislead you. All of the footage shown in this fascinating composite documentary is real -- shot by combat cameramen on board ship and in the air, showing actual Navy and Marine pilots and crewmen up close and personal. ("The Fighting Lady was the nickname given to the Yorktowns, CV-5 & CV-10.) You'll see dramatic action showing Hellcats, Hell Divers, Corsairs on deck and in the air, including exciting dive bombing, anti-aircraft, and gun camera footage and some amazing walkaway crash landings. And there's a fascinating tour below decks too. But most memorably, you'll see the faces of the officers and enlisted men of the "Fighting Lady" at work and at rest, making it all possible. Powerfully narrated by Hollywood legend Lt. Robert Taylor and directed by Academy Award winner William Wyler. This is one of the half dozen “classic” documentaries to come out of World War II.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! On August 17, 1942 eighteen B-17Es from the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group, Eighth Bomber Command (later Eighth Air Force) from Grafton Underwood, performed the first daylight raid over Northern Europe by US heavy bombers. Escorted by RAF Spit Vs & IXs, 6 bombers ran a diversion along the French coast, while 12 more Fortresses attacked the primary target., the important rail yards at Sotteville, France, near Rouen. This mission was a crucial first step in establishing the efficacy of American daylight precision bombing doctrine. Success of the raid was vital so that VIII Bomber Command CO Gen Ira C. Eaker went along for the ride in B-17E "Yankee Doodle. Click here for more info on the Sotteville Raid. Though small in scale, the raid was a success, with precision hits on important rail assets, with only two Fortresses sustaining minor damage. Lucky for us, combat cameramen recorded this historic action from briefing through "bombs away

If you haven't stopped by Zeno's Drive-In before, we also feature 1940-45 vintage WWII Army & Navy films and pilot’s manuals on how to fly the F4U, F6F, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51, P-61, TBF/TBM, AT-6/SNJ, B-17, B-24, B-25, A-20, A-26, B-26, B-29, and Stearman N2S . Alert! – Alert! There’s been an F-86 jet sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!

That's over 16 hours of rockin' World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!

Coming soon: A new film that will warm the hearts of P-38 fans everywhere!

Tally-ho!

Zeno

Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In /World War II Aviation Videos. Celebrating 10 years on the Internet 1997-2007 Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In - World War 2 airplane videos playing live online