“PHYSIOLOGY OF HIGH ALTITUDE FLYING“ WWII U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE PILOT TRAINING FILM HYPOXIA XD48004

Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Visit our website Consider becoming a channel member This World War II era film was produced by the Signal Corps for the U.S. Army Air Forces and scored by the U.S. Army Band. This particular training film discusses human factors involved in high altitude flying. The film takes the viewer through various possible scenarios, shows training and testing techniques using pressure chambers, and looks at typical mistakes and the repercussions thereof. The Air Force Laboratory at Wright Field, Ohio investigated many aspects of manned flight in this era, and likely contributed to this film. Image of what may be Curtiss P-36 Hawk flying above clouds and mountain peak (0:23). Military adjutant answering ringing telephone in office (1:12). Army Air Force pilots receiving orders in another room wearing B-7 or AN6530 type goggles, donning heavy leathers for high altitude flight. (1:31). Close up of A-8B oxygen mask, inadvertently left behind in the ready room (2:29). Serviceman putting on AN-6513 1A parachute and harness (2:37). Bomber 8th AF crewmen walking towards Bell P-39 Airacobra planes in airfield (2:41). Close-up shots of pilots getting into planes (2:47). Close-up shots of cable being attached to oxygen supply (3:06). Planes getting ready for take-off (3:44). Curtiss P-40 Warhawks taking off from tarmac (4:15). Silhouette of six planes in the air side-by-side (4:34). Close-up of height meter (4:40). Planes flying (4:52). Pilot using oxygen mask wearing HS-38 headset and A-9 helmet (5:18). Pilot in distress from lack of oxygen, i.e. hypoxia (5:40). Other pilot realizing there is an issue (6:16). Pilot passing out and plane falling out of the sky (6:34-7:03). Pilot regains consciousness (7:04). Globe highlighting North and South America (7:28). Information on the earth’s atmosphere (7:51). Animated thermometer exemplifying degree changes in the stratosphere (8:12). High altitude laboratory also known as the Harvard Fatigue Laboratory (8:37). Pilots entering a high altitude laboratory, most likely at Wright Field (8:40). Highlight intermediate flying suit (9:02). Pilot entering refrigerated chamber (9:15). Standard winter suit US Air Force (9:24). Serviceman wearing Type B-7 Arctic Parka jacket and A-6 pants (9:30). Electrically heated suit worn under coveralls (9:39). Pilots in refrigerated chamber testing cold and pressure conditions (10:18). Pilots in the chamber reacting to the cold (11:28). Pilot released from the chamber (12:05). Shot of remaining pilots in the chamber (12:21). Remaining pilots exiting the chamber (13:08). Chemistry lab with various beakers (13:39). Experiment of atmospheric pressure (13:55). Experiment in testing chamber (14:26). Close up of balloon in beaker (14:58). Shot of North American O-47 observation aircraft (15:23). Diagram of the eardrum, sinus, and ducts explaining effects of air pressure (15:37). Pilot during ascent and descent (17:11). Tuning aircraft radio (17:49). Information on Aeroembolism or “the bends” (18:07). Carbonated drink being poured into a glass (18:24). Two pilots in cockpit (18:37). Pilot demonstrating symptoms of Aeroembolism (18:50). Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress in the sky (19:28). Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress flying over rural America (19:47). Pilots exiting plane wearing B-3 bomber jackets (20:16). Information about Anoxia (20:29). Close-up of shirtless pilot demonstrating breathing (20:45). Animated diagram of heart and lungs (20:51). Effects of Anoxia displayed in pressure chamber (21:39). Pilots in pressure chamber (21:52). Bomber pilot riding bicycle on tarmac (27:17). Co-pilot in restaurant on a date (27:28). Pilot eating and drinking Coca Cola (27:38). Radio operator getting dressed in locker room (27:55). Pilots walking out on tarmac towards North American B-25 Mitchell bomber plane (28:14). Inspection of equipment inside plane (28:35). Tailgunner plugging in oxygen (29:05). North American B25 Mitchell bomber preparing for takeoff (29:37). Closeup of aircraft tire on tarmac (29:57). Bomber plane taking off (29:59). Close-ups of pilots in the bomber plane with symptoms of air pressure and lack of oxygen (30:23). Bomber plane landing on tarmac (33:37). Pilots exiting the bomber plane (34:18). Image of oxygen mask overlaid bomber plane in the background (34:28). 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
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