FLIGHT "Chopper Four" 1959
FLIGHT was a military television series that ran on in syndication on U.S. TV during 1958 and 1959. The series had the full cooperation of the US Airforce for the production of the 38 episode run. This is the 33rd episode of the production run.
This episode is set in Feb. 1945, and deals with one of the first uses of an early Sikorsky R-4 helicopter in the Pacific Theater. The action takes place 50 miles outside of Manila in the Philippines. The US forces are engaged in mopping up the last of the Japanese Army.
Due to the dense jungle and hills, the US Army is having trouble evacuating their wounded. One of the newly arrived chopper pilots, Robert Knapp, offers to fly out and pick up some wounded. The small R-4 can at most carry Knapp and 2 others. He flies out towards the area but is soon under fire from the Japanese. The rather under powered R-4 is an easy target and Knapp is slightly wounded. He returns to the base for repairs to the copter and himself.
He has the mechanics install an extra fuel tank so he can go around the area where the Japanese are. He flies out again and reaches the US forces. There is a big problem now. There are two seriously wounded men who must be flown out. They only have hours to reach surgery or die the medic tells Knapp. With the extra fuel tank, Knapp figures he can only carry one man and still avoid the Japanese.
Knapp has a flash and has the Marines load up both wounded. He also takes an armload of mortar rounds. He is going to fly right over the Japanese while tossing mortar rounds out. He hopes that will keep the Japanese heads down. The gag works and Knapp gets the wounded to aid in time.
If the viewer is a military aircraft buff, then this series is for you.
FLIGHT was a military television series that ran on in syndication on U.S. TV during 1958 and 1959. The series had the full cooperation of the US Airforce for the production of the 38 episode run. This is the 33rd episode of the production run.
This episode is set in Feb. 1945, and deals with one of the first uses of an early Sikorsky R-4 helicopter in the Pacific Theater. The action takes place 50 miles outside of Manila in the Philippines. The US forces are engaged in mopping up the last of the Japanese Army.
Due to the dense jungle and hills, the US Army is having trouble evacuating their wounded. One of the newly arrived chopper pilots, Robert Knapp, offers to fly out and pick up some wounded. The small R-4 can at most carry Knapp and 2 others. He flies out towards the area but is soon under fire from the Japanese. The rather under powered R-4 is an easy target and Knapp is slightly wounded. He returns to the base for repairs to the copter and himself.
He has the mechanics install an extra fuel tank so he can go around the area where the Japanese are. He flies out again and reaches the US forces. There is a big problem now. There are two seriously wounded men who must be flown out. They only have hours to reach surgery or die the medic tells Knapp. With the extra fuel tank, Knapp figures he can only carry one man and still avoid the Japanese.
Knapp has a flash and has the Marines load up both wounded. He also takes an armload of mortar rounds. He is going to fly right over the Japanese while tossing mortar rounds out. He hopes that will keep the Japanese heads down. The gag works and Knapp gets the wounded to aid in time.
If the viewer is a military aircraft buff, then this series is for you.