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 Summary

This collection includes a copy of the finished film, We Saw It Happen , as well as interviews and stock footage outtakes. Altogether this collection contains 481 black and white; silent and sound; 16 mm and 35 mm (mostly 35 mm) films covering a variety of aviation topics.

 Biographical / Historical

The United Aircraft Corporation produced We Saw It Happen , a 1953 documentary in honor of the 50th anniversary of flight. We Saw It Happen is a historic film concerning all aspects of aviation from the Wright brothers to 1953. Newsreel film is used to illustrate significant developments in flying and aircraft production as well as historic world events. Statements are made by important aviation figures who reminisce on aeronautic areas of their interest.

 Identifier

NASM.XXXX.0637

Creator

United Aircraft Corporation

Date

1952-1953

Provenance

Unknown, Gift?, Unknown (found in collection), NASM.XXXX.0637

Extent

57.84 Cubic feet (457 film cans and 24 Betacam-Sp videos.)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection includes a copy of the finished film as well as interviews and stock footage outtakes. Altogether this collection contains 481 black and white; silent and sound; 16 mm and 35 mm (mostly 35 mm) films covering a variety of aviation topics. This collection encompasses numerous interviews including those with: Wellwood E. Beall, Lawrence D. "Larry" Bell, William Boeing, William Bridgeman, Frank Caldwell, Clarence Chamberlin, James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, Donald W. Douglas, Ira C. Eaker, Oliver P. Echols, Earl Findley, Benjamin D. Foulois, Robert Gross, Carrie Grunbach, Sam Herron, Leonard S. "Luke" Hobbs, H. Mansfield Horner, Jerome Hunsaker, Alvin M. "Tex" Johnston, James H. "Dutch" Kindleberger, Frank P. Lahm, Glenn L. Martin, Thomas DeWitt Milling, Mundy I. Peale, Dewitt D. Ramsey, Frederick B. Rentschler, Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker, Igor Sikorsky, Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz, Charlie Taylor, John H. Towers, Roscoe Turner, and Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager.

Arrangement note

Film items are individually described in film database and stored by size of film can.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Citation

We Saw It Happen Film Collection, NASM.XXXX.0637, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics

Aircraft

Air pilots

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Motion picture film