USS Lexington, Saratoga Classic Biplane Operations in the 1930s - National Archives Airailimages

Navy photographers, always first rate, used high-speed 35-millimeter motion picture cameras for films evaluating landings on USS Lexington, CV-2, as well as other launch and flight footage. The presence of Boeing F4B-4 biplane fighters with raised headrests suggests at least some of this footage was made around 1932 or later. And the sister ship to Lexington, USS Saratoga, is seen in some views, identifiable by the large vertical black stripe painted on Saratoga's funnel to guide planes to the right carrier.
The views of barrel-shaped Grumman F2F biplanes, including views of the XF2F-1 prototype, place this material between 1933 and probably 1935, when production deliveries of F2Fs began.
Smokescreens were a viable tool of the era to shield fleets from attacking ships, and the planes of Lexington lay down a screen in this film.
Imagine the excitement of being on the front of carrier innovation in the 1930s, honing techniques that would later contribute to victory in World War II.
You are watching the Airailimages Channel. Hit the Subscribe button, and join more than a hundred thousand subscribers who enjoy our unique mix of old and new films and videos.
Here's more great prewar aircraft carrier action from the Airailimages Channel:    • Vintage Flight Operations - USS Sarat...