Original subtitles

Today's review will be the final operation of training period two.

Instructions for period three will be issued tomorrow.

Study them. Make your plans. Stand by for flight quarters.

- First Division ready for flight. - Second Division ready for flight.

You boys are getting so efficient you scare me. Come on, they're waiting.

- What course did you get to steer on? - Course 273 for 15 minutes.

- That's about what I got. - From this point, we can circle....

Hey. Sit down. I can't see the board.

Bombing pilots, attention.

Rendezvous over the carrier at 2000 feet.

Gold braid's on the field ashore. Fly past in mass formation.

Then make a dive-bombing attack. And don't forget to take your shore legs.

Honolulu. Here we come!

All right. All right. Relax and stand by. You bunch of ground lovers.

- Taking care of my gear. Tom? - We'll move it ashore.

- Thanks. - Not at all. I'll be glad to get rid of you.

- Oh. Have you got a cigarette? - Yeah.

- Say. What is this? Gold? - Sure. We've got a friend at Fort Knox.

- You guys didn't buy these on Navy pay. - We found them under a rock.

You ought to wear specs to go with them. Or carry a cane.

These certainly make an impression.

Only thing I own that'd make me welcome in a pawnshop.

They sent them because Joe rumbled...

- ...with a governor's wife in Cleveland. - That probably had a lot to do with it.

With the boys running National Air Races. Thought we'd do better stunts.

Things will be awful tough on Joe if black cats sprout wings.

National Air Races, five times a day scraping noses on the ground.

It was worth 18 karats.

Oh. Yeah. But I got the best deal out of Cleveland.

- 5 feet 2, blue eyes. - There he goes again.

- Wait till he's washed a million didies. - And walked with junior's gas pains.

He'll wish he'd taken a cigarette case.

Swede. How'd you get glamor dust in your eyes? Pilot's a fool to take a wife.

Hazel's broad-minded. She's letting me off once a week after marriage.

Well. That's better than being in a penitentiary.

I wish you transferred to San Diego with us instead of here. After the honeymoon.

Yeah. It's a crime to break up the three top hats.

Did a lot of loops together here and there.

Boy. You're gonna miss those times. So are we.

I'll have a bride to take care of. You guys will be playing tag with cadets.

I'll play tag-

Pilots. Man your planes. Pilots. Man your planes.

Stand by ta start engines.

Stand clear of Propellers.

She's sweet as sugar, commander.

Doctor. There's something sort of morbid about our jobs.

Here we sit, day after day. Like buzzards on a rail fence.

Yeah. I guess you're right. Lucky.

We sort of symbolize the uncertainty of life for those pilots.

- No wonder they don't love us. - Oh. I don't mind them. Sir. It's my wife.

She says I have to stop smelling of iodoform.

Did you ever have complaints on it?

Did I? Only about eight years. Harvard. Hopkins. Cambridge.

The girls all used to call me “The lodoform Kid.“

- Generally. They called me. "Stinky.“" - How did you manage to get rid of it?

I didn't. They just got used to it.

Killed a lot of romances for me. Lucky.

I should have been smart like you. Lieutenant, stayed single.

Especially if I'd known I was coming to Honolulu.

Why. That's fine talk when you're a new bridegroom.

Three weeks and I got marriage up to here.

Yeah?

Three more and you'll have it up to here.

Those planes do something to you. Don't they?

Almost as good as the Army.

Look at that formation.

Bombing six. Stand by to peel off.

- it's Swede. - Blackout again.

- You got a cigarette? - Sure.

I can't move. I can't feel anything.

How did I get"?

Here.

That's good.

What happened, chum? Did you misjudge your altitude?

It was a dive.

I couldn't pull up.

Blacked out.

Why don't you doctors do something about that.

Yeah. Why don't we. Here.

Here's the pressure on the spine right here.

That can only be relieved by an immediate operation.

Well. He's pretty weak from shock and loss of blood.

There's a chance if we wait for him to regain strength.

Wait? Of course. It's your responsibility. But did a case ever improve by waiting?

He'll never regain consciousness unless we go in now. I wish I wasn't so certain.

- Who's caring for Larson? - Commander Martin. Lieutenant Lee.

- You saw him. He's still alive? - He was. Yes. Sir.

I'm Larson's squadron commander. How is he?

A concussion. Possibly skull fracture.

Also. The x-rays showed a dislocated vertebra pressing on the spinal cord here.

It's a problem of whether to operate now or wait.

I don't wanna be insistent. But we're wasting valuable time.

- What'll you do for him? - Does he have family in Honolulu?

- No. - We're his friends.

We haven't time to worry about that.

Allison's just published a complete record of over 300 cases of cord injury.

Each single case that recovered was operated at once.

Every minute the pressure was unrelieved lessened the chances of recovery.

- What more can I say? - Perhaps you're right. Come along.

Sponge. Sponge.

Scalpel.

Retractor.

Breathing has stopped. Pulse is getting very weak.

- Sticky. Isn't it? - Yeah.

That much injury. There never was a chance.

No. None whatever.

I'm sorry. But your friend just died on the table.

Accident cases are always uncertain.

You can never be quite sure of the extent of shock or internal injuries.

Well. I'm sorry.

You were certain enough a while ago.

Maybe it would have been better to wait. As the commander said.

No. It wouldn't have made any difference.

His spinal cord was almost completely severed.

He said he lost consciousness pulling out of the dive.

We think he lost it in there.

Everything was done that could have been done.

I appreciate your feelings. But not your criticism. It has no sound medical basis.

Are you an example of sound medical basis?

I sent Hazel a cable and a letter.

She'll be going through the ringer for a while.

Do you think we ought to see her?

No. It would just get her all stirred up again.

- Linda! - Doug.

Pal! What are you doing here in Honolulu?

Of all the nice people. How nice to see you.

- It's good to see you too. - Gosh. You look wonderful.

- Thanks. - Listen...

Come over here. I want to talk to you.

How many times have I told you to stop following me?

Who said I was following you around?

I'm with friends and got bored and went for a walk.

Of course. I was hoping I might run...

Okay. I'm following you around.

But in a very refined way.

Darling. Why do you waste your time on me? You're much too nice for me.

- Am I? - Sure. You are.

I've told you, as far as I'm concerned. A woman is like an elephant.

I like to look at them. But I don't want to own one. Come on.

- Hey. Peter. A table for two. - Over there.

Now. Two of those tall green horrors of yours.

That will kill us or cure us.

You're a double-dyed. No-good. Cold-hearted wretch. Douglas.

Somehow. I find you very entertaining.

What? Oh. Thanks.

Well. How is good old Jack back there in Washington?

His name is Charlie. And he lives in Baltimore.

Yeah. Old Charlie. That's what I said. Well. How is he? Swell guy.

I always used to get so jealous of him.

Shall I phone and tell him I've caught the mumps or something and stay a while?

Yeah. Sure. Do that.

Did you hear what I said? I'm offering to stay another week.

What? Oh. Another week. Why. Darling. That will be wonderful.

I hope you can make it. Look. Will you excuse me just a moment?

I must talk to these fellas.

Why do I keep tossing myself at you? Why am I such a chump?

Darling. You're not a chump. I'll be right back.

Say. Could I buy you fellas a drink?

No. Thanks.

I just... Oh, thanks, I'll have it here.

I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry for sounding off that way this morning.

I guess we're all wound up a bit too tight.

Yeah.

You know. This blackout in dive-bombing is a very interesting medical subject.

I just read a report on it.

Seems those German Stuka pilots have been hit hard.

You find a way to make pullouts easier?

Sure. Cut down your diving speed with flaps and just hang up there in the air.

Then you're a pushover for antiaircraft fire.

Yeah. It's tough. All right.

But I still think with proper research. We'll lick those problems.

It's a cinch. The new German bombers are coming in at about 38,000 feet.

All RAF fighters have to do is top that by a few thousand feet to attack.

Trouble is. When you're that high. You're unconscious.

Say. That brings up another interesting problem.

Dr. Collins has new work on high-altitude sickness. What's it doing to your outfit?

Three men in the sickbay. And one funeral.

We don't know whether that last one was high-altitude sickness...

blackout or just too much smart surgery.

It must be pretty uncomfortable up at 30.000 feet. Isn't it?

Not at all. Doc. It's great sport.

Freeze. Get nutty from no oxygen. Crash. Break your neck.

You ought to try it some time.

Thanks. Well, just thought we might learn something from each other.

I've learned one thing from you.

If you pill rollers flew more. You might find how to help.

- I agree with you. - How many hops you made this week?

Me? None. I'm not a flight surgeon. Just a routine doctor.

Then keep your amateur flying talk to yourself. Doc...

till you get your feet off the ground.

Pilots like Swede die because so-called experts can't keep them alive.

- You don't even fly. And still you got... - Wait a minute. Listen. I'm on your side.

I agree. Medical science is far too much in the dark about these things.

Then give the flight surgeons a hand. Maybe all they need is a genius like you.

Wouldn't it be funny if that's what they did need?

It'd be more than funny. It'd be a first-class, full-grown miracle.

Give me a check.

Remember me? Linda. The girl you met out there.

I'm sorry for staying away so long.

I didn't mean to. We got on some important subjects.

So I surmised. I also surmise I'm not one of them. As far as you're concerned.

- Don't be mad. - Oh. I'm not mad.

I don't mind anything sweet. That's my chief attraction.

- I know. - We'll have a date if you can remember.

- Fine. - And I decided not to stay for a while.

Good night.

Too much sugar in the bloodstream.

Torpedo Squadron 6 from tower. Wind northwest. Take off when ready.

Thirty years ago. The Navy had one airplane and two pilots.

Only 20 years ago. A Naval aviator was the first man to fly the Atlantic.

In those few years. The men who learned to fly here really built Naval aviation.

And now you're here to learn to fly and to fight...

become a part of that heritage.

Soon you'll be looking back and realizing...

that each of you has shared in making history as it is made today.

All right. March to ground school.

Attention. Left face.

Forward. March.

I know you're trying. Everybody's trying. In fact. The Navy is famous for trying.

But if small planes make you dizzy. You'd better go back to Philadelphia.

We won't order another transfer to teach you to fly.

- Now. You think it over. - Yes. Sir.

- He's in a bad mood this morning. - He's in a very good mood for him.

- That's all. - Yes. Sir.

Any of you guys can't find a room. I'll share my doghouse with you.

- You're next. Sir. - Thanks.

- You better stand away from that door. - Why. Sir?

I don't want you to get hurt when I get thrown through it.

- Morning. Sir. - Morning.

Lieutenant Lee, reporting for flight-surgeon instruction.

- Welcome to San Diego. Doctor. - Thank you. Sir.

- Bachelor, eh? - Oh, yes, sir.

Good. Married officers always want to go home for lunch.

- You did Naval Air Station. Pearl Harbor. - Right. Sir. Pretty much a wasted year.

But now I've got some ideas for research on blackout and high-altitude sickness.

Ideas for research are good to have around.

We've even got a couple here ourselves. Lieutenant.

Oh. Well. That's very gratifying. Sir.

- Analysis of student rejections. - Thanks. I'll read it later.

Oh. Lieutenant Commander Rogers. In charge of research...

Lieutenant Lee. Student flight surgeon.

- How do you do, sir? - Hello.

Lee tells me he's got ideas for research along your line.

- Look after him. Will you? - Right. Sir.

Come along.

What's your school? The diploma mill of Hoosier State?

No. Harvard. Hopkins. Cambridge.

- I can read and write. - Very impressive.

How'd you offer the Navy so much for so little in return?

- I'm just naturally generous. - Not to mention your devastating wit.

Now I'd appreciate it if you'd answer my question.

I joined the Navy because it offered an active medical life.

Then I got interested in aviation medicine.

I applied for the flight surgeon's course. And here I am.

- I trust that meets your approval. Sir? - Temporarily. It does.

Go to bachelor quarters and report at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

- When do I start flying? - Just leave that to us.

- We'll see you get lots of nice little rides. - Well. Thanks.

And don't think I don't appreciate the one I've just been having.

Put her down and keep her down.

Hey. What do you think you're flying. A kangaroo?

That's tough luck. You missed them. Now. Put her down.

- What kind of a landing do you call that? - I'm sorry. Sir. I got confused.

Every time I take you doctors upstairs. You pat me in the face with a spade.

What have you got against me?

Nothing. The ground's closer than I thought, that's all.

Slim. You'd never make a flier in a thousand years.

Doctors are dodoes by nature. All of them.

- One thing I want to thank you for. - What. Sir?

You're the last grasshopper in this plague of surgeons.

It's an even break to live longer.

- That's all. - Yes. Sir.

-Hello.

Sorry. But here's another grasshopper.

Well. Well. What have I done to deserve this honor?

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Tired of Honolulu? Run out of women?

No. No. Things just got a little dull after you left.

Well. When do I start flying?

I can't imagine a nicer job than teaching you myself. But I'm too busy.

That's a tough break for me.

We'll try to find an instructor worthy of your talents.

Hey. Tim.

- How are you. Lieutenant? - I was all right until now.

Tim. The doctor here wants a pair of wings so he can visit his ex-patients.

See if you can jam his head into a cockpit.

Well. I'd be delighted.

Get your flight equipment on and report to plane 17.

- Don't forget your parachute. - Thank you. Gentlemen.

I know I can expect the very best of instruction at your hands.

This is a profanity strainer. I talk. But you can't talk back.

Very clever. No home should be without one.

All right. Come on. Get aboard.

You're all set?

All right. You take it.

Fly straight ahead.

Keep your nose on the horizon. Wings level.

All right. Don't pay any attention to me.

I'm just talking through this thing for practice.

I said. Handle the controls gently. Dr. Lee.

A Harvard man should know how to be gentle.

I've checked a lot of students in my time. But you're about the worst.

If we weren't officers and gentlemen. I'd say you stink.

Now. To make a quick recovery. Put that stick forward. Now. Try it again.

Anytime.

Hey. What's the idea? Flip her over.

Let go of the stick!

Are you trying to fly or combine suicide with murder?

Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea.

You told me to put the stick forward. So I did.

Sure. Right through the instrument board. Don't use your surgical touch on me.

I wanna collect my pension.

Don't worry. You'll be a burden on the taxpayers for many years.

You're no better at flying than you are with a knife.

I'll give you one more chance. Monday morning.

You flunk that one. And you're washed-out.

Hey. What's the rush? You got something lined up in town?

No. It's either get off the station or get a general court-martial.

General court? What for?

For punching that Joe Blake on the nose. So long. See you later.

Why don't you learn how to drive!

Why do you drive in your sleep?

You came around with your eyes shut.

Yeah. Well. You saw me coming. Why didn't you stop?

You got insurance on that fire truck?

No. They don't write it against drivers like you.

It'll cost you about 50 bucks to fix my car.

Fifty bucks? You crazy? You can buy two of those crates for that.

Well. Then maybe you'd rather I take it out of your hide.

Yeah. Why don't you try that.

Go get him. Boy.

Sorry. I meant that last one for somebody else. How are you doing?

All right.

- Say. You throw a mean punch there. - You too. Where'd you learn that right?

At Yale. I was captain of the boxing team last year.

Yale? Well. That explains everything. I'm from Harvard. Put her there.

All right. Take her out alone.

Okay.

Sorry if I made good and disappointed you.

It's a blow. All right.

Commander, there's just one more thing I'd like to ask you.

- Yeah? - Why do you dislike me so much?

Because you're a grandstand player. And a phony on top of it.

If Swede Larson's death makes you say that. You're being childish.

His number was up before we got him to the hospital.

I'm not responsible for his death and you know it.

- Maybe so. - Then why don't you quit riding me.

Our jobs are tough enough as it is.

I'll stay out of your way. And you stay out of mine.

Now, get going.

Hit your left rudder. Not your right, your left.

You're losing altitude fast.

You're gonna crash.

All right. Come on out. You died a beautiful death.

This. Gentlemen. Perfectly sums up today's discussion of blind flying.

This pilot crashed because he trusted his senses.

His semicircular ear canals lead him to believe. In the darkness...

he was turning left when he was turning right.

Never trust your senses.

Trust your instrument board.

Did my demonstration bore you. Lieutenant Lee?

Oh. Not at all. Sir. It brought up pleasant memories.

I studied the semicircular canals in second-year medicine.

Did you. Now?

You also learned all about blind flying at Harvard. Hopkins and Cambridge.

Oh. Yes. I did quite a bit there. Sir. In a hopped-up jalopy. Of course.

You must've been the pride and joy of your professors.

You have no idea how they adored me.

Keep that if you like it.

Dr. Lee and all of you gentlemen. A flight surgeon has been described...

as a combination of Dutch uncle and father confessor.

Because he's more than the pilot's physician...

he's a judge of their fitness to go on with the work they've chosen.

For this task. He must be conscientious...

and above all. Humble. Or he has no business being here.

Tomorrow. We'll take up the effect of anoxia on the electrocardiogram.

Class dismissed.

Boy. You sure got guts talking back to him like that.

Surly character, isn't he?

I bet a blood sample would show gall. Bile. With a good dash of sulfuric acid.

Here's the one I'm working on now.

- See that strong bulkhead? - Yeah.

What are the forces that pull on a diving pilot when he blacks out?

Between 5 and 10 G.

Between five and 10 times as strong as the pull of gravity.

- Will it be more with faster ships? - Not much.

If we lick blackout in our present planes. The answer will be good along time.

I've gone over these chamber equipment lists. They seem okay to me.

Good evening. Commander.

Who threw that knife?

I did. Came back pretty fast. Though. Didn't it?

If he spent less energy being bitter and more on flying. We might get action.

Maybe he has a right to be bitter.

He wrecked his heart using himself as a guinea pig on high-altitude flights.

Now he can't fly anymore and he's stuck at a laboratory desk day and night.

Rogers? Used himself as a guinea pig? - That's right.

He's also the man who doped out vitamin A for night blindness...

optically correct goggles...

and shoulder safety belts to stop crash injuries.

As a flight surgeon, he's tops.

Wow. I had no idea.

No. I didn't think you had.

Yes. Come in.

Good evening.

I saw your lights. So I thought I'd stop by.

What can I do for you. Lieutenant?

Work seems to be piling up on you here. I was wondering if I can help you with it.

- You might make those blood counts. - Sure.

These are mixed.

You know. It's...

strange how wrong you can be about things and people.

I suppose that's because everything's so confused in the world these days.

You need a jolt to bring you to your senses.

When you stop to contemplate some of...

the things you've said and done. It makes you feel like an idiot.

But I guess it all comes out in the wash.

It certainly feels good to be back in a lab.

Cigarette. Doctor?

Thanks. Doctor.

- I was just thinking of another odd thing. - What's odd?

Of all the tests used for flying aptitude. No one thought of trying the Rorschach.

What do you know about it?

Well. Just enough to suspect it might be valuable.

- Don't you agree? - I agree that we ought to try it.

- We? - You and I.

You do all the hard work, and I'll take all the glory. If any. That suit you?

Sure. Any way you want it.

Doctor. I'm disappointed in my judgment.

I'm beginning to like you.

Doctor. I'm just suffering a similar disillusionment.

I'm beginning to suspect you're almost human yourself.

Douglas Lee.

William Lester Keel.

Good luck to all of you.

The commandant's aide will give you your orders.

Gregory? Here you are. Slim.

Company commanders. Take charge. Dismissed.

What did you draw?

Aircraft carrier Saratoga. Pearl Harbor.

I go to Norfolk for assignment.

Well. Soft shoulders and happy landings.

- You too. Norfolk? - Yeah.

Say. I know a cute redhead there if you get lonesome.

Well. I'm lonesome now. Is she big or small?

Well. She's sort of... She's....

Oh. What's the difference? She's cute anyway.

You'll have to give me her address.

What was your luck?

- Honolulu. The Saratoga. - Not bad.

Not bad at all. But it's along way from my real interest, research.

That's life. Soon as a man gets warmed up for research...

he's yanked off for duty. Never seen it fail.

Yeah. I guess so. Discouraging. Though. Guess it's one of those things.

- How'd you like to stay as my assistant? - I'd like to stand on my head.

I asked for you and Washington okayed it. This just came.

I'm gonna work you half to death.

Research will be in addition to your other duties: examining cadets and pilots.

You'll wish you'd gone to Waikiki.

- Never mind that. What's step A? - Our old friend blackout.

- Doctor. I don't know how to thank you. - I can't hear a word you're saying.

Well. I'll be right with you.

- Here you are. - Thank you.

- Would you like something to eat? - No. Thanks.

Would you like a drink?

Pardon me.

Sorry.

- There you are. Mrs. Fisher. - Thank you. You're so sweet to me.

Don't mention it.

So you're from Baltimore?

- Where's Mr. Fisher? Is he in Baltimore? - I just lost him.

- I'm sorry. - I just lost him in Reno.

- I suffered no pain. - That's different, isn't it?

- It is indeed. Quite different. - You here all alone?

All alone. Commander. Until I leave for Honolulu.

- You have friends there? - Yes. Some very nice friends.

Tell me. Don't you ever get lonesome traveling alone like this?

Often.

What are you doing for dinner? Maybe you'd like to have dinner with me.

- That might be arranged. - Fine. Where would you like to eat?

Why. I don't know. My hotel is as good as any place. It's quite convenient.

- Swell, Mrs. Fisher. - I think you can call me Linda.

- Thanks. I'm Joe. - Hello. Joe.

Hi. Linda.

- How about another drink? - I'd love it.

I'll be back in a minute. Linda.

- Pardon me. - Oh. Sorry.

- Hello. Bill. - Hello. Doug.

- Hello. Dr. Lee. - Hello. Mrs. Silvers.

- Nice of you to drop in. - Thank you.

- May I introduce you around? - No. I think I know almost everyone.

- Circulate. Have fun. - Thanks. I'll put my hat over here.

- Hello. Tim. - Why. Doug. How are you?

- Hello. You beast. - Sugar! No kicking. Now.

Not yet. You know. It's strange. When I woke up this morning...

Hurry knew something nice would happen today.

- Well. So did l. And this must be it. - Shake.

- Aren't you going to kiss me? - Oh. Yes. Darling. How are you?

- What are you doing here? - I'm stationed here. How about you?

You didn't answer my letters. I was going to Honolulu to see you.

Darling. I'm divorced.

Charlie now belongs to the ages. Isn't that pleasant?

- Oh. That's wonderful. - Come on. Let's sit down.

- Oh, Dr. Lee, this is Commander.... - Blake.

- Blake. - We know each other.

Sure. We're old friends.

Then give my precious a drink. The commander and I were going...

to dine together tonight. And you must come with us.

Doug and I are old friends too. But very old friends.

I helped to cheer him up in Honolulu.

- You certainly did. - You're such a beast. But so sweet.

And here I go throwing myself at you again.

Come on. Let's get out of here.

Come on. Commander...

Blake. No. You two run along. I remembered I have watch tonight.

How unpleasant. Well. I'll go powder my nose...

tell our hostess a customary lie and be right back. Meet you in the hall, Doug.

Why am I such a chump where you're concerned?

If you had an engagement with the lady. Don't let me stand in your way.

Too bad there are no women on the selection board.

You'd be an admiral inside of a year.

All right. Come on with the box.

She's got recording instruments and a movie camera...

to photograph your faces while you're unconscious. Just turn the switch.

What? No bathtub? No hostess?

No. You'll have to furnish your own hostess.

From what I hear. You're the guy who can do it.

Oh. You have. Eh? Well. Every knock's a boost, you know.

I understand I'm flying for you gentlemen.

Nice way to spend my time. I haven't had much to do.

Just training the cadets, flying at night and... ls Casanova in on this?

- Dr. Lee will act as medical observer. - You gonna be the pilot?

You can't feel worse about it than I do.

If that's so. Why not give the job to someone else?

My group was ordered to send a pilot for a test.

In a good outfit, the skipper does it. What are the orders?

Service dives to terminal velocity. Nine-G pullouts.

On the first one. Tense your muscles from head to toe...

pull your bellies in hard, yell as loud as you can.

We want to see if that slows or stops blackouts.

- All right. You ready? - Yeah.

All right. Men. Pull her out.

Now we're at 15.000 feet and leveling off.

Here's the dive.

Twelve thousand.

Nine thousand.

Five thousand.

Now we're pulling out. Still yelling.

Here's the blackout.

Well. There you are. The yelling didn't help at all.

- Your blackout was slower. - Well. What does that prove?

I think we're on the right track. But we overlooked something.

Yeah. A way to stop blackouts.

Might as well run a Mickey Mouse as that stuff.

Look. I want to tell you something about that dive.

When we were pulling out of it. I was bending over.

My camera was stuck and I was trying to fix it.

- I didn't black out. Just went hazy. - Bending over? What could that do?

I don't know. Maybe it's equalizing the pull, something like that.

- Meeting gravity halfway. Possible. But not probable.

Bending over puts the heart level with the brain.

It might hold the blood above heart level.

Next time. Try bending over low as you can.

First it's yells, then it's bends.

Maybe we should try ski jumping next.

Wait a minute. It may be a guess. But it's worth trying.

Sit down. I'll show you the physiological principle involved.

Well. Come out of the test tube. Men.

- Fifty cadets are waiting for examination. - Right.

Well. Back to earth again.

Now you know how Einstein feels when he has to add up the household bills.

Take your places for inspection.

All right. Come on. Take them over here.

- How many are there? - About 30. sir.

General physical. Heart. Lungs. Height. Weight. Index.

- Take the ear examination. - All right. Shirts off!

All right. Gentlemen. Give way. Please.

- More civilians? - Yes. Sir.

Remember me, sir?

Lucky. Pearl Harbor. I've just been detailed to be your assistant.

Remember you? You're a window in the house of my life.

Good to see you. Glad you got transferred.

So am l. Sir. I'm a new man since I got away from my wife.

I feel 10 years younger. I'm putting on weight.

Lucky. Come over here.

It's sure nice to be back with you again.

Thanks. Lucky. Right back at you.

There's a babe in the pay office looking for you.

- A babe? - Yeah. A blond with a Brooklyn accent.

She's getting an allotment blank for your pay.

My wife! That can't be! She couldn't have swum from Honolulu.

I wouldn't put it past her. Sir. I gotta hide right away.

This can happen to the best of men.

- Go right ahead. - Thank you. Sir.

Head her off. Stop her! Give me a break. Will you?

Where are you going to hide?

How about the Isolation Ward?

Lieutenant. You got genius. Come on!

Yeah. But. Lucky. Can't you...?

Where is he? Where's my husband?

- Mrs. James? - In person.

He's in there. But you can't go in. He's a very sick man.

He'll be a lot sicker when I get through with him.

I hate to tell you this. But they're afraid he's got:

If that ever gets in the arm. The whole:

The neck starts:

Comes down the... on the racetrack.

And any time you go into... the... and:

It's very serious.

Whatever that is. It's too good for him.

Don't get too close. It's very contagious.

You see. Ma'am. How it comes and goes?

- And so will l. - And so will l.

Head up.

All right. Down again. Feel dizzy?

- Yes. Sir. - It's all right, Abbott.

- It's a perfectly normal reaction. - Oh. Thank you. Sir.

- Feel all right? - Yes, sir.

I can see you are. Report to the training office.

- Thank you. Sir. - Who's next? You"?

Well. It's a small world. Isn't it?

Yes. Sir.

- Getting plenty of exercise lately? - Yes. Sir. Too much, sir.

That's good.

If one eye sees higher. Which would you land with?

The good one, sir.

Better keep your left up. Or you won't have a good one.

I won't forget that. Sir.

- What's your middle name? - Thomas. John Thomas Anthony Ill. Sir.

Born Hempstead. New York. June the 12th, anno Domini 1919.

This is 1941. San Diego. California. 9:30 a.m., sir.

Very good.

Make a note. Mentally alert...

fresh as a new-laid egg. Well. An egg anyway.

Favorite sports: automobile racing and boxing. Ready?

- Yes. Sir. - Here you go.

Head down! Hold them. Yale!

He says he's practically got the stick between his teeth now.

All right. Cut the motor.

Why don't you be practical.

You can't use your bending-over routine without changing the cockpit.

How can a pilot aim with his head bent down?

Well. He might try a periscope or a Ouija board.

Can you design a bomber so the pilot can lie down and aim the bomb...

- ...through the nose of the ship? - Who's it for? Buck Rogers?

Seriously. Can it be done? - I suppose a pilot could lie down...

and use auxiliary controls during the dive. But it sounds silly to me.

Things are tough when a pilot has to fly on his stomach.

I'll ask the design section. But I'm sure they'll send...

an order transferring me to a nut house.

When you two figure out your next move. Let me know.

I'll be down in Squadron 2.

Gentlemen. I have a solution to your problem.

Provide each dive-bombing pilot with an old-fashioned stiff collar.

That will choke him and keep the blood from rushing from his brain. So long.

Very funny. Very funny.

“High. Tight. Old-fashioned stiff collar.“

What that guy needs is a high. Tight. Old-fashioned whack over the head.

Stiff collar.

- Hey. - What?

What that half-wit just said about a collar...

except it's not a collar. It's a belt. Understand?

- Frankly. No. - Look. Lance...

you make a belt that fits around here. It's rubber. Pneumatic.

Just before the dive. You inflate it.

That will push the stomach up under the ribs. Like this:

Compress the whole upper part of the abdomen.

That will keep the blood above heart level.

Come on. Lucky. Hurry up.

What happens if this glorified corset ain't right, sir?

You heard the story about the guy whose parachute didn't open. Right?

- Do you know how to get into it? - Sure. It's simple.

At least it was when I designed it.

Here. Place me under the bag. Will you?

- That's it. - This makes me feel right at home. Sir.

How does it work?

This hooks up to the pressure flask in the cockpit. When you start a dive...

you release the valve. It inflates it. Does that. We hope.

It works the way it has on the ground. It ought to be a cinch.

Did you tell Blake I was waiting?

He said he'd be here when he finishes lining up the National Defense Program.

Oh. He did. Eh? That's very clever of him.

Pressure belts. Pressure chambers.

Flying's getting to be as tough as my wife. Pressure on you all the time.

Yeah.

Aren't you going to wait for the commander, sir?

You're breaking regulations, doctor. The commander will be awful sore.

Tell him I'll write him a letter and explain everything.

Joe. Isn't that your test tube taking off?

Yeah. What's the idea?

Looks like you're being stood up. Pal.

That lamebrain. He can't fly that ship. There won't be enough left to identify.

Don't blame me if anything happens.

He shouldn't have done it. I told him that.

I mean. I was gonna tell him that. But he got away so fast, I couldn't.

He ain't had enough experience to fly that ship.

- He's heading for the last roundup. - Pipe down. What's the matter with you?

Nothing. Sir. I'm just neurotic.

Thought you'd meet me with a crash truck and fire engine?

No. Sir. A whiskbroom and a dustpan.

- Get the instruments. Will you? - Aye. Aye. Sir.

Works like a charm. I hoisted her back to 10 G and didn't even get hazy.

I'm afraid to say it. But we may have something.

I'm not afraid to say it.

- Aren't you a bit green to dive alone? - Yeah.

Ground's hard when you bounce a plane off of it.

But you see. With this belt. You won't.

Some real pilot better check it before we get excited.

Of course we're gonna check on it.

Test it. Send it to Washington. Ask them to equip other groups...

- ...so they can check it. - Fine. I hope it works out.

I envied you up there. Doug.

Being glued to the ground. I feel as if I'm doing only half the job.

What are you talking about? You do more than any two of us.

It's funny how a guy's mind works when he's up there flying.

Just before I put her into that dive. I kept thinking to myself:

"There's two kinds of blackout this belt may whip."

Our kind and the sort they're having over London right now.“

Up.

Down. Up.

- Down. Up. - Can we have a little music with this?

Down. Sure. What do you want? Some boogie-woogie? Up.

Down. That's enough. Sit down. Relax.

- Let me see the chart. Will you? - Here.

All right. Your Schneider index seems too good to be true these days.

The result of clean living and high thinking.

Commander?

Dr. Rogers. How long do I have to keep on taking these Schneiders anyway?

I know it's a nuisance. But we have to track changes...

in pulse and blood pressure.

It's one way of determining if you should continue flying.

I think it's a lot of bunk. Come on. Hill.

Is that all?

Look. Washington's approved the belt for further tests.

- It has? Swell. Congratulations, doctor.

Washington doesn't care what it approves of these days.

When do we go? When do we start testing?

A couple carriers are due next month for a bombing problem.

Couldn't be better. That'll give us a chance to try it in group action.

- Better take a look at that chart. - Come on. Tim.

Go on and take those charts out of my hair.

Tim. I'd like to see you for a minute.

What's the matter? Haven't I bounced enough?

You better be in on this too. Joe.

Well. Sounds like a tea party.

Hey. Lucky. She's back again.

Why don't somebody tell me when it's payday?

- Here we go again. Boys! - Hey. Look. You better be careful.

He's asleep. Mrs. James. He had a bad night.

He's got worse ones coming when he gets better.

We're doing all we can to get him back on his feet.

Just get him strong enough to sit up. I'll have more fun beating him on the head.

No. You see. The doctor says he's got: You see... for the patient's...

and they get themselves laying in bed:

- Look. You see where it says “ward“? - Yeah.

Well. You take the D out and the... what have you got?

Piston rods. So you see. It'll never help you.

It will satisfy my soul.

That dame's crazy.

You're not going to recommend me for a waiver. Are you?

- That's right. - The service can't lose a pilot like Tim.

Can't you wait. Give him another Schneider?

- I don't believe that would do any good. - What do you know?

I can count. Read a watch and a blood-pressure dial.

- What's wrong with me? - Pilot fatigue.

As far as flying's concerned, you're worn-out.

Like the works of an old watch.

What are you talking about? I can fly as well as I ever could.

Doug's right. There's no argument. This tells the story.

Here's a composite graph of Schneider indices in the cases of pilot fatigue.

This is the turning point. Tense irritability. Nervousness.

You weren't in good shape when you reported. I ran extra Schneiders on you.

When Dr. Lee took over your group. I told him to continue with the tests.

Your Schneiders have been following this curve.

Last week. You were here. Now you're here.

In my book. That means you're washed-up with flying.

- For how long? - Maybe months. Maybe forever.

I can't get by without my flight pay. I have a wife and kids to support.

- You can't do that on peanuts. - These things are never easy on anyone.

I won't take any grounding from you.

If the Navy doesn't want experienced pilots. I know who does.

If you're smart. Stay out of airplanes.

Stick around a couple months. See what happens.

Why stick around and get turned down again?

That's nice going.

I don't know how we ever got along around here without you.

Don't resign. Tim. I can fit you into a good ground job.

You know there's no such thing as a good ground job.

I'd go crazy every time a plane flew past.

What's this other thing?

Same thing you'd do if you were kicked out.

- Smoke? - I got one.

Why didn't you make him stop flying sooner? Take a rest?

Because flying is like adrenaline to tense pilots.

Take it away. And they fold up.

So you keep them flying. Try to coax them back on their feet.

But when the fatigue becomes chronic. They're usually through.

I know you hated it. This is a hard business.

A flight surgeon has to face the truth. And often. It isn't very pleasant.

It certainly isn't.

Well. I guess I should have followed my mother's fondest wish.

She wanted me to be a violinist.

They all pulled out clean. Twelve minutes and 15 seconds.

That's really bombing.

A little less doubtful about the belt now. Commander?

Real pilots used the belt. Found it's all right.

The belt flew the planes and aimed the bombs for them.

It'll probably make coffee for them when they get out.

I think we can forget about blackouts from now on.

Get stretchers and take them to sickbay.

It must be high-altitude sickness.

If it is. It's worse than blackout. The unsolved problem.

Better not stay unsolved for long.

If it does. My mother will get more than her wish. We'll both wind up violinists.

Royal Air Force fighter, landing on field.

It's the RAF. He's way off his beat.

Hey. That's a nice job.

I'd hate to have that on my tail in a dogfight.

- Say. Isn't that Tim Griffin? - Yeah.

Commander Blake.

- Hi. Fella. - Hi. Boy.

Commander Blake. Tim's back. He just brought in that RAF fighter.

- Hi. Tim! - How are you, Tim?

Hi. Sailor! How are you?

- Well. How are you, sailor? - Tim. What brought you down here?

I picked it up in L.A.. Ferried it to Canada.

Took a detour to see how you were doing without me.

We're doing all right. Look at that uniform.

How do you like that?

They call me the Beau Brummell of Montreal.

- How about some gas? - Got a credit card?

- I just sign the bill “Winston C.“ - Okay. Now. Fill her up.

- Don't touch the motor. It's perfect. - Nothing else, Tim?

- I'll take anything that isn't nailed down. - How's a spot of tea?

- And a hamburger? - Right.

Well. Look here. How are you?

Aren't you pretty.

I'm looking for a beauty contest to enter.

Next month. I go on transatlantic bomber ferry.

Each pilot flies his own ship over. One plane brings them back.

It's real dough. A hundred pounds‘ bonus a hop. And four and five hops a month.

A thousand bucks a month?

Yeah. If any of you guys want a job. Just let me know.

Hey. What's the lowdown on the RAF fighter squadrons?

Nobody chases ships anymore. They're too fast.

You pick out an enemy. Dive on them and hose them with eight machine guns.

If you don't drop him down. Keep going. Look for another pushover.

Altitude's the answer. Forty to 45,000 feet.

The guy on top wins all the marbles. I've got to roll, Joe. Check.

Oh. No. This one's on Uncle Sam.

You mean. Uncle Joe. Okay.

Oh. Hello. Doctor. You remember me?

Worn-out, rundown “like the works of an old watch“?

- Sure. How are you? - Still flying. No thanks to you.

But I thank you for kicking me into a better job.

I hope all of my mistakes turn out that well.

They might if your patients get away from you early enough. I was lucky.

I hope your luck holds. Chum.

In fact. I wish you all the luck in the world.

Well. Thanks for those few kind words.

Come on. Joe. So long. Sailors.

- Ninety gallons. - Ninety gallons.

Ninety gallons. And charge it to Winston C.

Thanks.

I'll smoke one of my own.

- Sort of miss the old gang. Don't you? - Yep.

The days you and Swede and I flew together were the happiest in my life.

We can't live them over. But they're sure swell to look back on.

This is all right.

Great bunch of people up there and on the other side...

but I'd rather be a pilot in the Navy...

with you as my skipper than anything on earth.

Thanks. Tim. Right back at you.

- Say. How have you been feeling. Really? - Oh. Fine. Fine. Joe.

Of course. I get woozy now and then after too many hours in the air.

That's why I break these ferry trips up into short jumps.

Where do you land? San Francisco or Medford?

I'll go on to Seattle. That's an easy hop.

- So long. Joe. It's been swell. - Take care of yourself. Sailor.

Thanks.

RAF fighter. Griffin, pilot. San Diego for Seattle.

Please notify San Francisco, Medford and destination.

Expected time of Arrival, 5:10. That is all.

Let me know when he passes San Francisco and Medford...

- ...and when he arrives in Seattle. - Aye. Aye.

Mr. Griffin passed Medford.

Both Seattle and Vancouver are calling him now. He doesn't answer.

- Thank you. Take over. - Aye. Aye.

- Larson. Smith. - Here. Sir.

San Francisco calling Griffin in RAF lighter.

Medford calling RAF fighter. Griffin, pilot. Griffin, answer Medford.

Seattle calling Griffin.

This is Vancouver. Griffin, RAF lighter, answer Vancouver.

San Francisco ta Medford.

Have you checked all emergency fields north of your station?

Medford to San Francisco. It‘s gone out by Teletype. We‘re on the phone now.

Medford ta all stations. Medford ta all stations.

RAF fighter. Griffin, pilot. Attempted to land at emergency field 26.

He made a normal approach, but misjudged his altitude...

and hooked a wing against a hangar. The ship is a washout.

The pilot was instantly killed. That is all.

San Francisco ta all stations.

Resume regular routine.

Think we should've denitrogenated Elmer before taking him up to 25,000 feet?

He'd look cute riding a stationary bicycle...

trying to work the nitrogen out of his system.

I think that whole decompression theory is much overdone.

I'm inclined to agree with you.

I've heard you want human guinea pigs...

- ...for your low-pressure research. - We do.

I'd like to volunteer for the job.

Also as pilot for your high-altitude work. When you get to it.

That's great. But I thought you felt our work was a waste of time.

I guess I've been wrong about a couple of things.

The pressure belt and Tim Griffin.

- Can you use me? - I'll say we can. We'll let you know.

Thanks.

Start reducing pressure.

A thousand feet.

Five thousand.

Ten thousand.

Twenty-five thousand.

- That's it. - Elmer can take it.

Take him up to 40.000. If he's all right, we'll try it on humans.

Okay.

- Good morning. - Good morning. Sir.

This is human guinea-pig experiment 32.

Its purpose is to study how the lack of oxygen...

affects your ability to coordinate rapid movements.

I appreciate your volunteering for this experiment. And good luck. All right.

Just sit down anywhere. Gentlemen. And adjust your oximeters on your ear.

That will show the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.

Now. I think you understand about this chamber.

It's for reproducing the conditions of flying at high altitude.

We do this by pumping out the air inside and gradually reducing the pressure.

The higher the altitude. The more trouble you'll have...

coordinating your movements so that you can fly properly.

We're ready.

Mac's in chair number one. Abbott's in two.

Anthony's in three. Blake in four.

- All right. Start reducing pressure. - Aye. Sir.

Now. Follow the movement of the lights with your controls.

By lining the green light with the red...

you indicate your ability to coordinate.

Five thousand feet.

Five thousand.

Six thousand.

Seven thousand.

Eight thousand.

Nine thousand.

Ten thousand.

Eleven thousand.

The pressure now corresponds to 12.000 feet.

Put on oxygen masks.

Thirteen thousand.

I don't need any oxygen yet.

Tough guy Anthony says he doesn't need oxygen.

All right. But watch him.

Sixteen thousand.

Ls Joe's equipment properly set?

- Nineteen thousand. - Yes. It is.

Twenty thousand feet.

Twenty thousand feet. Going up.

Twenty-one thousand.

Twenty-two thousand.

Twenty-four thousand.

Twenty-live thousand.

Take a deep breath.

Once more.

Twenty-seven thousand.

Twenty-eight thousand.

How do you feel. Tough guy?

- Twenty-nine thousand. - Never felt better.

Thirty thousand feet.

Thirty-one thousand.

Thirty-two thousand.

Better check Joe again.

Thirty-live thousand.

- Thirty-six thousand. - That better?

- You said it. - Thirty-seven thousand.

Lance. That setting wasn't adequate for a man of his size. I increased it.

We're just under 40.000 feet. Let me hear heartbeats.

Let me hear Blake's.

All right. Give me another one. Someone who‘s had a full supply of oxygen.

Cut the motor.

Forty thousand.

Now. Let's see how long you can stand this pressure.

Start to increase pressure.

We're coming down. Watch your ears.

What a hop.

Start rubbing it hard.

Aeroembolism.

Feels like a duffel bag full of jelly.

All right. Try it now.

- Is that better? - Yeah.

Report to the lab for x-ray pictures.

Thank you very much, gentlemen. For being such cooperative rabbits.

I wish we could reward you. But we're fresh out of lettuce.

Look straight.

All right.

There's a suggestion of gas bubbles in this knee joint too.

Every case we've tested has shown strong evidence of bubble formation.

The higher the altitude. The stronger the evidence becomes.

See? No mistaking that.

Maybe flying should just be restricted to 35.000 feet, and let it go at that.

We can't. In flying. The sky's the limit.

A fighter has to be able to get above the other fella.

If you restrict altitude. You're not making progress.

That's right. We've got to find the cause of high-altitude sickness.

Whether it's partly bubbles or entirely lack of oxygen.

All we've been able to find out is that pilots need oxygen above 12,000 feet.

We don't know what high-altitude sickness is, but we know how to stop it.

Keep the pilots at sea-level pressure. No matter how high they go.

- When is that pressure-cabin job ready? - Four. Five days.

Your pressure cabin might be fine for big ships. Weight doesn't matter.

For the small fighter, the extra weight will knock 5000 feet off your ceiling.

- We'll find out. Let's see blood counts. - You need a close-fitting pressure suit.

You can't put a pilot in armor. He'd be too stiff to move.

- He could move if it had flexible joints. - Ventilation would be a problem.

The pilot would snuff out like that.

- I don't believe you can do it. - Why does it have to be armor?

Wait a minute. I think Blake's got something there.

Look. If we design it like this. On the principle of a diving suit...

with flexible joints here. Yet capable of holding oxygen inside...

Hurry think we'll have something. Look.

I'd like to work on it with you if you're willing.

- It's okay with me. - While you're knitting your union suit...

I'll go right ahead with the pressure-cabin job.

You're wanted in the office right away.

Fifty new cadets are assigned to your squadron.

- Who assigned them? - I don't know. Sir. I didn't.

Fifty? Why do they keep shoving them at me?

What do they think I do? Wave a magic wand and make fliers out of them?

Joe's pretty irritable lately.

You may have noticed it. Joe's Schneider chart's been missing.

Yeah. I did.

I didn't want it known that he's been on the pilot fatigue curve lately.

Dropped to two this morning. He's almost reached the chronic line.

That means we've got to get another man for our high-altitude work.

That might be the worst possible move. He still has a fair chance for recovery.

It will be tough on him after all the work he's done.

Is he worried about something else?

No. But I think Griffin's death hit him pretty hard.

Besides. He's tense, nervous as a cat. Works all the time.

- Doesn't know how to play. - You could help him with that.

Me? I doubt that.

Wait a minute.

I've got a clue.

- Maybe I can, at that. - Good.

Hey. Lucky.

- I've got a job for you. - Aye. Aye. Sir.

Hey. Lucky. Lower your boom.

Tugboat Annie's back again with a full head of steam.

Ain't a guy got no privacy in this man's Navy?

You can't see him, Mrs. James. He's gotten lower.

He couldn't get any lower than he was. Where is the snake?

- In an oxygen tent with four nurses. - That sounds like him.

I bet they're all blonds. Are they? Are they all blonds?

No. Male nurses. We're trying to pull him through the crisis.

Better get him pulled by next payday. Or I'm going to the admiral.

Mrs. James?

Hurry....

I was just wondering if I couldn't sort of help you with the admiral?

You know him?

Truthfully. No. But he and a friend of mine are very good pals.

I thought we could discuss it somewhere sometime.

Perhaps tonight for dinner? About 7?

- Well. I don't know. - 7:30?

I suppose it'll be all right. Seeing how I'm practically a widow.

Your husband's in a bad way. And we could discuss the various arrangements.

Well. I live at the Blue Horizon Apartments.

I'll meet you in the lobby. Make it 7. And please don't be late.

I'm always on time. You see. Hurry... for the Navy.

I can... traditions. You know.

People talking about the state.

I walk through... Boy Scouts. But:

That's nice. So am l. I'll see you later.

Okay. Lucky. All clear.

Hey. What's wrong with you, bud?

Measles.

What's yours?

- Why is this door open? - Well. I was going...

What are you doing in there?

I was checking things to see if everything's shipshape for inspection.

There's measles in that ward. You'll have to stay in Isolation.

My sister's in town. And if I could see her tonight...

then I'd come back and have my measles in peace.

You can see her in 21 days. Take care of him.

- Aye. Aye. Sir. - What am I gonna do for 21 days?

I wouldn't pay any attention to the captain. Lucky.

What if you are... and people bring you...?

You can have: What can you lose?

It's healthy:

I'll even bring you my socks. You can darn them.

You understand that Navy property is valuable. Don't you?

You took the risk of cracking up your plane by landing on field seven.

- Your orders were clear. Am I right? - Yes. Sir. But Hurry....

You haven't answered my question.

You made the landing in emergency field number seven against orders. Why?

I wanted to try landing in a small field. Sir.

You tried it and cracked up your plane. You weren't ready for it.

I wasn't ready for the wheelbarrow left on the runway.

Otherwise. I made a perfect three-point landing.

You can try one on the washout board at 4:00. You're through.

That's all.

Too bad about that kid. He had the makings of a great pilot.

Yeah. For a circus. The Navy has no place for stuntmen.

That's funny. I always thought you did quite a bit of stunting yourself once.

Along time ago. For publicity purposes.

The Navy has changed since then.

Well. It just seemed too bad, after all that time you spent on him. To lose it.

I'll bet a month's pay that you got your ears pinned back for the same thing.

- Who told you that? - Nobody. That's the kind of guy you are.

Why don't you give him another chance. He thinks you're great.

All you have to do is talk to him to straighten him out. How about that?

You're the nosiest guy I ever met. And it's always in my business.

- I'll give him one more chance. - Swell.

Thanks. And while you're in the same mood. I'd like to ask one more favor.

- What is it? - Remember my pal Linda Fisher?

She's getting into town with a friend. Help me out?

No soap. I got a lot of work to do.

What's her friend look like?

I've never known Navy fliers. But I know lots of Army fliers.

They're loads of fun.

That's very interesting.

- Did you miss me dreadfully? - Miss you? Oh. I could hardly stand it.

Isn't that pleasant? How long have I been gone?

How long? Must have been weeks. Wasn't it?

Weeks? I've been gone for months. You foul creature.

You haven't heard a word I've said.

- Are all Navy men so absent-minded? - Yeah. No. no.

Hey. Lee. It just hit me.

I know how we can control the pressure and oxygen in that suit.

Globe valves with fine threads on the spindles.

- Wouldn't work, I don't think. - Yes. It would work. I'll show you.

- Are they all like that? - He seems to infect them.

Unfair to organized womanhood.

Maybe if we extended this flange down a little farther.

It won't do it, Joe. The movements to the valve aren't fine enough.

You'll either get a slight trickle of oxygen or a whole slug of it all at once.

You've got to have a smooth. Fine. Hairline control.

How about a shampoo and finger wave?

You know. I fly too. But I'm not such a bore about it.

I can talk about other things now and then.

We'll have to find somebody to invent a new valve.

I'll try if you've got another screwdriver.

Excuse me.

That shade won't be becoming to you.

Joe? Look.

A slide valve with a fine screw on the stem.

Each turn opens it just a hair.

This is it.

Sure. That's got it. Look.

If we design something like this. Have the outlet...

Will you gentlemen excuse us. Please?

Helen. Not so loud. You might wake them up.

- And I said they'd be exciting. - I'm disappointed in the Navy.

It's getting so a girl can't compete with nuts and bolts.

Well. There's always the Marine Corps.

May I help you?

Yes.

This valve engages this gadget. We're off to the races.

- Have we overlooked anything? - No.

- Dr. Lee? - Yeah.

Mrs. Fisher asked me to give you this with a message.

Thanks.

"Hume Mechanics Magazine.“"

- What was the message? - Sailors, you're an awful bore

Valves to you We've gone ashore

We don‘t like quarrels We don‘t like scenes

The Navy's tau busy We'll try the Marines

These pressure-cabin jobs are tricky. Sure you understand all the controls?

- Pressure. Oxygen. Humidity. Temperature? - Certainly.

Don't look toward the sun when you get up. Its rays will blind you in that thin air.

Thanks. So long.

Why do we need oxygen masks in a pressure cabin?

- We don't. - What did we bring them along for?

Force of habit, I guess.

Just over 35.000 feet.

- How do you feel? - I'm getting a little woozy.

Why can't we keep the pressure up?

Can't and still ventilate.

Supercharger is full on.

It's no good at this height.

What's our next move?

I don't know. Maybe we better get out and walk.

Thirty-six thousand.

Picking up ice.

She's sweating.

Thirty-eight thousand.

I can't balance the temperature and humidity.

She's sluggish on the controls.

Too much ice.

The de-icer's frozen.

Give me oxygen.

I guess I left you for a few minutes.

- Are you all right? - Yeah. I'll take it.

Swing low. Sweet chariot. I heard the horn that time.

- What horn? - Gabriel's.

This is about the most attractive piece of ground I ever stood on.

Yeah. We almost bought 6 feet of it apiece.

Cigarette?

Yeah. Thanks.

It's gonna be tough on Art.

Well. It wasn't exactly a picnic for us.

Thanks.

- How'd it go? - Make a nice ice wagon. Art.

- That's about all. - Took two of us to handle the controls.

We were busier than one-armed paperhangers and twice as cold.

Cabin's too damp. It sweats and gathers ice by the ton.

- Outside of that. It's perfect. - For everything but flying.

Well. I guess that's that.

Here's where we're starting all over again.

Send me a full report.

I'm glad you got it down all right.

Thanks. So are we. Can I interest you in our pressure suit?

You're going to have less luck with that than you had with my pressure cabin.

This puts the whole problem right in your laps. Boys.

Fine. It's right where we want it.

- Is this where the oxygen line goes in? - It fits here. There's a slide valve for it.

- Where does your microphone plug in? - Here.

There's a communication system built in the helmet.

- You can see it. - Oh. I see.

Lieutenant, this is gonna look just like a diver's helmet.

Well. We don't care if it looks like a birdcage. Just so that it works.

Here's your oxygen line right here.

44.500.

44.700.

45.000. There it is.

That's enough. It's time to come down.

Cut the motor. Open the pressure valves wide.

- Get the valves in the back. - Aye. Sir.

You'd be in horrible shape if a mosquito got in there with you. Wouldn't you?

- How was it? - Great. Except I feel like a fish in a bowl.

Fine. Lift it off easy.

- How did the valves work? - Like a charm.

It was worth losing two dames over.

I'll fly this suit to 50.000 if I have to climb hand over hand.

I better check on your ticker anyway.

- Breathe normally. - I'm all right.

Considering its weight. It's pretty comfortable.

I like to hear that.

Wouldn't like to play tennis in it. Would you?

Let me butt in here.

Listen. Boys. I think you really got something here.

I guess that's all. Come. I want to take a Schneider on you.

- Why? - Just to keep the practice.

Lance. You can't do it that way.

You can't hand a man a piece of paper with that kind of news in it.

It's too cold-blooded.

If you got a better idea. I'm willing to listen. You can't send it to him.

I suppose not. That would be worse.

Everything's all set.

The ship's raring to go.

Cigarette? - No. Thanks.

- Lance? - No. Thanks.

You boys gonna be out there with a band to see me off?

Well. What's eating you guys?

One of your rabbits got the pip?

No.

I was just discussing it with Lance...

and it would be better if you didn't make this hop.

No. This KING'S my baby.

What's the difference who makes the test?

- You know the suit will work. - You mean. We think it will work.

Come on. Level with me.

I smell some kind of a runaround.

No. There's no runaround. It's....

I wish I could think of some other way. But I can't.

Your Schneider hit the chronic-fatigue line this morning.

We checked it every way. Twenty times. Backwards and forwards. No mistake.

You mean. I'm washed-up.

No. No. I wouldn't put it that way.

A man of your experience is always gonna be valuable in the service.

So what if you have to give up flying a while?

- You can keep running your squadron. - Yeah.

I'll be a great example for those boys. Parked in the office with my knitting.

I guess it had to happen sooner or later.

It's tough to get yanked out of the ring when the main event is about to start.

- After you've trained all your life. - You've trained plenty of other guys.

If and when the main event does start. They'll be in there pitching.

Sure. Sure they will.

Well...

it was a good show while it lasted.

I would like to have finished this pressure-suit job...

before the rocking chair got me.

- Is that my diploma? - Yeah.

I better take it just to make it official.

Say. Do you know...

some other man who can do this test job for us?

Yeah. Yeah. I'll have a good pilot for you.

Thanks.

Joe.

I wish there was something I could say...

but there never is. Is there?

Commander Blake.

Yes?

I just wanted to thank you for giving me another chance.

- Forget it. - It's meant a lot to train under you. Sir.

Thanks. Just remember one rule. Anthony:

As a pilot. Fight to be on top and stay there.

- You can't lick them from below. - I won't forget that. Sir.

- Is she ready? - Yes, sir.

- Pull her out. - All right, boys. Pull her out.

Just a minute. Sir. There seems to be something wrong.

There. That's got it.

How'd he take it?

Not as hard as I thought he would.

That doesn't sound like Joe Blake.

No. Rotten job. Though.

- Who's in that plane that just took off? Lieutenant Commander Blake, sir.

I want to contact Lieutenant Commander Blake. He's in 6FOX4.

Very well.

San Diego. Calling Lieutenant Commander Blake in 6FOX4.

San Diego. Calling Lieutenant Commander Blake in 6FOX4.

This is Blake in 6FOX4. Go ahead.

Joe. This is Doug. What the devil do you think you're doing?

I'd say I'm doing about 250 at 26.000 and going up.

Are you“? Don't try to take that ship to its ceiling.

Why not? That was the whole idea.

I want to prove this. Then you can turn me out to pasture.

Listen. You're in no shape to fly. You've been grounded.

I can't hear you, pal. The neighbors are playing the radio.

Joe. This is Lance. Don't be a fool. Come on down.

Twenty-eight thousand. This suit works like a charm.

We should open a tailor shop for angels.

Joe. That's high enough. You've done the job.

Now head up for the stable.

I can't do a thing. She's got the bit in her teeth.

Look...

the skipper's come in the room. He's here with us.

He's ordering you to land.

Tell him he shouldn't be hanging around the radio tower. It's undignified.

Thirty thousand.

Life begins at 40.

Listen to reason, you crazy idiot.

You guys are wasting my breath. I'll see you later.

Joe.

Switched off. Might as well argue with a wall.

That ship's out of control.

Sound the crash alarm.

“Heat oxygen line to prevent ice.

Suit perfect then.“

The sole purpose in forming for this ceremony...

is to honor the men who. During the year. Have done the most for the service.

So it's my privilege to make an award of this trophy...

for the year's outstanding achievement in aviation.

And so we honor two flight surgeons...

Lieutenant Commander Rogers and Lieutenant Lee...

whose professional skill has made possible...

the effective work of our finest pilots and best planes.

These men have been instrumental in solving some of the greatest problems...

in aviation medicine.

They've been more than faithful to the flight surgeon's creed:

"Keep them in the air.“"

We also honor the memory of Lieutenant Commander Joseph Blake...

who heroically sacrificed his life in first testing the pressure suit.

His supreme sacrifice was not made in vain.

It insured that the planes and pilots of this nation...

can more safely fly. Fight and defend their country in the stratosphere.

Lieutenant Lee.

I accept this. Sir. On behalf of my friend and coworker...

Lieutenant Commander Blake.

A very gallant gentleman.

And salute.

Pilots. Man your planes.

Lieutenant?

I've been ordered to stay on duty as an instructor.

Any time you need a guinea pig for future research...

I'd like to carry on Blake's work.

That will be fine. We'll let you know.

And. Sir. The pilots would like to have you make this hop with us. If you wish.

Thanks. Thanks. I would like to.

.