Normal life at US-airbase during WW2 (1945 in color)

This video shows the normal everyday life of the US-Air Force soldiers (from the 493rd Bomb Squadron) during WW2. Soldiers playing, smoking Luky Strike cigarettes, repairing and fixing aircrafts, demonstrating equiment etc.

The vehicle with the plexiglass nose piece from a B26 on the top is a mobile control tower for use in inclement weather or where there was no fixed control tower. The Officer in the cone with the radio headset is communicating with aircraft and has a flare pistol to signal or acknowledge incoming or outgoing aircraft. A flare was usually used to indicate to all aircraft that take-off time had arrived. Flares were also used to acknowledge flares deployed by aircraft with wounded on board upon return as well as a number of other "situations" on board a returning battle damaged aircraft. The twin engine aircraft that is undergoing engine work is a Big Wing Martin Marauder, B-26B-40, rolled off the assembly line in February 1944. The Air Ambulance is a Stinson L-1C (Army Air Corps designated them as an O-49) Vigilant.

Slate reads:
Captain Carter
Prods. 196
Strip-Y-54
ROLL C-15
Date 3-31-45