Bombardier Page #5

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Pilot to Bombardier,

release all your bombs in salvo.

Adjust your trim tabs, see if that

won't get us out of this bank.

Sounds like they set off

with the bombs. Oh-oh.

SIRENS:

Tower to 8134.

Tower to 8134.

Buck, try everything. If you can't

straighten her out, don't take

any chances, bail out your crew.

With a little time,

I could bring her out of it.

No use risking all those lives

just for one training ship.

Good luck, fella.

I'd like permission then, sir,

to bail out the crew

and bring her in myself.

No, let her crash in the desert.

Now you've got your orders.

Pilot to Bombardier,

have Ellis come up here.

Hey, what's going on?

I didn't know. I guess he

can't get her out of this bank.

Gee, maybe we'll get

a chance to jump.

What is it, sir?

We may have to bail out. A lot

of the man had ever jumped before.

You're pretty handy with that

jump sack,

so take off first and

show them how easy it is.

Very well, sir.

Any of you men

ever make a parachute jump?

No, sir. Why practise something that

has to be perfect the first time?

Well, you'd better make this

perfect, cos we're going for a walk.

Put on your chutes.

Pilot to crew, pilot to crew,

stand by to abandon ship.

What's the matter?

He says abandon ship.

Come on, the chutes are down here -

let's get 'em on.

Hey, Tom!

Pilot to crew, when I give you

two bells, jump and make it fast.

Carter, you and Tom

go out the Bombardier hatch.

Be sure you push yourselves free,

so you won't foul.

Count ten before you pull your

ripcord. Yes, sir.

Good luck.

ALARM:

That's the signal.

Watch the way I go out.

Fall freely and when you can't

hear the roar of the motors,

pull your ripcord.

Here I go.

That swing's snappy.

Well, I ain't tired.

Just one last thing

if I don't get down -

tell that little Mamie

in the parachute department

I've been dying to marry her.

Dying, why do I talk like that?!

Er...you go first, Jim.

No, you go.

Come on, get your arm in here.

Wait, Jim, don't. Let me help you.

No, no, let me alone, don't!

I'm not going to jump.

What's the matter?

I don't know but I can't.

It's something in my head.

I'd rather go down with the ship.

You'll be killed!

I don't care

but I'm not going to jump.

I'll tell Buck. Buck, I'm not...!

All out down there?

No, sir.

It's me, Carter, I'm just going.

What about Tom Hughes?

He's out, sir.

Good luck.

All clear down there?

Carter!

What does he think he's doing?

I told him to bail out,

not take any risks.

Tower to 8134,

tower to 8134.

'Major Davis to Buck Oliver.'

Major Davis to Buck Oliver!

'No, sir, Carter, sir.

Captain Oliver's left the ship.'

He thought everybody was out.

Only six men bailed out,

who didn't jump?!

Cadet Hughes, sir.

He stayed to try to make me bail out

but I wouldn't listen to him.

Listen, Carter,

you listen to me - you're not

in college, this is the Army.

I'm ordering you and Hughes

to bail out right now.

I'm sorry, sir,

I'd rather ride her down.

How do you like that?

He'd like to ride her down.

Kill your motors and try it.

ENGINES SLOWS:

ENGINES STOPS:

Jim? Jim!

It won't work, it's still frozen.

'Try killing them again.'

This time, turn off the main switch.

You know,

behind the cabin bulkhead.

He says turn off the main switch.

It's off.

That's it!

Turn it back on!

It's on.

ENGINES RESTAR That did it, didn't it, Carter?

Yes, sir, the control's free now.

See that this chute gets to training

squad at Number One, will you?

Hey!

Give me a lift!

'Carter.'

Yes, sir, I'm listening.

Don't lower the landing gear, you're

not good enough for a wheel landing.

Come in on your belly.

Yes, sir.

Hold it in the glide.

Keep your air speed

between 85 and 90 per hour.

Yes, sir.

Set her down

at the end of the runway.

Use every yard of space you've got

to slide on, you'll need it.

That's too steep, Carter.

Tap on the fins, straighten her out,

you'll be in the right position.

Yes, sir. Anything else?

Yeah, cut your switches.

And pray.

He will make it, won't see, Chick?

Sure he will.

SIREN BLARES:

One of these monkeys

is a darn good pilot.

He'll get a washout for

this disobedience of orders.

Tom, are you all right? I'm OK.

What's the matter

with you men, are you crazy?

No, sir, it's all my fault, sir.

I refused to bail out

and Carter had to bring her in.

All right, Hughes, go with

the flight surgeon and see me later.

All right, Carter, come on out.

Coming, sir, as soon

as I get the bomb sight.

There's a lad that rates a washout,

or a transfer.

Sure, that'd be right up your alley.

Transfer a good cadet

to a pilot school.

Well, Mr Carter, I beg your pardon.

I'm sorry we didn't meet you

with a band. Certainly, sir.

HE WHEEZES:

All right, Doc,

here's another one for you.

When he comes to, put him on

the ramp, walking. Yes, sir.

Mamie!

Mamie!

Oh, my poor angel.

Wait a minute, I'll be right down.

See? What did I tell you?

Jim!

Jim, I'm over here.

Be careful. Oh, gee!

Hey, don't go away,

I'll be right back..

Thanks for standing by Tom.

I'm not so sure it was for Tom.

Be right back.

If you walk your hours off,

you'll still get your leave tonight,

could I see you then?

Could you see me?

That's what I said.

Why, I've been wanting to make a date

with you ever since I landed here.

Then why didn't you get in

touch with me? I did. Why, I... I...

Go right ahead, son.

Don't be nervous,

say what you want to say.

After all, this is the time.

I can be a Bombardier, sir,

believe me.

I've worked hard,

but I'll work harder.

I've had my heart set

on getting up there.

I know that, Jordan,

there's nothing wrong

with your heart.

However, it's been the decision of

this board that you be eliminated.

Yes, sir.

Make a note to see if we can't find

a place for that youngster

in photographic or armament school.

He's a good boy.

Cadet Thomas Hughes.

All right, have a seat.

Cadet Hughes,

this board is to consider you

for elimination

from Bombardier training.

Later on, you may make a statement

in your own defence.

However, at the conclusion

of these proceedings

it will be impossible to reopen

them. You understand that,

of course? Yes, sir.

Major Morris, please report

Cadet Hughes' physical record.

Cadet Hughes' record is satisfactory

with one exception - he shows

frequent addiction to air sickness.

Major Driscoll, report

Cadet Hughes' military record.

Perfectly satisfactory, sir.

Captain Randall,

report Cadet Hughes' bombing record.

Bombing record - excellent, sir.

On his mission, Cadet Hughes

was given a command to leave

his plane and parachute to safety.

He disobeyed that command,

endangering not only his own life

but that of Cadet Carter, as well.

Cadet Hughes has confessed that his

refusal to jump was caused by fear.

Cadet Hughes, do you want to make

a statement to the board?

Yes, sir.

I'd like to remind them again

of my bombing record, sir,

a composite circular

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