Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website Produced at the Naval Photographic Center by the David Taylor Naval Ship R&D Center and narrated by Jackson Beck, “A Ship Whose Time Has Come” (July 1977) sheds light on the work that went into the development of the USS Pegasus (PHM-1) - the first ship in a new class of hydrofoils and the US Navy’s first missile equipped patrol hydrofoil combatant ship. Details US Navy Pegasus-class hydrofoil attack patrol boat on the open sea (0:08). Hydrofoil seen in distance breaking through choppy sea (0:25). Aerial view of hydrofoil (0:49). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) speeds through choppy waters (0:59). Various angles USS Pegasus (PHM-1); seen lifted above water through foil system (1:16). Enrico Forlanini in first hydrofoil model 1898 (1:34). 1918 Alexander Graham Bell, Case Baldwin take Hydrodrome #4 (hd4) out on water (1:41). Other hydrofoil models (2:00). Perhaps US Navy 5 ton experimental hydrofoil developed by Gibbs & Cox, Inc. “Sea Legs” (2:17). Larger commercial hydrofoil boat, close-up surface piercing foil system (2:30). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) automatic control board (3:05). Foil system seen just below water’s surface (3:18). Canard Configuration of foils (3:32). Airplane/ Conventional Configuration of foils (3:45). Mechanical details of foils, their impact on boat speed, stability discussed over footage of model of USS Pegasus amid black background (3:51). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) speeds through water, narrator details technology used for speed above 40 nots (4:30). POV from captain’s wheelhouse of hull of ship; breaks through waves (5:06). Hull model tested on miniature model, David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Washington D.C. (5:28). POV from floor of model basin at test center; looking at bottom of test ship as it makes its way through water (5:43). Engineer’s sketch of boat design, other employees at test center work on various experiments (6:00). Engineers, business men sit around conference table discuss designs (6:16). USS Highpoint by Boeing Company tested in water, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington (6:35). Aerial view USS Plainview (AGEH-1) by Grumman Aerospace, Lockheed Shipbuilding Company also tested (6:59). Interior of USS Plainview control room switchboard illuminated by red light, civilian Navy technicians and navy crew work side by side to record results (7:15). Perhaps USS Highpoint on stilts at shipyard undergoing modifications (7:47). Perhaps USS Highpoint passes under Golden Gate Bridge (7:59). Aerial view USS Flagstaff (PGH-1) by Grumman Aerospace (8:17). Facade of USS Flagstaff (PGH-1) repurposed as US Coast Guard ship (8:33). USS Tucumcari (PGH-2) by Boeing (8:41). Crowd gathers on dock for inauguration ceremony of USS Pegasus (PHM-1) November 1974 Seattle, Washington - Navy’s first missile equipped patrol hydrofoil combatant; first multinational project (9:12). Woman in red skirt suit opens bottle of champagne (9:35). USS Pegasus (PHM-1) on open water, narrator compares to USS Tucumcari (PGH-2) (9:58). Close-up helmsman at wheel, turning abilities (10:18). Water jet nozzles at rear of ship; ship backs up (10:53). Crew down below enjoying meal together (11:08). Perhaps Navy navigator below deck charting the course (11:10). Interior of engineering operations station - single engine man sits in tight space of control panels, monitors (11:17). Harpoon missiles on deck near fantail (11:38). Harpoon on assembly line at factory (11:42). Harpoon missile launch in slow motion (12:12). Combat information center (CIC) (12:30). Close-up 76mm gun (12:44). Fire Control System (12:59). Hydrofoils test firing guns, torpedos, missiles during trials (13:12). Rope with Navy Monkey Fist knot (13:53). Mobile support team services hydrofoil, brings ship to local dock (13:56). Squadron of PHMs serviced by support ship; men in orange life jackets on upper deck (14:24). Montage PHMs at sea, narrator details various operations ship can be used for (14:57). Hydrofoil training program. Tactical navigation system on USS Highpoint (15:45). Passengers board commercial Boeing 929 Jetfoil in Hong Kong (16:37). USS Pegasus was the lead ship of her class of hydrofoils. These were designed for high speed and mobility, and carried a powerful armament for their size. Homeported in Key West, Florida, all six ships of the class were decommissioned in 1993. Pegasus was sold for scrap in 1996. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
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