MovieChat Forums > Flight Command (1940) Discussion > Question for Navy Flyers.

Question for Navy Flyers.


I just finished watching this movie and I saw something that might be a Navy pre-flight ritual.
When the squadron is sent back up to look for the downed plane in the ocean, the Commander stops Pensecola to tell him he doesn't have to go out on the rescue mission since he "quit". Pensacola corrects him and then right before they walk out the door, both men reach up to a clear cylinder, acnhored on the wall, with what looks like paper or cotton that they each pinch off a bit and it appears they dropped it on the floor. Can any of the amazing Naval aviators out there tell me what was the purpose of the gesture and what the material was in the cylinder?

With much respect and thanks,
J.D.

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I thought it was a dispenser for those old disposable conical paper water cups. I saw Pidgeon take one, crush it, and toss it on the deck. Now I'm not sure what it was.

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