AI enhanced WW2 flight gun camera footage

[TitanTim]

I've been following this YouTube channels work on using AI enhancement on WW2 flight gun camera footage. I've seen the original footage in the past and some of it is quite poor quality but how AI has improved it is quite eye opening and to me has really brought the films to life. Film is also colourised and sound added.

I do like how they have added some info on some of the pilots and the aircraft involved. The pilots ages though, amazing.

I do find the second film quit poignant as you realise the Flying Fortress isn't returning fire. But how those aircraft took the punishment. Much respect.

https://youtu.be/gb7y9sr9YAo?si=sMJHdmof_GzU5_Vm

https://youtube.com/shorts/elJnefmHatw?si=PHCtcv1B6erDJcYL

Tim.

 

[BeeEmm]

Something wrong with watching people being killed in planes, vehicles or whatever, even if it was 80 years ago or more.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

At least it reminds us of the sacrifice made, I don't think people generally gloat at these old films. I've watched some myself and marvel at some of the flying skills and gasp at the tragedy that unfolds. I recently watched a formation of B17 flying fortresses come under attack by a squadron of ME262s , the closing speeds were incredible, the B17 flying at around 180mph and the Me 262 at 540mph.......sadly the film showed a Me262 close in so fast the pilot failed to manoeuvre out of the way fast enough and flew straight through the main fuselage of the bomber, instantly cutting the B17 in half whist the Me262 instantly disintegrated, absolutely tragic. I personally think we're fortunate to have these records of war time battles to help remind us of those on all sides who were lost and that generations to come can see the brutality and futility of war. :|

 

[BeeEmm]

we're fortunate to have these records of war time battles to help remind us of those on all sides who were lost and that generations to come can see the brutality and futility of war.

If only that were true I would certainly be in favour but, Britain has been involved in 83 wars since 1945, so remembering the horrors of war doesn't seem to work for us. Lots of other countries including Germany haven't been in any war since 1944, so what are they doing right?

 

[TOMGREEN413]

AGREED.....the USA has been involved in around 250 wars for "democracy and freedom " since the 1800s so l get your point. USA and its NATO allies seem only interested in intervening in countries that have resources that help feed the Western empire.
But I still think allowing the footage of historical events however terrible should be available even if lessons aren't learned , imagine erasing the film footage of the Holocaust or the dropping of nuclear bombs on civilian cities in Japan because was unpleasant? I

,

 

[TitanTim]

Apologies, my intention wasn't to glorify war and can understand some might not want to watch such films due to its nature. As mentioned, I think it's great that today people are taking the time and effort to preserve and improve important film footage for future generations especially film such as this and to help keep memories alive.

I've recently been researching my families military history as my grandad and his 3 brothers all fought together at the Somme along with doing some research on my uncle who in the last war flew Hudsons in Coastal Command and later Wellingtons. Probably why I've looking at various YouTube footage. I remember when I was younger and when he was still alive he mentioned he'd survived a couple of crashes and only by pure luck the other day I came across this article on a crash he survived P/O Billings if anyone is interested in a read or interested in this kind of stuff,

http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york40/n7233.html

Tim.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Cool, I'll have a look
My Grandad was in the Navy as a specialist radio communications officer on HMS BULOLO, a "fake " merchant ship that was really the HQ ship for many operations across the globe and was the head quarter ship for Gold and Sword beaches during D Day. He had some amazing stories to tell including volunteering for the S.B.S Special Boat Services, that later became the SAS. One story was of landing with a team of SBS forces at night to help map out in detail the landing beaches for D Day and through circumstances that are too long to describe, he was left behind on the beach when he fell down a sand dune , had his radio pack smash the back of his head in the fall , knocking him out for a few hours, when he came to the dinghy they landed in had gone......he was presumed captured by the Germans who were patrolling the sea defenses (that might have caused issues with the D Day plans if he'd been forced to give even limited information to the Germans.....probably would have been the Gestapo) Fortunately his radio pack still functioned after his fall and he was able to call the operations team to come and get him under the cover of darkness with him hearing and smelling the Germans just meters away up in their defensive positions. I think he got paid a few bob extra over and above his Navy pay for taking part in operations. My Nan was furious when she found out as he had 2 young boys (obviously one was my Dad) and she thought it irresponsible he should take such risks, but my Grandad said he enjoyed the excitement, especially as before the War he'd never left Peckham and was determined to make the most of his Globe trotting Navy adventures. I was lucky enough to have a photo archive of many of these adventures as he was best mates with the Navy photographer who always made an extra and highly illegal copy for his own album.

 

[buzyg]

Not sure I see that as an improvement Tim. They have made harsh reality look like a computer game.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

I would agree that some do actually look fake which is a shame

 

[TitanTim]

Not sure I see that as an improvement Tim. They have made harsh reality look like a computer game.

If you have seen some of the clips before the quality is poorer, generally was back then. I think the idea of whatever enhancement software has been used was to sharpen the images up, but I can see what you mean as its perhaps has made it look a too artificial. I don't think there was any original sound which has been added and over egged somewhat.

Tim.