As America endured the Depression in the 1930s, aviation movies became the perfect outlet for people to escape their troubles.  The decade started out with quite an epic, as the movie Hell's Angels was released in 1930.  The film was produced and directed by Howard Hughes, who was so obsessed about shooting authentic World War One aerial combat scenes, that production took 3 years. 

The pilots who appeared in "Hell's Angel's" pose in front of a "Gotha Bomber" which was actually a Sikorsky S-29. 

Air to air photography was widely used in "Hell's Angels" to make the combat as realistic as possible.

This "Hell's Angels" trailer captures the excitement surrounding the release of the film.

Air combat wasn't the only topic of Depression era flight movies.  China Clipper told the story of a man trying to build an airplane that could carry passengers over long distances.  The film was loosely based off of the life of Juan Trippe, who founded Pan American Airlines, and it would prove to act as an advertisement for Pan Am's clipper service.

Official "China Clipper" poster and a real Pan Am Chin Clipper that was portrayed in the film.

In 1936 a movie was released that showcased the valor of test pilots. Devil's Squadron stars Richard Dix as a test pilot trying to save an airplane company and his reputation.

The daring men of the "Devil's Squadron."

The 1938 release of The Dawn Patrol was well received by the critics and public.  Starring Errol Flynn, the film focuses on the emotional stress of combat on pilots during World War One.

"The Dawn Patrol" portrayed several makes of aircraft, however not all of them were authentic.  Many were contemporary planes that had been modified.    

Trailer for "The Dawn Patrol,' which was a remake of a 1930 film of the same name. 

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