First Strike (Part 1)
Why Hacker News recommends it
Referenced as a source of Cold War nuclear command footage and for realistic depictions of the era.
What it is
A dramatization of a hypothetical Soviet first strike that destroys US bombers and Minuteman missiles, filmed with US Air Force cooperation. It is a short version of the 1979 documentary First Strike.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2015 to 2021.
What Hacker News said
Cites mynameishere · 2015-01 · on “The button that isn’t”
suspiciously good They just copied some footage helpfully provided by the air force. (7:50) There must have been a "director's cut" of the same because we see it in "The Day After" where they're turning the keys. [this video]
Cites runarb · 2020-10 · on “E-6B Mercury airborne command just went active on east/west coasts”
There are some scenes in the movie The Day After showing the mission I believe these plans flyes: [this video] The US used to have one or two airborne at all times during the cold war. Quits scary.
Cites balletto · 2021-02 · on “Doomsday Ships Were Ready to Ride Out Nuclear Armageddon Before Doomsday Planes”
More of the the US bomber crew/SAC footgage can be seen here in this SAC promo video: [LINK] and here in this PBS documentary: [this video]