Victory Films | Pacific Fighter Groups/Appointment in Tokyo

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner, Jr.

The Pacific air war: malaria, mosquito infested jungles, monsoons, and the end of a long supply line. In spite of this the theater produced the top American air aces of the war. Flying Aircobras, the fighter pilots of the 8th Fighter Group helped repel the Japanese. Despite having outdated aircraft they fought valiantly. The 49th Fighter Group flying Warhawks and Lightnings were the first unit deployed to the Pacific after war was declared. Finally the 347th Fighter Group flying the mission that may have changed the war, the shooting down of Admiral Yamamoto. All these units are highlighted in this release by Victory Films.

In keeping with the other releases from Victory Films, this DVD is taken from first generation 16mm or 35mm film. The quality is as good as the original, except that there are no burn marks. There are scratches, but personally I think they add to the realism.

The first segment is about the 8th Fighter Group and is a personal video from the unit technical officer. It is filmed in vibrant color. Some of the things that set this video diary apart are the men and machines. There are more types of uniforms, American and Australian, than you can shake a stick at. Unlike newsreels or documentaries, this diary has many good personal stories and shows things the newsreels would never show. Of note is the native hunting party resplendent in bird of paradise feathers getting ready to go hunt Japs. It isn't politically correct in this day and age but there is a touching story of one little native being rewarded with cigarettes. Some other things that are cool are Japanese tanks, in full color, and Japanese Zeros, both A6M2 and A6M3, shot up with full meatballs. One full color shot that is especially interesting is a parrot nosed B-25 named "The Wolf". If you ever needed motivation to build a B-25 this would be the one. It has red, yellow, black and green markings on the parrot, very colorful and you can see it in full color.

The second installment deals with the 49th Fighter Group. Filmed in B&W, this video is not a newsreel but appears to be film that was gathered for one. Unique to this video is the first time I can remember seeing P-40Ks, and a lot of them, in run ups and flying. With the Hasegawa kit out there and the impending Trumpeter release, you will be motivated to build one of these beauties. There is film of the camp setup and the life of an airman. One story tells about a pilot who gets bit by a snake, while flying. There are lots of sharkmouths, nose art, and fuselage art on these heavy weathered machines. PSP mating, low-level buzz jobs, captured Japanese aircraft and hero shots add to the film. Including in the hero shots is one with the pilot giving the finger. I don't think that would have made the newsreels but it did make me laugh.

A short wartime snippet shows Major Bong's Medal of Honor ceremony. It contains video of "his" shoot downs, including models that I did not know that the Japanese had like the FW-190s. Okay it is a wartime snippet and they used whatever fit.

The fourth part of this video showcases the 347th Fighter Group. Filmed in B&W and color, this portion features some wonderful formation shots of extremely weathered P-38Fs. If you ever modeled your kit this way you would be laughed off the table. The second part of this showcase shows all of the pilots from the Yamamoto mission. What adds to this is the Barber and Lamphier commentary. Key terms to remember is "The peacock will be on time, fan his tail!" The color footage is gun camera film. Surprisingly the first film appears to be a B-24 being shot down by the P-38s!? Somebody tell me I'm wrong, but I've stopped it and I'll be darned if it could be anything else. How many times do you get friendly fire on film? Lush green hills and airfields filled with Jacks and Franks are some of the targets. The film is so clear that you can make out the markings on them. For some reason there is a Red Cross nurse inserted in this sequence. Maybe she is the target for tonight? There are dogfights with Zeros and Franks over the Philippines. Again the dogfights are clear enough for you to see the markings.

The next segment is a color segment featuring silver Mosquitoes and green Beaufighters.

The final offering is a post war newsreel entitled "Appointment in Tokyo". It follows the road back from the Bataan Death March to VJ day. It is not at all politically correct, which makes it all that more interesting.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this title and the rest of the series. Great research material, color and B&W film, exciting action and previously unseen film makes these DVDs a great value for the money.

You can get a copy from Wade Meyers Studios online at http://wademeyersart.tripod.com/.
Don't forget to check out the wonderful artwork while your there.

This is just one of many great DVDs that are available. Don't forget to use the coupon code at the bottom of the page to save postage. Let him know that you heard about it from here.

Thanks to Wade Meyers and Victory Films for the review copy.

Victory Films | Pacific Fighter Groups/Appointment in Tokyo

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner, Jr.

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