Watching Victory Films is
like taking a time machine back in time to 1943-44.
Back before the internet and television the only way to get the
news was from the radio, newspaper or at the movie theaters with the
newsreels. Every week the
audience would be treated to the best propaganda that the government could
put out. Step back in time
with me and I’ll let you know what you’ll see in the latest release
from Victory Films.
Right off the bat you are
treated to some airfield constructions and in that segment is the Corsair
getting an engine change. There
are other things such as survival gear.
The 80th FG with its P-40 and skulls is also a
highlight.
German interrogation is
followed by the Casino bombing. The
Red Tails of the 99th are interviewed.
It is nice to see the real Tuskegee Airman.
C-47s and paratroopers are in the next segment.
A B-17G is shown belly
landing and I have to say it is as sweet a landing as can be.
Certainly the best belly landing I’ve ever seen.
It is interesting to note that there are no codes on the fuselage
and tail.
A B-17 raid is always a
part and parcel of the newsreels. This
one is quite interesting as you watch a B-17 break off.
A B-17 is seen after it lands with lots of battle damage.
The nose, wing and tail have significant damage that offer the
modeler a beautiful canvas. During the mission you are treated to a beautiful formation
shot through the nose of the bomber.
The 9th Air
Force at Easter is the next part. The
B-26s do a flyby in the shape of a cross.
I was struck by the thought that they couldn’t do that today.
80th FG P-40s
complete with the skulls are shown using the tractor from the Monogram
B-24 kit but modified with a boom to carry bombs.
For those that have been in the Army the tent heaters for a GP
medium are a lifesaver. Who
would have ever thought that they were designed by GIs in Italy in WWII.
More P-40s are shown
escorting B-25s to bomb Japanese airfields.
Some of the P-40s are equipped with bazookas.
The B-25s are armed with 75mm cannon.
Dirty Dora and a bunch of other nose art B-25s are shown doing what
they do best, low level strafing.
Some infantry action is
shown on Pelilu with Shermans and lots of dead.
Winston Churchill is
treated to an airborne demo with Ike looking on.
The amount of tangled chutes is pretty interesting.
The CBI Air Evacuation
with a C-47 Air Ambulance has some interesting markings.
Something I’ve never seen the aircraft has a Red Cross in seven
positions. It is well worn
and an excellent reference for the modeler.
An L4 Cub with owl nose art is interesting.
The German SD-2 bomb is
explained. This butterfly bomblet is interesting.
More Casino bombing B-26s
and B-25s. You get to see a
P-40s pilot Point of View. A-20s
are shown with some unique markings and views.
When Mt. Vesuvius erupts, some P-40s fly by the ash clouds.
Unfortunately, the ash burns the airfield with burnt control
surfaces, melted glass and covered in dust.
A B-25 with shark mouth is seen.
Some more B-17s are seen
taxing. Two B-17s involved in a midair collision are shown after they
land with the tail surface chewed up and some interesting Yankee Stadium
markings. Seems that aircraft
flew into Yankee Stadium prior to shipping out overseas.
Again a Point of View
dive bombing by P-40s in Italy is seen.
A B-26 briefing and bomb run.
It is interesting how much the camo varies.
Back over to the Pacific,
B-24s are escorted by Corsairs. I
thought immediately of an episode of “Baa Baa Blacksheep”.
The B-24 “Mary Marie” is shown to great effect.
A New Zealand Catalina is
shown doing the Dumbo Rescue with Corsair escort.
There are some good interior shots that will provide the modeler
with some interesting tidbits.
A shanty town is made by
ground crews from glider crates. They
are made into houses and other items showing the soldiers ingenuity.
Fighter gun camera shows
why you shouldn’t be flying a Me-110 once the escorts were able to make
it into Germany. One guy is
so close you can actually see the crew.
The fighter may actually hit the 110 he is that close.
Gun camera from the
Philippines is exciting because it is in color.
There is a beautiful shot of a Tony being shot down.
Also there is a Judy that is flying upside down which for me was
peculiar.
As you can
see there is something for everyone in here.
I enjoyed the entire DVD and like the rest of the Victory Films
series there is something unique and interesting that are sure to inspire
the modeler.
Highly
recommended
Thanks
to Victory Films for the review copy.
You can obtain your copy of this and all the other DVDs from Wade
Meyers Studio at http://wademeyersart.tripod.com/id69.html
.
Floyd
S. Werner, Jr. IPMS #26266
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