“ WWII U.S. NAVY FIGHTER PILOT TRAINING ” DOGFIGHTING TACTICS WITH WINGMAN SUPPORT 65104

This WWII pilot training film's title is unidentified (main title missing). It displays proper combat aviation maneuvers using the narrative of a commander and the pilots he is responsible for managing, to show what to do and not to do in air to air combat, with a focus on wingman support.

The film opens with a U.S. Navy pilot in the air checking his surroundings (:12). F4F's break from formation (:19). Gunfire erupts during air to air combat (:43). Two cocky pilots compare their wins; the number of Japanese fighters they struck down during their final gunnery fight (1:27). On the air field, the camera pans out of an F4F (2:36).  The Commander explains to the two new aviators skill trump's luck (3:26). He shows them a demonstration with a matchbox over the laws of air combat (4:07). An aerial shot follows a carrier task force (4:20). The fleet moved in for a Japanese held base (4:24). A plane’s tail zooms down the carrier runway (4:36). Fighter planes zoom above on air combat patrol (4:47). The position of the wingman in relation to the section leader is noted (5:05). The Grumman F4F Wildcat (5:21) is used for this demonstration. Radar picks up an enemy scout (5:52). Ground support radios pilots in the air (6:13). Coordinates are recorded (6:21). The section leader takes a sharp turn (6:35) as the wingman bends with him. Controls are checked mid-flight (6:51). The enemy craft is identified as a twin engine land based bomber (7:16). The section maintains the element of surprise utilizing cloud coverage (7:41).  The leader moves off as the enemy craft comes into view (8:05). The leader opens fire (8:22) and breaks to the left. The wingman reaches range and opens fire (8:34). He breaks to the right (8:37). The section leader sets himself into position for a new attack (8:46). The Japanese plane is already hit and begins to smoke and sink down (8:50). The news of the hit is reported back to ground support (9:00). Both planes return to the carrier safely (9:18). Radar picks up another enemy craft (9:40). A section is sent out (9:46). The film mentions the enemy craft is hidden between the clouds and the sun (10:04). The ‘firing check off’ list appears (10:22). The craft is identified as a carrier based bomber (10:42). The Japanese pilot spots the fighter crafts (10:48). He disappears into the nearest cloud (10:59). The section leader breaks for an opposite course overhead approach (11:04). Gunfire erupts as the section leader squeezes off rounds (11:17). The enemy free gun hits the section leader (11:20). The leader utilizes the lower edge of the cloud bank (11:32). The wingman remains on top (11:36). They move to box the Japanese plane in (12:03). Bracketing for a flat side approach is displayed (13:14). The wingman works to draw fire from the free gunner as the leader begins his approach (14:06). Another enemy craft is sighted on radar (14:51). This example shows a faulty mission. Lieutenant and wingman are pictured (15:07). The wingman lags too far behind and out of position (15:17). The leader signals for his wingman to get into position (15:25). The wingman closes too slowly and the leader calls him over the radio (15:40). The close up maneuver is sloppy (16:21). The Japanese Zeros change their course (16:43). Both pilots miss the enemy craft (16:59). Planes are called back to course (17:31). The Japanese craft is pictured (17:49). The pilot is unable to identify the craft (17:52) over the radio. The leader enters at a bad angle (18:10). He is hit by enemy gun blasts (18:20). The wingman's approach is lack luster (18:40). The enemy craft is able to slip away (19:07). The pair flies in too close on a second attempt (19:51). They open fire too early (19:56). The wingman hits the leaders wing (20:06). A flat side approach is enacted (20:48). The leaders tank reaches empty (21:00). The wingman crash dives into the water (21:39) and the leader radios base (21:58). The fighter director calls another section (22:35). They cite the target (22:56). The wingman pulls up for a flat side (23:15). They fire off rounds and the enemy craft is hit (23:33). Fighter planes return to the carrier (24:16). 

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