Talon
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When I was doing USN Carriers many years ago,a member from SOH PM'ed me about a DVD he had. This DVD was about the USS Hornet and had some rare film I've never seen before. The first part of it was about the Dolittle Raid, I know there has been plenty of actual photos and film on it but usually you only see a few planes takeoff.In this you see most of them takeoff and there are some of the sailors and pilots talking.
Next is about Midway. During this part it's all in color and you see the actual Japanese attack on Midway. In one sequence you see Kates dropping their bombs.
Later you see Vindacators taking off to attack the IJN Fleet.How many times have you seen actual film of Vindacators during the war?
It next goes to the Hornet as she launches her Devastators to torpedo the IJN Carriers. Wildcats follow and you get to see them in their actual color schemes,another rare moment. How many times have you seen a Devastator with a torpedo and in the actual color scheme takeoff from a carrier?
Next you see Dauntless divebombers takeoff from probably the Enterprise.
There is a little film of the actual attack on the IJN Carriers but not much and it's the divebomber attack.
You next see the Yorktown under attack and Kates dropping torpedoes.
Santa Cruz
This part is not in color but you get to see alot of action. Vals coming in and dropping bombs and hits and explosions on Hornet. From 1 bomb hit you actually see a Dauntless on the rear deck bounce in the air and go over the side. Another shot you see a Wildcat explode and on fire from a bomb hit.
After the Hornet has been abandon they show as the US destroyers open fire on her at night to sink her so she doesn't fall into enemy hands.
In one interview a Hornet sailor describes the battle and explains what's happening in the film.
There is also a tribute to Torpedo 8 which only had 1 survivor ( Ens Gay ). There is film of all of them.
Film of fighter pilots discussing tactics and how they got their victories and some shots of Thatch as he's asked how many Kills he got that day/ he put up 4 fingers.
I really enjoyed watching it. I had only watched parts of it before but watched the whole thing this time. It was over 2 hours.
Talon
Next is about Midway. During this part it's all in color and you see the actual Japanese attack on Midway. In one sequence you see Kates dropping their bombs.
Later you see Vindacators taking off to attack the IJN Fleet.How many times have you seen actual film of Vindacators during the war?
It next goes to the Hornet as she launches her Devastators to torpedo the IJN Carriers. Wildcats follow and you get to see them in their actual color schemes,another rare moment. How many times have you seen a Devastator with a torpedo and in the actual color scheme takeoff from a carrier?
Next you see Dauntless divebombers takeoff from probably the Enterprise.
There is a little film of the actual attack on the IJN Carriers but not much and it's the divebomber attack.
You next see the Yorktown under attack and Kates dropping torpedoes.
Santa Cruz
This part is not in color but you get to see alot of action. Vals coming in and dropping bombs and hits and explosions on Hornet. From 1 bomb hit you actually see a Dauntless on the rear deck bounce in the air and go over the side. Another shot you see a Wildcat explode and on fire from a bomb hit.
After the Hornet has been abandon they show as the US destroyers open fire on her at night to sink her so she doesn't fall into enemy hands.
In one interview a Hornet sailor describes the battle and explains what's happening in the film.
There is also a tribute to Torpedo 8 which only had 1 survivor ( Ens Gay ). There is film of all of them.
Film of fighter pilots discussing tactics and how they got their victories and some shots of Thatch as he's asked how many Kills he got that day/ he put up 4 fingers.
I really enjoyed watching it. I had only watched parts of it before but watched the whole thing this time. It was over 2 hours.
Talon
