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Written and produced in the Southwest Pacific and presented by the Industrial Incentive Division of the United States Navy, “Story of the Black Cats” is a blackandwhite World War IIera U.S. Navy film that was intended for workers in war plants and aircraft factories across America. Dedicated to the officers and men of VP Squadrons, Commander of Aircraft Seventh Fleet, this film discuses the Black Cats Squadron which was a rare night fighter aircraft used by the US Navy during World War II from 19431945. The planes were PBY Catalina amphibian aircraft that were painted black and converted into bombers and would attack Japanese Imperial Navy targets at night across the Pacific.

Film opens, “Restricted” message, title page, credits (0:07). Ocean at night; Convoy of Imperial Japanese Navy ships and cargo vessels appears, narrator details stealth attacks on Japanese cargo vessels and convoys (0:48). Exterior J.O.A.K. Japan Radio headquarters in Tokyo (1:44). Exterior of Tokyo Station (c.1914) (1:55). Japanese Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero" takes off (1:59). Airborne Consolidated PBY Catalina drops bombs, big explosion (2:16). More footage, various angles and shots of PBY (2:33). Aerial view of island in Pacific, secret Cat bases (perhaps Naval Base Funafuti) (3:09). Base personnel gather early in morning, looking out for Black Cat that went out for mission the night before; Plane appears and makes water landing and taxis towards shore (3:22). Commodore Thomas S. Combs (Commander Aircraft 7th Fleet) and Group Commander Captain Peck arrive to towin sight on Willys MB Jeep (4:37). Corpsmen take wounded combat cameraman from PBY on stretcher (5:04). Blitz Buggy tows PBY to next location for overhaul/ repairs; Mechanics examine engines, propellers of plane, bullet holes while officer records issues in report (5:20). Repair gas tank and refuel plane (6:27). Closeup 525lb and 1000lb bombs dropped by PBYs (6:50). Corpsmen sit outside hut, assemble belts of 50cal machine gun ammunition (6:59). Corpsmen use crane to reload armament onto PBY: Bombs (under wing), torpedo (port wing), machine gun (cockpit) (7:07). Corpsmen remove two literal wild black cats that found their way into PBY during repairs (8:34). PBY crew members play impromptu game of water polo using a coconut (8:40). Interior view of officers’ quarters (9:02). Officers drive off into jungle in Willys MB Jeep, meeting regarding next mission; Arrive at shed with sign that reads “Intelligence, unauthorized personnel keep out,” men briefed on mission and details about convoy that had been spotted (9:3812:14). Men supply plane with packed lunch, comfort foods from home (12:23). PBY heads out from base for next mission, towed back into water (12:40). PBY flies into bad weather, lightning strikes close to flying plane (13:51) PBY spotted and comes under fire from land, antiaircraft gun (15:42). PBY resumes convoy search, spots enemy ships and prepares for attack, gun fire exchanged and dots sky (16:35). Aerial view of tanker ship going up in flames; Loss of one Black Cat during battle (18:24). Return to shot of ocean at night (18:55). Troops landing on beach in Pacific (19:23). Final shot of airborne PBY (19:45). Closing credits (19:55). Film ends (20:03).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com