Customer Reviews

Roaring Glory Warbirds, Vol. 2: Mitsubishi Zero A6M5

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This volume of Roaring Glory is unique because it is the only one of a foreign WWII fighter, presenting the only existing flying Zero with an original Sakae engine. The plane was captured on Saipan during the war and is a real combat veteran. After viewing this video you should understand why the Zero was such a successful airplane. It is brilliantly engineered, simple to operate, and wonderful to fly. It's a pretty airplane. The sound of the Sakae engine is unlike any American engines of the period and can be appreciated only by hearing it.

The format is different than other Roaring Glory offerings (probably because it is DVD instead of tape in others that I own) in that there are menu items for photos and rare footage from the 1970's when the airplane rebuilt then toured in Japan, which is interesting in itself and an "extra". There is also an interview with a successful surviving Zero pilot.

The quality of the video is first rate, with excellent ground and air shots. The initial flying and discussion by Steve Hinton is informative, since he was one of the original Americans involved in the restoration of the Zero and he provides a wealth of insight and knowledge, but it is cut short before the Zero lands, and it seems that the presentation was artificially terminated. Another menu item makes up for this by providing video in three phases of flight: takeoff, approach/flight, and landing. The important statistics on the airplane are mentioned and you will learn why it had such excellent range, thereby magnifying it's combat potential.

The "Young Pilots" feature is lame, but in this instance there is much useful historical background included that makes it worthwhile.

I recommend this item for its historical interest and the quality of the video.

I found very little technical information about the Zero in this film.
Speed, Range Etc.