Recognition of Zero

Aircraft recognition film produced by the United States Army Air Forces First Motion Picture Unit. Shows the distinctive features of the Japanese Mitsubishi Reisen (Zero fighter) and compares these to the Curtiss P-40. To illustrate the need to establish correct identification so as to not attack friendly aircraft there is the fictional story of Lieutenant "Jimmy Saunders" played by Ronald Reagan. Lieutenant "Saunders" is overconfident, trigger happy and almost shoots down another P-40. Realising his mistake and shamed he redeems himself by downing a Zero after going through the correct recognition procedure. The Zero featured in this film is an A6M2 that had made a forced landing on Akutan Island, Aleutians and was captured and subsequently repaired proving a valuable prize for Allied technical intelligence.