Matt "Linus" Ottosen
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The Commemorative Air Force's first involvement in "TORA! TORA! TORA!" activities dates back before the movie of the same name. Early in January, 1967, the CAF was contacted by Elmo Williams of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation about the availability of certain types of aircraft for the movie. Since there were no Japanese aircraft available (they had all been destroyed after WWII), the CAF helped locate the North American AT-6 and Vultee BT-13 aircraft that would be used to create the replica Japanese aircraft used in the movie.
The Zero fighters would be made by modifying AT-6 aircraft. The Kate torpedo bombers would be created by modifying and joining AT-6 and BT-13 aircraft with lots of stretching and modifying of both types.
After the movie was completed, the replica Japanese aircraft were destroyed, placed in storage or put up for sale. In October, 1971, six of the replica Japanese aircraft were donated to the CAF.
zero
The Commemorative Air Force's first involvement in "TORA! TORA! TORA!" activities dates back before the movie of the same name. Early in January, 1967, the CAF was contacted by Elmo Williams of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation about the availability of certain types of aircraft for the movie. Since there were no Japanese aircraft available (they had all been destroyed after WWII), the CAF helped locate the North American AT-6 and Vultee BT-13 aircraft that would be used to create the replica Japanese aircraft used in the movie.
The Zero fighters would be made by modifying AT-6 aircraft. The Kate torpedo bombers would be created by modifying and joining AT-6 and BT-13 aircraft with lots of stretching and modifying of both types.
After the movie was completed, the replica Japanese aircraft were destroyed, placed in storage or put up for sale. In October, 1971, six of the replica Japanese aircraft were donated to the CAF.