Kato hayabusa sento-tai

War-time Japan produced a number of excellent motion pictures regarding its military. One of those films, a product of the Toho Motion Picture Company, was the 1944 production of 'Kato Hayabusa Sentotai' (Kato's Perigrin Falcon Squadron). Col. Kato was indeed a real officer serving with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in Southeast Asia...an officer highly respected by his pilots for his fairness and excellent flying ability. The aircraft he and his men flew was the Nakajima Ki-43 'Hayabusa' fighter. One of the many highlights of the production was the use of the actual type aircraft used by the Kato squadron. Along with the realistic action, the acting and direction were superb. I would say that this feature is above par should it be compared with other films of this type including those produced in the United States and Europe. The motion picture was shot in black and white, and is about two hours in length.