Let me give you the executive summary. I was daunted at first upon receiving this CD from Justin as to how I would review this. This is my first review piece given to me from the source. I should not have worried. The information contained upon this CD is priceless to anyone interested in the Pacific Theater of WWII. I don’t really know where to begin to tell you what a great product this really is, so in a few words for the busy executive: Buy it!!!

For the rest of you out there that really enjoy my reviews, let me continue now. I have tried this on 4 versions of Windows, and it plays well on all 4. Those are 95, 98, 2000, and XP. It obviously runs best on XP, but does as far as I am concerned being a computer user rather than a fluent speaker of geek, it is fine on all four.

The CD covers both US and Japanese aircraft, and contains both still and video photography. The modeler will enjoy the many details brought out in the photographs of the wrecks, and details of the damage. The crash sites can make for some very interesting inspiration for future dioramas.

If you have EVER wanted to go tramping through the Jungles to go wreck finding, listen to the narration and understand, that it is NOT a picnic hike, but every bit as dangerous as combat, being just as difficult on the human body. Through the CD you can now visit these far off places in color. See the bases at Wewack, the treacherous conditions of the Owen Stanley Mountain Range, and the thickness of the Jungles that dot the Pacific Islands. It is no small wonder that many aviators of both sides who made it out of a flaming wreck alive could still be rescued. This is difficult terrain!!!

The CD features wrecks of 8 US and 8 Japanese aircraft types. Even then on most of the featured aircraft, multiple wreck sites with many very interesting diversions to point and click through during the tour to add dimension and detail to the narration. These diversions provide specific background on the area, the wrecks, and sometimes the circumstances in which the aircraft was lost. All in all there are more than 200 photos and video to view.

For my money the video of the A-20 after restoration is going to be useful, as is the information and photos of the Betty cockpit areas that are featured. (Tamiya here I come!!!!)

In the video section there are featured 8 wrecks that really draw you into the scene and it takes you right there to New Guinea, to the Solomon’s, or the New Hebrides, now called Vanuatu.

See Sakai’s first kill over Guadalcanal, the F4F flown by Pug Sunderland, who coincidentally shot down the first IJN aircraft of that campaign. Read the combat description of both pilots, now unfortunately deceased.

There are many photos in here that I personally had never seen before, and I am thrilled to see those. I highly recommend this CD library to EVERYONE; modelers, historians, some parents or kids who just want to veiw a piece of aviation history. I want to give it my highest rating, and at this time am thinking about seeing what else I can do to assist Justin in his incredibly admirable effort to bring more vet stories to the internet. His efforts to document these magnificent historical aviation treasures is of the highest and best tradition known to mankind. I can’t wait for Volume 2, and see some of the incredibly interesting innovations possible with the advent of even more computer technology (Justin…hint hint…360 degree virtual cockpits….!!!) Please also visit their website at www.pacificghosts.com

- Mike Gawell
us-aircraft.com