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325th Checkertails by Mysticpuma

Produced By:Mysticpuma
2.9/5 stars (85 votes)
Release Date:Feb 2008
Movie Image:
 
Movie Category:
Action, Drama, 325th Squadron, Trailer
Awards:
Movie Website:325th Checkertails
Movie Download Link:
Movie Length:
Game Engine Used:1C Maddox - IL2 Forgotten Battles

Click Images to enlarge

Update: Part 1 released onto BlipTV.

You can find out more information and download the FULL DVD from the following link: Ubi Forums IL2

* Note: Above download link is for Trailer 1 only  STATUS: In production. This page will be updated on its release. * 

Well I suppose this shows that you can't ever say "Never"!

However I feel that after a break of a year from movie-making, the batteries are re-charged and I need a new challenge...and boy...this IS going to be a challenge!

Over the last couple of months I have been discussing a project to bring the story of the 325th Checkertails to a PC screen near you.

Currently the project is underway with input from some of the original 325th pilots, one of the community's top Mission Builders, some of the best skinners, lots of researchers, virtual pilots and lonely old me and " 1 PC to rule them all!!!"...no,no, just a little movie quote coming in there sorry Mr. Tolkien

Anyway, I fully expect over the next 9-12 months to have more people come on board and help out in bringing this project to fruition.

For now though, Trailer 1 shows the Checkertails (all authnetically re-created skins by Monguse) P-51's taking off in late afternoon sun before climbing to altitude and dropping fuel tanks.

Trailer 2 is more action based, and as I pointed out on another forum, the music is not in the final film, just the trailer!

The 'teasers' are just that, as none of the footage will appear in the final film, everything is being re-shot for that and will get under-way by the end of Feb., so this will be the only place to view it!

Still 'messing' around with a few ideas, one of which is aluminium 'glint' and reflectiveness, you'll see what I mean.

Well this is it for now, then it's a waiting game until the release (a long way off yet)

Trailer 1
YouTube Stream

Trailer 2
YouTube Stream

Trailer 3
YouTube Stream

Image Download Package

Just as a final point of info, the bomber in the Trailer 2 video with the wing on fire......DID make it home.

The "Checkertails" never lost a bomber to enemy fighters!

"Checkertails" by Mysticpuma in partnership with Monguse and the Winds of War Server.

This page has been viewed: 3731 times

If you have very kindly taken the time to visit and view the movies we would appreciate it if you would leave some comments, small critiques, thoughts and feelings.


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Peter Lott
Posts: 6
Comment
Listen to many stories growing up
Reply #9 on : Thu October 20, 2011, 02:04:13

My Dad was William McClary Lott and was part of the 325th. He's been gone for 20 years but his and all the rest of the 325th will always be remembered. I do have a picture of him in a 109 that was shot down. If theres anything I can do let me know. He's buried at arlington. Thanks

Monguse
Posts: 1
Comment
Re: 325th Checkertails by Mysticpuma
Reply #8 on : Thu November 25, 2010, 06:21:38

To Albin and Jim Sluder

Gents we would love more input in whatever you deem you can assist us in.

Also please feel free to contact Mysticpuma (Neil) or I, Monguse (Ralph Gimenez) any time and we will hook you guys up with the 325th we have been in contact with.

Also for those interested, there is a facebook for the 325th Fighter Group. Search for: "325th Fighter Group Checkertail Clan"

h ttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=174579884765&v=wall (lin k added by BBloke)

Last Edit: December 08, 2010, 18:54:47 by BBloke  
BBloke
Posts: 2
Comment
Re: 325th Checkertails by Mysticpuma
Reply #7 on : Mon March 15, 2010, 21:12:37
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've added all three trailers to the page so they can be streamed without having to move away from the page. I've also added the image download link too so hopefully it can be used from here. S! and thanks again.
Mysticpuma
Posts: 6
Comment
Re: 325th Checkertails by Mysticpuma
Reply #6 on : Sun March 14, 2010, 22:05:30
In the post below, you will have to copy and paste the links into the address bar of your web-browser. Cheers, Neil
Mysticpuma
Posts: 6
Comment
The story so-far....of the continuing saga of production of the 325th Documentary...
Reply #5 on : Sun March 14, 2010, 22:02:51

Gents (and of course ladies!), thanks for replying to the thread. I am sorry I have taken so-long to reply, I just don't have time to keep track of every website that links to bits of my work, and I can only say thanks to BBloke (Chris) for letting me know that relatives of 325th pilots have been in touch. I hope that you see this reply?

So-far it has been a long,hard slog, working through myriad of details regarding the 325th. As I find one fact out, more come along to make life difficult in finalising everything! I am not complaining though as this is just fantastic fun to work through, but I am really worrying that by the time I complete it, not many of the pilots will be around to see it! I'm trying though! So, what do we have?

Well, I have video interviews with Art Fiedler, Barrie Davis, Jack Sherbourne, Jerry Edwards and Frank Bolek. I also have audio interviews with Frank Mertely and extra interviews with Art. On top of that I have original 325th colour footage of the P-51's at Lesina, as-well as Colour footage of P-47's at Foggia.

I have another 400-hours of WW2 footage to edit into the project and then I am recreating specific battles with the IL2 Software, using updated and custom built textures, aircraft, maps and effects, all to add realism to the recreated battles.

Extra to the above are nearly 1300 images of the 325th during their time in WW2, many of which have never been seen before. I have alos re-created all the 325th logos in larger versions, and also hand-coloured an image of the P-51's at Lesina, which was originally three-separate images all Black and White.That image can be downloaded here: http://www.mediafire.com/?jywzi1kqyzt

Now, I have completed the P-40 era using original footage, WW2 footage and re-created key-scenes with Il2. I am currently working on the P-47 era, and hope to have that near completed by early May. This will then be released as Part-1. I will then concentrate on the P-51 era. Each part will be approx 1-hour and 30 minutes, but may reach 2-hours for the P-51 section....there is lots to get in! Most of my time has been concentrated on researching details and gathering images.

It has been a long haul, but it was necessary to get this, as it makes the edit so-much easier to move through now that everything is in place. My realistic timeline is to have it finished by December 2010. That will be a total of 4-years to make! Way too long! However this is being created in my spare time, as a hobby, with no budget and the good-will of a few friends who have been there to help when I have got stuck and bogged down in detail.

Kudos to Ralph Giminez and Gary Bullock for their dedication. Ralph is known as 'Monguse' online and has been a great help with his paintschemes, modelling and software modifications. Gary is on imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0120147/ and is doing the Narration, for free, as he is immensely interested in the 325th after Gordon McDaniel (Ace-in-a-day for the 325th) helped him trim out and R/C aircraft, when Gary was young, in the local park.

So, work is still continuing and hopefully this-year it will come to fruition. I hope to make the 325th reunion in Washington this-year (Sept 17th-19th), but money and time will decide whether I can make it. Okay, so I have uploaded a link to the Panoramic of the 325th at Lesina.

So, I wonder if you have seen Trailer 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpJTdu4hjFA This is audio from the video interviews with the 325th pilots, overlayed with their pilot images and their faces now. Also, I have been creating CG images of the 325th, some can be seen here in the Fourth post down in the thread: http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/23110283/m/15 91012138/p/1

Finally, although I can't show you yet, I have completed a battle sequence in the P-51's showing Barrie Davis's life and death struggle in a fight over Russia with Romanian Ace Ion Dobran. Barrie has seen it, and loved it! Albin and Jim, I would love to get in contact with you and hope you would contact me if you get to see this message?

My email is: Mysticpuma@googlemail.com I hope this answers some of the questions about the progress. All I can say is that it is still ongoing, it is being made by someone dedicated to the 325th memory, so when it is finally released it should be a fitting tribute and document to them. Thanks to BBloke for letting me know of your interest, best wishes, Neil

Last Edit: December 31, 2010, 00:17:11 by BBloke  
BBloke
Posts: 2
Comment
Re: 325th Checkertails by Mysticpuma
Reply #4 on : Thu March 04, 2010, 01:29:56
Thanks for posting a comment Albin. I've sent a link to the producer of the trailer to see if he will pop by. I understand his movie is still in production and shouldn't be too far off completed but I know he puts a lot of effort into his work so it may very well be a long way off. I'm hoping the producer finds the time to pop by. Thanks again
Albin
Posts: 6
Comment
Checkertails
Reply #3 on : Tue February 23, 2010, 20:55:46
My Dad is Cecil Albin who was Lutenant Albin with the 319 FS in 1944. He is now living in Farmington NM. We still have some of his gear from his days with the Checkertail Clan including some gun camera film. I have duplicated the embroidered patch that the 319th FS wore on their flight jackets. My brothers and I wear A-2 jackets with the patch as does my Dad.
Jim Sluder
Posts: 6
Comment
325th Fighter Group
Reply #2 on : Mon November 16, 2009, 00:26:42
My dad, Colonel Chester L. Sluder, was one of the commanders of the 325th. If there is anything I can do to assist you in this project, please contact me.
Kevin
Posts: 6
Comment
Re: 325th Checkertails by Mysticpuma
Reply #1 on : Wed April 09, 2008, 20:47:23
Great video, though, my only criticism would be that the fade to black (every time) makes it really staggered. I would love it if the video faded from shot to shot. This can be achieved by adding another video track in your editor and fading that way. I hope you take this with a grain of salt and not as a personal dig on you, the content, song and shots are all very good, but lack a certain fluidity.