Documentary looks at WWII pilot training on Lake Michigan

A documentary about World War II pilot training missions that took place on Lake Michigan is making its debut in Kalamazoo.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reports “Heroes on Deck” is written, directed and produced by Kalamazoo College alumnus John Davies. It’s being shown Tuesday night at Dalton Theatre under a partnership with the school, the Kalamazoo Film Society and the Air Zoo.

The hour-long film includes a look at the training for pilots, signal officers and others that took place from two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers between 1943 and 1945. The USS Wolverine and USS Sable were converted Great Lakes paddle-wheel passenger steamers.

Two aircraft that crashed during the training missions are at the Air Zoo, Kalamazoo’s aviation history museum.  (AP)