Contact Comics #7

Meet the radio trouble shooters of the First Radio Squadron—the unsung engineers who keep Allied aircraft flying across every theater of war by diagnosing and fixing critical radio failures under impossible conditions. From England to the Aleutians to India, Sgt. William H. Ware, Tech Sgt. Weldon Withers, and their crews race against enemy interference, brutal weather, and time itself to restore communications to grounded fighters and bombers. Their ingenuity and determination in the field have become the difference between mission success and silence.

This non-fiction feature spotlights the Grumman F6F Hellcat, the Navy's formidable carrier-based fighter that proved itself in the Pacific theater with superior speed, climbing ability, and maneuverability. Learn the impressive specs of this powerhouse—its Pratt and Whitney engine, 400+ mph top speed, and remarkable 35,000-foot ceiling—that earned it the pilots' admiration and a reputation as one of the world's most powerful warbirds.

During 1945, test pilots at Douglas Aircraft risk their lives to ensure America's warplanes are combat-ready, meticulously checking everything from hydraulic systems to instrument panels before each dangerous flight. When problems emerge—engine fires, hydraulic failures, faulty windshields—these skilled aviators must think fast and fly faster, pushing new A-20 Havocs through their paces so that our fighter pilots get the safest, most reliable aircraft possible. It's a grounded look at the unsung heroes working the home front, where Bill and his fellow trouble shooters prove that the real battle for air superiority starts on the tarmac.

American forces have learned to master the art of jungle warfare by studying—and improving upon—Japanese sniper tactics, training G.I. snipers in camouflage, deception, and deadly precision across the Pacific theater. From mud-smeared faces and silenced rifles to clever decoys and trained dogs that flush out hidden enemy positions, this 1945 account showcases the ingenious methods American soldiers are using to outmaneuver skilled adversaries in their own domain. Whether operating in dense jungle, snow-covered terrain, or desert landscapes, these sharpshooters are turning the tables on an enemy that once held the upper hand in unconventional warfare.

U.S. observation aviators serve as pilots, photographers, radio operators, and scouts—the eyes of the army—spotting enemy movements and relaying crucial intelligence from deep behind the lines. Flying without fighter protection and often through their own and enemy barrages, these versatile squadrons work closely with ground forces and command headquarters to turn aerial reconnaissance into coordinated strikes that devastate enemy operations. This four-page feature showcases the real-world heroics of America's observation squadrons during the war effort.

In the final days of the war, a young pilot named Tommy is shot down and captured after his wingman, Little Black Bear, breaks formation. Haunted by the consequences of his actions, Little Black Bear resolves to track down Tommy behind enemy lines—risking everything to make amends.