Donald makes up a story about being a hero to his nephews so they stow away on their uncle's ship to see him in action. Meanwhile, The Phantom Blot has a spy infiltrating the Navy while and takes Scrooge and Launchpad prisoners on Cat Island after they go to investigate Scrooge's missing fishing fleet there.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Butt-Monkey: Donald, of course.
- Can't Get Away with Nuthin': Donald lies to his nephews about his exploits at sea, so naturally as soon as he goes back they're there to see them for themselves. However, when they realize their uncle lied, they're not disappointed; instead, they try to work up a way that he can become a hero for real.
- Character Catchphrase: The Phantom Blot has two:
- "One must [have X skill] if one wants to take over the world."
- "I'm mean!"
- Crisis Makes Perfect: The boys' attempts to give Donald a chance to look like a hero both flop. However, when Scrooge and Launchpad return with the stolen jet and the landing lights go out, Donald comes up with the idea to use the flares to compensate. This works (not that Admiral Grimitz cares.)
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Even after he really does save the day, Donald still gets zero respect or gratitude from his surly commanding officer. Then again, he is Donald Duck.
- Everyone Hates Fruitcakes: When he sees Donald lugging his bag, Launchpad quips that Mrs. Beakley must have given him a fruitcake and jokes that he hopes they can take off with the added weight.
- Forgot to Mind Their Head: When the invisible jet lands, Scrooge tries to jump out, only to hit his head on the invisible ceiling. He tells Launchpad to open it, resulting in the two of them being ejected.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Launchpad uses the Phantom Blot's extendable runway to keep him and Agent X from getting away or hurting the prisoners who have cornered them.
- "I Can't Look!" Gesture: Scrooge closes and covers his eyes when Launchpad has to land an experimental (and invisible) jet plane on an aircraft carrier in the dark.
- Look Ma, No Plane!: Played With; two rich jet passengers see Launchpad and Scrooge seemingly flying without a plane (they're actually flying a jet that can turn invisible, but they aren't wearing invisibility suits) and simply assume that they're flying on one of those "no-frills airlines."
- The Mole: Ensign Plummer turns out to be a spy working for the Phantom Blot.
- Remember the New Guy?: Ensign Plummer has apparently been working for the navy for some time, but he's never been seen or mentioned in any previous episode involving Donald and the navy. This makes it a little less surprising when he turns out to be a traitor in league with the Phantom Blot.
- Rhetorical Question Blunder: When Donald points out his plan with the flares worked, Admiral Grimitz sarcastically asks if he wants a medal. Donald answers, yes, he does.
- Rogues' Gallery Transplant: The Phantom Blot is the main villain of this episode.
- Trampled Underfoot: Launchpad gets trampled by the other prisoners when Scrooge gets the cell door open.
- The Unintelligible: Donald's shipmates can't understand what he says.
