Battle of the Coral Sea Group Build 4 May, 2017 - 8 May, 2018

Roster

checkmateking02:  Tamiya 1/700 USS Hammann DD-412  

Hunter Requiescat in pace :  1/48 Hasegawa Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber

tonka:  series 77 90 mm naval officer and series 77 90 mm navy signalman

GMorrison:  1/350 Trumpeter CV-2 USS Lexington

scottrc:  1/700 Trumpeter USS Lexington

stikpusher:  1/48 Monogram’Classic F4F backdating into a F4F-3 off USS Yorktown at Coral Sea.

lewbud:  1/72 Hasegawa F4F-3 from VF-2 (F4F-4 backdated with Quickboost's F4F-3 wing conversion)

modelcrazy:  1/72 Airfix Kate (CarDiv5 Shokaku)

bobbaily:   1/48 Accurate Miniatures SBD-3

Gerhard:  1/32 Trumpeter F4F-3 Wildcat

WannabeFarmboy:  1/48 Hobbyboss F4F-3 Wildcat (late)

ExtremeTeam:  1/48 Academy SBD-3

fjs3:  Fine Molds A5M4, Type 97 Carrier Fighter (IJN Shoho); Wildcat from USS Lexington

Lodni Kranazon:  1/72 Testors Dauntless

plasticjunkie:  1/48 Nichimo Type 97 Kate

taxtp:   Hasegawa 1/72 SBD-3 Dauntless

Completed Builds

modelcrazy:  1/72 Airfix Kate (CarDiv5 Shokaku) First Finished!

scottrc:  1/700 Trumpeter USS Lexington

 plasticjunkie:  1/48 Nichimo Type 97 Kate

checkmateking02:  1/700 Tamiya USS Hammann DD-412

taxtp:   Hasegawa 1/72 SBD-3 Dauntless

+++

Checkmate - I'm in....1/48 Hasegawa Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber

Welcome to the GB, Hunter.  Nice selection.  I don't know much about Japanese planes, and haven't build one in years, so I look forward to seeing this one come together.

I can see myself building another Claude over the horizon, but it's good this one will extend into the following year - probably have some bench time closer to end date than the start.

-----------------------------

Good round up of IJN tail codes here:

http://pacific.valka.cz/planes/ijnaf_marking.htm

.............. and some specific colour profiles dealing with Coral Sea time frame:

http://japanese-aviation.forumeiros.com/t19-43-coral-sea-battle-may-7-and-8-1942

reards,

Jack

Thanks for the information, Jack.  I've been thinking that I maybe need from Japanese planes, but don't know anything about colours and markings.

When you settle on a Claude, I'll add you to the roster.

And as slowly as kits sometimes go, I like to leave a year to finish up on things.

I would like to participate. Something different...i am going to take a series 77 naval officer and series 77 navy signalman , combine them into a small wing bridge diorama on a ship

Welcome to the GB, tonka.  That will be something different and interesting.  Are they 54mm or some other scale?

checkmateking02

Welcome to the GB, tonka.  That will be something different and interesting.  Are they 54mm or some other scale?

 

Thanks Checkmate. The figures are 90MM. Made back in the 80's.

Kevin

That'll be very interesting to see, Kevin.  I used to do figure painting--back in the '80's.  Used the now defunct Imrie-Risley paint.  Haven't done much lately except some 1/72 to go along with aircraft.

What kind of paint will you be using?  I've picked up a few bottles of Vallejo, but haven't tried it yet.  Not very familiar with acrylics.

I've been thinking about building the CV-2 Lexington, 1/350 Trumpeter kit. Barring another move, things should settle down this year.

It looks to be a pretty simple build, only thing would be to load the deck up with more Wildcats.

Welcome to the GB, GM!  

I'll be very interested to see this, since I have Trumpeter's 1/700 offering of Lex sitting around unopened yet.  Looked for some PE sets for her last night, but not much available except the Eduard set--which has a lot more in it than I think I want to use.

Roster has been updated. 

 I was hoping a GB like this might come along.  I am presently working on the Enterprise and related subjects leading up to Midway, but may either tackle the Lexington, a Kate, or one of the Japanese carriers.  

Welcome again, scottrc!  Good to hear from you and good to have you in the GB.

And when you make a final decision, I'll update the roster.

Like I said on your Midway GB thread, this one is most temptin. If I can clean up a good chunk of backlog builds, I may jump in here at the end of the year. Since you have the nice long timespan here as well. 

I did a Coral Sea TBD a few years back and it could use some company.

It would be good to have you join in here, too, stik, if you can.  

I remember your TBD from back then; I used some of your methods on one of Airfix's Devastators I built back about the same time.  You were very helpful, even if you didn't know it at the time.

I'll add you tentatively to the roster, and if you get the time, join in.  I also plan to follow "Bish's Rule" here.

I'd like to sign up.  1/72 Devastator from VT-2 off the Lexington, flown by LCDR James Brett.  Manufacturer to be determined.

Welcome to the GB, lewbud.  

Once you decide on the manufacturer, I'll update the roster.  Airfix, Valom and AZ/Admiral have produced them.  I've built the one from Airfix and have the AZ/Admiral in the stash.

Biggest challenge I ran into was sanding the upper and lower wing seams with all those corrugations.

This GB just better go! I've ordered the 10 pack of F4F's, and the GMM set.

Going to order my paint next.

Knowing squat really about this battle, I've started reading and collecting other resources.

There's not a lot out there, GM:  some short monograph-type books, and Blue Skies and Blood by Edwin P. Hoyt, a somewhat dated book now that was first published in 1975.

Stay the Rising Sun is recent and includes the Coral Sea battle, but it's mostly a bio of USS Lexington.

And, not to worry, the GB is a go.

Well I'm striking out with my stash I have a 1/72 Kate but the markings are for the Hiryu or Akagi and the cruiser Takao was in Hashirajima during the battle. All my other IJN stuff is late war.

My North Carolina didn't arrive at the Pacific front until August.

Put me down as TBD anyway and I'll see what I can come up with. I have plenty of time after all.

stikpusher

Like I said on your Midway GB thread.....

Waaaa? You have a Midway GB thread too, or did I read that wrong?

Thanks for the tip "Stay the..." ordered.

Modeling is just an excuse to buy books.

checkmateking02

Welcome to the GB, lewbud.  

Once you decide on the manufacturer, I'll update the roster.  Airfix, Valom and AZ/Admiral have produced them.  I've built the one from Airfix and have the AZ/Admiral in the stash.

Biggest challenge I ran into was sanding the upper and lower wing seams with all those corrugations.

 

I'm not familiar with the AZ/Admiral kit.  I'm building Valom's kit for your Midway build.  The ancient Airfix kit will probably be the easiest, not to mention cheapest way to go.  For those looking for decals in the divine scale Starfighter Decals has a sheet for you.

http://www.starfighter-decals.com/usn-at-coral-sea-may-1942.html

modelcrazy:  Welcome to the GB!  Good to have you with us.  

Yeah, I started a Midway GB, too.  By that time, US Navy planes had dropped all the red from the insignia and adopted the F4F-4 Wildcat; plus, Jimmy Thach got to try out his weave.  So I figured Coral Sea and Midway both offered a lot of possibilities.

And of course, most of the whole Japanese Combined Fleet was lurking nearby.

Here's the link:  http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/173860.aspx

GM:  You're welcome!  Stay the Rising Sun is a pretty interesting read.  If you like naval history, I think it'll live up to expectations.

lewbud:  I'll update the roster to indicate the Valom kit.  AZ/Admiral doesn't seem to have a wide distribution.  Don't recall seeing it from anyone in the US.  I got mine from Hannant's in the UK.  It includes a resin cockpit, and those corrugations on the wings are far more petite and delicate than on the Airfix kit.

Starfighters also does a sheet for the US Navy at Midway. 

Oops!  I meant I was building Valom's kit for the 1942 build.  What the heck, go ahead and sign me up for the Midway build as well.  I don't normally do crossovers so I'll see what's in the stash.  I know I've got an Avenger or two in the stash, so maybe Starfighter Decals USMC/USAAF Midway Defenders sheet will find its way to my door.

GMorrison

This GB just better go! I've ordered the 10 pack of F4F's, and the GMM set.

Going to order my paint next.

Knowing squat really about this battle, I've started reading and collecting other resources.

 

 

Well if GM is gonna show up, I will too eventually... speaking of which you may also want to read "No Higher Honor". Which is the tale of USS Yorktown  from the day the war started until she sank at Midway. The personal stories can be quite touching.

Not sure what I'll build, but I have several IJN and USN subjects that would work in my stash. I just need to keep it simple.

Sorry for misunderstanding, lewbud!

I'll go over and put you down for an Avenger in the "Midway GB."

Thanks for the clarification.

Sounds good, stik.

Thanks for the lead on the Yorktown book.  I'll be looking into it.  I built Tamiya's old Yorktown for the aircraft carrier GB still going on.

Got an email from Freetime Hobbies that says Trumpeter is going to release an Enterprise in 1/700 and both a Yorktown and Enterprise in 1/200.  

That's kind of an odd scale, 1/200.  I wonder if it was a misprint.