USS Hornet question

From what I know, the B-25s were the only planes on the Hornet when they sailed for Tokyo. I guess the weight of the B-25s will not allow the carrier to carry more planes.

Marmaduke

I've just started some work on Trumpeters 1/350 USS Hornet which I plan to build as she looked during the Doolittle raid. My question is this, while the 16 B-25's were on the deck, was the ships entire 92 plane airgroup stored in the hangar deck? Also, what were the counts of each type of plane? Thanks for any info!

Happy modeling!

Quote from NAVSOURCE photo caption

"Most of Hornet's Air Group (made up of 30 F4F-4 Wildcats from VF-8, 12 SBD-3 Dauntlesses from VB-8, 12 SBD-3's from VS-8, and 10 TBD-1 Devastators from VT-8) was carried down in the hangar, but five Wildcats were kept up on deck in case they were needed in an emergency."

Go to NAVSOURCE.ORG and follow the links through carriers to Hornet CV-8,  then down the page of thumbnails

Doesn't add up to 92,  but thats the best number I've run across

According to "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft" dated 15 April 1942 ( http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/ww-ii/loc-ac/1942/apr/15-4-42.pdf  ),  this was Hornet's airgroup composition:

HORNET  at sea

VF-8  18 F4F-3

VB-8  12 SBC-4

VS-8  12 SBC-4

VT-8*  9 TBD-1 aboard

*  14 TBF-1 at Norfolk to be flown to West Coast when ready.

The number of B-25s on the deck was dictated by space - how far back they could cram them and still have enough deck space in front of the first bomber so it had at least a vague chance of getting airborne. Remember, this was in the days before catapults. All they had was the speed of the air coming over the Hornet's deck, which was generated by the Hornet's forward speed (plus whatever the actual wind speed was), and the speed of the aircraft, to get those suckers off the deck and into the air. All in all it was a remarkable feat of airmanship.

Hornet had three catapults, two forward and one on the hangar deck. But they wouldn't throw a B-25. The disposition of the B-25s during the voyage was as far back as possible, to allow for flight operations forward by the air wing. Prior to the attack, they were moved forward and lined up to take off. It also seems that all of their propellers got shopped during the voyage, I would like to know if that is a fact and if so why.

Look on Navsource; there was at least a TBD mixed in towards the back of the deck mounted planes.

I cannot think that the Hornet had any SBC's on board for the raid.

She was making about 20 knots into a 20 knot wind when the Mitchells were launched.

According to  "First Team: Naval Air Combat From Pearl Harbor to Midway", page 144,  Hornet's air group got new aircraft during the in-port period 20-23 March 1942. "Fighting Eight drew nineteen factory-fresh F4F-4 Wildcats from NAS San Diego. Bombing Eight and Scouting Eight gratefully exchanged their Curtiss Helldivers for some Douglas SBD-3s, while Torpedo Eight discarded the rest of its biplanes for more TBDs." So the "official" Navy lists for April 1942 are wrong, at least as far as Hornet's air group.

bondoman

Hornet had three catapults, two forward and one on the hangar deck. 

Why would anybody put a catapult on the hangar deck?!?

Thanks for all the helpful info guys! 

Does anyone know where I can get accurate decals for the B-25's? GMM used to have them but they are sold out!

DoogsATX

Why would anybody put a catapult on the hangar deck?!?

It was a cross-deck installation with a couple of outriggers/extensions on either side at a forward hangar bay opening.   The installation was carried into some fo the Essex-class ships

In the days before angled decks this arrangement allowed a minimum of flexibility to launch a couple of aircraft while the forward landing deck was fouled by aircraft or damage

Here's what I have done so far (which isn't much). 

Bow elevator surround. My first foray into scratch building. I know it's probably not accurate, but I think it looks good and that's good enough for me!

Bow and stern elevator surrounds finished.

Marmaduke

Thanks for all the helpful info guys! 

Does anyone know where I can get accurate decals for the B-25's? GMM used to have them but they are sold out!

While they don't have the red warning prop warning stripe and the nose art,  Starfighter Decals makes a set of 1:350 scale star & dot insignia appropriate for the Doolittle Mitchells

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-55434581667841_2159_10392928

http://www.starfighter-decals.com/1350-de.html

Marmaduke

Thanks for all the helpful info guys! 

Does anyone know where I can get accurate decals for the B-25's? GMM used to have them but they are sold out!

There is a brief sequence in the movie "Wing and a Prayer"  showing a launch of a TBF from the hanger deck cat.

According to the Doolittle Autobiography "I could never be so lucky"  the contingency plan if the fleet was detected and ememy attack emenant.  The B-25's would go over the side to clear the deck for normal flight operations.