AIRCRAFT - USMC Group Build (ends 7/30/04)

Greg Williams,

Are you going to enter anything in the IPMS/Roscoe Turner contest March 5 - 6?

Did somebody say A-4M?

Was going to start on the Monogram Prowler but found the left bottom wing warp pretty good, will write Monogram for a replacement part but in the mean time, I started on their Pro Modeler A-4 kit. Looking at the parts trees it appears that I can turn it into an A-4M.

Greg what are your plans? I am building an F/A-18C from VMFA-115 from Twobobs. The kit is the Hasegawa Chippy Ho 2001 release. I hope to have it painted by next weekend. I was trying to paint by this weekend but things haven't gone that well the last few days. Good Luck. and welcome aboard.

plasticmod992,

Nope. Build as many aircraft (any scale, any brand, any aircraft) as you want, with correct USMC markings, and post the pictures on (not before) 30 July 2004. Plus, have fun doing it. That's all.

Hey, is it to late to get in on the group build?

Will See. Probably not, but maybe. I hope too, but I will be working soon so I won't have much time after mid March. I'll have to play it by year. I don't realy have anything else to build for the USMC. I have two F-4's but their the old ones from the 1980's so I plan to rescribe them. I might need to wait a while for them. I also have an F/A-18A as well from Hasegawa but I lost a couple of minor pieces that I will need to replace with resin. When I can afford it that is. But I have no idea when that will be. Will see. Again I have had no money since last May.

James, I think that's awesome that you are spending QUALITY time with your daughter!!! It's too bad, you didn't warn me, maybe we could have met up for lunch, but I have company this weekend. Perhaps next time!!! I love the comradery that we are all building by participating in this GB!!!! BTW, any of you near Phoenix attending the IPMS Nationals iin Phoenix in August??? I've been thinking about entering the Corsair I'm building for this GB. Thought it would be cool to see some of you out there as well!!!

Jim,

Any kit that you finish is a good model, regardless of the outcome. As the old saying goes (and it's very applicable to modeling), "Practice, Practice, and more Practice". The more you model, the better you're gonna get. I'm looking forward to seeing your finished model. Are you going to build more than one? I've almost finished my Tigercat. The decals are on it, and I'm waiting on them to dry thoroughly before finishing it up. I should have it finished by Sunday (I hope!!!).

Gary the only section I didn't do well on so far is the cockpit. With my Turettes it is hard for me to do that but it will come with time. I am more concerned with the outside. I am working on that now. Should be done soon. Good luck with your Tigercat.

Jim,

I'm glad to hear that this Group Build is worth-while to everyone. It sounds like there are some intangible benefits associated with this Group Build that I didn't envision when I started it. I hope that you have great luck with your project. And don't rush it - you have until 30 July 2004 to get it finished. So just take your time. Just work on it a little each night, and, before you know it, it's DONE!!

Just ordered the decals for the Group Build. I purchased Twobobs set of Patriot Hornet decals. I like the more colorful aircraft. I have never been a fan of low viz I can't help it. I like color. Give me more of it.

Ordered a couple of other sets for future jobs as well.

Will hope to paint the bug while I am watching the Great American Race on Sunday. I hope to be ready by then. But will see. Enjoy the Race everyone.

I am glad I got involved in this Group Build it is making me work. Now if I can just finish this thing. I can finally have one done.

Have a safe holiday weekend everyone.

Here is a link, the bottom image is a USMC Duantless. SBDhttp://www.djjp.demon.co.uk/SBD-2.htm

Tim Landers

I never knew the SBD was in the USMC thanks guys, anyone know where i can find images of USMC SBD's?

usmcsm,
Thanks for the info on the Hobby store, do you know the name of the store. I may have to drive down one day and check it out or may even swing by if we go to the air show. Are there any recommendations on the air show you know like parking and ect.... I have never been to the one in Yuma just the one here in El Centro.
Thanks in advance

You're probably right, SgtMaj. I guess the McNamara way is coming back. Which isn't so bad, I guess. Back in the '60s, we didn't have the technology to do what he wanted done. But now, we do. So maybe "commonality" isn't such a bad thing. Look at the JSF. One plane for all Services. Makes good financial sense, AND we have the technology to enable the USA to do that now. Not that I liked McNamara or anything. I mean c'mon - he worked for FORD!! Now, if he had worked for Chrylser, then I might be more partial to him...........

You know I hate it when we get into this multi role aircraft thing. We always sacrifice something in performance. The RF-4 was never really adequately replaced. I guess the trade off isfor easier suppy and maint. which saves $$$$$$$

Looks like there will be some ECMO officers out of a job. Trying to picure that large bulb antenna on an F-18 tail. I expect the ECM pods would remain the same.

http://www.acepilots.com/usmc/hist7.html
A decent link for Midway

Sergeant Major,
NAG attack! That's right..... I remember that situation being called that now. My memory is S L O W L Y coming back to me about that now. Heck, it's been 10 years since I even thought about that.

Scott53,
I've either seen on TV or read (I don't remember which) that the F-18F will be taking over for the EA-6B in the near future. Supposedly, the F-18E & F will become the Navy & Marine Corps' do-anything plane. Just change out some modules and PRESTO!! You're on to your next mission. Based on what I've heard, it certainly seems feasible, but I guess time will tell. I wonder if they'll have the big football antennae on their vertical stabilizers?

Gary & USMCSM
Thanks for the update. I remember first seeing that bunny back in '71 when Q-2 was called VMCJ-2 and they flew the RF-4B's and EA-6A's. And now they're called the Jesters? Damn PC crowd! Hmmm, think I'm talking myself into starting on the Monogram Prowler today.

Sergeant Major,
You can NEVER have too many pictures!! Thanks for the offer. By the way, I talked to my son last night, and his MOS will be 7251 when he finishes all of his schools. Right now, he's 7200, which just means he's a student in ATC.

As far as air shows go, there isn't one in Indy until late September, and, by then, it's usually so hot out that it makes it very uncomfortable to go, although I do. Last year, the Thunderbirds (or was it the Blue Angels?) showed up at the little airfield (Mt. Comfort Airport, about 10 miles east of Indy on I-70) for the airshow, and I, along with many, many others, was unable to attend, as there wasn't enough parking. Seems as though the airshow folks didn't anticipate the numbers that showed up. We usually have 20,000 - 30,000 show up over two days for most of the airshows, but that weekend, supposedly over 100,000 showed up both on Saturday & Sunday to see the Thunderbirds (or was it the Blue Angels?). So, consequently, I didn't get to that airshow. That airport is just too small for the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels. More so because of parking than anything else.

Gary,
You are correct. I believe the Whidbey sq. was still flying EA-6A's when the conversion took place. All are now at CPNC. I remember the NAG attack on the bunny. Typical of the breed.

SBD's were used extensively by the Corps in WWII. They were on the 'Canal as part of the Cactus Air Force along with F4F, TBMs and Air Corps P-400s(P-39).
If you get on line and look at any of the VMA webb sites you can get referances. In WWII Marine dive bomber squadrons were designated VMSB. Most VMSB's traded in their Vought SB2U Vindicators for Dauntlesses. Marine Squadrons on Midway flew SBDs, SB2Us, F4Fs, and F2As. There were some TBMs there also as well as PBYs and Air Corps aircraft.

QUOTE: Originally posted by usmcsm R. Lee played a good Drill Instructor in "The Boys of Company C" also. If you haven't seen it check it out. Lou Gossett did a good job too in "An Officer and a Gentlemen". wibhi2, I live here in Harrier land. If you would like I can e-mail you some pictures.

I was trying to remembder the other movie R. Lee was in - thanx, I remeber that movie well.

Pics of the JJ's - would love 'em. Any detail shots that you would be willing ( or allowed) to provide I will gladly accept - you will have my eternal gratitude. Thank you.

I also found that ARAAM puts out a resin conversion for the harrier to make RM's
AV-8B into a AV-8B II and AV-8B II+ (which is what I suspect that RM has included in thier recent re-release).

Scott53,
Sorry. I didn't see the 6th page of posts until AFTER I had sent the above message. I didn't know the squadron had once again changed their name. When I got out, it was still the Panthers. I did know about the change to three squadrons (VMAQ-1, -2. & -3), which involved (correct me if I'm wrong here, SgtMaj) combining another VMAQ from Whidbey Island, Washington. I just kinda forgot to about it. Seems I might be a bit wrong about the dates also, although I remember all of this happening while I was stationed there. Must be the age getting to me.

Scott53,
I was getting out of the Corps at Cherry Point when this happened, so it must have been around late '94 - early '95. Supposedly, a women's group didn't like the fact that an "obscene" character was being portrayed on a military aircraft, so they petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly to have it removed. Caused quite a stir AGAINST the women's group among the locals in Havelock, NC (home of MCAS Cherry Point, the world's LARGEST Marine Corps Air Station). I can't think of anyone that I knew, male or female, that objected to the Playboy symbol on the Prowlers. Most people thought it was great. Anyway, there was (supposedly) nothing the USMC could do about it but go along with what they were told to do. So, after much deliberation, and a vote among the personnel at Cherry Point, it was decided to change the motif, so to speak, to the Carolina Panthers, which had just been awarded their franchise a year or so prior to this. The Panthers organization whole-heartedly approved, and so that's why we have the VMAQ-2 Panthers instead of the Playbunnies now. I just kinda wished they had went with a more colorful scheme. Oh well.

They were given pretty much all of the pre-war SBD-1's.... and I do believe the Marines used them on Guadalcanal as well- did they not?? I know Dauntlesses were involved in the Battle-- just am not sure if they were Navy or Marine SBD's....

Also-- I think there were Marine-owned Dauntlesses stationed on Midway when it was attacked.

Keeg there is nothing wrong with spending time with your daughter. This world needs more dads like you. Maybe there wouln'd be so many problems out there in this world. Anyway.

Did I read right earlier in this build that the USMC used the SBD's. I never new that can anyone point me to a website for reference? IF TIME permits i may try a second build between now and July 30 but no promises. Things are going a little better than I had hoped So Far. Cheers. Take care.

keeg,
Imperial! Yeah, you're right down 8. Yuma does have a hobby shop and it's pretty good. It's right across 3E from the main gate of the air station. Great model selection, guns, military collectables, etc... he always has movies on the box too. The first time I went in he was playing The Outlaw Josey Wales. I wandered around stunned at the model selection, decals, paints, he asked if I found what I wanted and if not he'd order it!
I said "man if you sold tacos and cold beer here I'd never leave!"
Are you going to the airshow on the 21st?
Gary, I'll send pictures.
Out here