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

Hi Check,

My Lex is 1/700.  It will be fun to build along with GM's in 1/350.

I am using Trumpeter 1/700 aircraft on my Enterprise and am not thrilled with the supersized landing gear.  I ended cutting them down to the planes didn't look so out of scale.  I will probably to the same on the Lex.

That Airfix TBD is going to look nice.  

I have been reading a lot into the Battle, and found that we have a lot of aircraft options other than what was on the carriers.   

Good to see another start, Steve.  Sounds like this will build up into a nice model.  From this angle, the wing and its ribs looks pretty decent.

I haven't run across any media notice of the battle--it's refreshing to hear that someone out there has a sense of history.

Stick, you will also see that I have a WIP on the other site. I'm looking forward to the build.

That is one very nice little kit. The old Hasegawa Kate has been replaced. But considering its vintage, that's not too hard to do.

OK, Check, I'm on deck.

I excitedly started the Airfix Kate. The plastic is the typical Airfix plastic, kinda soft but easy to work with. The wing ribs that are installed at the wing folds are too thick but I really don't believe that will matter once everything is complete. The cockpit is molded into the wing and fuse sides and is assembled on the wing.

I can't believe I have never built one of my favorite planes before.

Will have more later.

Cool thing. This morning the news actually called out that today was anniversary of the Coral Sea battle. That's the first time I remember hearing that.

Photo of the box:  Airfix 1/72 TBD Devastator

and decals from Starfighter; haven't decided which TBD to do--or from which carrier.

I thought I'd start out doing the wings on the Airfix Devastator, because of those pesky corrugations.

Wings can be built folded, so they come in two pieces each for top and bottom.  I wanted the wings extended, and the parts have to be joined end-to-end.  But there isn't much area to hold them.

I added a strip of plastic to give a firmer connection.  Once it's cured, I'll join the upper wings.

scottrc

Thanks for posting your Lex Check.  I got the Trumpeter kit.  This will be my first Trumpeter build outside of their 1/700 and 1/350 aircraft.  I"m NOT doing any PE on this one, well except for maybe the radar. I want to enjoy it and not take a year trying to get a bunch of tiny rails strait.  

 

GM:  Congratulations on getting the first progress photos up.  

I really like Trumpeters aircraft, although I've only used their 1/700 types; but they are very good.

Very much looking forward to following your progress!

That is a BIG hull!

It's a big ship. In fact, Lexington was the largest warship in the world at the time she was launched.

May 3rd.

Japanese invade and occupy Tulagi, a small island directly north of Guadalcanal.

Scouts from TF17 report following landing forces from the day before.

Fletcher moves Yorktown north towards the Solomons for attacks on the next day, May 4th.

VT-2:

VS-2 and VB-2:

VF-2:

Thanks for posting your Lex Check.  I got the Trumpeter kit.  This will be my first Trumpeter build outside of their 1/700 and 1/350 aircraft.  I"m NOT doing any PE on this one, well except for maybe the radar. I want to enjoy it and not take a year trying to get a bunch of tiny rails strait.  

I've got sprue shots ready.

modelcrazy

I'm really excited for this to begin Thursday and start on the Airfix Kate.

 

Thanks for the news update, GM.  I'm currently re-reading Blue Skies and Blood for motivation.

Good to here, scottrc.  Which kit are you using?  I would assume the Trumpeter offering.  

Lexington in 1/700 by Fujimi was the first ship model I attempted (about five years ago), but it was a version with the 8" guns still in place, when she was raiding around the Pacific in February of '42.

Trumpeter's version is specifically for Coral Sea.  I have it in a box, but it's a future project.

Anyway, Lexington is a great addition.

I just ordered the Lexington and will build it along side the Akagi.

I still cannot make up my mind.  Might build the Lexington.  

May 1, 1942. The Carrier Strike Group composed of Shokaku and Zuikaku leave Truk.

TF 11 Lexington and TF 17 Yorktown rendevous 300 nm north of New Caledonia.

Lexington refuels from Tippecanoe and Yorktown refuels from Neosho.

TF 16 Enterprise and Hornet are at Pearl Harbor.

Saratoga is in drydock at Bremerton.

I'm really excited for this to begin Thursday and start on the Airfix Kate.

Nice looking kit, Steve.  Looking forward to watching it come together. 

And thanks for the information about the Japanese aircraft markings.  Should be very useful.  I've saved it for future reference.

I received the Kate today!! Yea!! It looks like the new Airfix molds with the same plastic and fairly deep panel lines but looks very detailed and I am stoked to start on her.

Another very useful site!  Thanks, Jack.  

There is also Nick Millman with his blog:  http://www.aviationofjapan.com/

He also has recently authored the publication below:

regards,

Jack

Thanks, stik.  Very useful.  I may get around to doing a Zero yet.

And I like the look of the Val, too.

Cool website. 

Right here is the best place

http://www.j-aircraft.com

No, not even a Zero.  

I've done some looking around, and I don't have the faintest idea about Japanese painting of aircraft.  Colourcoats has lots of Japanese aircraft markings, but I don't know what to use for what.

https://www.hbhobbies.com/collections/aircraft-of-the-imperial-japanese-navy-and-imperial-japanese-army

Are there any websites out there for guidance?  

Not even a Zero sen?