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

checkmateking02

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.

 

Sorry for late reply, been on vacation for a bit!

I usually paint faces and skin with oils for blending and then acrylics for uniforms/equipment. But lately use the acrylics for everything , just do glazing instead of blending. Valejo are great, they brush really well. I use them, Model MAster, Tamiya and Craft store paint. I'm not picky whatever works! Look forward to getting started

Very good, Wannabe!  I'll update the roster.  Glad to have you with us!

checkmateking02

You're very welcome, Gerhard.  Again, glad to have you join with us.

Also welcome to you, WannabeFarmboy.  Very glad to have you participate with us, too.

I'll add you to the roster, with a "TBA"--"to be announced"--and then update it when you arrive at a decision.

 

I'm lookin at doin the Hobbyboss 1/48 F4F-3 Wildcat (Late). I'm excited. This should be fun. 

You're very welcome, Gerhard.  Again, glad to have you join with us.

Also welcome to you, WannabeFarmboy.  Very glad to have you participate with us, too.

I'll add you to the roster, with a "TBA"--"to be announced"--and then update it when you arrive at a decision.

I'm gonna say count me in for this one. Not sure what I'll build yet as I've just seen this for the first time, but it's about time I build something from the Pacific Theater of the war. 

Gerhard:  roster is updated with your project.  Glad to have you with us!

Gerhard:  That looks perfect.  It'll fit right in.  I'll update the roster when I get home from work today.

Welcome to the GB!

Actually my family has Douglas and North American in there also And I actually worked for McDonnell Douglas briefly (and Rockwell, but not an Aerospace Division) between my Regular Army time and my current career.  

Stik grew up in a Lockheed and Boeing family, mine was Douglas all the way.

But seriously, he's right. Coral Sea is interesting as there were two fleet carriers on each side, and each had the chance to test air to air tactics.

I'm becoming very interested in reading about the interwar USN "Fleet problems",where early on the use of aircraft carriers was worked in.

GMorrison

Oh sure. The big lesson in the beginning was that the allotment of 1/4 torpedo bombers, 1/4 dive bombers, 1/4 scout bombers and 1/4 fighters was off.

 

First and foremost was the need for more fighters! Enough to perform CAP and also escort any strikes. Even at the opening of Guadalcanal and Eastern Solomons SBDs were augmenting the F4Fs in the CAP role. The battles of 1942 were the school of hard knocks for the US Navy.

Oh sure. The big lesson in the beginning was that the allotment of 1/4 torpedo bombers, 1/4 dive bombers, 1/4 scout bombers and 1/4 fighters was off.

Hi , Sorry yes, Typo. It's a 1/32 F4F-3 Late. This one: 

Lol! Just stuff I remember from what I have previously read... I would be much harder pressed to recite similar knowledge about Philippine Sea or Leyte Gulf air actions. Those battles were just much bigger with many more carriers and air groups on both sides. The 1942 battles were smaller affairs numerically. 

And thanks to both of you for taking time to look up all this information.  

Yes the SBD was a moderately nimble aircraft. And it had good firepower, at least against the unprotected IJN aircraft. Against the dive and torpedo bombers they could augment the fighters effectively. The famed SBD "2-S-12" was used for CAP and scored several kills in that action.

Interesting to read that on May 7, Lexington was using SBDs from VS-2 for CAP.

Somewhat successfully.

Yup, VMF-221 had both types. The F2As had been on the island since the beginning of the war, but I am not sure when they received the F4F reinforcements. Most likely around the same time that the SBDs were sent to reinforce the SB2Us in the build up of the islands air strength. Capt Kirk Armistead took up the F4Fs in one group along with some F2As on the morning of the 4th while Maj. Parks lead the rest. I believe Marion Carl was flying an F4F that morning when he started his score there at Midway.

My memory says they had F2As. I'll look it up now.

EDIT: according to Wiki Order of Battle, with a link; 21 F2A-3s and 7 F4F-3s.

checkmateking02

Hi, Gerhard:

The F3F was a biplane withdrawn from Navy service by the end of 1941, so it wasn't being used in 1942 at Coral Sea.

However, if the "3" is a typo, and you mean F4F, then it should be an F4F-3 during Coral Sea.  The F4F-4 had replaced the -3's by Midway.

So, if you plan a Wildcat, it should be the F4F-3 variant here, for Coral Sea.

Otherwise, you can put an F4F-4 into the Midway GB.

I hope you can participate in one or the other GB with your Wildcat!

 

Except for VMF-221. I believe that their F4Fs were -3s. Most of the Marine Air Group on Midway was stuff that the Navy was passing down because they were being replaced. SBD-2s, SB2Us, F2As...

That is a nice looking Devastator, scott!  Very well done and pleasing to the eye.

Which GB did you build it for?  I'd like to take a look.

It was amazing how fast things changed between Coral Sea and Midway.  Markings were another big surprise.  I started my TBD out to be in Midway but didn't have the correct roundels, none without the red meatball, so I ended up with a pre-Coral Sea scheme.  I just finished this model for another GB.  Hope Trumpeter gets moving on production of the 1/700 Lexington, I am ready to order one but everyone has it on back order. 

Hi, Gerhard:

The F3F was a biplane withdrawn from Navy service by the end of 1941, so it wasn't being used in 1942 at Coral Sea.

However, if the "3" is a typo, and you mean F4F, then it should be an F4F-3 during Coral Sea.  The F4F-4 had replaced the -3's by Midway.

So, if you plan a Wildcat, it should be the F4F-3 variant here, for Coral Sea.

Otherwise, you can put an F4F-4 into the Midway GB.

I hope you can participate in one or the other GB with your Wildcat!

Modeling is just an excuse to buy books. I get at least one per build.

checkmateking02

". . .us modelers can really get into the history of our subjects."

And that's one of the things I like best.

 

Yes, it can turn into a true passion at times.

". . .us modelers can really get into the history of our subjects."

And that's one of the things I like best.

modelcrazy

I love the reserch that comes with these group builds.

 

Yes, there can be a LOT of knowledge of minutiae found here on various threads. As a group, us modelers can really get into the history of our subjects.

I love the reserch that comes with these group builds.

5th Carrier Division:

Shokaku- EI tail code prefix and single white fuselage band/stripe.

Zuikaku- EII tail code prefix and two white fuselage bands/stripes. 

1 series numbers, fighters

2 series numbers, dive bombers

3 series numbers, level/torpedo bombers

yellow stripes on the vertical tail are indicative of leadership position within the squadron. One being lowest level and three the senior. Wingman aircraft displayed no yellow tail stripes.

The IJNAF tail code prefixes changed in late summer 1942 after the loss of 1st and 2nd Carrier Divisions at Midway. The system was completely revamped in 1943 by the time of the next Carrier Battles in 1944.