Battle of Midway Group Build, 3 June, 2017 - 7 June, 2018

The B-26 will be an interesting subject John.  I look forward to seeing it.

I watched the John Ford Midway on Netflix last night.  Interesting that only in the film were the B-17s and Vindicators.  I didn't see the B-26, from what I have read, had quite a role in the battle.

scottrc

The B-26 will be an interesting subject John.  I look forward to seeing it.

I watched the John Ford Midway on Netflix last night.  Interesting that only in the film were the B-17s and Vindicators.  I didn't see the B-26, from what I have read, had quite a role in the battle.

 

Their role was about as significant as all the other Midway based bombers. That morning four went out and two came back. Aside from one of those lost nearly crashing into Akagi as it went down, their effect was the same as all the other land based strikes that morning. Their 50% loss/survival rate is the best of any of the torpedo strike units that morning.

With the torpedo and dive bombers getting separated on the way there, and the mixup of fighter squadrons, not surprising the loses the carrier torpedo units experienced.  The intergrated attack was not cohesive, as it was really the first time out (other than Coral Sea) and we still needed to work it all out.  The dive bombers only had to deal with the AA, as the fighters were chasing what was left of the torpedo squadrons, and were caught low.

The gods of war and chance were on the US side, but the cost was high.

**EDIT**  Just added a Montex mask for the canopy and an Eduard office PE set for the F4F-4.   Big enough to justify it.

The Midway based squadrons attacked individually on a basis of the time of arrival at the First Carrier Striking Force. No coordination whatsoever. The Marauders being fastest were first and the Vindicators being slowest went in last. The US Carrier air groups plans for co ordination had mixed results. Enterprise sent the SBDs ahead on their own due to a TBD breaking down and delaying the launch of the Torpedo and Fighter squadrons. Hornet launched their TBDs first and between Cdr Waldron's act of following his own chosen course, and a cloud layer in between them and the higher flying F4F and SBD squadrons, followed by Cdr Ring's turn southwest upon not finding the Japanese at the presumed position doomed Torpedo 8 to a solo unsupported attack. Yorktowns air group actually came closest to a co ordinated attack, but the Zero CAP separated the F4Fs from the TBDs, who pressed the attack against Hiryu, while the mid level clouds again obscured the low level action from the SBDs who instead attacked Soryu as the Torpedo 3 strike was in its final stage. At least that is what the latest research indicates.

jeaton01

It'll be the 1/48 scale Monogram kit.  That Snap Tite kit is a keeper, it is the only kit of the early short wing small tail B-26's.  That's why I need the Lone Star conversion set becuase the 1/48 scale kits are all the longer wing and tall tail versions.

 

I received the Zero today, looks like a nice kit.

I also went ahead and orderd the Cyber Hobby Val. I'll get er done regardless of the canopy issues. I'm going to display it with an open canopy so it should be alright.

Put me down Stick. That makes three for this one.

Steve

Quite a few parts there, Steve.  Looks good!

Finally got hold of my kit today. Still waiting for the Airwaves PE set which is on back order. The kit doesn't look to bad, though i might have to look into replaceing the MG barrels.

Oh awsome, looking forward to watching that kit come together.

Bit of a mix detail wise, but nothing that can't be fixed, replaced or just left out.

Good to hear, Bish.  I don't think I've ever seen that particular boxing.  Dramatic image.

I know the original boxing was very differant, from what i saw on Scalemates, with this artwork it has been released 4 times, but not one i have seen often.

CMK... Please pencil me in as TBD until I can do a little research. I've been hoping for a GB like this one for awhile!. I haven't done a WWII Fleet aircraft or Japenese aircraft for sometime now and am anxious to do on! Thanks...

Doug

Glad to have aboard, Doug.  Build roster is updated.  I'll add your selection when you've come to a decision.

Well, it was predictable, building two carriers at once, I accidently posted the Lex here earlier, she has since moved three thousand miles and back in time to the Coral Sea.

I haven't started my Trigger build yet for this GB, but I am working on CV-8 USS Hornet, the 1/350 Trumpeter model at the time of the Doolitle raid.

She has her own thread, but since I've carved out a post here I might as well show her.

This is the one where I've replaced the hull below the hangar deck.

checkmateking02

Glad to have aboard, Doug.  Build roster is updated.  I'll add your selection when you've come to a decision.

 

Doug

Looks huge, GM!  Think I'll stick to 1/700!  That's a nice job with the hull red.

Sounds good, Doug.  Build roster is updated.

GMorrison

Well, it was predictable, building two carriers at once, I accidently posted the Lex here earlier, she has since moved three thousand miles and back in time to the Coral Sea.

I haven't started my Trigger build yet for this GB, but I am working on CV-8 USS Hornet, the 1/350 Trumpeter model at the time of the Doolitle raid.

She has her own thread, but since I've carved out a post here I might as well show her.

This is the one where I've replaced the hull below the hangar deck.

 

  

Well, have been notified the mailman will be busy for the next week or so as eveything is enroute, just included a carrier deck base to add to the misery.  And just to make it worse, am thinking of doing Thatch's 1/32 F4F-4 ,alongside the F4F-3 in a "one-off" paint scheme that has not been seen to my knowlege.  That will be a surprise in a separate thread on the aircraft page.

Sounds good, goldhammer.  It'll be very interesting to see what the "one-off" scheme looks like.  I'll watch for it. 

Check,

I received the Val today. The painting instructions show it with a green upper and grey lower. I have seen some Akagi Vals with an overall grey and black (or very dark blue to be more correct) nose, at least at Pearl. I don't mind doing either scheme, I like them both, I just want to be accurate. Also, I was looking to maybe use some of the armament from the Airfix Kate but found out the Val, at least what I researched, only carried the type 98 No 25 250kg slung centerline OR two type 99 No 6 63.5kg bombs under the wings. While I saved the Type 98 from the Airfix kit the Dragon bomb looks just fine.

Yes, by the time of Midway, Val's had received dark green upper surfaces. At least those assigned to the fleet carriers. That was seen as early as April in the Indian Ocean operations.

Green it is then.

I will bow to stik and the other guru's here. I've seen paint sheets showing insig. white or a grayish white underside, and intermed. blue for the topside.  Just a two color scheme.  Which would be correct for Midway for the underside on Thatch's F4F-4?

The topside color is Blue Gray (no ANA no.).That's a much different color than Intermediate Blue (ANA 608). The underside is Light Gray ANA 602, including the outer wing sections.

Six position national insignia, no red dot or red tail stripes. As far as fuselage codes, I'll defer to experts but I think it would be aircraft number only. No "F" or "3".

GMorrison

The topside color is Blue Gray (no ANA no.).That's a much different color than Intermediate Blue (ANA 608). The underside is Light Gray ANA 602, including the outer wing sections.

Six position national insignia, no red dot or red tail stripes. As far as fuselage codes, I'll defer to experts but I think it would be aircraft number only. No "F" or "3".

 

 

Am i right in thinking that would be the same for the Avengers at Midway. I had a hell of a time trying to find info on colours, the decal sheet i am useing does not include the colours for the midway aircraft. I have managed to track down a USN Blue Grey in the Xtracolor range which i think is the right one.

Sure looks that way to me.

That would make a great diorama.

Ensign Albert Earnest, VT-8 (Midway Detachment).

Aircraft 8-T-1.