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

Looking very good.  You found a really nice shade of red for the tail.

I'm making some good progress.  I am about half-way done with the interior.  I have a lot of it off the sprue, sprayed black, put together sprayed interior green.  I am going to start working on PE soon.

Good to hear about your progress.  Looking forward to how the PE works.

Lovely job Steve, looks amazing.

Thanks Bish, not much left now.

Nice finish to your Kate. She certainly looks war weary after 6 months of flight ops and raids. 

That kate looks fantastic!

I would like in on the group build.  Turns out the next project from my "vintage" stash is a Testors boxed 1/48 Fujimi A6M2.

This has decal markings for the Akagi or Hiryu.  The Akagi markings are for Pearl Harbor, and the Hiryu are for operations in April 1942.  I think either would be accurate for Midway.  Please let me know if this is incorrect.  I am leaning towards the Hiryu version.

I am planning on an OOB build.

Have to finish my current project, but should be able to start soon.

Dwayne

modelcrazy

Here’s tonight’s work. I wetted a stiff brush and went over the areas that are chipped. I when ahead and added a slight amount of chipping to the wing Hinomarus. The only pictures that I can find of the plane were during the Ceylon in May 42. I’m figuring there was a little more chipping during that month before Midway.

Next I want to add some panel lines and some wash. I also need to finish the canopy and add the pitot tube.

 

Looking great, Steve!  Nice effect!

Welcome to the GB, Dwayne.  Glad to have you with us.  

As for the accuracy of the markings, I have no idea.  Someone here probably does.  I wouldn't think things changed much between April and June.

I will update the build roster.

You're the first build finished, Steve.  Front page is updated.

That's a really great looking chippy finish.  You accomplished an outstanding look.

Thanks for being part of the build so far.  Looking forward to the Val and Zero!

Thanks Check, Stick and Dwayne,

ManCityFan

This has decal markings for the Akagi or Hiryu.  The Akagi markings are for Pearl Harbor, and the Hiryu are for operations in April 1942.  I think either would be accurate for Midway.  Please let me know if this is incorrect.  I am leaning towards the Hiryu version.

Dwayne, the IJN Zeros pretty much wore what was known as the “air superiority scheme” or an “offensive camouflage” (shown on the box) to nearly the end of the war. They defiantly wore this scheme during Midway.

Stuning job on the Kate steve, really nice finish.

modelcrazy

Thanks Check, Stick and Dwayne,

 

 

ManCityFan

This has decal markings for the Akagi or Hiryu.  The Akagi markings are for Pearl Harbor, and the Hiryu are for operations in April 1942.  I think either would be accurate for Midway.  Please let me know if this is incorrect.  I am leaning towards the Hiryu version.

 

 

Dwayne, the IJN Zeros pretty much wore what was known as the “air superiority scheme” or an “offensive camouflage” (shown on the box) to nearly the end of the war. They defiantly wore this scheme during Midway.

An interesting side note I have found out during my research. The glossy grey green overall paint was good and Zeros had factory primer applied all the way to the end of the war. Few other Japanese aircraft (the Betty being an exception) were primed, thus little chipping was noted in the early stages of the war on Zeros. As the war progressed however the quality of the glossy grey green began to worsen and became more flat and less durable. Therefore, you see the late war Zeros with the “offensive camo” chipping, however never as much as the other planes i.e. KI-84. Eventually all Zeros, including navy Zeros, were painted in the “defensive camouflage”, green upper grey green lower scheme.

 

Actually, the overall Gray scheme was most prevalent just for the first year or so of the Pacific War on Zeros. In spring 1943, the green started to be applied to the upper surfaces, first as field applied schemes, during the Solomons Campaign. By the time the A6M5 version of the Zero was in production in late 1943, the green uppers was applied at the factory. 

Ya learn somethin' new every day here!

Outstanding work as usual Steve, really like the paint chipping effect you did (thanks for the info).

Keep'em coming Steve.

stikpusher

 

 

modelcrazy

Thanks Check, Stick and Dwayne,

 

 

ManCityFan

This has decal markings for the Akagi or Hiryu.  The Akagi markings are for Pearl Harbor, and the Hiryu are for operations in April 1942.  I think either would be accurate for Midway.  Please let me know if this is incorrect.  I am leaning towards the Hiryu version.

 

 

Dwayne, the IJN Zeros pretty much wore what was known as the “air superiority scheme” or an “offensive camouflage” (shown on the box) to nearly the end of the war. They defiantly wore this scheme during Midway.

An interesting side note I have found out during my research. The glossy grey green overall paint was good and Zeros had factory primer applied all the way to the end of the war. Few other Japanese aircraft (the Betty being an exception) were primed, thus little chipping was noted in the early stages of the war on Zeros. As the war progressed however the quality of the glossy grey green began to worsen and became more flat and less durable. Therefore, you see the late war Zeros with the “offensive camo” chipping, however never as much as the other planes i.e. KI-84. Eventually all Zeros, including navy Zeros, were painted in the “defensive camouflage”, green upper grey green lower scheme.

 

 

 

 

Actually, the overall Gray scheme was most prevalent just for the first year or so of the Pacific War on Zeros. In spring 1943, the green started to be applied to the upper surfaces, first as field applied schemes, during the Solomons Campaign. By the time the A6M5 version of the Zero was in production in late 1943, the green uppers was applied at the factory. 

 

Sorry I missed your posts.  Good information, so thank you.  This will be my third plane build since starting kit building.  I want to try something new for each build, and for this one, I plan to mask and paint the hinomarus.  I have the Tamiya grey-green in the mail.  Just have to work on oil washes to finish up my current project, and should be able to start soon.

Thanks,

D

I have been tracking my new project all the way from China to my home, and its getting very, very close.

The mailman will hopefully make a delivery later in the week.

MC... Man, That Kate looks GOOD!I've never built one and have been itching to do so, and yours is giving me insperation to begin, But way too many irons in the fire at this time... Don't even have one in stash. (Darn it) Any way, wont be too much longer and I can begin my entry, really getting antsy seeing all the cool looking builds going on, and in the list!.  Take care all!

Doug 

Doug:  know what you mean about "irons in the fire."  Haven't made much progress on anything for this GB yet.

Thanks Doug, the Kate is one of my favs. I'm starting on the Val very soon.

Steve

Checkmate,

My delivery didn't arrive today (lazy local postal service...), but you can put me down at this point for a 1/48 Hobby Boss TBF-1C Avenger. Markings will be for the sole surving TBF-1C (8-T-1, from Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)). This will be pretty much an OOB build using Mr. Paint for most of the paint, and I may make my own paint masks for most of the large roundals, numbers etc.

If I get time and motivation and have any pateince left after the build, I may attempt a simple diorama from Midway Island at the time of battle.

I hope to post some images soon.

Damian

Front page is updated with your Avenger, Damian.  Thanks for participating.

I wasn't aware that VT-8 had any Avengers at Midway.  I thought all the carriers were still flying Devastators, and the Avengers were based on the atoll.

Hope the mail speeds things up; waiting is tough.

checkmateking02

Front page is updated with your Avenger, Damian.  Thanks for participating.

I wasn't aware that VT-8 had any Avengers at Midway.  I thought all the carriers were still flying Devastators, and the Avengers were based on the atoll.

Hope the mail speeds things up; waiting is tough.

 

 

The Avengers based on Midway were part of VT-8. They reached Hawaii too late to sail with Hornet when she left Pearl Harbor, so they were sent to Midway instead. Although they were the earliest -1 model, and not -1Cs. The TBF-1C did not enter battle until the Solomons campaign a year later, after their experience at Guadalcanal. Feedback from those fights brought the changes introduced into the -1C, namely two wing mounted .50s replacing the single cowl mounted .50.

VT-8 Avengers are referred to as the "VT-8 Midway Detachment".

Navy Squadron identification goes from simple to complicated once Lexington  is sunk. And doubly so after Midway with the loss of Yorktown.

Again I have learned something!  Thanks, stik and GM.  

stikpusher

 

 

checkmateking02

Front page is updated with your Avenger, Damian.  Thanks for participating.

I wasn't aware that VT-8 had any Avengers at Midway.  I thought all the carriers were still flying Devastators, and the Avengers were based on the atoll.

Hope the mail speeds things up; waiting is tough.

 

 

 

 

 

The Avengers based on Midway were part of VT-8. They reached Hawaii too late to sail with Hornet when she left Pearl Harbor, so they were sent to Midway instead. Although they were the earliest -1 model, and not -1Cs. The TBF-1C did not enter battle until the Solomons campaign a year later, after their experience at Guadalcanal. Feedback from those fights brought the changes introduced into the -1C, namely two wing mounted .50s replacing the single cowl mounted .50.

 

My reasearch on the Grumman TBF Avenger didnt go beyond that they flew in the battle, but didnt go as far as the specific model designation per say, just that 6 flew in the battle itself, that they were land based on the atol.

So the model I'm building will be 95% accurate, as the 1C variant was not involved (Thanks for the clarification stickpusher). The markings should be if you can believe anything on the web...

If anybody can suggest some suplmentary research sites for me to brush up on the aiframe variation details I would be greatly appreciative.

Damian

MC - Great job on a well worn Kate.

Am getting the engine together on the 'cat, front cylinder bank done, have to put the rocker boxes on the rear bank.  Interior is painted, and the PE is kicking my tail, as usual.  The modeling club has a day at the Vereran's home tomorrow, so will get some more done on her, pics to follow.  Still aways in the future, but the cowling on her is done in clear, still trying to decide on leaving one half (split vertically) clear and the other half in the paint scheme.  Already planning on the wings spread, and leaving the gun bay panels off on one side.

Nice little bonus showed up a week or so ago.  I had donated to CAF for the restoration of their D-Day C-47, "That's All Brother".  I got a Battle of Midway commerative coin with a request for another donation.  Will post a pic of that as well.

Thanks for the update on your progress, goldhammer.  

What a thoughtful and kind expression of appreciation, to visit the veterans' home.  They certainly have earned our respect and thanks.

Damian:  Hope you can find the info you're looking for.  I'm not much up on the many variants of Avengers.  Built an old Monogram model as a kid, so haven't done any research on them.  Looking forward to yours!