South Pacific Group Build 7 August 2006 to 7 August 2007

Jerry,

Looks like you found the documentation on the -5 model being involved.  I always thought the -5 did not enter service until '44.  Well, there is another testimony to why these GB's are great!

On the PE and resin stuff I am right there with you...I have been an out of the box guy for quite some time.  I just received the full Aires detail set for the Academy P47 Razorback...all I can say is good thing this build is for one year!

This is going to be a good one!

Jerry,

The link you initally showed would not open for me.  However, I did run some of my sources and it looks like the -3 is actually correct.  But then again there is just so much out there! 

The Academy kit should have the option to cut out the panels for the small windows and US Carrier aircraft, with limited exceptions (VF27 Catmouths) were fairly standard in thier markings.  Tri-Coulor camo with white undersides. 

In fact I think it was very late in 43 or early 44 that they began the geometric patterns on the tails to identifiy air group or squadrons.  So, decals may not be an issue.  I have some that may work in my spares box if you are interested, no charge at all.

I opened the Aires detail set...HOLY FREAKIN WOW BATMAN !  57 total pieces, most resin and the rest photoetch.  If all goes well I will be able to represent the P&W wind machine as well as gear bays and the port side weapons bay.  Problem is that this will be my last model...at 1/72 scale I will go blind with all of the smal parts LOL,

espins1 wrote:

My decals are here!  My decals are here!!!!  Woo hoo!!!!  My decals finally arrived for my P-38F, the Flying Dutchman!      Man, makes me feel like a little kid that has just gotten a new toy!

Scott-I hate to bug you, but are these planes in olive drab or bare metal?  And would it be ok with you if I built the same plane?  Or are there other olive drab options for a P-38 E/F/G that fit this theater?  Aeromaster has a couple of options, but some of the nose art is a little less than family friendly.....

Thanks

The one I'm doing is Olive Drab on top, neutral gray on the bottom.  I had a tough time even finding a set for an F model in the South Pacific, so I was very happy to find markings for a P-38F in Guadalcanal, "The Flying Dutchman".  Feel free to do the exact same kit, markings etc. amigo. 

bobbaily wrote:

Scott-I hate to bug you, but are these planes in olive drab or bare metal?  And would it be ok with you if I built the same plane?  Or are there other olive drab options for a P-38 E/F/G that fit this theater?  Aeromaster has a couple of options, but some of the nose art is a little less than family friendly..... Thanks

bobbaily wrote:

Scott-got the e-mail.  Thanks for the info.  Always good to have options.

You bet Bob, that's what makes the group builds so great! 

Hey Jerry I just realized that we have the same Academy Hellcat kit.  Over on the Carrier Aircraft build I did the Italeri and someone asked what I thought would be the best kit.

I think you may have it.  The Academy v. the Italeri is a much better kit on detail and engineering, decals are sos so.  The Hasegawa I built ten years ago, well that was 10 years ago, I can't remember...You got a great deal on the kit and AM stuff!

Joe,

I took a quick trip thru the Carrier Aircraft GB and your Hellcat looks great.

I visited the LHS up the highway on Sunday and picked up both Academy P-40's E and M/N.  Much to my surprise and delight, the E kit had decals for the "Four Flags" Aussie plane based in New Guinea and that will be my selection for your build. I ran across the plane in the Squadron/Signal P-40 in Action book and really liked it. Hopefully the decals are of usable quality as there seems to be quite a range of opinion on Academy decals.

Now to finish off some projects in my hobby room.........a 4 Star 40 R/C plane (in garage actually), a Guillows P-40 ..balsa/rubber band power, an old Mainline Models antique Milwaukee Road boxcar, and a Mississippi Central Boxcar.........*smile*...I do have hobbies in addition to plastic airplanes.....hehehehe

Thanks Jerry...the P40E was at Milne Bay early in the war, they really stopped the Japanese butt cold there...

Wulff...Ventura would be cool, I have the Minicraft kit as well, loads of AM opportunities with that kit!.

Hey Josh,

Since there is an enormous amount of great GB's going on I have no problem with combining.  No Badge as of yet, I am terrible at them feel free to take a crack if you want.

Joe - if I can do it in another groupbuild simultaneously I would like to do a B-25 of 13th USAAF, 42nd Bomb Group (ok I'll probably mess up the decals because I'll have to do them myself)  I finally found what my great uncle flew in and where so it will be a kind of tribute to him... I'm also doing it in the Memorial Day GB...

It'll be the AccMin B-25 (not sure which version yet) with interior PE and custom decals.

Hey Guys!

No problem on combining them. Too many great group builds to go around! 

I'd like to get in on this Joe.

I'd like to do a F4F-4 Wildcat if possible.

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That was my impression of me falling down the stairs... ::curtsy and a bow::

I think I have the unit my uncle flew in now (squadron)  I am sending off for microfilm of the crew rosters etc.. for the 75th Squadron, 42nd Bomb Group soon so I will know.. I'll still do a generic 42nd BG B-25 for this I think because it's the government... I'd be waiting 6 months for a "It's coming soon" postcard I think...

Joe - yeah I have him tracked down to what Bomb Group, his job, dates in theater and a lot of the awards he recieved.  I want to research further to see which squadron, but don't hope to have a specificplane, as in the Pacific they rarely flew on the same plane much, in fact flight crew members varied from mission to mission as some wanted to get more missions in to get home early.  They would come back from one mission to 3 hours sleep and be flying another. 

I've been running down some history on him for many years now and suddenly in the space of about 72 hours this month one hint would lead me to another until I had enough to know his was not easy service... in fact the ground support for one squadron was being ferried to the beach at Guadalcanal as the U.S Marines were still on the beach fighting inch by inch inland.. They were told to hold off for 24 hours.. they were being shelled by Japanese in the hills as they were building the runways...

I posted a little bio of him in the Memorial Day GB...

A little run down of the 42nd BG service:

You can read a little about the individual islands here:

http://www.web-birds.com/13th/42/42nd.htm

Is there going to be a badge for this one??

I like the middle one of the SBD taking off from the jungle runway, it looks a lot like some of the pics I have come across in looking up my uncles unit in the S. Pacific...

Oh, and something happened to your URL, I found the album here though:

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/JerrynFrog/

Good work on the badges!!!

Jerry-nice work on the badges.  They all look great.

Tom-is your new avitar related to the B-25 your uncle flew on?