Beautiful kit. [H] Only problem is that other than the box art, no examples are given for other aircraft paint schemes.
I went to AMs website and found the cowling and tail colors, however, there is no key to the decal sheet as to which badge is for which squadron. ?? [8-)]I guess the wasp is for the squadron from the USS Wasp.[8-|]
I would like to do a “neutrality” star example other than USS Wasp.
Does anybody know what squadrons that operated the F3F-1, and which ones were embarked during neutrality patrols?
I was able to find a article by Michael Benolkin regarding this kit. He lists the squadrons to Aircraft Carrier and the carrier # is the same as the squadron number. [Y]
As for the Neutrality patrols: I guess any Atlantic fleet carrier would do. I suppose all fleet carriers had this duty in 1940-41…
There is a photo in Bill Larkin’s book that shows a VF-7 F3F-1 in 1940, s/n 0262. It has the Neutrality Star on the forward fuselage and the Blue Burgler Wasp emblem is visible in the photo on the right side between the star and the cockpit. It was on the Wasp in the Atlantic in 1940. The cowl is a solid color, maybe red or blue and the tail is black to indicate it was on the Wasp. The airplane is 7F1. The Burgler Wasp emblem passed to VF-72 when VF-7 was renamed to VF-72. By December 1941 VF-72 was flying F4F-3’s.
The Ranger was in the Atlantic Division in 1940, so VF-4 is a good candidate. One s/n is 0235, 4F-13, Willow Green tail color on the Ranger. Red Rippers emblem. Sorry, I missed that you didn’t want a Wasp airplane.Looks like a solid color cowl, dark, on 4F-13. The photo does not show the neutrality star but it might have been before March 19 when it was authorized. Almost all the other Ranger airplanes for 1940 in Larkin’s book have it.
Yes, I do think so. Better with than without. Remember the purpose of the star was to tell all parties you were not a belligerent so neither side would attack you.
