Hi All,
This has probably been asked several times, and I’ve probably read it before too, but I still have to ask.
Besides the 16 B-25s what were the types and quantities of the other aircraft on the Hornet during the Doolittle raid?
Another question: Which is the better 1/350 USS Indianapolis, Trumpeter or Academy?
Thanks for you rhelp.
Steven
1 Torpedo squadron of TBDs (15 or so), 1 Scout and 1 Bombing Squadron of SBDs (30+), and 1 Fighter Squadron of F4Fs (15+) Plus “spares” of each aircraft type, usually hung from the hangar deck overheads.
If you are modelling the Hornet during the mission for the Doolittle raid keep in mind that if the B25s were still on flight deck the Hornet’s planes were on the hanger deck. There was no room on the flight deck for them.
Actually there were other aircraft on deck. And she had her hangar deck catapult
No you see them, now you don’t. Just googled Hornet Doolittle raid pictures. There is a picture with two of Hornet’s planes on deck back in the pack of B25s. Then there are a couple of pictures showing just the B25s. So how did they make the carrier planes disappear? I don’t think there was a side elevator near where the carrier planes were and I don’t see how they could have launched them or moved them to a deck elevator. Keep in mind all the pictures are at sea so they didn’t lift them off with a shore based crane.
That is a good question on how it was done…
but it was done… the above photo has to be of the area out of view in this shot
and obviously all cleared by this point
stikpusher, if that picture showing the f4f somewhat inbetween 2 mitchells is not a reverse image than that fighter is parked in front of the island & can’t be seen in #2 picture as island is blocking that view.
Thats what I figured as well. Obviously no island in front of the aircraft, and they are tied down facing forward in all other photos. The fuselage codes on the F4F of F-26 indicate it is not a reverse image… a second F4F can be seen behind F-26, and possibly a 3rd. Just a guess, but once the B-25s started being spotted for launch at the rear of the flight deck, the foreward elevator would have been cleared enough for the F4Fs to be put below.
Also, never discount the ingenuity of the ABM assigned as PC (plane captains).
In addition, the F4F has a very narrow undercarriage, and will get very ‘narrow’ with the wings folded (even narrower with the wings removed).
This is also still early enough to not have the us/them relationship between brown and black shoes that can mar modern carrier life. A ABM/C was just as much a member of the goat locker as any other Chief. Plenty of material on a birdfarm to cobble up a gin-pole derrick, or an A-frame jib to sway an F4F over the side into the hangar deck.
As a guess, there was need for one a/c’s worth of hangar deck space, which is how the F4F wound up topside in the first place… But, that’s a pure-D guess (if one based on years and years of presenting opportunities to Goat Lockers and getting out of the way of the success).
The F4Fs were -3s at that time. No folding wings. But I will not doubt for a second the ingenuity of the pane handlers & captains. I do recall that the going theory was if they ran into Japanese forces before the B-25s were in range, they would be shoved overboard and the Hornets airgroup spotted for action and launch as soon as possible. Those F4Fs were likely stowed there for that contingency- get a section of fighters up first. As far as the rest goes… I wonder if any of Hornet’s crew from there are still alive today to tell the tale.
One of the squids who enlighten us all here pointed out that the Navy deck crews had a pretty good time tying down those Mitchells. If you really study it, there’s a lot of pretty creative line work.
The props apparently went downstairs as well and got “upgraded” from Army standards. And then there’s all the tarps that got set over the clear parts.
Two TBD’s back there I think
When I get up to flight deck level on my 1/350 Hornet, I will be looking at the early part of the mission.
In answer to the original question of Academy versus Trumpeter Indianapolis, both have their merits and aspects that may sway you one way or the other. The Trumpeter aft hull is totally fouled up, that’s about the worst of it.
Well comparing the two reviews, the stern area is most interesting. Again I must say how we are lucky to have competing kits of the same ship in 1/350 again.
Thanks all for the great replies, I didn’t think this would generate so much informative discussion.
I do plan to model the Doolittle Raid Hornet, but not sure if I’ll build the entire complement of Hornet based aircraft. I will build all 16 B-25s. It’ll be cool to add the F4Fs to the flight as in the photo as well as what looks like a couple TBDs in the other
I’m sure there are some Hornet crewmembers still around. I’m pretty sure there are at least two fo the Doolittle raiders still around to celebrate their feat. Would be awesome to talk to them.
And thanks for the feedback on the Indianapolis, its a great help.
in this larger version of that photo, you can see that they are SBDs, not TBDs.
The escorting destroyer steaming close in aft is USS Gwin, which was lost a year later battling the Tokyo Express at the Battle of Kolombangara.
I used Photoshop Essentials to get a better look at the pic and there are actually four a/c back there. Two that you mentioned are on the starboard side and there are two on the port side directly across from the other two. It’s had to tell what type of a/c they as the most you can see of them is their rudder with stripes. I would guess SBD’s.
The two facing forward are certainly SBDs. The scoop at the top of the cowl, low wings, and landing gear positive ID them there. The other two facing aft also look to be SBDs. The shape of the rudder fin is more in line with a SBD than a TBD. Also no folded wings are visible and with that crowded of a flight deck, it would not be likely to have a TBD up there in that bunch with it’s wings extended until just prior to launch.
The rear elevator has a bomber or two tied down on top of it so it’s not in service. Probably the center one could be cleared if needed. The forward elevator certainly would be. Hornet had catapults both upstairs and downstairs. The issue would have been recovery. A forward recovery certainly would have been dangerous. They would have had to fly to Enterprise.
According to John Lundstrom in “The First Team”, Fighting 8 traded in their F4F-3s for -4s in San Diego on the way out. I know the pic says it’s a -3, but it wouldn’t be the first mis-captioned photo in NARA…