Hi all. I have been asked to build a 1/32 F6F-5 Hellcat for a local military history museum. They would like it to represent a local Navy ace. His name Armistead “chick” Smith. He was a Ltjg at the time of his ace score and retired from the service as a Captain. He flew for VF-9 and VBF-12 off of USS Essex. Does anyone know where I might find info on him and photos of his Hellcat?
Here is a start:
Captain ARMISTEAD ‘CHICK’ SMITH US.N.
After the North African invasion of 1942, ‘Chick’ Smith transferred with VF-9 to the Pacific in 1943 flying Hellcats from U.S.S. Essex. He participated in the carrier strikes against Wake, Marcus, the invasions of Tarawa and the Marshalls; and in the first carrier attacks against Truk and Saipan/Tinian. Becoming an Ace in 1944 he transferred to VBF-12 flying F6Fs in strikes against Tokyo, and the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In 87 combat missions he recorded 11 victories. ‘Chick’ Smith retired in 1972.
http://www.airartnw.com/scramblemar.htm
This guy built an F6F from the Essex using the Hasegawa kit, also has some history… that will be a big help.
Thanks Ron
That helped a bunch. My biggest concern is depicting Smith’s aircraft correctly. From what I can tell the aircraft of VF-9 were very simply painted and marked. I think he flew aircraft #9 and I can use several different decal sets to get the proper markings.