The Battle of Midway Group Build, 2027

Modeling Subjects Group Builds
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This Group Build is to honor and commemorate the Battle of Midway, fought between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and the United States Army Air Corps, June 3-7 1942. Subjects entering into this build, must have something to do with the military organizations involved with the Midway Battle or those in the Aleutian Islands in early June 1942.

Start Date: January 1, 2027. I am allowing for any “early birds” to get a jump on their builds.
Some folks are still trying to complete builds for other group builds
and I wanted to give them the time to finish those without getting
caught up in another Group Build.

Finish Date: December 31st 2027. Could be expanded further, depending on interest.

Open too all modeling interests. While primarily an aircraft and ship themed build, Figures,
Armor, (Trucks, AA guns, etc.) are welcomed.

All Scales This kind of speaks for itself I guess, 1:144th up till 1:18th

Cross Over Builds. Cross over builds from other Group Builds are welcome, as long as it fits
within the guidelines already laid out in the opening statement.

Research Websites.

www.midway42.org Comprehensive website, that deals in depth with ALL things Midway
related.

Midway 1942 : Order of Battle. Order of Battle for the major combatents.

markstyling.com/index.htm Aircraft Profiles, mostly USN and USMC

japanese-aviation.forumotion.com/t17-45-midway-islands-battle-june-4-1942 Profiles of
Japanese aircraft from all carriers involved.

Finally, As is usually posted in other Group Builds, Have Fun, Be Nice, and Model On y’all!!

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ROSTER PAGE Who is building what!

fjs3 - 1:48 scale Accurate Miniatures TBF-1C → TBF-1

dunniteowl - To be determined

learmech64 - To be determined

Pj_s_thunderbolt - SBD-3 USN
P-40E USAAC (Aleutions)

GAF - To be determined

Mobious - T.B.D.

SAMPHOTO - Accurate Miniatures SBD-3

BBorBust - IJN Ship (Tone?)

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Count me in!!! Not sure at this time what I will build. To many kits to choose from for this one, but needless to say it will be an aircraft. I may do multiple builds for this one.

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Welcome aboard!! I plan on a few as well

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I’ll join. I’m not sure what to build though. I was planning on a TBF-1 from the old Monogram kit, but I don’t know. There are a Tamiya F4F-4 Wildcat, an Aichi D3A1 dive bomber, and (if I can get it) a 1/700 scale USS Nautilus. MIght as well put me down as To Be Determined. Oh, there’s a possibility of a 1/700 IJN Kirishima, but that’s unlikely (unless I find a deal on one next year).

Gary

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Good on you, Freddie! Unfortunately, I don’t have anything suitable in the stash, but may join later in the year - Best of luck to all participants and I look forward to seeing your finished products!

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Thank you, and hope to see you hop on in during the year!

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Interested in joining the GB. I’ll have to check with my current stock to see what I have that would be acceptable.

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Welcome, glad to have you aboard!!

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A very, and I mean VERY loose Order of Battle for Japanese Forces for “Operation MO”, The invasion of Midway.

Imperial Japanese Navy Sea Bourne Assets at the Battle of Midway, June 4-7, 1942.
Mobile Force, (Kido Butai), VADM. Nagumo Chuichi, Overall Tactical Command
1st Carrier Division,
VADM Nagumo
IJN Akagi, CAPT. Aoki Tajiro
Akagi Air Group, CDR Fuchida Mitsuo, Commanding.
Akagi Fighter Unit, Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, “Zero”.
Akagi Bomber Unit, Aichi D3A1, Model 11, Type 99, Carrier Bombers, “Val”.
Akagi Attack Unit, Nakajima B5N2, Type 97, Carrier Attack Bombers, (Torpedo), “Kate”.

IJN Kaga, CAPT. Okada Jisaku
Kaga Air Group, LCDR. Kusumi Tadashi, Commanding.
Kaga Fighter Unit, Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, “Zero”.
Kaga Bomber Unit, Aichi D3A1, Model 11, Type 99, Carrier Bombers, “Val”.
Kaga Attack Unit, Nakajima B5N2, Type 97, Carrier Attack Bombers, (Torpedo), “Kate”.

2ⁿᵈ Carrier Division, RADM. Yamaguchi Tamon
IJN Hiryu, CAPT. Kaku Tomeo.
Hiryu Air Group, LT. Tomonaga Joichi Commanding.
Hiryu Fighter Unit, Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, “Zero”.
Hiryu Bomber Unit, Aichi D3A1, Model 11, Type 99, Carrier Bombers, “Val”.
Hiryu Attack Unit, Nakajima B5N2, Type 97, Carrier Attack Bombers, (Torpedo), “Kate”.

IJN Soryu, CAPT. Yanagimoto Ryusaku
Soryu Air Group, LCDR. Egasa Takashige, C ommanding.
Soryu Fighter Unit, Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, “Zero”.
Soryu Bomber Unit, Aichi D3A1, Model 11, Type 99, Carrier Bombers, “Val”.
Soryu Attack Unit, Nakajima B5N2, Type 97, Carrier Attack Bombers, (Torpedo), “Kate”.

There were an additional twenty-one, A6M2, “Zero” fighters carried inside the Japanese carriers.
These were from 6th Air Group, and were to be based on Midway, once the island was taken.

There were also many other major naval assets in theatre which were tasked with escorting the main attack and occupation forces. These consisted of everything from Battleships, Heavy and Light Cruisers, Destroyers, Sea Plane Tenders, Oilers and other auxiliary ships. Many Battle ships and Cruisers carried float planes used for Recon and artillery spotting.
Aichi E18A1, Type 11, Model 0, Recon Float Plane, “Jake”

Midway Invasion Force, VADM Kondo Nobutake
IJN Zuiho,
Zuiho Fighter Unit, Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, “Zero”.
Mitsubishi A5M4, Model 24, Type 96 Carrier Fighter, “Claude”
Zuiho Attack Unit, Nakajima B5N2, Type 97, Carrier Attack Bombers, (Torpedo), “Kate”.

Sea Plane Tender Group, RADM. Fujita Ryutaro.
IJN Chitose and IJN Kamikawa Maru, carried a mix of roughly thirty-five aircraft between them.
Mitsubishi F1M2, Model 11, Type 0, Recon Float Planes, “Pete”.
Nakajima E8N1, Model 1, Type 95, Recon Float Plane, “Dave

Aleutian Islands Force. 4th Carrier Division.
IJN Ryujo
Ryujo Air Group.
Ryujo Fighter Unit, Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, “Zero”.
Ryujo Attack Unit, Nakajima B5N2, Type 97, Carrier Attack Bombers, (Torpedo), “Kate”.

IJN Junyo
Junyo Air Group.
Junyo Fighter Unit, Mitsubishi A6M2, Model 21, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, “Zero”. Junyo Bomber Unit,
Aichi D3A1, Model 11, Type 99, Carrier Bombers, “Val”.

Aleutians Sea Plane Tender Group
IJN Kimikawa Maru. Carried a mix of float seaplanes. Most Probably these were Aichi E13A and
Nakajima E8N aircraft. I am not really sure which ones or how many. There were also the Mitsubishi A6M2-N Float Fighter, “Rufe”. I am just not sure when they showed up in theatre, but I know they were used by the Japanese during the Aleutian Island Campaign.

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Another very loose but Basic US Navy Seabourn Assets at the Battle of Midway, June 4–7, 1942.

Task Force Sixteen, (TF-16). Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance
USS Enterprise, (CV-6), Capt. George Murray Carrier Air Group Six, LCDR. Clarence McCluskey
Bombing Six, (VB-6) - Douglass SBD-3, “Dauntless”, LT. Richard Best
Scouting Six, (VS-6) – Douglass SBD-3, “Dauntless”, LT. Wilmer Gallaher
Fighting Six, (VF-6) – Grumman F4F-4, “Wildcat”, LT. James Grey
Torpedo Six, (VT-6) – Douglass TBD-1, “Devastator”, LCDR. Eugene Lindsey

USS Hornet, (CV-8), CAPT. Marc Mitscher Carrier Air Group Eight, CDR. Stanhope Ring
Bombing Eight, (VB-8) – Douglass SBD-3, “Dauntless”, LCDR. Robert johnson
Scouting Eight, (VS-8) – Douglass SBD-3, “Dauntless”, LCDR. Walter Rodee
Fighting Eight, (VF-8) – Grumman F4F-4, “Wildcat”, LCDR. Samuel Mitchell
Torpedo Eight, (VT-8) * - Douglass TBD-1, “Devastator”, LCDR. John Waldron
(* Six plane detachment sent to fly from Midway in Grumman TBF-1, “Avenger”)

Task Force Seventeen, (TF-17). Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Overall Tactical Command.
USS Yorktown, (CV-5), CAPT. Elliot Buckmaster. (Yorktown carried a mixed Carrier Air Group
due to losses from Coral Sea.)
Bombing Three, (VB-3) – Douglass SBD-3, “Dauntless” (From USS Saratoga), LCDR Maxwell Leslie.
Scouting/Bombing Five, (VB-5) – Douglass SBD-3, “Dauntless” (Changed mission from scouting
To Bombing), LT. Wallace Short
Fighting Three, (VF-3) – Grumman F4F-4’ “Wildcat” (From USS Saratoga), LCDR James Thatch
Torpedo Three, (VT-3) – Douglass TBD-1, “Devastator” (From USS Saratoga), LCDR. Lance Massey.

There were also many supporting vessels, heavy and light cruisers, destroyers, patrol boats,
oilers, minesweepers, sub chasers and supply vessels.

Basic US Navy Midway Based Assets at the Battle of Midway, 4-7 June 1942.

Torpedo Eight Detachment, (VT-8) – Grumman TBF-1, “Avenger”

Patrol Wings 1 & 2
Patrol Squadron Twenty-Three, (VP-23) Consolidated PBY-5, “Flying Boat” (Sand Island)
Patrol Squadron Twenty-Four, (VP-24) Consolidated PBY-5A, “Amphibian” (Eastern Island) Patrol Squadron Forty-Four, (VP-44) Consolidated PBY-5A, “Amphibian” (Eastern Island)
Patrol Squadron Fifty-One, (VP-51) Consolidated PBY-5A, “Amphibian” (Eastern Island)

Also, a collection of auxiliary aircraft; Grumman J2F-2, “Duck”, Curtiss SOC-3, “Seagull” and
others. C-47 or R4D would have been on the island as well for supply missions and liaison work.

USMC Midway Based Assets at the Battle of Midway, 4-7 June 1942.
Midway Atoll Garrison, Midway Naval Air Station, CAPT. Cyril Simard. Marine Air Group Twenty-Two, (MAG-22) Lt. Col Ira Kimes, Commanding.
Marine Fighting Squadron Two-Twenty-One, (VMF-221), MAJ. Floyd Parks Brewster F2A-3, “Buffalo”.
Grumman F4F-3, “Wildcat”.

Marine Scouting Bombing Two-Forty-One, (VMSB-241), MAJ. Lofton Henderson.
Douglass SBD-2, “Dauntless”
Vought SB2U-3, “Vindicator”

USAAC Midway based Assets at the Battle of Midway, 4-7 June 1942.
7th United States Army Air Force Detachment. 7th USAAF HQ, Boeing B-17E, “Flying Fortress”.
69th Bomb Squadron, Medium (M), Martin B-26B, “Marauder”.
22nd Recon Squadron, Medium (M), Martin B-26S, “Marauder”. (B-26S?? B or an A model
Maybe?)
42nd Bomb Squadron, Heavy (H), Boeing B-17E, “Flying Fortress”.
431st Bomb Squadron, Heavy (H), Boeing B-17E, “Flying Fortress”.
31st Bomb Squadron, Heavy (H), Boeing B-17E, Flying Fortress”.
72nd Bomb squadron, Heavy (H), Boeing B-17E, “Flying Fortress”.

USAAC Aleutian Islands based Assets during the Battle of Midway, 3-7 June 1942.
The USAAC had several air units based in the territory of Alaska in June 1942. 11th Fighter
Squadron, LTCOL John Chenault, Commanding
11th Fighter Squadron, Curtiss P-40E, “Warhawk”, “Aleutian Tigers”

Composite Bomb Group.
21st Bomb Squadron, Composite, Martin B-26B, “Marauder”.
Consolidated B-24D, “Liberator”
73rd Bomb Squadron, Medium (M), Martin B-26B, “Marauder”.
77th Bomb Squadron, Medium (M), Martin B-26B, “Marauder”.

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These two are the two B-26B that were A’s that were updated to B’s and did not have airframe options to load and carry torpedoes and had to be field modified to carry the torpedo load out. These two are the ones refered to where everyone watch with concern while they taxied and took off because the nose of the torpedo was about 4/6” off the ground.

When I finish my SBD-3 I’m going to do a P-40E * “Yellow 09” (Serial 41-5709) — Flown by Lt. John “Jack” Chennault (Squadron CO and son of legendary Gen. Claire Chennault) during the defense of Dutch Harbor.

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Nice Choices!!

I am planning on a D3A1 that was shot down during the raids on the 3rd.

Do you know if the 11th had the yellow tiger heads on their P-40’s yet? I thought I’d read that they had just started doing that right before the Japanese attacked. Good Choices!

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Hey, fjs3, I clicked your link: japanese-aviation.forumotion.com/t17-45-midway-islands-battle-june-4-1942

And it comes up with a page that tells me that topic no longer exists. Are you sure you have the complete link in your post?

Or are we supposed to click deeper on the page itself that shows up?

Sorry for asking this way, however I’ve spent most of an entire day today, trolling through online hobby sites for planes and ships in the BoM and I’m pretty tired at this point.

[Never Mind. I hit the search function and typed “Battle of Midway” and all was revealed. Sorry]

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The attack on Dutch Harbor and the actions of the 11th Fighter Squadron were part of Operation AL—the northern component of Japan’s massive Midway offensive. [1]

During the three days of the Battle of Midway (June 3–5, 1942), the “Aleutian Tigers” were directly engaged in fighting off the Japanese carrier forces attacking Alaska. [1, 2]
His plane already had the yellow nose during those three days of midway.

image
image742×512 97.7 KB

June 1942

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And that answers THAT question!!

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Don’t sweat it Chris. Sorry for the confusion.

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P-40E #49
11th Fighter Squadron

The first three photos below are said to show Major John Chennault, C.O. of the 11th Fighter
Squadron and son of General Claire Chennault, in the cockpit of one of his ‘Aleutian Tigers’.
This ship has sometimes been identified as #96 but this is clearly not the case, as there are
several distinct differences between the artwork carried on the nose of each.


Project 914 Archives (S. Donacik collection) - Larger Image

A closer look…


Project 914 Archives (S. Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Library of Congress FSA/OWI collection - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S. Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Here we have ships #49 and #96 side by side, photographed at Fort Glenn AAB on
Umnak Island during June of 1942. Many distinct differences in the artwork are apparent.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

A closer look at the pair…


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

And a closer look at ship #49…

Some really good photos if anyone builds a P-40E

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Gotta be straight here. I can see only very marginal differences between the two’s nose art. It might be my eyes, but beyond a slightly thicker/bolder ‘arrow’ and MAYBE slight differences in the ‘stripes’ (the black oblongs running vertical near the back of the art), I can’t tell them apart.

Not complaining, but I just can’t see how you can tell which is which without seeing the tail number.

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i cut and pasted this, i looked and looked and really dont see any differences. Perhaps someone with a better eye for detail might see differences.

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