These P-40’s were all painted with the “Tiger Head” and from what I have read, were all painted by hand. No two would be exact, but they would be close. If you can find pictures of the squadron lined up on the flight line, you may be able to pick out differences between airframes. I would suggest, you use what looks best for your interpretation on the “Tiger Head” and get whatever information you can on the aircraft’s in squadron number, whatever it may have been. I am due to receive a book later today, focusing on the Aleutian campaign, and I’ll see what it has to offer. I have to admit I know only a little bit on that theater, and since doing this Group build, have come to realize it was more than just a diversion for Midway. Hopefully this book will have better info than what I have seen so far.
One more thing I can say, is that they all sported OD over NG, with yellow, (Insignia yellow?) spinners and hub caps!
up until this build I can say I knew almost nothing. I was doing a little research because I know the SBD-3 I am doing shouldn’t take all year and starting on it this Saturday I will be done before Christmas. Jan. or Feb. so I was wanting to line up a second build and a potential 3rd. If I get to a third the third will either be the PBY-5 (Midway) or a B-24D (Alutian). JUst jumping back in I want to keep the builds basic and focus on painting and seam filling…
@Pj_s_thunderbolt Best advice for any GB. Keep It Simple. Don’t go trying a hard model kit, conversion, or diorama. Just do something you know will be easy. Once you’ve fulfilled the object of the group build, then you can think about something more complicated. If you don’t finish that second build, it’s still good because you’ve already accomplished the primary goal.
Gary
[In my best Robert De Niro] You talking to me? Are you talking to me? Huh? [LOL]
I tend to do my best to overreach, because it’s how I gain greater experience, taking on something that’s beyond my regular capacity.
I am going to attempt at least one airplane kit, though it will depend on cost and availability as to whether it will be a(n) :
A6M ‘Zero’ ;
B5N2 ‘Kate’ ;
D3A1 ‘Val’ ;
SBD-3 ‘Dauntless’ ;
F4F-4 ‘Wildcat’ ;
TBF-1 ‘Avenger’ ;
PBY-5A ‘Catalina’
or one of many other potential candidates, most of these I built as a kid (between age 12 and age 15) and had hanging from my ceiling at one time.
I also have been toying with the idea of some 1/700 waterline ships on an ocean display. I have been thinking of having a lineup of the principal aircraft carriers; the Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu on one side and the Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown on the other with a plaque reading: “Two Sides; One Outcome,” on it with the, “Battle of Midway; 4-7 June 1942,” just below that in larger lettering.
Of course those are just initial ideas, not plans. That said, the idea mill doesn’t stop churning and Military History has a fair amount of brain cell memory allocated in my head, so… no promises.
I AM planning on at least one aircraft, for certain. HOW that will be displayed is subject to imagination, materials on hand and ability to get at it regularly. Anything else will be, as they say, ‘gravy.’
Count me in! I pretty much exclusively build ships, and have been wanting to build an IJN ship for a while. Not 100% on which one I will go with yet, but leaning towards the IJN cruiser Tone. For those who do not know, the Tone played a pretty significant role at midway…
Carrier Striking Force: Tone served in Cruiser Division 8 alongside her sister ship Chikuma, acting as part of Vice Admiral Chūichi Nagumo’s mobile aircraft carrier strike force.
Reconnaissance Duties: Tone was designed specifically for long-range scouting and launched floatplanes to search for American warships on the morning of June 4, 1942.
The Delayed Sighting: One of Tone’s scout planes (Tone No. 4) spotted parts of the American fleet and radioed a sighting report, but administrative delays in routing the message contributed to confusion that hampered the Japanese response and contributed to their defeat.
Outcome: Tone escaped the battle without major damage from enemy carrier aircraft and was later detached to support operations in the Aleutian Islands before participating in subsequent campaigns in the Pacific.
Why is it that everyone forgets it was Admiral Fletcher who was in overall command at Midway? Guess because of his action at Guadalcanal.
Gary
Sounds like a man who knows his Midway! Welcome aboard BB!
As a late substitution Spruance got it done. Overall a great group of naval leaders at a critical time.
King had a hard on for Fletcher, and he made no bones about that. Once Yorktown was knocked out of action with the first attack by dive bombers, and he had to move his flag, he put Spruance in overall tactical command while he shifted his flag.
King blamed Fletcher for Lexington’s loss, and then called him timid for not pursuing the Japanese at Coral Sea more aggressively. In my opinion that wasn’t fair at all. Fortunately, Nimitz had the faith and wherewithal to back Fletcher and stay between him, Fletcher and Adm King.