Hello All…This is only my second post (1st one was in armor about 2 minutes ago) as I just joined the forums yesterday. I have never seriously built a model prior to this, I just put kits together in my preteen years, so here I am 20+ years later trying to do it right. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could tell me where I could find pictures of and the type of a/c flown by some of the different aces during WWII. I have a list of individuals that I would like to do the different a/c of. Any help on this would be appreciated. I understand that some of the people are pretty popular and info is relatively easy to find, but I am going to post the entire list anyway. Also any recommendations on kits would be appreciated, I am going to try and do 1/72 scale for the most part as I have very little room for display.
David McCambell (VF-15)
Joe Foss (VMF-121)
Gregory Boyington (AVG, VMF-214)
Francis S. Gabreski (56FG (looking for info on Razorback))
Don Blakeslee (4FG)
Richard Bong (49FG)
David Lee “Tex” Hill (AVG, not sure what unit afterwords)
Lance Wade (RAF 145 Sqn)
Erich Hartmann (JG 52)
Adoph Galland (JG 26, JG 27, JV 44(found info for JV 44 & JG 26))
Hans Phillip (JG 76, JG 54, JG 1)
Robert S. Johnson (56 FG)
I must say that you all have a great site with wonderful information and what looks to be a bunch of friendly people. Thanks in advance.
Aromaster recently released a pair of decal sheets for Hartmann and Galland. I brimaraly build in 1/48, but i know that Hasegawa and Tamiya make some very good kits of the aircraft you want, and in 1/72. Hope that help a little bit and happy modleling!
Here’s a decent site to get started for US aces…
Looks like you’re missing Hans Joachim Marseille he flew bf-109 e/7 trops during WWII.
Hey Blackhawk-
First of all…welcome to the forum!!! The guys around here are pretty nice and very helpful. I for one find a lot of inspiration from these guys…you’ll see things you wont even believe!
Anywho, to answer your question as to where to find some good reference pics, I would suggest www.web-birds.com
(Sorry, I’m not sure how to embed the link so you’ll have to cut and paste.)[:D]
This is a great web-site for reference shots of all sorts of birds flown by the USAAF during WWII. As far as the Luftwaffe shots, I’m not much good. But I’m sure some words of wisdom will come down the pike in no time.
Good luck! [:)]
Are you looking for internet pics or books? Allen
Thank you for all of the help. Right now I am looking for internet pics. As for the suggestion for the pilot, thank you. Right now, I am trying to do top scoring aces for the most part. The only exception to that rule is Hans Phillip. He was shot down by Robert S. Johnson, so I wanted to do a 2fer. Once again, thank you
Best way is to get up Google choose images and type in the pilots name and go from there. Thats how i usually do it.
Pilot Officer Lance C Wade - Commanding145 Sqdn 1942 - flying Spitfires - shot down 25 a/c by his death in 1944. However he was also with 33 Sqdn (Hurricanes) where he shot down 15 A/C. Will try and get further info later.
Thanks MidUpperGunner…did 145 Sqn. fly Spitfire Vs? I was not aware of him being with the Hurricane sqn. Now I have another a/c to add to my list
It appears that 145 Sqdn flew Vs (e.g. ZX -A ES 384), VIII (ZX-P JG203) and IX (ZX-M MT928). This was in the Middle East I think 33 must also have been that way too. Seems odd - he was an “Ace” but not mentioned hardly at all. The RAF Museum may be able to help - I will keep in touch but if the RAF Museum can help let me know and I will follow it up here.
They’re kind of expensive, but Osprey’s Aircraft of the Aces will give you most of the information you are looking for. You might check out your local library (I know at one time the Topeka Public Library had all the current In Action booklets)
For books, I highly reccommend Eric Hartmann’s biography-in the back, there is a list of ALL the types aircraft that he flew.
I think I have an article on Mr. Wade in a copy of Aviation History magazine,I’ll get back to you on that. I also think that digging through old FSM’s will reveal some of the info you’re looking for.Allen
I’d second qmiester’s suggestion for Osprey Publication’s Aircraft of the Aces. Good stuff! Check out their site at ospreypublishing.com.
Also, Hasegawa has a 1:72 kit for both McCampbell’s F6F (Minsi II) and Bongs P-38 (Marge). There are several after-market decal sets for Boyington’s LuLuBelle F4U. You mentioned that you were searching for Razorback info re’ Gabreski(?). Techmod has a set of 1:72 decals for both the 61st and 62nd squadrons of the 56th FG (mostly for razorback P-47s - including one of Gabreski’s earlier P-47s). They have some F4F Wildcat aces as well. Check out Squadron.com for more details. Eagle Strike decals also has many good WWII decals. Hope this helps. Frank
Thanks all…I tried to get Hasegawa’s F6F kit, but every supplier that my LHS used was out of stock, so it is a hurry up and wait process there. I will check out the Aircraft of the Aces series. Thank you all for your help.
Blackhawk91, Miduppergunner
I have never posted on a forum before, so forgive my stupidity. But I can give you information on Wing Commander Lance C. Wade. He was my husbands uncle. I will try to check this forum often or maybe you can e-mail me.
Hi,
Top scoring Czechoslovaks in WWII RAF - Just some ideas [;)]
- Sgt Josef Frantisek, DFM&Bar (18 but maybe 27 victories), Hurricane Mk.Ia R3975/RF-U, No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF
- S/Ldr Karel M. ‘Kut’ Kuttelwascher, DFC&Bar (20 v), Hurricane NF Mk.IIc BE581/JX-E ‘Night Reaper’, No. 1 Sqdn RAF
- W/C Otto Smik, DFC (8 v & 3 buzz bombs), Supermarine Spitfire LF.Mk.IXC, MJ29/NN-N, No. 310 (Czechoslovak) Sqdn RAF, June 1944 (Operation Overlorld)
I can provide A LOT of info on (not only) these three.
And some more:
Alois Vasatko - see http://312.jinak.cz/home/history/vasatko.html
Frantisek Perina - http://www.multiweb.cz/vladimir/perina_print_pencil.jpg
Josef Stehlik - see my www/section czechoslovaks/section bios
Miroslav “Miro” Mansfeld (10 v)
Leopold Srom (10 v)
Good source of aces on http://math.fce.vutbr.cz/safarik/ACES/aces1/czech-ww2.html
For more info check out my site on sec. czechoslovaks and skins/czechoslovaks or feel free to contact me at my email adress if you decide to build one of the czs. ace plane and I’ll do the research for you (no problem [;)])
Cheers,
Pisis
Bob Johnson flew several different razorbacks with the 56th Fighter Group. Let me know which one (or ones) you’re interested in and I’ll forward some photos and profiles to you.