Welcome to the Battle of Midway, 1942 campaign!

Please post your progress and campaign fellowship here

If you haven't already joined, you can Enlist Here

Please post the photos of you completed build in the Official Campaign Gallery

Samantha,

Thanks for setting us up. One week to go everyone! Here's the list of quasi-commitments so far:


1. Bruce Miller/Grayghost666: Ship or TBF
2. Jesper/SgtJKJ: A6M2
3. Allen Berry/Tomcat31: SBD
4. Bob R./BigRip74: F4F
5. Naseby: D3A1 1/48 Hasegawa
6. Robert Melvin: USS Hornet 1/350 Trumpy
7. Jeremy H/vonHengest: IJN Ayanami 1/700 Pit Road
8. Vance/vanize: SBD, B5N or D3A
9. Jim/potchip: Diorama of Japanese carriers being attacked
10. Aaron Newlands/611_sqn: D3A 1/48 Hasegawa
11. Sean Hadfield/windysean: TBF 1/72 Academy
12. Daniel Chavez: USS Hornet 1/350 Trumpy or Japanese ship
13. Paul Pawlak/ppawlak1: F4F 1/48 Tamiya
14. Michael/flyboy92187: SBD 1/72 Hasegawa
15. Michael/MichaelSatin: SBD-3 1/32 Trumpeter or 1/48 Dive Bombers (D3A, SBD, SB2U)
16. Tom Gore/usmartial: A6M2 1/32 Doyusha

As you can see, I'm still dithering (I could do the torpedo planes also)! Anyway, gotta finish up my 1/32 Israeli Spitfire IX for the Spitfire campaign, but I'm getting close to decals on that one.

24 enlistees so far and we're now a Kitmaker U Campaign, so hopefully we'll see an interesting mix of genres.

Looking forward to it!

Michael

Well, guys, I'm formally in with Tumpy's 1/350 Hornet. I should be able to get her done by the deadline, and this will give me an incentive to actually build her up and stop just talking about doing her. LOL.

Bob

I declare the Midway 1942-2012 Campaign officially OPEN! As you decide on what you're going to do for the campaign, let me know here and I'll add it to my list.

Let the building commence, and let's see those progress shots!! I look forward to some excellent modeling (from you all, of course)!

Michael

Excellent! Looking forward to it (just 3 current builds to clear off here...)!
-Sean.

Here we go! Cant wait till I get home and get my hands on the Val.

Just Joined, looking forward to having some fun with this my entry will be either a 1/48 SB2U-3 Vindicator from Accurate Miniatures or the PBY5A Catalina also in 1/48 (Monogram)

Orlando,
i like both of your choices and welcome aboard.

Bob

Your signature has a NAVAIR ring to it

Orlando,

Excellent choices, would love to see the PBY! I've added you to the list, model on dudes!

Michael

Orlando the photo was taken at the Naval Air Station in the Azores 1973 with then VP30 and a very young aircrew ordanceman (me).

Bob

I was an AD in VP-8 in the 90's we did Sigonella, by then the Azores and Iceland were off of the PATRON det sites.

I have been awaiting this campaign for a while!!! So, before my F-16 was dry from the flat coat, I started on my dauntless. Here she is so far.

After looking through the kit markings, I do not think that the kit supplies decals for an aircraft that actually served at Midway, as the markings are from Lady Lex... (1942 colors) And we all know that she was sunk at Coral Sea... Would it still count? Or does someone know where I can find 1/72 Dauntless decals for an aircraft that served at midway? Regardless I will finish this build, and it may make for an excuse to save up for a ship model, as it has been years since I have built one.

Don't know about decals but check this site out, it has many pictures of Midway SBD's

http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/b/766/3/1#17

I dig the link. I think I can make it work, perhaps I can find some spare numbers/letters and do it that way. The Stars minus bars are all good. Thank you!

Orlando and Michael, I agree, that's a very cool site. I see there are Avengers there too.
As for my project, I'm building a TBF-- every site explains how 6 were ready before Midway and flew from the island instead of any aircraft carrier, and only 8-T-1 returned, carrying one dead and two injured.
I will likely model one of the other 5 (-4, -5, -12, -16, and -19) depending on what's easiest to make from the decals I have, the world having many 8-T-1 models already. Of course, with few if any photos of the others, I assume they looked the same, but there's a bit of leeway.
If I'm more ambitious, I could model 8-T-1 in the air, sporting heavy battle damage, bomb doors stuck down, one wheel jammed in the well, the gunner limp in the turret, as she would have appeared on the third approach when the pilot ignored the wave-off and crashed it in.
-Sean.

Been looking around the US Navy Heritage web site and a book I have claims that only VT-8 used TBF's at Midway, all from Midway. 8-T-1 should be a Devastator all of which were lost. The Devastators were "supposedly" T-1 to T-15 with no carrier identification markings.

US Units
#'s after commands = aircraft assigned (#)= a/c available

Carriers:

USS Yorktown (CV-5) Capt. Elliott Buckmaster
CYAG Lt.Cdr. Oscar Pederson, USNA26
VS-5 Lt. Wallace Clark Short, Jr. - 19 (17) SBD-3
VF-3 Lt.Cdr. John Smith Thach - 27 (25) F4F-4
VB-3 Lt.Cdr. Maxwell Franklin Leslie - 18 (17) SBD-3
VT-3 Lt.Cdr. Lance Edward Massey - 15 (12) TBD-1

USS Enterprise (CV-6) Capt. George Murray
CEAG Lt.Cdr. Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr. - 1 (1) SBD-3
VF-6 Lt. James Seton Gray, Jr. - 27 (27) F4F-4
VS-6 Lt. Wilmer Earl Gallaher - 18 (18) SBD-3
VB-6 Lt. Richard Halsey Best -18 (18) SBD-2, -3
VT-6 Lt.Cdr. Eugene Elbert Lindsey -14 (14) TBD-1

Hornet (CV-8) Capt. Marc Andrew Mitscher
CHAG Cdr. Stanhope Cotton Ring -1 (1) SBD-3
VF-8 Lt.Cdr. Samuel Gavid Mitchell -27 (27) F4F-4
VS-8 Lt.Cdr. Walter Fred Rodee -16 (15) SBD-3
VB-8 Lt.Cdr. Robert Ruffin Johnson -18 (18) SBD-3
VT-8 Lt.Cdr. John Charles Waldron -15 (15) TBD-1

At Midway Island:

Sand Island Seaplane Base
VP-23 Lt. James Robinson Ogden - 14 (13) PBY-5

Eastern Island Airfield
Naval Air Station Utility 1 (1) J2F-2
Consolidated Patrol Wing 2 Lt.Cdr. Robert Cecil Brixner (CO, VP-44)
VP-44 Lt. Donald George Gumz - 8 (7) PBY-5A
assigned from VP-24 6 (6) PBY-5A
assigned from VP-51 3 (3) PBY-5A

VT-8 Detachment Lt. Langdon Kellogg Fieberling - 6 TBF-1

Marine Aircraft Group 22 Lt. Col. Ira L. Kimes
VMF-221 Maj. Floyd Bruce Parks - 21 (20) F2A-3 and7 (6) F4F-3
VMSB-241 Maj. Lofton Russell Henderson - 19 (18) SBD-2 and 21 (12) SB2U-3

7th Army Air Force, Bomber Command MG Willis P. Hale
349th BS(H) 1 (1) B-17D
42nd BS(H)/11th BG(H) Lt.Col. Brooke E. Allen 5 (4) B-17E
7th Air Force Bomber Command HQ 1 (1) B-17E
431st BS(H)/11th BG(H) Lt.Col. Walter C. Sweeny, Jr -7 (6) B-17E
assigned from 31st BS(H)/5th BG(H) -2 (2) B-17E
assigned from 72nd BS(H)/5th BG(H) -1 (1) B-17E

Detachment, 18th RS(M)/22nd BG(M) 1st Lt. James P. Muri - 2 (2) B-26
Detachment, 69th BS(M)/38th BG(M) Capt. James F. Collins, Jr. - 2 (2) B-26B

Japanese Units:

CV Akagi (F) Capt. Aoki Taijiro
Akagi Air Unit Cdr. Mitsuo Fuchida (Rated Observer) 1 Type 97 B5N2 carrier attack plane
Kansen Buntai Lt. Itaya Shigeru (Rated Aviator) 18 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters
Kanbaku Buntai Lt. Chihaya Takehiro (Rated Observer) 18 Type 99 D3A1 carrier bombers
Kanko Buntai Lt.Cdr. Murata Shigeharu (Rated Aviator) 17 Type 97 B5N2 carrier attack planes
6th Kokutai (for stationing at Midway) Lt.Cdr. Kaneko Tadashi (Rated Aviator) 6 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters

CV Kaga Capt. Jisaku Okada
Kaga Air Unit Lt.Cdr. Kusumi (Rated Aviator) 1 Type 97 B5N2 carrier attack plane
Kansen Buntai Lt. Sato Masao (Rated Aviator) 18 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters
Kanbaku Buntai Lt. Ogawa Sho-ichi (Rated Aviator) 18 Type 99 D3A1 carrier bombers
Kanko Buntai Lt. Kazuraki Masuhiko (Rated Aviator) 26 Type 97 B5N2 carrier attack planes
6th Kokutai (for stationing at Midway) 9 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters
Soryu Kanbaku Buntai (spares) 2 Type 99 D3A1 carrier bombers

CV Hiryu (F) Capt. Kaku Tomeo
Hiryu Air Unit Lt. Tomanga Jo-ichi (Rated Aviator) 1 Type 97 B5N2 carrier attack plane
Kansen Buntai Lt. Mori Shigeru (Rated Aviator) 18 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters
Kanbaku Buntai Lt. Kobayashi Michio (Rated Aviator) 18 Type 99 D3A1 carrier bombers
Kanko Buntai Lt. Kikuchi Rokuro (Rated Aviator) 17 Type 97 B5N2 carrier attack planes
6th Kokutai (for stationing at Midway) 3 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters

CV Soryu Capt. Yanagimoto Ryusaku
Soryu Air Unit Lt.Cdr. Egusa (Rated Aviator) 1 Type 99 D3A1 carrier bombers
Kansen Buntai Lt. Suganami Masaji (Rated Aviator) 18 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters
Kanbaku Buntai Lt. Ikeda Masatake (Rated Aviator) 15 Type 99 D3A1 carrier bombers
1 Type 02 D4Y1-C reconnaissance plane (1 other lost)
Kanko Buntai Lt. Abe Heijiro (Rated Observer) 18 Type 97 B5N2 carrier attack planes
6th Kokutai (for stationing at Midway) 3 Type 00 A6M2 carrier fighters

Japanese Invasion Group Carrier (not engaged):
CVL Zuiho Capt. Obayashi
Kansen Buntai Lt. Hidaka Moriyasu -12 Type 96 A5M4 carrier fighters
Kanko Buntai Lt. Matsuo Kaji -12 Type 97 B5N1 carrier attack planes

Japanese Invasion Group Seaplane Tenders (not engaged):
CVS Chitose Capt. Furukawa Tamotsu
Chitose Air Unit 7 Type 00 F1M2, 16 x Type 95 E8N2
AV MS Kamikawa Maru Capt. Shinoda Tarohachi
Kamikawa Maru Air Unit 4 Type 00 F1M2, 4 Type 00 E13A1, and 4 Type 95 E8N2

Orlando,
AO3 -VP8 on P3A/B I heard the C did away with the ordnance aircrew. Boy I would not have been a happy boy having my feet planted on the ground. The shot is when I was with VP30 for aircrew training.

GO TIGERS

Bob

The P3CUIII did away with flying ordies but they opened up the FE spot for a few AO's. I was a ground pounder so no flying for me!

Yep, I'm using a decal set from Starfighters that includes 8-T-1 for a Devastator from February 1942.
According to the article "Avengers at Midway" written by pilot Albert K. Earnest and radioman 3/c Harry Ferrier, the detachment arrived on Midway too late to paint out their squadron codes, and a last minute switch put them in the plane of X.O. Henry "Swede" Larson, whom I assume would be assigned the -1. The Navy photos don't show the number clearly, but the bureau number (00380) matches what Earnest and Ferrier say was their 8-T-1.
Don't worry, I'm trying to stay historically accurate.
Thanks,
Sean.

So, after I finished work I double checked the box, and judging by the decals that have been supplied, I believe this aircraft to be from the Lexington II. Another giveway was the fact that the kit I have is an SBD-5. So, I will finish this kit, but will be in the market for another kit that I can use for the campaign. Curse my early lack of observance!!! So, now the great debate, look for a trumpy carrier kit, use my Tamiya wildcat that I have, or try and find another aircraft.

Michael, sorry about that, but the model is looking great! Plenty of time for some more!

This is what I love to see, people jumping right on this (not like me!) Now I'll have to update the list!

Michael

By the way, great list Orlando, and thanks! I haven't had a chance to look at it too closely, but it sure looks complete.

Here's the "committed" build list so far, I think:

1. Bruce Miller/Grayghost666: Ship or TBF
2. Jesper/SgtJKJ: A6M2
3. Allen Berry/Tomcat31: SBD
4. Bob R./BigRip74: F4F
5. Naseby: D3A1 1/48 Hasegawa
6. Robert Melvin: USS Hornet 1/350 Trumpy
7. Jeremy H/vonHengest: IJN Ayanami 1/700 Pit Road
8. Vance/vanize: SBD, B5N or D3A
9. Jim/potchip: Diorama of Japanese carriers being attacked
10. Aaron Newlands/611_sqn: D3A 1/48 Hasegawa
11. Sean Hadfield/windysean: TBF 1/72 Academy
12. Daniel Chavez: USS Hornet 1/350 Trumpy or Japanese ship
13. Paul Pawlak/ppawlak1: F4F 1/48 Tamiya
14. Michael/flyboy92187: F4F 1/48 Tamiya or Trumpeter carrier (and 1/72 SBD-5 for practice)
15. Michael/MichaelSatin: SBD-3 1/32 Trumpeter or 1/48 Dive Bombers (D3A, SBD, SB2U)
16. Tom Gore/usmartial: A6M2 1/32 Doyusha
17. Orlando Pantoja/opantoja: SB2U-3 1/48 Acc Min or PBY-5a 1/48 Monogram

As always, let me know if I missed anyone or messed anything up. Also please let me know if you change your mind on your build (as you are, of course, free to do!)

Michael

I open the Monogram PBY kit to start cleaning up the pieces and do a test fit, wouldn't you know it, my highly prized ebay purchase is missing parts!

So , I head on over to my local hobby shop, they don't carry PBY's. I figured it would be difficult being that in the part of Spain I'm in you cannot even find Vallejo products (supposedly made in Spain) go figure! I checked all 4 local hobby shops and not a single PBY on the shelf. I had to order it.

I have an SB2U but I want to do VPB-44's 44-P-4, the flying boat that found the Japanese fleet that first day.

So please update me on the list to a "Special Order" Airfix 1/72 PBY-5A

Orlando