Since the Airfix Dogfight Double kit of the F4F-4 vs B5N2 Kate that I'm building represents a Hiryu vs Yorktown fight, I decided to do a Yorktown vs Hiryu fight using a VT-3 TBD vs a Hiryu A6M.

This is historically accurate since Torpedo 3 did attack the Hiryu just before Bombing 3 pushed over on the Soryu.

After looking at the available TBD kits and not liking either the Airfix or Valom offerings, I settled on repainting a SkyMax die-cast Devestator. I will leave it up to Louis to determine

if this is an elegible entry into the group build, but here is my progress so far.

I have masked the underside and still need to mask the canopy prior to painting the topside blue grey. I will be using the Starfighter USN at Midway decal sheet to get the markings for LCDR "Lem" Massey's aircraft. LCDR Massey was the CO of Torpedo 3 and was one of the 10 out of 12 crew's lost in the attack.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks Louis. BTW you might want to have a look at your SBD thread, I tried to make a post about your stash of Corsair kits, and got an error, but it added a page 3 but with no way to add any more replies etc. If it's really locked up, Martin may be able to fix it.

Is that a newer Airfix kit, Rick? Looks pretty nice to me, and your making some great progress!

One thing you should check up on. By Midway, most, is not all American aircraft did not carry the red spot in the center of the national insignia. Especially for a from line unit like VT-8. Also the national insignia were carried in six positions. I'm not trying to be a "Know it all", but this is one area of the Pacific War I am well informed on. What I am saying is, check your references to be sure, and don't trust the kit manufacturer to get it right.

Looking forward to seeing your air battle come to life, unfortunately we all know the outcome of this one... It's good to see VT-3 get represented too, as it's always on VT-8

Cheers,
Freddie from LI

Rick, you can do what they did, paint over the red dot.

Hi Bernard, I thought of that and might give it a try. I'm trying to get more info on Air Group 3 in Hawaii after been left at Pearl Harbor when the Sara returned stateside for repairs after beginning torpedoed. Both the F4F-4's and SBD-3's were new(ish) out of depot, but I don't have a very good handle on how much weathering to do to the TBD.

Thanks Louis, I have all of Dana's books. I'm going to check my Midway & TBD references and see if I can find some clear pictures of VT-3

Rick your TDB is looking fantastic !

All I can take credit for so far is the masking tape, all the current paint work is courtesy of SkyMax. I hope to change that shortly lol