I know the feeling, my nephew Braxton is in the Army with an artillery unit. A combat unit, proud of him though I keep reminding him to keep both hands on his weapon when he whips out his cellphone to record some of his Army evolutions, fascinating stuff. I wonder if we had that technology when I was serving, though I did take my camera with me everywhere. My son Alex is in the Air Force also, currently stationed So Carolina, always praying to my dear Lord to keep them safe.

Louis. I have done that myself. "Now what am I gonna do with all this paint? Start another build is what!"

Monogram TBD, is STILL an awesome model to build. As far as numbering, you let me know which squadron and which plane number, and I'll give you the crew info! IIRC, then only TBD's that had the duel mount MG's in the rear was VT-8. Both VT-3, and VT-6, all had the single .30. I'm hoping to see pictures soon!

Thanks for the information. I'll probably be building mine as a VT-3 or a VT-6 plane since the model has a single .030 caliber rear firing weapon. I'm headed into the hobby room (garage) to get busy on the Midway build(s). Hopefully I can post something up later tonight. Thanks again for the offer. I'll take you up on it once I narrow down my choice.

This is a brilliant group for a Brit. I am sure there are many who have a great deal of knowledge on this topic - but I am learning so much about aircraft and history that I really barely knew. This looks like a great model taking shape. I am genuinely excited to see how it is finished. The bar is being set so high! Fantastic stuff - top notch!

I've got hold of an ancient Nichimo Aichi E13 in 1/48th - still researching while waiting for resin cockpit and engine to arrive. It's an attempt to renovate a kit lacking in some detail and to recognise errors and 'misses' by Japanese recon. that cost very dear.

I am currently reading:

The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History) by Craig L. Symonds

and

Midway (The Battle that Doomed Japan, the Japanese Navy's story) by Mitsuo Fuchida and Masatake Okuyima

I chose one book from an American viewpoint and one from a Japanese perspective.

For the sake of those who haven't read the book, Fuchida commanded the Agaki carrier air group, and Okuyima was a dive-bomber pilot assigned to Ryujo. Originally published in 1955 it is as critical as it can be of the Japanese operation!

I have seen Shattered Sword recommended before and will certainly read it next.

33 missions with the Bloody Hundredth is exceptional. My dad's best friend dropped into Holland, at Arnhem - was 'lucky' enough to be one of those evacuated, with broken legs - so it is a small world!

It is a small world indeed. Our family had 4 brothers in the US Army at the same time during WW2. Almost like in the movie "Saving Private Ryan".

One brother, John, jumped into Normandy on D-Day with the 101st. Later he landed by glider (according to the article) at Bastogne and was wounded in Jan 1945. I would rather believe that he landed by glider during Market Garden. He survived the War.

http://www.mtzionhistoricalsociety.org/vet_gardner_john_b.htm

Another brother, Calvin, fought in Italy and was killed in southern France in August 1944.

http://www.mtzionhistoricalsociety.org/vet_gardner_calvin.htm

Another brother, Theodore, landed in Normandy on D-Day plus 58. He was later killed on Christmas Eve at Bastogne.

http://www.mtzionhistoricalsociety.org/vet_gardner_ted.htm

The last brother, Sonny, was severely wounded near Strasbourg France on December 15th, 1944. He survived the War.

http://www.mtzionhistoricalsociety.org/Images/vet_gardner_ward.jpg

Another Gardner, Tom, (related but not among the 4 brothers) was severely wounded on D-Day plus 3 (June 9th), and was evacuated back to England where he died of his injuries several months later in October.

http://www.mtzionhistoricalsociety.org/vet_gardner_tom.htm

Freedom isn't free... Just ask some of our family or visit your local VA hospital.

Sorry to get off track about your build thread, but I thought it was appropriate since you were talking about WW2 veterans. My Dad was the first family member to break the "curse". Up until my Dad, our family lost family members to each war from the Revolutionary War up until Korea. My Dad was wounded in Korea but thank God he survived.

So I guess I'm like the son of Lt. Dan from the movie Forrest Gump ?