Battle Of Midway models project

[Don Boose]

This problem eventually led the USAAF to develop skip bombing, which was a very effective anti-shipping technique. While it was mainly done with A-20s and B-25s in SWPA, the 63rd Bombardment Squadron of the Fifth Air Force initially developed the methodology with B-17s.

"As initially developed in the Southwest Pacific, skip bombing called for B-17s to approach the target at between 200 and 250 feet and about 200 knots. The aircraft released bombs with delay fuses of four to five seconds so that they would hit 60 to 100 feet short of the ship. A perfect skip would take them the remaining distance and either send the bombs into the side of the ship or up against it, sinking and detonating underwater. Both outcomes proved effective, and the percentage of hits turned out substantially better than those from high-altitude attacks." [Matthew K. Rodman, A War of Their Own: Bombers over the Southwest Pacific, Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press, 2005, pp. 32-33, available at https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Por..._THEIR_OWN.pdf]

Don

[scissorsandplanes]

The first time I learned about skip bombing was in a documentary on the P-51. I never succeeded to find that documentary again but since then (and with the design of the A-20 series not so long ago) the subject pops up from time to time.
I did not expect the B-17 to be at the basis of that, though. Must have been a risky business.
and nice model builds, by the way. Kudos to all builders and recolorists. (and to other designers than myself )

[Butelczynski]

It's thanks to you ,Bruno ,that projects like this are possible.

[gomidefilho]

This thread is a gem, whether for the collaborative work between designers, pattern makers, recolorists, researchers. Here's a little bit of everything, research, modeling, history, really a very cultural thread.

My contribution today is another Buffalo from the VMF 221, this time the plane with MF-1 registration, a repaint and modification by Brent, with wonderful textures simulating a wear that these planes certainly had because they already came second hand from other units , Comparing the Bluegray of this plane and the Rata repaint is evident. None of the interpretations is wrong. reading my old Navy Air Colors Vol.1 published by Squadron Signal Publications, the bluegray paint needed a lot of touches when exposed to the sun, exactly the case of the plane that Brent repainted.







































Until the next. I think japanese at the time...

[gomidefilho]

Originally Posted by scissorsandplanes

The first time I learned about skip bombing was in a documentary on the P-51. I never succeeded to find that documentary again but since then (and with the design of the A-20 series not so long ago) the subject pops up from time to time.
I did not expect the B-17 to be at the basis of that, though. Must have been a risky business.
and nice model builds, by the way. Kudos to all builders and recolorists. (and to other designers than myself )

My friend! You is a great commander, because you wonderful designs. Thank you!

[Don Boose]

A pair of superb Marine Buffalos!

Don

[Butelczynski]

Very nice Buffalo Pericles. Brent also made equally stunning SBD Dauntless in BoM colors .I have it printed and it will be done in due time.

I agree about colors.Looking at period pedicures you can tell there was huge variance in colors of all Navy planes from fighters all the way to Devastators. Even "Dive Bomber" film show that.Btw-there is a couple of really nice (even if far)shots of Buffalos flying in that movie. There are great many color SBD pictures showing that variance as well.

Constant exposure to salt water spray and sun will do that to any paint.Not to mention that I'm sure paint job wasn't on top of list of priorities while onboard of a carrier.

[YOAVHOZMI]

2 cute birds. Nice job.

YOAV

[Rata]

Good contrast with 'factory fresh' and 'not so factory fresh'.

[gomidefilho]

thank you my friends! The next is a japanese plane, a small variation on the show here...