Bill M.

I really don’t know of cockpit photos, except for the aforementioned Kagero book. I guess I should start looking. I doubt there are many, if any color photos; just because there aren’t many complete surviving Kates. The only one i know of is the salvaged remains of one on display at Pearl Harbor(?). HpH offers a very detailed 3d printed cockpit, one of which should be on its way to me. I don’t know what they used as to a source. I suspect they used original plans, but that is just an uninformed guess. As to colors, I’ll have to get my Kate kit and accessories to see if they offer any guidance on colors.

I received word today that Hannants had received my back ordered 1/32 HpH Nakajima B5N2 Kate, along with the 3D printed engine, cockpit and bomb sets. So I went ahead and purchased it all— it wasn’t cheap, but I did get 10% off for back-ordering it. The shipping by air across the pond to the USA cost a whole lot less than I was expecting and budgeting for— which was serendipitous. So, I’m finally getting a long-awaited 1/32 Kate! If someone else hasn’t done so first, I’ll plan on submitting a report of sorts on this kit when I receive it. In one sense, I can’t believe it is on its way….!

Well, to all you naysayers— if you are like me, and simply must have a 1/32 scale Kate, you will spring for one of these Kates while they’re available; price or not. I don’t want to take a chance that I will miss out. You might check around as to price. Hannants is scheduled to get them in just days and attend offering a 10% discount if you place one on back order. Same with the 3d printed engine, bomb and cockpit. In fact, they are reportedly being shipped to Hannants today. You can also order now directly from HpH. Don’t know how it all works out with exchange rates, shipping, etc. I would expect there to be other US retailers too. I don’t know if there prices will be the same or less than Squadron, or if these Kates might be discounted before they disappear from the market. I don't have an interest in HpH or the sales of this kit, except for the selfish reasons that I want a 1/32 Kate and I hope that it builds into an accurate and well detailed Kate.

Also, reported that the Kate kit will be shipped to Hannants in the UK soon— as in tomorrow….

Great news!!

Apparently the Infinity Models name is still alive in one form or another. If you go to the Infinity Models website (link in a post above), you will see the Kate box art with both the HPH and Infinity logos. Incidentally, from the same website, it would appear that HPH/ Infinity are presently taking orders for the Kate and the related detail sets. I have these on back order with Hannants in the UK, so I have not ordered them directly from HPH/ Infinity.

Thanks! Just curious—- what is the source on these prices? Is there a link out there that I have missed?

As I look at the posted photos of the cockpit and the engine assemblies for the Kate, am I correct in assuming that the parts for these assemblies are 3D printed? Very Nice! Also, I see the well-detailed bomb— will it also come with a torpedo? Thanks!

I’m not planning to attend the Madison event, but would buy a shirt to support LSP and the event— if that is allowed…

It really does look good!… and it’s 1/32 scale! I’m definitely in on this one! In fact I already have one on pre-order. Cant wait!

Not to carry this on ad nauseum, but a friend contacted me and asked how we could be sure that the alleged photos of Dick Best’s B-1 is really 6-B-1 and not 6-S-1. Apparently VS-6 also used the strut painting scheme with VB-6. In fact, Dick Best reported that the scheme on VS-6 SBD’s corresponded to the same numbers as used on the VB-6 SBD’s. So how to distinguish a VS-6 SBD from a VB-6 SBD when the side number is not visible? The answer is the VB-6 SBD’s had a double tail stripe on the vertical fin, while the VS-6 SBD’s had a single stripe. In fact, the double stripe was unique to VB-6. The airplane in the film has the double stripe, indicating that it was from VB-6. That, with the two painted struts indicates to me that it probably is Dick Best’s B-1. Another interesting note from the film is that The apparent B-1 in the film also has the red-white rudder stripes, indicating that the photo was likely taken in early May 1942, before the stripes were overpainted (along with the red centers of the national insignias).

Yes, I take it back! Now that I see the Enterprise below, I would agree that S-13 is probably off the Enterprise, not the Saratoga. And yes, likely taken in August 1942. Thanks for posting the rest of the photo!

I found the research and information concerning the painting of the struts on the Enterprise SBD’s. What is interesting is that it comes from Dick Best himself. If you scroll down in the Midway Roundtable newsletter (link below), you will see the information including the strut colors assigned to each aircraft. It is interesting that Ensign Goldsmith’s SBD B-15 had its left strut in the original light gray—exactly as it appears in the photo above. Dick Best’s SBD B-1 had both struts painted red. But what is most amazing is that there are color pictures posted, taken from a period film, which shows an SBD landing on Enterprise, and both struts are painted red. So most likely, we are looking at the only known pictures of the famous B-1, perhaps with Dick Best at the controls. I have been a subscriber to the Midway Roundtable for years, and heartily recommend it, if you have any interest in the Battle of Midway. It is free and is emailed once a month. I think you just send them your email address and ask to be put on the list. http://www.midway42.org/Backissues/2022/20220101.aspx

Great stuff here. I will be anxiously following along! If I may— A couple of comments on your posted photos— First, Concerning the photo of S-13 preparing to land on the carrier in the background. The S-13 is likely a USS Saratoga SBD, rather than a USS Enterprise SBD. I say that from the unmistakable silhouette of the carrier— clearly a Lexington class carrier of which there were only two— Lexington and Saratoga. Since Lexington was sunk at Coral Sea in early May 1942, this has to be Saratoga. Saratoga was not at Midway, arriving at Pearl Harbor from repairs on the west coast, just after the battle of Midway. Secondly, there has been some research done and posted that indicated that the Enterprise SBD’s had their landing gear struts painted in various colors so that the carrier could distinguish which plane was approaching to land. Of course I don’t have this research at hand, but I seem to remember that Dick Best’s B-1 reportedly had both struts painted red. Other planes reportedly had one or both struts painted in various colors. Looking at the second photo of “Dusty” Kleiss’ S-7, it would appear that the struts may be a darker color than the expected light gray. It would also appear that the SBD behind S-7 might also have painted struts. When you study the photo of B-15 before takeoff (Still has its bomb which was dropped on Kaga, and does not have the battle damage which it had on its return) it would appear that it’s left strut is not painted. But as I understand the practice, not all struts were painted but were sometimes alternating painted struts. I’ll have to look for that information and research…

Just a quick update— I was able to get Infinity paid for my order. it happened through Paypal. So all is well …

Back to the original topic, I have been informed by a very reliable source, who is in a position to know, that the 1/32 HpH B3N2 Kate will be available to purchase in “3-4 weeks”. Still desiring a 1/32 Kate, I’m still in for one…

I just tried ordering both of these new sets from Infinity. All went well till I tried paying. I tried paying two different ways, but apparently my bank blocked the transactions. (No, more than enough money in the account). Very frustrating. If ordering from Infinity doesn’t work, maybe I’ll order from some UK or USA retailer— assuming they go out to outside retailers!

Is there any more news on the HpH Kate? I certainly hope they are still coming out with it. The last I heard was that it was likely coming out this January or February. Please tell me it is still coming…

Thanks Eli!

Well I am not in a big hurry— plenty in the queue to keep me busy. Just don’t want to miss out on these. Thanks!

If you’re talking about the 1/32 Spitfire Mk. XIV decals being sold out at Hannants, they are also sold out at Sprue Brothers. I contacted Sprue Brothers (where I bought my Decals) a couple of days ago about the supplemental sheet with the corrected roundels, but they seemed to have no knowledge of the corrected roundel sheet-- I'll email them again in a few days. Hopefully, they will have them by then.

Thanks Eli! Will do!

Just goes to show what a class operation Zotz Decals is! Thanks Eli! I bought my set of decals from Sprue Brothers. What do you advise as far as accessing the corrected decals?

Well, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and went ahead and placed the HPH 1/32 B5N2 Kate on back order with Hannants. It cost me (or will cost me) about $227 USD. I also bought a set of CTA 1/32 scale B5N2 Kate Decals for it— the decals had markings for a Kate that I want to build. I guess I’m committed now!

I’m not sure what you want to duplicate here, but if the pictured “rivets” are in fact flush rivets or screws instead of being proud, and their locations on the model are recessed or can be made recessed, then you might look at using something called a lacquer stick in white. It is something similar to a crayon where you put it over the recessed locations and it deposits the white in the recesses. You come back over it later and wipe it off high will leave the white in the recesses. One thing to remember is that it should be applied on a gloss finish, as the excess can leave a residue on a matte finish. Of course you can follow with a matte or any finish you want. Also best to wipe it in the direction of the airstream for obvious reasons. Just an idea…