Popular Post Rod Bettencourt Posted January 4 Popular Post Share Posted January 4 The Douglas TBD-1 Devastator was the US Navy’s premier torpedo bomber when hostilities broke out on December 7th 1941. Six months later it was completely obsolete and removed from combat operations. The subject of my build is from the USS Yorktown VT-3 aircraft (0303) crewed by Harry Corl and ARM3 Lloyd Childers. One the morning of the 4th at approximately 1200hrs Petty Officer Childers spotted smoke 25 miles away to the starboard. Machinist/pilot Harry Corl was able to get the squadron skipper Lt Cdr Massey attention. The skipper made a course correction to head for the nearest carrier (Hiryu). It was reported that at this time the squadron was jumped by approximately 30 Zeros. VT-3 was lucky enough to have 4 F4F Wildcats with them to help fend off the attackers. After what I could only imagine as an agonizing 20-minute slow approach, they were able to release 5 torpedoes. Corl and Childers 0303 had been badly shot up on the approach and the only way to keep airborne was to jettison their torpedo. The following is from Machinist WO/Pilot Harry Corl Mission report date 6-15-42: The free gun had jammed during the fight. Childers, Arm3, my gunner used .45 automatic during the 10 minutes of the attack. Childers was hit in the right ankle causing a compound fracture of the same. He received two hits in his left leg above the knee no broken bones in that leg. I arrived at the Yorktown at 1425 circled it twice and saw that there was no chance of getting aboard. (Yorktown was bombed by Hiryu Vals) So I proceeded over the Enterprise. I attempted to land aboard, but discovered I did not have enough tab control on the elevator to keep the nose up. I landed in the water head and to the starboard of the carrier alongside the destroyer USS Monaghan. The time of the landing was 1510. Ensign Harry Corl was KIA(VT-3 TBF-1) 25 August 1942. Lloyd Childers survived the war and became a Marine Aviator and retired as a Lt Col. This is the Trumpeter 1/32 TBD-1 Devastator from VT-3 USS Yorktown on June 4th 1942 Midway. I added Air Scale products such as the Photo Etch, propeller set, wheels and the single .30cal machine gun. I highly recommend their products. I did bits of scratch building such as adding cockpit wiring, relief tube, two internal windscreen braces (removed the molded on external windscreen braces), wingfold braces and leather pad for the bombardier under the pilots area. I used AK real color for the light grey bottom Model master Blue/grey for the top and AK for the interior green for the crew areas. I have seen some debate on-line about this, what color? But for me seeing the pics of sunken TBD’s aircraft from the discovery of the USS Lexington at the battle of Coral Sea. Interior green is also stated in TBD’s Devastators in action book(The Old One). Another debate is whether what squadrons carried the twin .30’s. It is very obvious that VT-8 for sure had them and I have seen some documentation that VT-6 (USS Enterprise) may have also had them. After many hours of research, I came to the conclusion that VT-3 only had the single.30. I came to this by listening to several recorded interviews With Mr. Lloyd Childers. And in the end, there is just no conclusive proof they carried the twins. I also used Hawaiian Air Depot masks for the A/C numbers and the insignias. I had previously bought the Gold Medal decal but figured painting over the corrugation would be far easier then decals. But I am glad I purchased it because they come with aircraft data. If anyone has seen what Trumpeter did with their data decals….well. Rod WIP Pics Martinnfb, Brock, Dennis7423 and 55 others 55 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Looks wonderful! The paint, weathering, and especially the photography are most excellent. Well done! Rod Bettencourt, R Palimaka, Kagemusha and 3 others 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christa Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 So convincing. Superb. Rod Bettencourt, Martinnfb and R Palimaka 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMaben Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Excellent detail Rod , fantastic finish Your outdoor photos add to the realism. Rod Bettencourt, Martinnfb and R Palimaka 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reconspit Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 …I’m totally amazed man….! What a great job …! I hope mine does turn out this awesomely good, thanks for sharing! Martinnfb and Rod Bettencourt 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 8 hours ago, Out2gtcha said: Looks wonderful! The paint, weathering, and especially the photography are most excellent. Well done! What he said.... Rod Bettencourt, Out2gtcha and Martinnfb 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borsos Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Nothing a human makes can be perfect — but this one gets damned close to it! fantastic Devastator! Kagemusha, Rod Bettencourt and Martinnfb 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Beauty! Rod Bettencourt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoggz Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 I genuinely thought I was looking at a series of photos of the real thing. I was thinking, thanks for showing us a 1:1 version to set the scene, then it dawned on me they were your model. That is just absolutely exquisite. Uncarina, Oldbaldguy and Rod Bettencourt 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mywifehatesmodels Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 I've always loved your builds and your photos, Rod. This one takes the cake! John Rod Bettencourt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Bettencourt Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 Thanks gang!! This build was special for me. Thank you for the comment's and reply's, it is much appreciated. V/R Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Outstanding model, it really does come alive with your excellent photography. Rod Bettencourt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaro Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Great model! Pics #11 & #12 are a perfect illusion of beeing taken on aircraft-carrier on full ocean! Rod Bettencourt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafju Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Wow! I fell into the trap like many other ;-) what a beautiful build, Congrats! Rod Bettencourt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Wow amazing result, tbh when i scrolled down i tough the pics were of the real plane! Rod Bettencourt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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