[Bluenosed Bastard]

1/72 F4F-3 VMF-224 USMC Guadalcanal, 1942

[parsig9]

I really like DRW Wildcats and will get this one.

Pilot - CO of VMF-224 Maj.Robert E.Galer. Guadalcanal, September-October 1942.

MAJOR ROBERT E. GALER, USMC

From acepilots.com:

Despite his status as a Medal of Honor recipient and a fighter ace, Galer's son doesn't let him forget his other unique distinction. "Before WW II started, I lost an airplane while carrier qualifying off San Diego. At Guadalcanal, I got shot down three times. In Korea, I was a group leader and got shot down about 100 miles behind enemy lines, and the Navy came in and got me. My smart-aleck son, who is an Air Force pilot, says, `That's five airplanes you lost. You're an enemy ace.'"

[Tundra04]

After a quick search I believe it's:

GALER, ROBERT EDWARD

• Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps, VMF-244.
• Place and date: Solomon Islands Area.
• Entered service at: Washington.
• Born: 23 October 1913, Seattle, Wash.
• Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross.
• Citation: For conspicuous heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a marine fighter squadron in aerial combat with enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area. Leading his squadron repeatedly in daring and aggressive raids against Japanese aerial forces, vastly superior in numbers, Maj. Galer availed himself of every favorable attack opportunity, individually shooting down 11 enemy bomber and fighter aircraft over a period of 29 days. Though suffering the extreme physical strain attendant upon protracted fighter operations at an altitude above 25,000 feet, the squadron under his zealous and inspiring leadership shot down a total of 27 Japanese planes. His superb airmanship, his outstanding skill and personal valor reflect great credit upon Maj. Galer's gallant fighting spirit and upon the U.S. Naval Service.

Above information from: World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (F-J)

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Galer

Edit: It's his plane...found this color plate, with and without the kill markings, at Wings Pallette:

[parsig9]

Thanks. You just beat me to it! I put in the picture as I only see red X below for yours.

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by parsig9

Thanks. You just beat me to it!

Not a problem my man...isn't the internet grand?!

[Folgore]

Well, that's pretty cool, with the red cowling and kill marks and all...

And HM's upcoming F3F-2 is one of Galer's planes, too.

[parsig9]

Originally Posted by Folgore

Well, that's pretty cool, with the red cowling and kill marks and all...

And HM's upcoming F3F-2 is one of Galer's planes, too.

Wish they were the same scale but I did get the Gemini and GMP Ohr birds and they're very different scales.

Have to think about that?

Oh, and I wonder if his son knows that the plane is in Pensacola restored. Wouldn't that make him one short of an enemy ace. Heh sonny?

[PappyB]

I think I can find room for one of those -- looks great, I like Dragon's Wildcat... and the history is certainly compelling. Good choice!

[1250ships]

Should be a good one provided Dragon actually release the darn thing.

[MigAlley]

Well, they have been picking their game up of late, the Focke-Wulfs and the Stuka did get to the shops, so I expect this one to make it as well.

I like the look of this Wildcat, but will wait for some more pictures. I've already got two very similar ones - the Yorktown and the Enterprise one - so I'll wait until I see some decent pics before I decide whether I really need this one too. I do think it's nice to see Dragon do some new Warbird schemes - many of their previous releases are among my favorites. If they can't manage any new castings then some new schemes will satisfy me - at least for now.