[DADoser]

As I'm watching "Dogfights" tonight (1/12) on the Hist. Channel - the first segment is on S. Vejtasa flying a Dauntless; dogfighting 3 Zeros- solo; AND beating ALL 3. (He then transfered to flying Wildcats.)

At the commercial, I pull out a couple Osprey books, and....

...realized that HM's USS Yorktown/Coral Sea Dauntless is in the exact markings of this - Vejtasa's - plane.

I might be the only guy on the forum who didn't know this - but if there are others - what a story/history/pilot on this HM Dauntless model.

I loved this model when I didn't realize the history of this particular plane - Now it carries even MORE historical/emotional "value" with me.
(It you missed "Dogfights" this week - look for the repeat. This first segment alone is well worth it.)

[wmosner]

I believe that it is this one: HM USMC VMSB-241, Battle of Midway, June 1942

[panzercommander]

More like this one.

Too bad the "Dogfights" staff didn't do their research on a Coral Sea SBD. Tri-color camo and red border stars and bars insignia....I think not.

[wmosner]

Agree with both of you, the picture I displayed is the one used in the Dogfight episode.

[panzercommander]

The Hobby Master Coral Sea and Midway SBDs are the same basic camo scheme, blue grey over light grey. Shortly after Coral Sea the Navy ordered the red & white rudder stripes and red central dot removed. The Hobby Master Midway SBD is very accurate in that these markings have been hastily covered and are still somewhat visible. Though it is flown by a Marine squadron based at Midway it is likely a Navy SBD passed truned over to the Marines.

The SBD depicted in the Dogfights episode shows the tri-color camo which began appearing in 1943. The insignia shown on the Dogfights SBD is shown below, also used briefly in 1943 before the border was changed to blue.

[Shawn 507]

Well shoot, does anyone know the pilot history of any of the HM SBDs? Or are they just run of the mill birds?
- Shawn

[skysurfer808]

I've got to say I enjoyed last night's Dogfight show, even though the SBDs were marked more appropriately for mid 43. Its really cool that Hobbymaster's Yorktown Dauntless is Vejtasa's plane, I knew it was from the same ship and unit. Swede Vejtasa had a long Navy career, serving to the end of the 1960s. He was instrumental in protecting newly formed Topgun, as Commander Fighters Pacific, Vejtasa defended the school's accident rate to ensure that Navy fighter pilots received proper dogfight training. As the Marine Topgun Major said during the show, "We stand on the shoulder of giants." Its the actions of men like Vejtasa, Zeimer and Thorsness that helps give America examples of real live heroes, at a time when they continue to be needed (Gunny Bodine in Shootout.).

Skysurfer808

[DADoser]

Brief pilot history/bio.

Mission (as shown on "Dogfights" with an incorrect SBD paint scheme) flying the Hobby Master: Dauntless, USS Yorktown in bold - May 8, 1942. Correct paint scheme based on Osprey SBD Units of WW 2; P. 21; plate 8.

I can't give HM enough praise for picking THIS paint scheme for one of their Dauntlesses. I'd love to get him to sign my model. Now, we need HM to do his Wildcat for a matching pair.

Stanley W. “Swede” Vejtasa is the only World War II carrier pilot to receive Navy Crosses for both dive bombing and aerial combat. Born in Montana in 1914, Vejtasa attended both Montana State College and the University of Montana. He enlisted in the Navy in 1937 and later attended flight training at Pensacola, Florida, where he earned his wings and was commissioned an ensign. His first fleet assignment was aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5) flying Curtiss SBC-3 Helldiver biplanes while operating in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Vejtasa was drawing and checking out in the new Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bomber with Scouting Squadron Five when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. The Yorktown and Air Group Five were immediately ordered to the Pacific. Vejtasa’s combat exploits began in January 1942, when he participated in the first offensive strikes against Japanese targets in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. In March, during raids on enemy shipping near New Guinea, Vejtasa contributed to the destruction of three Japanese ships and was awarded his first Navy Cross. By April, the Yorktown was conducting strikes against Tulagi in the Solomon Islands, and on his second mission, Vejtasa shared in the downing of a Japanese Zero floatplane. On 7 May, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, he scored a direct hit and shared in the sinking of the Japanese carrier Shoho. Just one day later when a swarm of Japanese Zeros ambushed his patrol, Vejtasa downed three enemy planes and earned his second Navy Cross. Soon after, he was sent to fly Grumman F4F Wildcats with “The Grim Reapers” of Fighting Squadron Ten. Then on 26 October 1942, Vejtasa permanently made his mark on history while leading a combat air patrol from the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Santa Cruz. Finding a formation of enemy dive-bombers just short of their release points, Vejtasa quickly shot down two. Then he spotted 11 enemy torpedo bombers making a run on the Enterprise. In very short order, he shot down five of these planes, and scattered the attackers before they had a chance to finish their torpedo runs. For Swede, it was seven victories in one day, a feat that earned him his third Navy Cross and quite possibly saved the Enterprise from destruction. When his combat cruise with “The Grim Reapers” ended in May 1943, Vejtasa went to Naval Air Station, Atlantic City, New Jersey, to provide flight instruction to new carrier squadrons being formed there. After the war, he continued to serve in the Navy completing over 30 years of distinguished duty as a pilot, ship’s officer, and ultimately the commanding officer of the USS Constellation. After retiring, he served 25 years as the Secretary of the Ray River Ranch Corporation. Officially credited with 10¼ victories, his decorations and awards include three Navy Crosses, two Bronze Stars, a Legion of Merit, a Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. Captain Vejtasa was elected into the Carrier Aviation Hall of Fame in 1987 and is currently living in Escondido, California, with his wife Irene. They have three children, Gene, Dan, and Susan.

[flyXwire]

Great info on Swede Vejtasa, DADoser! Btw, I got the book of ACEs you recommended. Thanks!

[DADoser]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

Great info on Swede Vejtasa, DADoser! Btw, I got the book of ACEs you recommended. Thanks!

Vejtasa is in that book!