[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Medal of Honor winner Captain Richard E. Fleming's Vindicator would make for an interesting paint scheme. Have come across a couple of versions regarding his last mission, but one indicates his aircraft was damaged and he flew it in to the Japanse Cruiser Mikuma. Remember seeing pictures in a book once showing what was supposed to be the wreckage of his aircraft on the aft turret.

I believe this is the photo you are refering to:



The myth grew up postwar that Fleming crashed into the upper rear turret and that the wreckage visable in the photo is the Vindicator. However all the eyewitness accounts except for one Japanese officer state that the plane was hit and crashed into the sea. The wreckage on the turret is the remains of the after funnel, superstructure, and float plane deck. The wreckage was thrown onto the turret when the ships torpedos exploded. The parts that look like girders hanging into the water are the remains of the tubes which were built into the side of the ship. This photo of a Mikuma model will give you some idea of how much of the ship is missing in the photograph:



Despite the lack of evidence 99% of the books and internet sites out there repeat the myth that Fleming's plane hit the after turret. I certainly learned the story that way and it wasn't until reading the book Shattered Sword that I learned differently, though I always looked at the famous photo and never could see the aircraft wreckage.

Fleming was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 4th and 5th. Though hit during the attack on Mikuma Fleming kept flying his burning aircraft leading his division and scored a near miss with his bomb. On the 4th he had taken over after the squadron commander was shot down and lead the Vindicators in a close attack on a Japanese carrier.

[Cruver Collecter]

Thank you for posting the pictures, and now I have to go find a copy of book Shattered Sword you mentioned.

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Thank you for posting the pictures, and now I have to go find a copy of book Shattered Sword you mentioned.

Shattered Sword on Amazon

Great book- Midway told from the Japanese side using lots of primary sources previously un-used in Western accounts of the battle. Excellent primer on how Kido Butai actually fought rather than how American writers thought it did.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

Shattered Sword on Amazon

Great book- Midway told from the Japanese side using lots of primary sources previously un-used in Western accounts of the battle. Excellent primer on how Kido Butai actually fought rather than how American writers thought it did.

I wish they had more books out from the Japanese point of view. Just started on Fist From the Sky, a book about one of Japan's premier dive bomber pilots Lieutenant-Commander Takashige Egusa. Fairly interesting so far.

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I wish they had more books out from the Japanese point of view. Just started on Fist From the Sky, a book about one of Japan's premier dive bomber pilots Lieutenant-Commander Takashige Egusa. Fairly interesting so far.

Another one that is supposed to be quite good is Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Aviation by Mark Peattie. Haven't picked it up yet though.

[stalag8611]

Like Tundra04 I also met George Gay. In the 60s & 70s I did extensive business travelng and always seemed to be waiting in airport frequent flyers clubs. I don't remember how I spotted his name, probably heard him being paged, and since I was standing next to him I asked the obvious question. Yes, he said, I'm Ensign George Gay from Torpedo Squadron 8, and thanks for knowing the history of that battle. I thanked him, mumbled something, and we both headed off on our separate tracks. As an aside, I also had a similar experience with Joe DiMagio in Montreal and he was anything but pleasant.

[stalag8611]

Whoops1 I got so caught up in the Ensign Gay story that I failed to say that I'd buy a 1:72 TBD Devastator, two or three liveries at least, in a New York Minute.

[smartd]

It is amazing how much information, other than diecast, we get on this forum. We are lucky to have so many interesting and interested members available here.

[planenutsfrog]

I would definitely buy a TBD and a SB2U, especially in colorful pre war finishes.

However my first choice remains the SB2C : I need at least a USN SB2C3 and a FN SB2C5...

The Helldiver was disliked at first, because of some dangerous aerodynamic caracteristics, wich resulted from the necessity for the plane to fit on the lifts of current carriers.

However, crews also learnt to appreciate its range, load carrying capabilities, speed, firepower, and hability to stand punishment.

Not for nothing did the Helldiver become the main USN strike aircraft after the war, until replaced by the Skyraider.

In the French Navy, its second largest user, the Helldiver was generally highly regarded : French pilots didn't complain about its bad caracteristics, but praised its qualities.

The Helldiver was probably the most efficient single engine combat aircraft used in Indochina (The AU1 were too few too late, in poor condition, and consequently unreliable).

[RonO]

Count me in for 1/72 TBD, SBU, Val, and Kate.

The Battle of Midway is very interesting to study, maybe because at that time we were closely matched and it could have gone either way. I also recommend the reading "The Shattered Sword".