REQ Infos about CV-8 USS Hornet

[HappyHeady]

Hi!

I plan to build the Trumpeter 1:350 model-kit of the CV-8 Hornet.
I want to build the Midway version, so i would like to know what aircrafts and how many of them where onboard.

Also i would like to know if there allready were a colour code for the crew members on the flight deck like the one used today.

Thanks for your help! woot

[Euroamerican]

some photos are located here:

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-h/cv8.htm


and some extremely interesting photos here:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/08.htm


AND even more wonderful photos here:

http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/aircraft_carriers/uss_hornet_cv8_page_1.htm


USS Hornet Action Report for Battle of Midway:

http://www.ibiblio.net/hyperwar/USN/ships/logs/CV/cv8-Midway.html


Devastators, Dauntlesses, and Wildcats. And a few utility planes, including Curtiss SOC biplanes for recon. I never thought about the latter, but the maritimequest.com website has some photos which show the Curtiss biplane recon birds onboard. (page 6 photos)

And here, someone has built the Trumpeter 1/350:

http://www.modelingmadness.com/reviews/misc/ships/cottonhornet.htm

[HappyHeady]

Thanks for the great Pages!

On http://www.ibiblio.net/ (http://www.ibiblio.net/hyperwar/USN/ships/logs/CV/cv8-Midway.html) i found the following quote:


The air Group then consisted of 27 VF, 35 VSB, AND 15 VTB, which aircraft strength was maintained until contact was made with the enemy, except for temporary decommissionings for minor repairs.

So there were 27 Wildcats, 35 Devastors(?) and 15 Dauntlesses(?).

An other question: Were there some kind of tractors to move the planes on the Hornet?

[Euroamerican]

I'm not sure about what kind of airplane tractor/tug was used. I looked around the websites I mentioned yesterday but didn't see much. At a scale of 1/350, you may not have much of a choice, but I'm sure some modeing company does make little deck tugs.

Regarding the uniform colors of the various carrier deck crews: I have not seen any information yet that shows that the color system was used in WWII. However, most of the photos are in black-and-white, so it is hard to tell. You can clearly see various clothing being worn in the photos on page 12 of the maritimequest website. You can also see that the men wearing helmets are using both the modern WWII US helmet and the older WWI "British-style" helmets.

I've seen light or yellow smocks on the landing signal officers in some color photos on other sites. However, those might have been "safety yellow" as opposed to some sort of color system.

Have fun. I find this sort of historical research very interestng.

By the way, the mixture of planes that you've got is probably reversed for the VSB and VTBs. I'm pretty sure that it would have been 35 Dauntlesses and 15 Devastators. At that time in the Pacific, Dauntlesses were used for both scouting and bombing. VSB denotes "Scout Bomber" and they were considered to be multi-role and would probably always outnumber a pure torpedo bomber in the total ship's compliment of aircraft types.

[HappyHeady]

I'm not sure about what kind of airplane tractor/tug was used. I looked around the websites I mentioned yesterday but didn't see much. At a scale of 1/350, you may not have much of a choice, but I'm sure some modeing company does make little deck tugs.

I just need some good pictures, then i can scratch some tractors. If they existed.


Regarding the uniform colors of the various carrier deck crews: I have not seen any information yet that shows that the color system was used in WWII. However, most of the photos are in black-and-white, so it is hard to tell. You can clearly see various clothing being worn in the photos on page 12 of the maritimequest website. You can also see that the men wearing helmets are using both the modern WWII US helmet and the older WWI "British-style" helmets.

I've seen light or yellow smocks on the landing signal officers in some color photos on other sites. However, those might have been "safety yellow" as opposed to some sort of color system.

Yeah I saw some similiar pics. I hope i can get my hands on some good books about carriers, that are explaining this problem.


Have fun. I find this sort of historical research very interestng.

Me too! woot



By the way, the mixture of planes that you've got is probably reversed for the VSB and VTBs. I'm pretty sure that it would have been 35 Dauntlesses and 15 Devastators. At that time in the Pacific, Dauntlesses were used for both scouting and bombing. VSB denotes "Scout Bomber" and they were considered to be multi-role and would probably always outnumber a pure torpedo bomber in the total ship's compliment of aircraft types.

Thanks for the correction!

[bd popeye]

I was in the Navy for 20 years, worked on 3 flight decks, and have no idea how long the color code of the flight deck existed. I know it's been around since the 50s at least... This link may help;

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/rainbow.html

As for tow tractors. Most aircraft were moved by hand in the 40s and into the 50s. You will have to search the pics for photos of any sort of tractor used in WWII.

Good Luck with your model.

[bd popeye]

I found this pic of the USS Enterprise CV-6. It shows a Jeep being used to tow an aircraft. I'm surprised!


http://www.dezh.de/imghosting/5c23527ce76d9268d1afa5011f32a7bb.jpg



Good shot of the island and Enterprise's new F6F-3's on the flight deck ready for strikes against the Marshall Islands, February 3rd, 1944.


And this pic clearly shows some sort of small tow tractor in front of the island on the USS Saratoga CV-3 in 1944 during an kamakazee attack..Looks like the same type of tractor you would see in '50s era USN flight deck pix.

http://www.dezh.de/imghosting/3f97218c719feed36b9ae31b6085cb75.jpg


"Flight deck fwd. afire. (Photo CV3 3559)"

[HappyHeady]

The kit arrived today and all i can say is WOW. Awsome details, easy assembling and great plastic quality. The only two disadvantages I found so far are the lower hull and the amount of only 6 planes (have to buy a few more for a filled flightdeck).

@bd popeye:
Great pics! The jeep is really a thing i wouldn´t expect on a flightdeck.
I think I have to do some more research on the tractors in the second pic.

Do you know a website which explains the flight operations? For example, was it possible to land on the carrier while other planes were on the flight deck or was it necessary to remove every plane from the flightdeck?

[bd popeye]

Do you know a website which explains the flight operations? For example, was it possible to land on the carrier while other planes were on the flight deck or was it necessary to remove every plane from the flightdeck?

Sure Me! p-) but check this link below for some great info! Warning! PDF file!

http://www.history.navy.mil/download/car-8.pdf

Be sure to check out CV-2 to CV-8 PIX on this page..It is awesome. Study those pix and you will see how thing were done during WWII. Also check the Essex class on that same page. CV-9 to CV-21 and CV-31 to CV-40. Also check CV-45,46 & 47...Good luck.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02idx.htm

Before the angle deck was invented by the British as the aircraft landed they were either sent immediatly to the hangar deck via the foward center aircraft elevator..or spotted(parked) as far foward on the bow as possible. Actually there recovery(Arrested landings) were pretty safe because of very slow landing speeds. Usally less than 80 knots. And a barraicade was always rigged.

When jets started to land on straight decks after the war there were some horrfic accidents...

[HappyHeady]

Hi!

I finished the assembly of Hornet and allready started the painting (doing most parts with airbrush). Now I have to assemble and paint 12 Wildcats, 26 Dauntless and 12 Devastors. Think the Hornet will be finished in one or two weeks. woot

Allready ordered and received a CV-19 Hanco*k kit and some books about Carriers. Really interesting topic!