New Releases for May 2020 - Aircraft Carriers (1 Viewer)

[Julie]

NEW RELEASES FOR MAY 2020
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

USS Bunker Hill (CV/CVA/CVS-17, AVT-9) was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was named for the Battle of Bunker Hill in the American Revolutionary War. Commissioned in May 1943 and sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations, the ship participated in battles in the Southwest Pacific, Central Pacific and the drive toward Japan through Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and air raids on the Japanese homeland.
While covering the invasion of Okinawa, Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikazes in quick succession, setting the vessel on fire. Casualties exceeded 600, including 346 confirmed dead and an additional 43 missing, the second heaviest personnel losses suffered by any carrier to survive the war after Franklin. After the attack, Bunker Hill returned to the U.S. mainland and was still under repair when hostilities ended.
After the war, Bunker Hill was employed as a troop transport bringing American service members back from the Pacific, and decommissioned in 1947. While in reserve the vessel was reclassified as an attack carrier (CVA), then an antisubmarine carrier (CVS) and finally an Auxiliary Aircraft Landing Training Ship (AVT) but was never modernized and never saw active service again. Bunker Hill and Franklin were the only Essex-class ships never recommissioned after World War II

Fighter Squadron 84 or VF-84 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established on 1 May 1944, it was disestablished on 8 October 1945. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-84.

BH-37
THE SECOND WORLD WAR,
USS BUNKER HILL,
AIRCRAFT CARRIER FLIGHT DECK CREW,
2 Ordnance Crew Loading HVAR.
(10pcs)

High Velocity Aircraft Rockets, or HVAR, were also known by the nickname “Holy Moses”, were an American unguided rocket developed during the second world war, to attach targets on the ground from aircraft.

BH-37a
THE SECOND WORLD WAR,
USS BUNKER HILL,
AIRCRAFT CARRIER FLIGHT DECK CREW,
Ordnance Crew Reaching for HVAR
(1pc)

 

[mestell]

Most excellent . . . Can't wait to collect these sets.
Mike

 

[mikemiller1955]

unique pose on BH37-A...looks like a versatile figure...

 

[Medic 314/79th]

Very excited about the HVAR Rocket handlers. I already have the set with cart rockets and
the two crewmen holding a rocket lower. My question is this: the guy up on the wing in this new set. a one handed perched grab of the long heavy rockets seems too difficult. any pics showing this?
I have only seen these loaded two ways. one period pic shows two men mounting the lower rocket to wing from the deck.
In two other pics I see them using a steel pipe and platform to stand on and install the rockets. I would be VERY excited if John made one of these platforms. see attached pic shows it on right.
They also say in this book that the front explosive part of rockets was installed after the body mounted to wing. But I have seen other period pics where they are installing the whole rocket.

 

[mestell]

Very excited about the HVAR Rocket handlers. I already have the set with cart rockets and
the two crewmen holding a rocket lower. My question is this: the guy up on the wing in this new set. a one handed perched grab of the long heavy rockets seems too difficult. any pics showing this?
I have only seen these loaded two ways. one period pic shows two men mounting the lower rocket to wing from the deck.
In two other pics I see them using a steel pipe and platform to stand on and install the rockets. I would be VERY excited if John made one of these platforms. see attached pic shows it on right.
They also say in this book that the front explosive part of rockets was installed after the body mounted to wing. But I have seen other period pics where they are installing the whole rocket.

I have wondered the same and have asked a similar question. I can say that Rod Moore (Ivanmoe) sent me a photo showing a similar "balancing act". The period photo showed armorer's balancing on a folded wing installing 500 lb bombs. I know they weren't HVAR's but just the same it looked like an accident waiting to happen. Thanks for sharing the photo you discovered. I agree, a set like that pictured would be neat to have for the BH range.
Mike

 

[ivanmoe]

I have wondered the same and have asked a similar question. I can say that Rod Moore (Ivanmoe) sent me a photo showing a similar "balancing act". The period photo showed armorer's balancing on a folded wing installing 500 lb bombs. I know they weren't HVAR's but just the same it looked like an accident waiting to happen. Thanks for sharing the photo you discovered. I agree, a set like that pictured would be neat to have for the BH range.
Mike

Pics:

 

[ivanmoe]

One more pic:



That one might be the proverbial inspiration image for Jenkins' set.

-Moe

 

[mestell]

Thanks again Moe
Mike

 

[Medic 314/79th]

One more pic:

View attachment 260078

That one might be the proverbial inspiration image for Jenkins' set.

-Moe

Yes, this is the pic that got me thinking. And the one I sent was the more detailed one.

I think JJD has done a superb job on these items and I have them all. so not making these stands would not slow my ardor.
Just bringing it up as a good additional part of a set. the stand and two ordinance sailors, or even one on it.

 

[ivanmoe]

More pics of crew handling ordnance:





In both images crew appear to handle the HVAR without effort, no doubt attributable to the body being made out of aluminum. The second pic is interesting because the officer is standing on NO STEP stenciling!

 

[Medic 314/79th]

Very nice pics. I love these.
the officer standing on wing installing those rockets has a 2.25 Inch Sub Caliber Air Rocket.
These were a smaller warhead weapon, and each weighed about 80lbs.

the HVAR rockets that JJD has depicted are larger and a heavier warhead. These weigh about 134lbs. So, much harder to load than the pics you posted. I think even the other color pic is of the 2.25 inch rockets, also.

JJD could model these rockets and show the easier installation methods.

the only reason I wished JJD could look at doing the stand, is that his identified aircraft and crews depict the USS Bunker Hill F4U squadrons.
And we have photo evidence that the stands are how at least some, Ordinance teams installed the rockets on that Vessel.
I'm perfectly happy to get the wing balancing sailor and have him on my F4U trying to help the two other guys get those rockets mounted.

 

[Medic 314/79th]

Actually, I may have to expand on my last post. the rockets shown in your pics could be the 2.25" SCAR rockets, OR, they could 3.5" Aircraft rockets.
the 3.5" rockets were also smaller than the 5" HVAR's. they weighed 80 lbs, and the SCAR rockets weighed 43lbs.

the 3.5" rockets were for anti submarine use. the HVAR's were used for ground attack.
and the 2.25" SCAR's were used late in the war as training rockets to train pilots to use the other versions. So, likely the crews on Bunker Hill could have installed either the 3.5" rockets (likely on Avengers or Helldivers) for anti sub patrols, or the 5" HVAR's onto F4U's for ground attack.

 

[mestell]

Here are two photos of what part of my USS Bunker Hill flight deck looks like. The Corsair in the background will have the armorers loading the HVAR onto it's wings.

 

[Medic 314/79th]

Nice display. the rocket ordinance team will give it that additional clutter.

I need to add some deck spotting crews and the second set of rocket guys. Since I can only afford one plane and one deck section, I'm going to pass on the tractor. For now.

I noted that the fully up-folded wings on the JJD models are sitting higher up than on the real planes in this position.
So it's a tougher reach for the ordinance men to get that first rocket up there. In the real world they can reach the first set of mounts by standing.

I wonder if i should have the plane captain in the cockpit when they are going to install the rockets? is that safe? done?

 

[mestell]

My first set of the rocket ordnance Crew had been delayed but should be received very soon. At the introduction of the BH range I made a decision to jump aboard all the way. Currently this is my main and almost only interest in collecting. I think you have chosen well by selecting the "red jerseys" to highlight your single flight deck plate.
Mike