I am still firmly in the 18th Century. But if an Essex Class Carrier is released, it will be extraordinarily difficult not to collect and my posts will be long and detailed. For example: Did you know that, as it regards the Avenger Torpedo Bombers, the only difference between the Grumman-built (TBF) and the GM-built Avengers (TBM) was the shade of green used in the Cockpit --- among the things we need to know in life!!!
As for aircraft and such, try Volume XII of the History of the United States Naval Operation in World War II - Leyete June 1944 - January 1945. Samuel Morison, Little and Brown (1958) plus the earlier and later volumes. In the Appendices, it will list by ship the Air Group, the number and type of aircraft in each squadron and commanding officers of the Air Group and of the three squadrons --- Fighter ( Grumman Hellcat); Dive-Bomber (Curtiss-Wright Helldiver) and the Torpedo Bombers (Grumman and General Motors Avenger).
So for Leyete Gulf and the Bunker Hill (Leyete June 1944 - January 1945) - very large naval battles between the US and Japan.
TG 38.2 Task Group Two, Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan
Carrier Bunker Hill (CV-17), Captain M. R. Greer
Airgroup 8: 1 F6F-5, Commander R.L. Shifley
VF- 8 ----- 27 F6-3; 13 F6F-5; 4 F6F-3N; 4F6F-5N --- Cdr. W. M. Collins
VB-8 ------ 17 SB2C-1C; 3 SBF-1 (Helldiver), 4 SBW-1 (Helldiver) ---- Lt. Cdr. J.D. Arbes
VT-8 -------- 17 TBM-1C; 2 TBM-1D Lt. Cdr. K.F. Musick
Wikipedia is a great source detailing the differences in the different versions of the Aircraft.
Much prefer Air Group 15 off the Essex though:
TG.3 Task Group Three, Rear Admiral Fredrick C. Sherman
Carrier Essex (CV-9); Captain C. W. Weiber
Air Group 15; 1 F6F-5, Commander David McCampbell
VF-15 ----- 22 F6F-3, 3 F6F-3N, 2 F6F-3P, 22 F6F-5, 1F6-5N ------- Lt. Cdr. J.F. Rigg
VB-15 ----- 25 SB2C-3 ----- Lt. Cdr. J.H. Mini
VT-15 -------- 15-TBF-1C, 5 TBM-1C ------- Lt. Cdr. V.G. Lambert
If needed, we can reference the need volume of Morison covering different dates.
