Unit: VT-8 USS Hornet (CV-8) June 4, 1942 Pilot: Lt. Commander John Charles Waldron, USN. When it entered service in 1937, the Douglas TBD-1 was one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, but by 1941 it had become obsolete, too slow, under armored and hobbled with the dysfunctional Mk XII torpedo which rarely worked. It was still in frontline service in 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the US Navy had to fight with what it had left until the new TBF Avenger could be delivered to replace the Devastator. The TBD fought valiantly for the first 6 months of the war. It was used in the first hit and run fast carrier raids on Wake, Marcus, Gilberts, Tulagi and New Guinea. On June 4, 1942 the 41 Devastators of the Hornet (VT-8), the Yorktown (VT-3) and the Enterprise (VT-6) were launched against the 4 Japanese carriers of the Midway invasion task force. Poor coordination, poor tactics and confusion led to the 3 TBD squadrons attacking individually without coordination with each other or with the dive bomber squadrons. This gave the Japanese Combat Air Patrol Zero's plenty of time to shoot them down in detail. Only 4 TBDs made it back to the Enterprise, and 2 others to the Yorktown. VT-8 from the Hornet was completely destroyed with a single pilot - Ensign George Gay - surviving to be rescued. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, US Naval ordinance bombs, bomb racks, Mk XIII torpedo, torpedo rack, VC, paint textures, panel, and .dp file. Shessi: Pilot figure Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture BeePee: Compass gauge Microsoft: Gauges and .air file

Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Unit: VT-6 USS Enterprise (CV-6) 1938 Pilot: unknown When it entered service in 1937, the Douglas TBD-1 was one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. At that time, the TBD was deemed to be the most advanced aircraft of its kind anywhere in the World. The Devastator marked a large number of `firsts’ for the US Navy. It was the first widely used carrier-based monoplane as well as the first all-metal naval aircraft, the first with a totally enclosed cockpit, the first with power-actuated (hydraulically) folding wings and in these respects the TBD was revolutionary. A semi-retractable landing gear was fitted, with the wheels designed to protrude 10in below the wings to permit a `wheels up’ landing which might limit damage to the aircraft. A crew of three was normally carried beneath a large `greenhouse’ canopy almost half the length of the aircraft. This model depicts TBD-1 BuAer number 0344 which was received by VT-6 being formed commensurate with the USS Enterprise being commissioned. After later being transferred to VT-5, it would be lost at sea on April 21, 1941. The pilot Ens. D.D. Whyte, and Bombardier ACOM A.L. Christensen were killed. The gunner, Sea2c M.S. Starcevich survived. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, US Naval ordinance bombs, bomb racks, Mk XIII torpedo, torpedo rack, VC, paint textures, panel, and .dp file. Shessi: Pilot figure Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture BeePee: Compass gauge Microsoft: Gauges and .air file

Unit: VT-2 USS Lexington (CV-2) May 7, 1942 Pilot: Ensign C. Hamilton, USN. When it entered service in 1937, the Douglas TBD-1 was one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, but by 1941 it had become obsolete, too slow, under armored and hobbled with the dysfunctional Mk XII torpedo which rarely worked. It was still in frontline service in 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the US Navy had to fight with what it had left until the new TBF Avenger could be delivered to replace the Devastator. The TBD fought valiantly for the first 6 months of the war. It was used in the first hit and run fast carrier raids on Wake, Marcus, Gilberts, Tulagi and New Guinea. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, The TBDs of VT-2 and VT-5 were primarily responsible for sinking the first Japanese carrier to be lost, making 7 torpedo hits against the IJN SHOHO. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, US Naval ordinance bombs, bomb racks, Mk XIII torpedo, torpedo rack, VC, paint textures, panel, and .dp file. Shessi: Pilot figure Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture BeePee: compass gauge Microsoft: Gauges and .air file

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat VC-93 on USS Petrof Bay (CVE-80) off Okinawa April 1945. In 1942, automobile manufacturer General Motors converted several of its east coast factories to aircraft production under the name Eastern Aircraft Division. Eastern received contracts to build F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and TBF-1 'Avenger' torpedo planes, allowing Grumman to gradually reconcentrate its energies on the new, urgently-needed F6F 'Hellcat' fighter. The GM F4F-4s, redesignated FM-1s, had only four .50 caliber machine guns, but were otherwise little changed from the original model. Well over a thousand FM-1 fighters were delivered in 1942-43, including some three hundred for the British Royal Navy. Meanwhile, Grumman had prototyped a new Wildcat under the designation XF4F-8, which was to be produced by Eastern Aircraft as the FM-2. With lightened structure and a more powerful Wright R-1820 radial engine, the FM-2 was notably quicker, faster climbing, longer ranged and more maneuverable than its predecessor. To help control the increased power, the new plane had a distinctive, taller vertical tail. All-in-all, it was a great improvement, and more than four thousand FM-2s were built in 1943-45. Of those, over three hundred went to the British. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, drop tanks, bomb racks, rockets, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp Shessi: Pilot figure Morton: 2D F4F instrument panel modified to an FM-2 version Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture Microsoft: Gauges and .air file AliCat: Oxygen meter gauge

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat VC-79 on USS Sargent Bay (CVE-83) off Okinawa April 1945. In 1942, automobile manufacturer General Motors converted several of its east coast factories to aircraft production under the name Eastern Aircraft Division. Eastern received contracts to build F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and TBF-1 'Avenger' torpedo planes, allowing Grumman to gradually reconcentrate its energies on the new, urgently-needed F6F 'Hellcat' fighter. The GM F4F-4s, redesignated FM-1s, had only four .50 caliber machine guns, but were otherwise little changed from the original model. Well over a thousand FM-1 fighters were delivered in 1942-43, including some three hundred for the British Royal Navy. Meanwhile, Grumman had prototyped a new Wildcat under the designation XF4F-8, which was to be produced by Eastern Aircraft as the FM-2. With lightened structure and a more powerful Wright R-1820 radial engine, the FM-2 was notably quicker, faster climbing, longer ranged and more maneuverable than its predecessor. To help control the increased power, the new plane had a distinctive, taller vertical tail. All-in-all, it was a great improvement, and more than four thousand FM-2s were built in 1943-45. Of those, over three hundred went to the British. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, drop tanks, bomb racks, rockets, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp Shessi: Pilot figure Morton: 2D F4F instrument panel modified to an FM-2 version Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture Microsoft: Gauges and .air file AliCat: Oxygen meter gauge

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat VC-82 on USS Anzio (CVE-57) off Okinawa April 1945. In 1942, automobile manufacturer General Motors converted several of its east coast factories to aircraft production under the name Eastern Aircraft Division. Eastern received contracts to build F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and TBF-1 'Avenger' torpedo planes, allowing Grumman to gradually reconcentrate its energies on the new, urgently-needed F6F 'Hellcat' fighter. The GM F4F-4s, redesignated FM-1s, had only four .50 caliber machine guns, but were otherwise little changed from the original model. Well over a thousand FM-1 fighters were delivered in 1942-43, including some three hundred for the British Royal Navy. Meanwhile, Grumman had prototyped a new Wildcat under the designation XF4F-8, which was to be produced by Eastern Aircraft as the FM-2. With lightened structure and a more powerful Wright R-1820 radial engine, the FM-2 was notably quicker, faster climbing, longer ranged and more maneuverable than its predecessor. To help control the increased power, the new plane had a distinctive, taller vertical tail. All-in-all, it was a great improvement, and more than four thousand FM-2s were built in 1943-45. Of those, over three hundred went to the British. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, drop tanks, bomb racks, rockets, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp Shessi: Pilot figure Morton: 2D F4F instrument panel modified to an FM-2 version Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture Microsoft: Gauges and .air file AliCat: Oxygen meter gauge

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat VC-36 on USS Core (CVE-66) in the Atlantic, 1944. This composite squadron was credited with sinking 6 German U-boats. In 1942, automobile manufacturer General Motors converted several of its east coast factories to aircraft production under the name Eastern Aircraft Division. Eastern received contracts to build F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and TBF-1 'Avenger' torpedo planes, allowing Grumman to gradually reconcentrate its energies on the new, urgently-needed F6F 'Hellcat' fighter. The GM F4F-4s, redesignated FM-1s, had only four .50 caliber machine guns, but were otherwise little changed from the original model. Well over a thousand FM-1 fighters were delivered in 1942-43, including some three hundred for the British Royal Navy. Meanwhile, Grumman had prototyped a new Wildcat under the designation XF4F-8, which was to be produced by Eastern Aircraft as the FM-2. With lightened structure and a more powerful Wright R-1820 radial engine, the FM-2 was notably quicker, faster climbing, longer ranged and more maneuverable than its predecessor. To help control the increased power, the new plane had a distinctive, taller vertical tail. All-in-all, it was a great improvement, and more than four thousand FM-2s were built in 1943-45. Of those, over three hundred went to the British. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, drop tanks, bomb racks, rockets, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp Shessi: Pilot figure Morton: 2D F4F instrument panel modified to an FM-2 version Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture Microsoft: Gauges and .air file AliCat: Oxygen meter gauge

General Motors FM-2 Wildcat VC-4 on USS White Plains (CVE-66) 1944 In 1942, automobile manufacturer General Motors converted several of its east coast factories to aircraft production under the name Eastern Aircraft Division. Eastern received contracts to build F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and TBF-1 'Avenger' torpedo planes, allowing Grumman to gradually reconcentrate its energies on the new, urgently-needed F6F 'Hellcat' fighter. The GM F4F-4s, redesignated FM-1s, had only four .50 caliber machine guns, but were otherwise little changed from the original model. Well over a thousand FM-1 fighters were delivered in 1942-43, including some three hundred for the British Royal Navy. Meanwhile, Grumman had prototyped a new Wildcat under the designation XF4F-8, which was to be produced by Eastern Aircraft as the FM-2. With lightened structure and a more powerful Wright R-1820 radial engine, the FM-2 was notably quicker, faster climbing, longer ranged and more maneuverable than its predecessor. To help control the increased power, the new plane had a distinctive, taller vertical tail. All-in-all, it was a great improvement, and more than four thousand FM-2s were built in 1943-45. Of those, over three hundred went to the British. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, drop tanks, bomb racks, rockets, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp Shessi: Pilot figure Morton: 2D F4F instrument panel modified to an FM-2 version Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture Microsoft: Gauges and .air file AliCat: Oxygen meter gauge

Mitsubishi Ki-21 IIb Further revisions of defensive armament were made, the Ki-21-IIb replacing the dorsal gun position by a manually operated gun turret containing one 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine-gun. The Ki-21-IIb was used during the series of Japanese bombing raids on Calcutta in December 1943, where it suffered heavy losses. During the Lae campaign, the IJAAF experimented with the use of the Ki-21 as a PT boat hunter, in an attempt to protect their barge traffic from Rabaul to New Guinea, which proved unsuccessful. With better equiped Allied aircraft, the Ki-21 suffered increasingly heavy losses and due to the lack of a suitable replacement meant that the Ki-21 remained in front line service in large numbers until well into 1944. With the arrival of the Mitsubishi Ki-67 'Hiryu', the Ki-21 was quickly withdrawn from front line operations, as the Ki-67 was a better replacement aircraft. Towards the end of the war, remaining Ki-21s were used by Giretsu Special Forces in strikes against American forces in Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. One of the noted operations was an attack on the Allied-held Yontan airfield and Kadena airfield on the night of 24 May 1945. In spite of its shortcomings, the Ki-21 remained in service until the end of the war, being utilized as transport (along with the civil transport version MC-21), bomber crew and paratrooper trainer, for liaison and communications, special commando and secret missions, and kamikaze operations. Production of the Ki-21 ended in September 1944. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp Wolfi: Crew figures and special thanks for guidance on what the cockpit looked like, based on his Ki-57 Topsy model. Allen: Japanese bombs (included in zip file) Gauges by: Robert L. Clark, FDG2 and Microsoft

Mitsubishi Ki-21 IIa Sally (or "Type 97 Heavy Bomber") The IJAAF never had any true heavy bombers, but one medium type was common, the Ki-21 ‘Sally’. The Japanese classed what other air forces would call a medium bomber, as a heavy bomber. Japanese Imperial Army Air Force front line units from mid-1940 were equipped with the Mitsubishi Ki-21-IIa variant with the more powerful 1,118 kW (1,500 hp) Mitsubishi Ha-101 air-cooled engines and larger horizontal tail surfaces, which was a development of the earlier Ki-21-I deployed in 1938. This became the main version operated by most IJAAF heavy bomber squadrons at the beginning of the Pacific War, and played a major role in many early campaigns. On 8 December 1941, the 5th, 14th and 62nd Sentai, based in Taiwan began operations over the Philippines attacking American targets at Aparri, Tuguegarao, Vigan and other targets in Luzon. On 20 December the Ki-21s of the 12th, 60th, 62nd and 98th Sentai clashed with P-40s of the American Volunteer Group over Kumming, while on 23 December they faced a mix of RAF F2A 'Buffaloes' from No.67 Squadron and aircraft from the A.V.G. during raids on Rangoon and Mingaladon where twenty Ki-21s were shot down at a cost of two Allied pilots. The 3rd, 12th, 60th and 98th Sentai, based in French Indochina, struck British and Australian targets in Thailand and Malaya, bombing Alor Star, Sungai Petani and Butterworth, under escort by Nakajima Ki-27 and Ki-43 fighters. However, starting with the operations over Burma in December 1941 and early 1942, the Ki-21 began to suffer heavy casualties from the A.V.G. Curtiss P-40s and RAF Hawker Hurricanes. Some of the Ki-21-IIa version were still on front line use as late as 1943. Credits Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp Wolfi: Crew figures and special thanks for guidance on what the cockpit looked like, based on his Ki-57 Topsy model. Allen: Japanese bombs (included in zip file) Gauges by: Robert L. Clark, FDG2 and Microsoft