**** FINISHED: GB-58 1/48 F6F-5N Nightfighter - Night Fighters all Eras (1 Viewer)

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Ralph Haus

Tech Sergeant
1,715
1,921
Jul 24, 2016
Leander Texas
Username: Ralph Haus
First name: Ralph
Category: Advanced
Manufacturer: Eduard
Model: F6F-5N kit #84133
Scale: 1:48

I did a small amount of research on one of the pilots of this bird. Impressed enough that the info should be posted along with the build photos. Dashing, to say the least!

Robert Baird.JPG


Robert Baird (November 13, 1921 – July 7, 1992) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps Colonel. During World War II, he shot down a total of six Japanese planes and was awarded the Navy Cross, making him the only Marine night fighter ace of the war.
Baird deployed to the Pacific for a second tour, joining Marine Night Fighter Squadron 533 (VMF(N)-533). On May 7, 1945, the squadron flew its 15 F6F Hellcats over 1,000 miles from Saipan to Okinawa, the longest flight over water by a single-engine aircraft squadron during World War II. Arriving at Okinawa, Baird and the rest of his squadron landed at Yontan Field. The squadron operated off of Ie Shima.

On the night of June 9, Captain Baird used his radar to score his first victory, a Japanese reconnaissance plane. The night of June 16, Baird shot down two more enemy aircraft, including one bomber.

On the night of June 22, which was officially the last day of the battle of Okinawa, Captain Baird claimed two more victories, along with ace status. Baird would claim his sixth and final kill of the war on the night of July 13.

Captain Baird became the first and only Marine night fighter ace of World War II. Additionally, he was the only Marine F6F Hellcat ace of the war. Baird was awarded multiple medals for his skillful airmanship during this time, including the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The build was, for me interesting. Not sure if the task of generating the instruction sheets were assigned to an intern, but there was some missing and or mis-leading info.

The required photos:

GB58 F6F-5N Port.jpg

GB58 F6F-5N Port Rear.jpg

GB58 F6F-5N Starboard.jpg

GB58 F6F-5N Starboard Rear.jpg

GB58 F6F-5N Rear.jpg
GB58 F6F-5N Front.jpg


Some extras:

GB58 F6F-5N Bottom.jpg

GB58 F6F-5N Top2.jpg
 
cool!!! i loved... good job, very clear job
 

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