Research Help Needed - VS-2 SBD-3 of Leppla

[Wurger]

And a decal sheet although it is for 1/72 scale ... but with some info on three SBD kites of the VS-2.

Starfighter Decals 1/72 - U.S. NAVY AT THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA May 1942

 

[Robert Porter]

You may have a look here ... Accurate Miniatures SDB-3 Dauntless

And something more ... Small Scale Military Headquarters - View topic - New Merit 1/18 DAUNTLESS DISCUSSION

and more ...

Liska posed with his single .30 cal ...

VS-2's after Action Report for May 8th, 1942 ... the point 1should be is interesting for you...

An opinion found there too ...

"Serial number 4547 IS S-12 that Merit chose to model. She was part of the very first batch of SBD-3's built for the US Navy beginning in 1940. As a matter of fact the line started with Sn# 4518 and ended (first batch) with 4691. Second batch was Sn# 3185-3384, and the third was 6492-6701. A total of 581 SBD-3's built. That makes S-12 (4547) the 29th SBD-3 off the El Segundo assembly line headed for the US Navy. Now comes the rub....some references state that the initial batch (4518-4691) came off the lines with single .30cal.....doubling to two .30 cal AFTER the first run> Now whether or not S-12 was converted is another question. Time and supplies may not have been available at the time....the markings changes and the availability of paint should tell you what state they were in at the time."

This is awesome! Thank you very much. I believe it substantially confirmed that Liska had a single .30 cal on the date in question and the short code was used. Interesting about the propellor tip colors. Any idea what exactly the colors were?

 

[Robert Porter]

Thanks again! That even gives me the BuNo to go looking for the final disposition of the aircraft!

 

[Wurger]

This is awesome! Thank you very much. I believe it substantially confirmed that Liska had a single .30 cal on the date in question and the short code was used. Interesting about the propellor tip colors. Any idea what exactly the colors were?

My pleasure... regarding these tip colours : Red, Yellow, Dark Blue. Here are shots showing the prop blade tip ones I found via the Internet. I hope it can be helpful.

 

[Robert Porter]

Nice! Thanks again! That will be a challenge for me to replicate but I sure am looking forward to the finished result!

 

[Wurger]

Good luck.

 

[A4K]

Great info Wojtku! Well done my friend.

 

[Wurger]

THX Evan.

 

[A4K]

Credit where it's due my friend! This place would definitely not be the same without you!
(Would wave back but can't find the emoticon for it! )

 

[Robert Porter]

I honestly can't begin to imagine being without Wojtek as a resource! And I hope he never feels like we take him for granted, I certainly don't. He ALWAYS finds a way to help anyone that asks!

And always has an encouraging word to offer!

 

[A4K]

Damn straight Rob!

 

[Wurger]

THX Gents. Glad I can help.

 

[A4K]

Still can't find that emoticon, but back at ya my friend!

 

[fubar57]

The wavy one is under "More Smilies", a lot of scrolling involved as it is never in the same place sometimes. I can't find the smiley you and Wojtek used

 

[A4K]

Cheers Geo! And if you mean this fulla , I type him on the keypad, a : a - and a ) et voila!

 

[Robert Porter]

Look I can make em jump!

 

[fubar57]

Merci.....back to you Robert

 

[A4K]

You're such a meanie Rob!

 

[Robert Porter]

Hey! Only having a bit of fun! Honestly I was looking for the wavy one myself and gave up after I found those!

 

[A4K]

Nice one mate... Can't find the one you're after? - burn some other poor sod!!