TBD-1 Devestators at Midway, AC tail numbers and crew list

[TopCat]

Hello peeps, I'm building the old Revell/Monogram TBD-1 Devastator kit. Can anyone provide or direct me to a comprehensive list of the (41) TBD-1 aircraft that were lost at Midway?
I would like to identify the AC markings, tail numbers, and names of pilots and crew that were lost in the torpedo attack on the Jap fleet.

The marking I have for my kit is for 6-T-2, BuNo. 1512, VT-6, USS Enterprise. From what I've found on this site, I believe it was lost in the attack.
Was it carrying a torpedo? Who was the pilot and gunner?
Any help with this information would be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance!

 

[Wurger]

The BuNo. 1512 pilot Lt(jg) Severin Louis Rombach, the gunner ARM2c Wilburn Forrest Glenn according to the net sources. Here the 6-T-2 on May 1942 believing the caption.

the pic source:

File:Douglas TBD-1 Devastator of VT-6 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), in May 1942 (76520).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

 

[Wurger]

Also there are two shots of the 6-T-3 ((BuNo 0279) dated on the 19th May 1942. IMHO these were taken on the same day the one seen in my post above and showing the 6-T-2 although it is stated just as May 1942 only. It looks like the national markings were repainted on 15th May 1942. The red dots from the US stars and the red-white strips at the rudders were removed. The US stars on the 6 places. The small and single black numbers on the fuselage were applied and repeated on the wing tops close to the trailing edge like it can be noticed in the pic of the 6-T-3 below. So no markings on the tail surfaces.

the pic source:

File:Douglas TBD-1 Devastator of VT-6 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), 19 May 1942 (80370).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Douglas TBD-1 Devastator of VT-6 taking off from USS Enterprise (CV-6), 19 May 1942 (80370).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Contrary to the 6-T-3 it may be noticed that the 6-T-2 had the diagonal, white short strips at the leading edge of the fin. Not sure but it seems that the kite also could have a small white marking applied on the front edge of the engine cowling. But it could be either a white small digit "2" or a light patch or a light trick because there was the outlet of the MG blast tube.

 

[Wurger]

The appearance of the VT-6 Devastators can also be found in the image dated on 4 June 1942 .... please pay your attention to the left front TBD-1 and notice the fin leading edge of the plane ( see the enlarged shot ) . What is more, it is said that's just the Number Two (Bureau # 1512), flown by Ensign Severin L. Rombach and Aviation Radioman 2nd Class W.F. Glenn. The racked torpedo also can be noticed.

the pic source:

Plik:Douglas TBD-1 Devastators of VT-6 are spotted for launch aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) on 4 June 1942 (80-G-41686).jpg – Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia

pl.wikipedia.org

 

[mjfur]

You may find some useful information here, https://www.history.navy.mil/conten...lphabetically/c/composition-of-us-forces.html

At the top of the page you can do searches for VT-6, TBD-1, etc. which will bring up numerous photos and pdf's.

 

[Wurger]

and again regarding the tail markings ... here are two screen shots form a footage of VT-8 at the Midway time. It can be noticed that there weren't any markings on the fin and rudder ... at least, I can't see anything there.

the source: Devastator cockpit color

 

[mjfur]

Type in TBD for Aircraft Type and MIDWAY in the Down box.

https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/dbSearchUSNLoss.asp

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77627390?objectPage=4

 

[MIflyer]

This beloved and venerable publication is now available for free on the Internet.

 

[mjfur]

These had the small stripe on the vertical.

 

[Wurger]

These had the small stripe on the vertical.

View attachment 872773

Agreed .. in the pic showing the VT-6 Devastators gathered on the flight deck these can be noticed as well. But also I have seen a couple of pictures with the black or white BuNo numbers on the fin and the aircraft type name on the rudder. It appears these might not to be applied there in the case. However these could be of the black quite small font and applied on the fin only. It seems that the kind of marking was on the VT-8 kites seen in the screen shots and in your image above.

 

[Wurger]

OK. I have found the footage dated on the May 1942, the first shot of the 6-T-2 came from and grabbed two additional screen shots of her. The quality is good although a pity I couldn't watch it on the full screen. I enlarged them and it can be noticed that there was the small white digit "2" above the outlet of the MG blast tube. It looks like there weren't any inscriptions on the fin and rudder but just the white diagonal short strips on the leading edge of the fin only.

the pic source: Instagram

 

[Wurger]

T TopCat ... additionally I have grabbed an image sequence of taking off of the VT-6 Devastator no.1. She was painted and marked the same as the no.2, and 3. See my post #11 above for the no. "2". The small digit "1" above the outlet of the MG barrel, the black digit "1" on the fuselage sides and on tops of the wing near the trailing edge at the wing root. The short diagonal strips on the leading edge of the fin and the US stars on the six positions. No BuNo and aircraft type name on the fin and rudder. It may come in handy.

the pic source: Instagram

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Archival footage from Midway, along with discussion about it. I believe 6-T-2 is discussed, iirc.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fK3QSAiomw&list=PLvwPt9MhP59_kAi-M28l_biUwEHBb0GAC&index=5

 

[Wurger]

Very nice footage. THX.

I have noticed that the no.3 didn't have the diagonal short strips on the fin applied contrary to the no.1 and no.2. But the rest of the markings were applied in the same way.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Very nice footage. THX.

I have noticed that the no.3 didn't have the diagonal short strips on the fin applied contrary to the no.1 and no.2. But the rest of the markings were applied in the same way.

View attachment 873022
View attachment 873021

Again iirc, in that video Parshall posits that those tail marks may be for the division or section leaders.

 

[Wurger]

Again iirc, in that video Parshall posits that those tail marks may be for the division or section leaders.

That's possible. The SBD Dauntelss that also can be seen there had the double strips on the fin.