The National Archives has color film footage of the Doolittle Raiders launching from the USS Hornet. I was unaware of the existance of this until now, thanks to my friend Lynn Ritger. You can watch and download it here: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75692 ...
P-47D-10-RE Serial Number 42-75121 61st F.S., 56th F.G. Assigned to Lt. Col. Leslie C. Smith (ace with seven victories.) Also flown by Lt. Frank Klibbe on nine missions between January 24th and February 8th 1944. Profile notes: Photos are not clear as to if this...
SBD-3 BuNo 4690, Lt. (j.g.) Stanley W. ‘Swede’ Vejtasa and Chief Radioman 3rd Class Frank B. Wood, Scouting Five, USS Yorktown (CV5), May 8, 1942. During the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7, 1942, Swede and several other SBD pilots sank the Japanese...
SBD-3 BuNo 4687, Lt. Richard H. ‘Dick’ Best and Chief Radioman James F. Murray, Bombing Six, USS Enterprise (CV6), June 4, 1942. Dick Best was the commanding officer of VB-6, USS Enterprise, during the Battle of Midway. Best flew B1 on two missions on June...
After a year and a half of research, my SBD-3 scale drawing is finally finished. Once I have my initial color template completed, I intend on doing 3-4 aircraft from the Battle of Midway between now and the 80th anniversary of that battle next June. The first profiles...
