TBD Devastator in progress

Kerry COX
What an amazing aircraft. And I am looking forward to more photos of this model.

Christopher Dworjan
I'll be sure to post them as I go. The next step for me is lowering the landing gear. This is really a great kit, but they missed two things. The kick-in step plates in the sides are modeled as just empty holes in the fuselage, and the landing gear suspension is modeled at full extension. The kick plates were easily fixed with squares of plasticard, but the landing gear will need a good bit cut down, and the brakeline will need to be redone.

I love the big greenhouse canopy. It really makes for a unique and beautiful aircraft.

Kerry COX
To tell you the truth. I have NEVER seen it before and that's why I am so interested in the build. Great wall has got some unusual subjects they cover, and it will only increase.

Christopher Dworjan
Ah, it is a REALLY well engineered kit. It is possible to put it together with no seams whatsoever. Just those two goofs I've found so far, and a few questionable color call outs.

Kerry COX
Have you looked at Google Images for some original photos of it ?

Christopher Dworjan
Oh yeah, I've found a few good color photos, and I've used my knowledge of WWII aircraft to make educated guesses. Photos are relatively rare as there are no surviving TBDs today.

Kerry COX
Can I look for and send you a link if I can find something ?

Christopher Dworjan
Sure, if you find anything that I haven't. I found one site with a good interior walkaround and some prewar color photos, and another with a collection of VT-8 photos from the John Ford movie, as well as a couple of photos of VT-8 aircraft taking off on their last mission.

Christopher Dworjan
109lair.hobbyvista.c..BD/tbd.photopage.htm
centuryinter.net/mid.._Eight/in_color.html

Kerry COX
I found what you found mate. But thank you for the link you posted. 🙂

Christopher Dworjan
You're welcome

Christopher Dworjan
I'd also point out this remarkable photo. It is all 15 aircraft of VT-8 forming up over Hornet before departing to attack the Japanese fleet at Midway:
centuryinter.net/mid..Eight/in_flight.html

Kerry COX
It's strange for me to see the story of VT-8 and the Devastator, because all I ever remember seeing in "Victory At Sea" was the stories of the Dauntless and the Wildcats and Corsair, but no Devastators. and here I see it for the very first time ever. !!!

Christopher Dworjan
It is quite a story. The VT-8 CO, LCDR John Waldron, had a disagreement with CAG 8, CDR Stanhope Ring, about where the Japanese fleet would be. The disagreement continued into the air with Waldron trying to get the Air Group to head in the direction he believed correct. Eventually he gave up and lead his Devastators off on their own. Waldron and VT-8 were the first carrier planes to reach the Japanese carriers. ENS George Gay flying T-14 at the rear of the formation watched all fourteen other TBDs get shot down around him, but he remained true to the order Commander Waldron had given the night before: "If there is only one plane left to make a final run-in, I want that man to go in and get a hit." Gay continued on his run even when his gunner was hit and mortally wounded behind him, and he received several machine gun wounds himself. He released his torpedo at Kaga, and overflew the deck before being brought down in the water by multiple Zeroes.

Gay spent the rest of the day in the midst of the Japanese fleet, hiding under his seat cushion. He only inflated his life raft after dark, and spent more than a full day in the water before being rescued by a PBY. VT-8 recorded zero hits, lost all 15 of their TBDs, and 29 of the 30 aircrew did not survive the attack. But their attack brought the Japanese CAP down to sea level, forced them to expend much of their ammunition, and delayed the rearming of the strike aircraft on the carriers; all of which helped to make possible the success of the dive bombers which arrived an hour later.

Oh, and the rest of CAG 8? They never did find the Japanese carriers.

Kerry COX
Facinating stuff mate, I just love stories like that. Thank you so much for your information. It's history like that , that makes building these models so much more than something that takes up space in our display cases hey ! Thanks again. 🙂

Christopher Dworjan
I'm glad you love the story! Model building to me is as much about learning and sharing history, and remembering heroic people as it is about building.

Kerry COX
You took the words right out of my mouth. Spot on mate. ((🙂))

Christopher Dworjan
Well it's great to meet somebody who feels the same way. One of these days I really need to get around to getting some info cards made for my models. I have been getting patches to go with them too.