Grumman P-50D Spitfire

[comrade harps]

Grumman P-50D Spitfire
Isabel II, 45th Fighter Squadron, USAAF
personal mount of Captain Gilmer "Buck" Snipes
Baker Island, October 1943



In mid-1942, the Hawaii-based 45th Squadron replaced their P-40s with Grumman-built Spitfires. These were initially the short-ranged P-50C version (equivalent to Supermarine's Spitfire V)  To meet the range requirements of the Pacific war, these were replaced during 1943 with the long-ranged P-50D model, which featured extra internal fuel and could carry additional drop tanks. After the events of 17 December, 1941, the 45th had settled into a routine of air defense patrols and scrambles devoid of enemy air activity.



In September, 1943, the 45th deployed to Baker Island to support the build-up of the offensive forces in the area. Baker Island is isolated, tiny (just over 2km²) and barren. To conceal the aircraft from Japanese reconnaissance planes whilst on the ground, the Spitfires were camouflaged with an overall sand scheme that matched their sand and crushed coral environment. The conditions were primitive, the Island had no source of fresh water and the most prevalent wildlife were flies, a combination that lead to an outbreak of bacillary dysentery that forced the suspension of flying for 4 days in October with 91 personnel affected.



Fortunately for the Americans, the Japanese didn't approach the area whilst the 45th was grounded, but on the 22nd October the conditions were ripe for aerial battle. In response to a radar contact flying at 22,000 ft, two 45th FS Spitfires were scrambled. 22 minutes later, Captain Gilmer "Buck" Snipes, flying Isabel II (with ironic nudist beach girly artwork), a P-50D with extended wing tips and tail code 423878, called back a "Tally Ho" on an Emily flying boat. To celebrate this victory (the 45th only kill while stationed on Baker), the plane was adorned with a Japanese flag.



Isabel II would continue in service for a few more months, finally falling to crash landing when the brakes failed at Funafuti Airfield, Noumea in the Gilbert Islands on 22 December. Snipes survived this incident and April, 1944, was promoted to Major and became the 45th's squadron commander when they retired to Hawaii. He stayed with the squadron for the duration of the war, seeing them through a transition to the P-51D and flying long range fighter missions to Japan from Iwo Jima between March, 1945 and May, 1946.

[The Wooksta!]

Dear god, you've built the Italeri kit?  I feel your pain!

Joking aside, nice job on getting that attrocity together.

[comrade harps]

Dear god, you've built the Italeri kit?

Yep. Spitfire VII.

I had actually begun the Sword Spitfire VB Trop, but gave up on that completely. After that, the Italeri offering was a relief.

[The Wooksta!]

The Sword ones are very accurate but their more limited run makes them somewhat challenging.  The Xtrakit XII is a cracking little kit, although a little frustrating.  I'm looking forward to building some of the others Sword have done.

AVOID the Octopus/Pavla Seafire III - it's unbuildable if you use the kit wing.  I'd suggest using an Airfix IXc wing instead.  Which means new decals as you'd get a Seafire IIc instead and you'll have to alter the underwings as teh radiator set up is different.

[kitbasher]

Dear god, you've built the Italeri kit?  I feel your pain!

Did that once myself - as an FR.IXc (subsequently scrapped/recycled.  A real pig of a kit (and underscale), only useful aspect is the interior IMHO, but nothing else.  Also built their Vb (as a Vb floatplae) which is oddly better - still with plenty of faults though.  Had to replace a load of bits with stuff off a long-lost Airfix Vb.

As Wooksta says - well done with your build.

[Captain Canada]

Beauty. What a sexy beast she is. The Spitfire, I mean.....

Great job on this one. Love the colours, and the story. I hope they crated her up after and shipped her home to a museum !

[NARSES2]

That's some looker