Done +++ : USS Kitkun Bay FM-3B, 1 March 1946

[comrade harps]

Underway:



Damn, that undercarriage has given me grief!

[PR19_Kit]

Damn, that undercarriage has given me grief!

Always seems to be the way with Wildcats/Martlets.

[comrade harps]

I know that some models of WW2 aircraft include detail of under fuselage flare tubes. I'm just wondering if those that don't also in reality had flare tubes, like the Wildcat? I can't see flare tubes in any of the F4F cutaways I've seen, so I'm wondering if they had them.

I ask because I'm toying with the idea that this FM-3 is a FAC machine and I know that AOPs and FACs dropped smoke marker flares, so I don't know if a FAC Wildcat would need flare tubes added or if they were standard.

Any ideas?

[zenrat]

AOP?

FAC?

[PantherG]

FAC = Forward Air Controller......
...but AOP ? Army Observation Post? ? 

[Old Wombat]

Pretty sure AOP = Aerial Observation Post/Plane.

[comrade harps]

Pretty sure AOP = Aerial Observation Post/Plane.

Yep.

[NARSES2]

Damn, that undercarriage has given me grief!

Always seems to be the way with Wildcats/Martlets.

Dosen't it just ? The new tool Airfix kit is a doozy 

[comrade harps]

Damn, that undercarriage has given me grief!

Always seems to be the way with Wildcats/Martlets.

Dosen't it just ? The new tool Airfix kit is a doozy 

After stuffing around with them and stuffing them up my FM-3 will have a what-if undercarriage.

[Captain Canada]

Neat looking colour scheme !

[zenrat]

FAC = Forward Air Controller......
...but AOP ? Army Observation Post? ? 

Pretty sure AOP = Aerial Observation Post/Plane.

Pretty sure AOP = Aerial Observation Post/Plane.

Yep.

Thanks folks.

[comrade harps]

General Motors Eastern Division FM-3B Wildcat
a/c 410, Composite Squadron VC-4, U.S. Navy
USS Kitkun Bay, 1 March, 1946



The final 300 Wildcats built by General Motors were of the FM-3 model, custom-built specifically to support the Operation Coronet invasion of Honshu. This FM-3 featured the more powerful, 1,425hp (1,063 kW) Wright R-1820-74W engine and a height adjustable undercarriage (an innovation whereby the fuselage could be lowered for easier access to the engine; this was meant to improve time management and safety, but was usually ignored in service, though commonly seen in use by VC-4). 50 were of the FM-3B subtype, which was adapted for the airborne forward air controller role, with radio equipment designed to enable easier communication with all Allied assets on the ground, in the air and at sea.




US Navy Casablanca class escort carrier USS Kitkun Bay had seen considerable action prior Y-Day, notably as part of Taffy 3 during the Battle off Samar. For Y-Day, she carried Composite Squadron VC-4, equipped with 14 FM-3Bs and 12 TBM-3E, forming a day and night combination for artillery observation and the spotting of naval gunfire, forward air control and armed scouting missions. FM-3B 410 is seen here with a typical VC-4 target marking load as carried by both the FM-3B and TBM-3E, with external fuel tanks, 5 inch HVAR with white phosphorous warheads and M47A2 white phosphorous bombs. The M47A2s hung from stores pylons adapted from those carried underwing by the F4U-4 Corsair.




410 wears the a colour scheme common to VC-4's aircraft on Y-Day. This includes the U.S. Navy standard overall dark sea blue camouflage with orange and yellow Y-Day invasion stripes, which was applied to all single- and twin-engined Allied types for the invasion. The white painted engine cowling and white horizontal tail surfaces identified all Y-Day forward air control planes of the U.S. Navy. The letters NA identified the USS Kitkun Bay.




USS Kitkun Bay survived Y-Day and Operation Coronet without damage. Her gunners shot down 9 kamikazes and VC-4 aircrews claimed a further 5. After 4 weeks on the line she steamed to the rear for maintenance, replenishment and crew rest, sitting out April and resuming combat in mid May. She was part of the Allied flotilla at the formal surrender in Tokyo Bay on 29 May, 1946, and then took part in Operation Magic Carpet, returning Allied POWs and wounded troops to the United States for repatriation.



During their two combat tours between Y-Day and VJ-Day, VC-4's Avenger and Wildcat crews flew day and night throughout the Operation Coronet battlespace. In addition to directly supporting US Army and Marine Corps troops in contact with the enemy and leading interdiction operations against the enemy's rear, VC-4 also flew a few missions in support of the British Commonwealth landings at Wakasa Bay on the western coast of Honshu.

[Dizzyfugu]

Now that's colorful! 

[zenrat]

Stripey!

Whitewall tyres would have completed the lowrider look.

[PR19_Kit]

Whitewall tyres would have completed the lowrider look.

Wouldn't it need hydraulics in the main gear legs to bounce it up and down in time with the band?