Model Forum / General / Models / December 2009

Though they would work if you're doing a B-24 Navy version. Friend of
mine was ball turret gunner in one, was used for recon. Interestingly,
flew with 2 Army Air Corps B-24s for 'fighter' protection. He was
involved in aerial photography before invasions on a few of the
Pacific Islands. They'd take off, then rendezvous with the Air Corps
birds, usually 2 could be 4 en route to the target.

There were Navy personnel on the islands. More later in the war.
Though early on expect lots of cut offs, no shirts especially in
forward areas. There might be a dress uniform packed somewhere, but
usually new issue clothing was few and far between for a while.

I'd paint the tug dark blue though. Yellow really stands out on a
carrier deck. Most carrier decks, in fact all were painted dark blue
before Pearl Harbor attack. Check the regs online at some of the
sites, its pretty much haze grey and underway. Maybe grey, check some
of the paint schemes for what you're trying to portray.

Just the pilots would work in a diorama. Make an ops hut from palm
fronds, put coral down for a runway, hand painted signage, check some
of the WWII photos of the bases. Maybe some tents. Gotta have a slit
trench for bed check Charlie.

And don't forget, get a decent Rising Sun flag, sword or two, who
knows what you could get off a passing carrier.

In Korea dad swapped a jeep for a few gallons of Navy ice cream. The
AF stole the jeeps from the Army anyway. All the pilots had a personal
one.