Link to National Atomic Museum website:  http://www.atomicmuseum.com

D-Day Additions at Atomic Museum Display (July 2007 Newsletter)

Supermarine "Spitfire" Mark Vb Trop (July 2004 Newsletter)

Article by Mike Blohm, IPMS #10602, ASM # 24

This article highlights one of the recent additions to ASM’s display at the National Atomic Museum - a Supermarine "Spitfire" Mk Vb Tropical built by ASM master modeler John Tate. This 1/48 scale Tamiya kit depicts a Spitfire Mk Vb flown by 1Lt Sylvan "Sid" Feld, assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, based at Sbeitla, Tunisia in June 1943.

John built this Spitfire kit out of the box with the exception of the cockpit, which has an aftermarket resin seat with belts. To complete an accurate Sutton harness, John strung a single, scratch built seatbelt from the rear of the armored seat rest into the rear fuselage, with retaining wire, as per the real aircraft. John examined photos of Feld’s aircraft and determined that his Spit had a rare "Type B" scheme. Almost all other USAAF Spitfires had the more common "Type A" scheme. The upper surface was painted in a weathered approximation of RAF Mid-Stone and Dark Earth. John painted the underside light blue, rather than the darker RAF Azure Blue or Mediterranean Sea Blue, as examination of photos of RAF aircraft in desert schemes disclosed that a surprising number were painted light blue instead of the more familiar, darker underside colors. John states that this was true of Feld's Spitfire as well. Paints were a combination of Testors, Humbrol and various acrylics. John’s Spitfire does not have a radio aerial, because as John pointed out, that from the Spitfire Mk. II on, RAF Spitfires had VHF radio sets, which replaced the HF set that used the radio wire. Decals were from the Tally-Ho "Supermarine Spitfire Mk V Aces, Part I" sheet.

As of the March 2004 model drop-off, there are 59 models in ASM’s display. New pictures of the display are available on the website, with more to be posted soon. Aircraft model "needs" are also listed on the website, but models of 1/48 scale armor and figures are also needed. Please contact me if you have a quality model that you’d like to include in the collection.

Mitsubishi G4M1 Type 11 "Betty"  (April 2001 Newsletter)

Article by Mike Blohm, IPMS #10602, ASM # 24

Model by Brian Peck

This month’s subject is a Mitsubishi G4M1 Type 11 "Isshikirikko", Allied code name: "Betty" built by master modeler Brian Peck. This 1/48th scale Tamiya kit depicts a G4M1 of the 761st Naval Fighter Group based in Japan in 1944. The G4M was the Imperial Japanese Navy’s premier bomber throughout WW II. It was developed in 1937 and was used as a land-based bomber and torpedo bomber. The Navy’s insistence on long range (2,000 miles) with a full bomb load came at the expense of armor and defensive capabilities, resulting in a highly vulnerable aircraft. The G4M flew its first missions in SE China in May 1941. More than 250 operated in the Philippines and Malayan campaigns, but the Solomons battles in Aug 1942 highlighted its vulnerabilities. It was nicknamed the "one-shot lighter" by the Allies. The "Betty" was the most widely built and used Japanese bomber, with 2,479 produced. Late versions of the "Betty" were modified to carry the Yokosuka MX-Y-7 "Ohka" (Cherry Blossom), a 1-seat piloted missile, Allied code: "Baka" (Fool) used in Kamikaze suicide attacks with a launch range of approximately 50 miles. G4M data – crew: 7; armament: 4 x 20mm cannons and 1 x 7.7mm machine gun (late models); max speed: 283 mph; range: 3,132 miles (early models); 2,262 miles (late); bomb load: 1,764 pounds.

Douglas A-20B "Havoc"   (May 2001 Newsletter)

This month’s highlight subject is a Douglas A-20B "Havoc" built by ASM master modeler Fred Franceschi. This 1/48th scale AMT/ERTL kit depicts "Lady Jean", an A-20B of the 47th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force, based at Youks-les-Bains, Algeria in December 1942. The model was finished in Model Master paints using olive drab and neutral gray. The color photo shows the model as on display at the Atomic Museum. The black and white photo shows the real "Lady Jean" after a belly landing in late 1942 or early 1943. The 47 BG, consisting of the 84th, 85th, 86th and 97th Bomb Squadrons, was assigned to North Africa in Oct 1942 and served in the Mediterranean theater until the end of the war. The 47 BG flew A-20’s and A-26’s (after Jan 1945) on low and medium-level operations in the support, interdiction and night intruder roles. Notable missions included defense of the Kasserine Pass (Feb 1943 – Distinguished Unit Citation), supporting the invasions of Sicily, Italy and Southern France, and sustained operations during adverse weather in the Po Valley to prevent an organized withdrawal of German forces (Apr 1945 – Distinguished Unit Citation).

The A-20 was a 3-seat attack bomber designed by Jack Northrup and Ed Heinemann to meet a 1938 US Army Air Corps attack aircraft requirement. However, it was first delivered to the French in Jan 1940 as the DB-7 and to the British as the "Boston," before coming into use by the United States. Considered a "hot" bomber and very advanced for the time, the A-20 was the first aircraft to be ordered under a "lend-lease" contract. A-20s saw service in every theater during World War II and eventually became the most-produced USAAF attack aircraft - 7,478 were built, with 5,310 for the USAAF, before production ceased in Sep 1944. On 4 July 1942 U.S. crews of the 15th Bomb Squadron, using "borrowed" RAF "Boston III’s" flew the first USAAF bomber mission over Western Europe against Luftwaffe airfields in the Netherlands. A-20’s also served in the reconnaissance role (F-3) and as a night fighter (P-70). A-20 data - Armament: four machine guns - two fixed 0.5 inch in nose, two 0.303 inch aft fuselage; Max speed: 339 mph; Range: 1,090 miles; Bomb load: 4,000 pounds; Cost: $74,000.

Republic P-47N-RE-1 "Thunderbolt" (June 2001 Newsletter)

This month’s highlight subject is the latest addition to ASM’s display at the National Atomic Museum - a Republic P-47N-RE-1 "Thunderbolt" built by ASM master modeler Mike Blohm. This 1/48th scale Revell-Monogram Pro Modeler kit depicts "Lil’ Meaties’ Meat Chopper", assigned to the 464th Fighter Squadron, 507th Fighter Group, 20th Air Force, based at Ie Shima Air Base, Okinawa in August 1945.

Perdomo was a native of El Paso, Texas and joined the USAAF in Feb 1943. He arrived at Ie Shima with the 507th FG in Jun 1945 to fly very long-range escort missions to the Japanese home islands with the P-47N, the long-range version of the "Jug". Perdomo left the USAF in 1950 but he was recalled to duty during the Korean War, and served until 1958. He passed away in 1976. Perdomo’s P-47N-RE-1 aircraft was retrofitted to P-47N-RE-2 configuration with the addition of zero-length rocket launchers, as depicted on this model. His aircraft was named "Lil’ Meaties’ Meat Chopper" after his infant son. The yellow wing stripes and tail are 507th FG markings, while the blue tail stripe denotes the 464th FS.

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Boeing B-17G "Flying Fortress"

This month’s highlight subject is the Boeing B-17G "Flying Fortress" built by ASM master modeler John Tate. This 1/48th scale Monogram kit depicts "El Lobo II", a B-17G heavy bomber assigned to the 749th Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group (Heavy), 1st Bomb Division, 8th Air Force, based at Glatton, England in the summer of 1944. The

B-17 Data: Crew: 6-10; Armament: 13 x 0.5 inch machine guns; max speed: 287 mph; range: 2,000 miles; bomb load: 12,800 pounds; cost: $238,329.

North American A-36A "Apache"    (September 2001 Newsletter)

Article by Mike Blohm, IPMS #10602, ASM # 24

Model by Don MacBryde

The A-36 was a USAAF attack bomber derived from a design developed to meet a Royal Air Force (RAF) requirement. Originally known as the NA-73, it, took just 117 days from design to first flight. The RAF received 820 aircraft, and named it the "Mustang I." Equipped with an Allison engine, the USAAF adopted the type as the A-36 "Apache" attack bomber (also unofficially the "Invader") and the P-51A "Mustang," and ordered 810. The A-36 and P-51A saw service in the MTO (two FG’s) and Southwest Pacific (one FG) until being phased out in 1944. Armament: 6 x 0.5 inch machine guns; Max Speed: 390 MPH; Range: 450 miles.

Lockheed P-38H "Lightning"  (March 2001 Newsletter)

Model by Fred Franceschi

This month’s highlight subject is the latest addition to the display - a Lockheed P-38H "Lightning" built by ASM master modeler Fred Franceschi. This Hasegawa P-38G/H 1/48th scale kit depicts a P-38H flown by Lt Colonel Thomas J. Lynch in August 1943. Lynch was commander of the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. The model is finished with Model Master paints, with Olive Drab on the upper surfaces and Neutral Gray on the lower. The decals are from Super Scale sheet number 48-475, with modifications to get the correct shark’s teeth appearance beneath the spinners. The elevator was repositioned, and HO-scale chain-link fence was added as grill work in the air scoop ducts.

The 35 PG was redesignated 35 FG in May 1942. The 39 FS re-equipped with P-38s in Oct-Nov 1942, and then converted to P-47s in Nov 1943. The 40th and 41st FS’s retained their P-39s until they also converted to the P-47 at the end of 1943. All three squadrons converted to the P-51 in Mar 1945. The 35 FG served in combat with the 5th Air Force throughout WW II, operating successively from bases in Australia, New Guinea, Owi, Morotai, the Philippines, and finally Okinawa. In 1944 the group began long-range operations in preparation for the invasion pf the Philippines. In Jan 1945 the group operated in support of ground forces on Luzon and flew some bomber escort and fighter sweeps to Formosa and China. After moving to Okinawa in Jun 1945, the group bombed and strafed railways and airfields in Japan. The 35 FG received the Distinguished Unit Citation for action at Papau, New Guinea from 23 Jul 1942 to 23 Jan 1943. The 39 FS "Flying Cobras" scored 183 confirmed victories during WW II, with 53 probables and 62 damaged. Squadron aces of note include Dick Bong (5 victories with 39 FS), Tommy Lynch (16), Ken Sparks (11) Paul Stanch (10), and Richard Smith (7). An excellent book on the 39 FS is "Cobra in the Clouds" by John Stanaway.

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