Search the Community

This build wont really kick off until May, but hoping to do a little bit between other projects. Intelligence of foreign equipment played a key role in the lead up to and throughout the second world war. Information gathered on the enemy was used to improved strategy, improve current weaponry, and help develop more advanced technology. Over the course of the war, all countries made it a priority to capture enemy equipment, and had some success obtaining them. Special teams were formed to test and evaluate captured pieces. By late 1944, it became clear the Allies were on their way to victory, making large gains, especially in the Pacific and European theaters. As they advanced, intelligence agencies knew they could come across important enemy weaponry, and planned to take advantage of such finds. For the United States Army Air Force, intelligence teams created a list of specific German aircraft to be captured, if possible. This was one of the main goals of Operation LUSTY, as well as capturing German scientists, research facilities, and advanced technology. In early 1945, Air Technical Intelligence (ATI) teams were moved just behind advancing troops, and in several cases, going behind enemy lines to secure specific equipment. One team was lead by Colonel Harold E Watson, a USAAF test pilot who's previous experience was testing captured foreign aircraft. His team became known as the Watson Whizzers. This team became quite successful at capturing black listed aircraft, which were to be sent back to France for transportation to the United States. This mission was known as Operation SEAHORSE. In many cases, some of the aircraft were not fully operable, requiring the team to gain the cooperation from German mechanics and pilots. By June, the team was able to get a majority of their targeted aircraft airworthy, and with the help of German pilots, trained USAAF pilots the basics of operating them. By the end of the month, they were flown to Querqueville Airfield near Cherbourg. In early July, the aircraft were prepared for transport, wrapped up in a protective film with propellers removed. For transportation, the United States was able to convince Great Britain to loan one of their carriers, with HMS Reaper being selected. HMS Reaper was initially to be built as USS Winjah (CVE-54), an escort carrier of the Bogue-class. It was then decided that the Bogue class would be transferred to the Royal Navy to help full requirements of the Lend Lease program, so once completed in Tacoma, Washington, she was sent to Vancouver, Canada, for additional modifications. After spending much of 1944 and 1945 ferrying aircraft, she was the ideal choice due to an already planned relocation to Australia. 40 aircraft were loaded onboard the deck of HMS Reaper in Cherbourg, which departed July 18th. Arriving in New York July 31st, the aircraft were unloaded, and began their journey to Freeman Field. Most aircraft were sent to Wright Field in Ohio, while some, assigned to the US Navy, were sent to the Naval Air Test Center at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Many of these aircraft were tested, and some were set aside for a future museum. However, due to the sudden outbreak of the Korean War, some of the storage facilities were needed, and many airframes were instead destroyed. A good number managed to survive this unfortunate period, and were given to several new museums, notably the National Museum of the United States Air Force and the Smithsonian Museum, where they reside today. For my build, I have chosen HMS Reaper during Operation SEAHORSE. I will be using Tamiya's 1/700 USS Bogue, which will be quite similar in appearance to HMS Reaper. Pit Road offers several sets of Luftwaffe aircraft in 1/700, which I have also picked up. Some photoetech will be used from a Five Star set, and I'll also look into possibly replacing some of the anti-aircraft suite will some upgrades. I'll also need to make molds of a few of the aircraft and make resin copies. For example, Pit Roads Luftwaffe Aircraft Set 2 has 4x Me-262s included, but as 10 were transported on HMS Reaper, I'll need to make some more. I've never done this, so it may require some experimenting.

Hi all, My son is about to start building the Tamiya Bogue class aircraft carrier and is looking for colour profiles of ships in the Bogue/Attacker class other than those available in the kit. Any help with paint colours to use (has easy access to Tamiya, Gunze, Vallejo and Revell acrylic paints) would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Craig.