Starfighter Decals 1/72 USN at Midway 3-7 June 1942 Updated
By Matt Bittner
Not resting on their laurels, Starfighter Decals has updated their 1/72 USN at Midway 3-7 June 1942 decal set to include two aircraft not previously catered for. I will send the reader to my First Look on the original set for the majority of the aircraft but add the following two:
- SBD-3 Bu. No. 4687, Scouting Six, Lt (JG). N.J. Kliess, ARM3c Snowden, VB-6, Bomb hit Kaga, Hiryu & Mikmuma
- TBF-1 Bu. No. 00380, Ens Albert K. Ernest, AAM3c J.D. Manning & ARM Harry Ferrier, VT-8 (Det. Midway) 4 June 1942
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Note that for the SBD-3, the pilot was N.J. Kleiss and I'm not sure the Bu. No. is correct, as Starfighter Decals has that same number as the first SBD on the decal set. Also note that I have seen an alternate acronym for Snowden's rank as RM3c. Also note that Starfighter Decals' instructions show two kits for the SBD-3 being from Hasegawa or Clear Prop. As far as I know, Clear Prop never released an SBD-3, but Fly has.
Both of the above aircraft are like the others on the sheet, finished in USN Blue Gray on top and Lt. Gray 602 on the bottom. Sword is the recommended kit for the TBF-1. Also note that Starfighter Decals has also now included Arma Hobby as one of the recommendations for the F4F-4s, a wise choice.
My thanks to Starfighter Decals for sending the updated decal set for review.