DONE: F4F-4 Wildcat "13", VF-3, W. N. Leonard, USS Yorktown, Battle of Midway, GB

[Lucky13]

This is my second GB project, Tamiya's F4F-4 Wildcat as "13" of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3), (Bureau # 5244). As flown by the squadron Executive Officer, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William N. Leonard on combat air patrol from USS Yorktown CV-5, during the morning of 4 June 1942, Battle of Midway.

Maybe someone could confirm the numbers on the wings and fuselage, are they white on the wings and black on the fuselage??

Edit: The below WWII photo caption says,

A Grumman F4F-4 "Wildcat" fighter (Bureau # 5244) takes off from USS Yorktown (CV-5) on combat air patrol, during the morning of 4 June 1942.
This plane is Number 13 of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3), flown by the squadron Executive Officer, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William N. Leonard.
Photographed by Photographer Second Class William G. Roy, from the ship's forecastle. Note .50 caliber machinegun at right and mattresses hung on the lifeline for splinter-protection.

[R Leonard]

Obviously I'm the guy who should be answering this question. Yes, white 13. Was white 25, but the original white 13 got crunched on 29 May, an accident which killed the VF-3 XO, LCDR Don Lovelace. Next senior was the Flight Officer, LTJG Leonard, TAD from VF-42 along with 15 other VF-42 pilots and the entire complement of VF-42 enlisted folks (gotta list of them around here somewhere). When Thach gave Leonard the additional XO hat to wear, the VF-42 maintenance folks struck white 25 below, and, voila, the next morning it was white 13, the proper side number for an XO (halfway through the squadron numbering).

Rich Leonard

[Micdrow]

Hi Lucky,

Not sure if these will help but was messing around and found these photos with your lucky 13 number you are always looking for.

Paul

[R Leonard]

Here's a jpg of an actual VF tactical orgnization memo in my possession, drawn up after Lovelace was killed, one of the very few VF-3 Midway documents in existence. Note it is signed by Bill Leonard.

[R Leonard]

And Bill Leonard in an F4F aboard USS Hornet sometime after 6 June 1942. No, this is not b/n 5244; this is the photo-op plane. Slap on one flag and everybody with one credit gets his picture taken. Slap on another and everyone with two credits gets a go, and so on. I've pictures of other VF-3/VF-42 pilots sitting in the same plane.

Rich

[Airframes]

Great stuff Rich.

[Lucky13]

Thank you VERY much Rich, very much appreciated! I really look forward to do this one and Vejtasa's SBD-3, even if I have to wait two weeks, when I back in Glasgow, to start buuilding.
Thanks for the pics Micdrow, appreciated!

[Micdrow]

Your welcome!!!

[Wurger]

Excellent stuff here lads.

[Wayne Little]

13's, 13's, everywhere...great in fo and pics you Guys!

[Lucky13]

Indeed it is lads, ever so grateful! Think all you should wait for me to get back to Glasgow, otherwise´you'll get two weeks longer than me to build....and that's sooo nooot faaair!

[Wayne Little]

Well....you only have 2 arms...remember!, otherwise you would be on it already..

[R Leonard]

My father's pilot's log book pages for June 1942

[Lucky13]

Thank you ever so much Rich!

[lesofprimus]

Rich, u have any decent pics for Jan of White 13???