Final product pics, HA1218, TBM-3E Avenger, VT-10

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1218, TBM-3E Avenger VT-10, USS Intrepid, Spring 1945.

VT-10 made three combat cruises during WWII. They were assigned to the USS Intrepid from February 1945 until October 1945. On April 7, 1945 VT-10 took part in the massive assault against the IJN Battleship Yamato and an armada of support ships.

The Japanese ships were spotted by aircraft from Task Force 58 around 12:30 and the first aircraft dove at the ships at 12:37. The aerial attacks came in 3 waves. The first at 12:37, the second at 13:00 and the third and decisive one came at 13:40. There were 180 fighters, 75 bombers and 131 torpedo aircraft involved in the attacks.

At 14:05 the cruiser Yahagi sank after attacks by VT-10 aircraft. After the 3 attacks the mighty Yamato began to capsize and at 14:23 an explosion that could be felt several miles away ripped the ship apart. From the time of the first attack at 12:37 until finally sinking at 14:23 the Yamato was struck by at least 11 torpedoes and perhaps 2 more as well as by 8 bombs. Of the 2,332 crew on the Yamato 2,055 were lost.

VT-10 lost 2 aircraft and crews. During WWII VT-10 is credited with sinking or damaging 300,000 tons of Japanese shipping at a cost of 30 aircraft and 27 crewmen.