Hello all,
Sorry for the length of the post.
Since there is no specific place to post a campaign idea that crosses the boundaries so to speak, I am placing the main post here and will create an additional post in each department that redirects everyone to it.
I would like to present an idea for a campaign to you and see if anyone is interested in participating. Invited to join are all the separate groups and departments of the Kitmaker network.
The idea is not new but just a lot more specific to an area of WWII. Most campaigns are very broad based as to get the most participation. This is more specific as to get everyone into researching and learning detailed information about the models they build.

Operational overview and rules;
Utilizing references concerning the battles in the Marianas Islands select a Land, Sea, Air Vehicle or Figure model to construct, all model gentries and scales are acceptable. Dioramas are encouraged but not required. Finished model must be specifically identified by reference and reflect the approximate appearance as it was participating in the Battles of the Marianas Islands. The reference used must be provided along with a minimum of 2 photos of the finished model to be awarded the campaign ribbon. The reference can be by written word, movie documentary or photo but must be applicable to the campaign.
Research is half the modeling experience and some very interesting information can be found.
I wanted it to be a bit more specific and limit the area covered by the build, but also wanted enough variations in vehicles to interest everyone. This would be a great opportunity to cross over and build an item from another modeling area but also enough variations in each to allow everyone to build in what they are most comfortable in.
The main purpose of this campaign is to dig out the books and do research in the hopes of “producing a high-level of educational value to the build process” I copied that from the campaign page. Questions concerning the reference materials or specifics on the individual models are highly encouraged.

Campaign dates are 12 March, when the plan to invade the Marianas was started to 10 Aug when Guam was declared secured and the campaign ended. Obviously this will be for 2010.

All reference work and researching may be started now and all the way through the ending date of the campaign. Model construction is only allowed between the start and ending dates.

If authorized by having enough people interested in joining I can keep a running list of available or known references and/or web sites that provide reference material to help in your search. Any submissions to these lists are encouraged.

I already have the ribbon ready to go but need help on the banner. Any help would be appreciated.

Ribbon



The predominant yellow in the background represents the sands of the islands in the Pacific, where many of the major engagements were fought; the blue, white and red pinstripes represent the national colors. The white-red-white stripes are the colors of the empire of Japan and represent the enemy in the Pacific during the Second World War. Bronze Star represents participation of all services in this designated campaign. (Land/Sea/Air)

Banners
Both designs were created by Andrzej Snigorski - endrju007
He has developed each so that they may reflect which side of the war you wish to model.
Thanks to Andrzej for his excellent work.






The current list of possible modeling projects in no specific order;
US Forces
M8 HMC 75mm
105mm M-7
75mm howitzers and crews were to land in LVTs, and the 105s in DUKWs. Both types of weapons were placed in the appropriate vehicles before the expedition sailed. Tanks preloaded in LCMs, and these craft embarked in LSDs.
Dozer Armored and unarmored
Dukw and some with 105mm and A frames
M3 Half-Track Repair
M3 75mm SPM
1st and 2nd Provisional Rocket Company 4.5 inch rocket launchers
rocket-firing LCI gunboats
6 amphibian tractor battalions, the 2d, 4th, and 10th, Marine and the 534th, 715th, and 773d, Army
LCM 3
LVT 2, 2(Doodle Bug), 4 (Some with Jeep and 105 how loads), (A) 2, (A) 1 and (A) 4
M4A2 USMC 4th Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Tank Battalion
M4 (Composite) 706th Tank Battalion
Flamethrower Cart
37mm Anti-tank
Jeep
75mm Pack How
M1 155mm How
M3A1 Stuart Satan 2nd Marine tank Battalion
M5A1 Stuart 4th Marine Tank Battalion and US Army 762nd Tank Battalion

US Subs
Pampanito (SS-383), Seahorse (SS-304), Trigger (SS-237), Harder (SS-257), Stingray (SS-186), Sand Lance (SS-381, Silversides (SS-236), Tambor (SS-198), Tunny (SS-282), Billfish (SS-286), Pintado (SS-387), Shark (SS-314), Pilotfish (SS-386), Halibut (SS-232), Albacore (SS-244), Cavalla (SS-244), Greenling (SS-213), Batfish (SS-310)

DD Destroyer
Gansevoort (DD-608), McDermott, McGowan, Melvin (DD-680), McNair, Yarnell, Twining, Stockham, Remey (DD-688), Wadleigh (DD-689), Norman Scott (DD-690), Mertz, Coghian, Monssen, Halsey Powell (DD-686), Robinson, Bailey, AW Grant, Anthony, Wadsworth, Terry, Halford, Calahan, Guest, Bennett, Braine (DD-630) Shaw (DD-373), Stembel (DD-644), Phelps (DD-360), Hudson (DD-475), Newcomb (DD-586) David W. Taylor (DD-551), MCCALL (DD-400),

LCT Landing Craft Tank, LCT-988, LCT-984, LCT-999, LCT-961, LCT-963, LCT-983, LCT-998

PC Submarine chaser PC-1079

High speed transport Talbot (APD-7), Gilmer (APD-11), Kane (APD-18), Clemson (APD-31),

Motor minesweeper YMS-323,

CV Carrier
Bunker Hill (CV-17), Wasp (CV-18), Essex (CV-9), Hornet (CV-12), Yorktown (CV-10), and Lexington (CV-16)

CVE Escort carrier
Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70), Suwannee (CVE-27), Belleau Wood, White Plains (CVE- 66)

CVL Small Carrier
(CVL-24), Monterey (CVL- 26) and San Jacinto (CVL-30),

Battleship
Maryland (BB-46), Colorado (BB-45), Tennessee (BB-43), California (BB-44), Pennsylvania, Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota (BB-57), Indiana (BB-58),

CA
Louisville, Indianapolis (CA-35), Minneapolis (CA-36), San Francisco, Wichita, New Orleans

CL
Montpelier, Cleveland, Birmingham (CL-62), Honolulu, St. Louis (CL-49), Vincennes (CL-91)

DE destroyer escort
Riddle (DE-185), William C. Miller (DE-259) Wyman (DE-38), Reynolds (DE-42)

Landing Craft Infantry , gun boat, LCI(G)-451, LCI(G)-726, LCI(G)-468, LCI(G)-371, LCI(G)-438, LCI(G)-456, LCI(G)-469 LCI(G)-348 LCI(G)-466, LCI(G)-469, LCI(G)-471, LCI(G)-473

High speed minesweeper Chandler (DMS-9)

tank landing ship LST-84, LST-481 LST-340

cargo ship Mercury (AK-42)

Fleet tug Apache (ATF-67)
Oilers Neshanic (AO-71), Saranac (AO-74) and Saugatuck (AO-75)

At West Loch, Pearl Harbor
LST-353, LST-39, LST-43, LST-69, LST-179, LST-353, LST-480, LST-205, LST 119 and LST-225
Battle damage repair ship Phaon (ARB-3), submarine chasers PC(S)-1401 and PC(S)-1461, and tank landing craft
transport Prince Georges (AP-165)
Submarine chaser SC-1326
big harbor tugs Osceola (YTB-129) and Hoga (YTB-146)
medium harbor tug Geronimo (YTM-119)
little harbor tugs YTL-233, YTL-306, YTL-307, YTL-308, YTL-309, and YTL-339
net tender (tug class) Tamaha (YTM-12)
chartered tug Mikioi

US Air
Seventh Air Force B-24
From Chengtu, China-based USAAF B-29s
PB4Ys (VD 3)
USAAF B-24
PB4Ys (VB 108, VB 109)
Listed Carrier Based planes referenced from;
"Clash of of the Carriers The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II."
By Barrett Tillman
Consolidated PB2Y-3 Coronado
Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator
Curtiss SB2C-1C Helldiver
Curtis SOC-1/3 Seagull
Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat
Grumman TBF-1C Avenger
Martin PBM-5 Mariner
Vought F4U-2 Corsair (USMC)
Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher

Japanese forces
Japanese Truck
JAPANESE AMPHIBIAN TRUCK
Type 2 Ka-Mi Japanese Amphib Tank SNLF Japanese Marines
Type 97 Chi-Ha 5th Company 9th Tank Reg
Type 97-kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha
Type 94 Chi-Ro
Type 95 Ha-Go 4th Company 9th tank reg

Japanese air
Listed planes referenced from;
"Clash of of the Carriers The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II."
By Barrett Tillman
Aichi D3A2 carrier dive bomber (Val)
Aichi E12A scout-observation floatplane (Jake)
Mitsubishi A6M2/5 (Zero)
Mitsubishi G4M2 land-based bomber (Betty)
Nakajima B5N2 carrier torpedo plane (Kate)
Nakajima B6Ni carrier torpedo plane (Jill)
Yokosuka D4Y1 carrier dive bomber (Judy)
Yokosuka P1Y1 land-based bomber (Frances)

Japanese Shipping
Ammunition ship Aratama Maru,
Destroyer Asakaze, Minazuki, Ikazuchi, Minazuki, Uzuki, Yukikaze, Samidare, Shigure
Tanker Kizugawa Maru,
Submarine chaser Ch 30, Ch 31, Ch 32, Ch 50,Ch 33, Ch 51,
Transport Misaku Maru, Akikawa Maru, Kenan Maru, Mitakesan Maru, Taikoku Maru, H_raisan Maru, Sh_ken Maru, T_h_ Maru, Kinshu Maru, No.2 Chiyo Maru, Tamahime Maru, Batavia Maru, Hinko Maru, Kamishima Maru, Imizu Maru, Nitcho Maru, Reikai Maru and Tenryugawa Maru, Tatsutakawa Maru, Marudai Maru,
Submarine RO-45, RO-114, I-184, I-185, I-10, RO-48, I-6, I-5, I-55,
Auxiliary cable ship Okinawa Maru
Auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 66, No.8 Shonan Maru, Cha 20, Cha 54, Cha 56,
Auxiliary minelayer Wa 5, Wa 6
Auxiliary netlayer Kokku Maru
Gunboat No.2 Choan Maru, Shosei Maru,
Collier No.18 Mikage Maru
Escort vessel Momi, Oki,
Aircraft transport Keiyo Maru
Army cargo ship K_ho Maru, Nichiwa Maru, Fukko Maru, Fukoku Maru and Moji Maru,
Army transport Katsukawa Maru, Takaoka Maru, Havre Maru
Torpedo boat Otori
Cargo ship Bokuy Maru, Kashimasan Maru, Keiyo Maru, Bokuyo Maru, Shoun Maru, Shoun Maru,
Coast Defense Vessel No.12, No.4
Stores ship Chiy_ Maru
Merchant vessel Tsushima Maru
Minelayer Nichiyu Maru, Ma 101 (ex-British netlayer HMS Barlight, captured at Hong Kong in December 1941)
Small cargo vessels: No.11 Shinriki Maru, Sekizen Maru, Myogawa Maru, Shigei Maru, Suwa Maru, No.1 Yusen Maru, No.2 Usen Maru, Toa Maru, No.17, Yusen Maru and Tatsutaka Maru
Carrier Taiho, Shokaku, Hiyo, Zuikaku,
Small carriers Chiyoda and Ryuho
Fleet tanker Gen'yo Maru
Oiler Seiyo Maru
Battleship Haruna
Heavy cruiser Maya
Fast fleet tanker/seaplane carrier Hayasui
Guard boat Kompira Maru, Haruta Maru, Kamoi Maru and No.5 Isuzugawa Maru
Water tanker Kizugawa Maru

These of course may be expanded upon; I just went through a couple of references and listed items from them. Please submit any additional ones so we can add them, please also state the reference.

The rule of thumb for campaigns is 10 positives and then you can submit the campaign idea. Thanks for looking and I hope enough people will be interested in joining.
Bob


Current Volunteers;
Calvin – calvin_ng
Karl – CaptSongHouse
Russ – russamotto
Jesper – SGTJKJ
Matt – mvfrog
- milvehfan
Don – Lakota
Shaun – Muddyfields
James - JMartine
Tuomas - TuomasH

And now we can submit this in for a Campaign

hey bob i would be very interested count me in , i might even do a aircraft for the first time(i can already here people yelling treason!)

Hi Bob!

Count me in to. The diorama opportunities are endless. Would you be interested in extending the concept to include the 21st Bomber Command, the primary reason for securing the islands?

--Karl

Hi Calvin, great to hear your interested. I was thinking of doing something new myself but most of what I have is armor and money is tight. Great to have you aboard.
Bob





Hello Karl, I'll be sure to add them to the growing list and thanks for the heads up. I'll double check my references or if you have one I can add to that list it would be great. Welcome aboard,
Bob

I will do it. It gives me a year to decide what I am going to do. Maybe some new releases will be available to increase our options.

Great Russ. What exactly are you hoping or looking for? I know the Japanese items are a little scarce. Maybe we can help.
Bob

I am in although this campaign is partly covered by the PTO campaign being suggested at armorama. Maybe integrate the two campaigns?

Hi Jesper,
Actually this falls more under the Operation discription of a Campaign and the PTO is more of a Mission Campaign.
Guidelines for Starting Campaigns.
After you check that out let me know if your still interested in joining.
Thanks,
Bob

I was hoping for an updated LVT as I cant spring for the aftermarket sets. Figures would always be great, too. But AFV club is coming out with the M8 HMC and they have the M5A1 already. I haven't built a half track yet, either. I just don't know what to build yet.

I know, way to many choices. I was going to try one of those flying or floating thingies but money is tight. I have a bunch of armor on hand so I'll have to stick in there I guess.
I have plenty of LVT, halftrack and M5A1 photos but only one really good photo of an M8 and that being on Saipan. I can help a little with photos references when you make a choice.
I'll also have a running list of references and web sites if we can get this off the ground.
Bob

I'd like in on this one. I just received my Dragon M4A2 USMC Marianas Islands Campaign, so that gives me some time to do some research. I was on Saipan in 1989, so it should be interesting. I have some pictures of "Suicide Cliffs" and "The Last Command" somewhere.

Great idea for a campaign.
Matt

I have a photo of an M7 in use with the 27th infantry division on Saipan, working through what looks like a cultivated cane field. I was also wondering about the use of tank destroyers. They were used at Kwajalein, the Phillipines and Okinawa to assault bunkers. Were they used at Saipan?

Great Matt that makes us half way there. I know those photos will come in handy for someone, Thanks for your interest,
Bob

Russ,
75mm SPM for sure, M10 maybe, I'll have to dig for those, M7 priest I couldn't find a single reference to suggest they were there, sorry, I'll keep digging. I would love to see that photo.
Bob



I couldn't find a single M10 or M7 photo reference. So I also started skimming through some of my references to see if I can find anything. If you know or have some idea let me know. These would be a great addition to the possible models list.
Bob

Russ,
I didn't know about the M-7's or Tank Destroyers, I did some searching and here’s what I found,
You are absolutely correct about the m-7's- "118 man cannon company with two 105mm M-7 and 4-75mm M8 SPH" I added them to the list.
The Tank destroyers were not In Saipan or the Marianas for that matter. Besides the locations you stated they were also in the Palaus Islands, looks like they just skipped over this one.
Hope this helps and thanks for the info,
Bob

Hi, this sounds interesting, I spent 3 1/2 years on Guam, Think I can come up with a suject for this campaign. milvehfan

Alright, welcome aboard you're number 7. 3 more to be able to submit.
Thanks,
Bob

Howdy Y'all

I was wondering if this campaign is planned for 2009 or 2010?

Thanks,
Don "Lakota"

Howdy Y'all:
I finished reading Barrett Tillman's excellent and highly recommended "Clash of of the Carriers The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II." Here is a list of the US aircraft involved in the battle, from the Appendix of his book:

Consolidated PB2Y-3 Coronado
Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator
Curtiss SB2C-1C Helldiver
Curtis SOC-1/3 Seagull
Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat
Grumman TBF-1C Avenger
Martin PBM-5 Mariner
Vought F4U-2 Corsair (USMC)
Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher

My favorites are the underappreciated night fighters, F6F-3(N) and F4U-2 which both flew off the carriers. I hope this campaign is scheduled for 2010 as I have a pretty full schedule this year.

Y'all Take Care Now
Don "Lakota"

Hi Don and sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
Yes 2010 is the year and glad to hear your interested.
If it's alright with you I will add these to the growing list and place them under the Carrier Based Planes and the book in the reference list when I add that. You make number 8 so 2 more and I can submit this for consideration.
Welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy,
Bob

Hi
I'm interested as it's for next year. Too much already for this year.
plenty of time to think of what to do.

Great Shaun, you are number 8 and two more I will submit it to the campaign department.
I would guess this might be too far out for some but I wanted everyone to have plenty of time to check references and the timing to match up with actual events.
Thanks again and welcome aboard,
Bob

Hi Bob,

If you wait a few days I will also list the Japanese planes. Feel free to use the lists any way you please. Just please give Barrett Tillman credit as I shamelessly plagerized his list. This sounds like a fun campaign.

Don "Lakota"

OK Don, proper credit given.
I will also list the Japanese planes and thanks again for the input.
I'll see if I can get a hold of a copy of that book myself.
Thanks again,
Bob

I recently finished the book, recomended for sure..a tad dry at times but full of facts and references. Since the date is 2010 count me in, with a ship and maybe a wingie thingie