OK-- one of the two builds for the Heavy Bomber GB are done-- this is “Nite Life”, a Black Cat of VP81. The Patrol Squadron, commanded by Commander Eugene P. Rankin, replaced VP-54 on 11/26/43. At the end of their tour, "Rankin’s Night Raiders had flown 1,777 sorties, dropping 5,483 bombs and rescued 7 down airmen.
I used Badger Flat Black paint, and the Yellowhammer "Black Cats’ decals…everything else is OOB except for a few homemade pieces to give the crew some “comfort” [;)] Weathering was done using the Salt Technique.
This last pic gives a view of a special gun package devised by one of the more industrious Black Cat pilots. The bomb window, along with the Norden bombsight, was typically taken out of Black Cat Cats as their missions typically brought them right down close to the ocean surface, making the use of the bombsight impractical. Instead, this package of a quad battery of .50 caliber machine guns was used in the approach to drop bombs and did a pretty good job of suppressing some enemy fire. Imagine a quiet watch on deck of a Japanese convoy ship or cruiser marred by a hail of lead from these “Lahodney’s guns”, quickly followed by 2 500 and 2 1000lb bombs…a waking nightmare to be sure!
An outstanding job. I am curious to what scale it is and the red outline around the insignia. I have never seen that scheme and checked the Air Force Museum web page and they dont show that design either? I have just finished the Airfix 1/72 kit and was going to paint it the usual Navy Sea blue, but , now have second thoughts. I am an old cat fan as my brother-in law flew them in WWii. He used to tell a story of a cat in his outfit that drop a depth charge on a whale thinking it was a sub. One night someone snuck out and painted a whale insignia on the side and under the pilots window. Moby Dick
jamesrgorey-- This is the 1/48 Monogram PBY-5A. The inisgnia come as part of Yellowhammer’s decals set for the Black Cats-- I was curious as to the red edge as well-- but I do know the Black Cats were kind of an elitest group so their paint schemes were a bit different…this particular plane was a late war Cat- not sure if that makes a difference or not.
pingtang-- thanks bro! This was my first attempt at it and I am thankful to Swanny’s article that I used as guidance.
The national insignia was bordered in red for a limited time in 1942 I believe. I know someone in our all-knowing forum will have the real story on it. Just wait a bit.
By the way, a superb job on the black cat! By far, my fay-vo-rite flying boat.
Beuatiful Jeeves… about time I see one of your builds [;)]. The red outline on the inginia is 43 and I believe it is only on marine/navy birds because the army aircorps had a yellow surround on theirs.
Jeff-- I have been known to finish one or two on occasion [;)] The other bomber should be done soon…then it’s on to a P-40 and one or two other small builds!
Rick-- It’s kind of what endeared me to do this particular scheme…like digger, I just didn’t want to do another blue/gray Pacific scheme and the Black Cats have this sort of mystique about them-- plus how often can you paint an all-black WWII bird LOL
The red surround was used by all branches for about 6 months from around June 1943. Since any red made crews think Japanese, it was changed to the dark blue pretty quick. I posted a picture of a 4th Fighter Group P-47 with a red surround about a month ago.
One of my favorite a/c. When I go into my garage each morning it’s the first a/c I have on my display shelf. After seeing the beautiful job you did on yours I’m thinking maybe mine needs a face lift. Thanks for sharing Mike. Semper fi, mike
