I cannot find good references on F3F-1, not even the In Action book, so I have fuzzy photos to start AM kit with today. I was wondering if anyone knew if this aircraft, made in such small numbers, ever carried the Willow Green livery in any squadron? If so, which one? I assume the tail would be white and border striping would be black like early F4F’s in this scheme. I’d like to do a green or True Blue, because all I’ve seen are red or white liveries on F3F-1 models (have photos of some Lemon Yellow -2’s) and I’d like to do something different, if it’s accurate.
Hi mate try www.aero-web.org/manufact/grumman/f3f.htm
That willow green denoted where the a/c fit in the squadron. Since I can’t check my references at the moment, I’m not positive, but I think green is a/c 10, 11 and 12. If you have a full squadron then there are willow green a/c. The order for for every 3 a/c is red, white, blue and then I think green, yellow, black.
I feel as though I gotta lotta nerve finding any fault with Accurate Miniatures, since that firm so obviously is owned and staffed by people who love modeling, and it shows in everything they release. It especially shows in their instructions (compare them with Hobbycraft, a fine outfit, but boy do their instructions and non-existant paint callouts need overhauling). But I wish AM would have done with F3F-1 (haven’t seen -2 yet) what they did with SBD-1 instructions, which kit I just completed in True Blue scheme. It, too, had markings for every a/c delivered, but AM provided a diagram showing a mass formation that pointed out every color scheme, what serial(s) it could have carried and where it fit in the squadron/wing. They could do this because SBD-1 was another a/c with a very short production run (all went to Marine Corps). Imagine trying this with SBD-3, the one that first went to war and in vast numbers. At least they were mostly blue-gray. (OK, I’m waiting for somebody to point out the gray/white Atlantic Fleet scheme, which I first used on the AM TBF and it looked great). One last question: AAF Atlantic anti-sub scheme shown on AM’s B-25G is similar to Navy’s in pattern, but with OD steada gray. AM says the light color is neutral gray, but B/W photos I’ve seen sure look like white. Anyone know answer to his one?
A white tail would be the Saratoga, which had VF-6B, later designated as VF-3, assigned. Their insignia was Felix The Cat. As VF-6B, they got 18 F3F-1s, 0230 through 0247. The order by three plane section was red, white, blue, black, green, yellow. Willow green therefore designated the fifth section, aircraft 13, 14 and 15. 13 would have had green around the whole front portion of the cowling and a fuselage stripe, 14 the top half of the cowling, and 15 the bottom half of the cowling. All three would have the green chevron on the upper wing.
The Ranger had aircraft with willow green tails, and VF-5B, The Red Rippers, later VF-4, was the F3F-1 squadron with BuNos 0212-0229 originally, section colors as above.
I’m pretty sure that the aircraft were painted in serial number order initially (e.g. VF-6B 6-F-8 for sure was BuNo 0237 and 6-F-2, BuNo 0231), since Grumman did the original markings and delivered the aircraft in sets. However, they began to be switched between squadrons as they came out of repair and overhaul - one picture of 0239 is as 3-F-1. I’ve also seen pictures of BuNo 0259 marked as 3-F-7 and one of BuNo 0235 marked as 4-F-3.
Thanks to all of you, especially Tailspinturtle. Red Rippers decal is there, since I seem to recall it’s the one (and still is today) with a pair of red balls and lightning bolt in blule coat of arms with head of a griffin on top. Someone correct me before I put this insignia on the kit, which build starts today. Now I gotta find placement photo, though.
Actually, it’s a boar’s head on a platter…
Go to the following for a Red Ripper’s aircraft:
http://www.vf11.org/Squadron%20History/Squadron%20Aircraft/F3F.htm
Turtle, my man, you are now on my Xmas list forever. All thanks. I’m going to do this, and then get someone to teach me how to crawl up from primordial technical ooze and learn now to post a photo of the result, my VF11 “Red Rippers” F3F-1 section leader in Willow Green livery. Uh, anybody for a good match for this green? I don’t trust even AM’s FS callouts. I do have a chip in a Monogram Publications book, but need a brand name for this build.[tup]
In Action #1160 “Grumman Biplane Fighters” has 15 pages on the F3F series, 5 on the F3F-1, with some good b&w photos and one color profile. I t also lists pre- and post- 7/1/37 squadron colors.
Testors has the color, TS2028 in enamel. It doesn’t give the FS number.
Model Master lists its Willow Green as FS14187
Does anybody have a good 3 view file of the F3F they could email me.
Thanks
Wade