I am working on the FM Handly Page Halifax and I have a general color question
on wheel wheels and bomb bays that hopefully someone might know.
Were the wheel wells and bomb bay painted “night” or the typical british interior green (not US interior green). I have also noticed that some of the wheel struts , if you could call those massive things that, were either painted a night shade or silver lacquer over the rust inhibitor paint.
Thanx
The restoration of NA-337 is being done as close to original as possible so any remaining flake of paint that was found to dictate original color is being used as a ref.I believe both the main bomb bay and the internal wing cradles are painted flat black.I have a picture of the port wing cradle but nothing I can find on the main bay.As far as the landing gear,any original images I’ve seen have shown either natural metal or metalic paint.Not much need for a night shade on them since they would only be extended at friendly bases.There may be other references showing other colors for the main gear but natural or silver is all I’ve seen.
Feel free to email me if you’d like the wing cradle pic.
Kevin
Great. pretty much what I have surmised by everything I’ve seen. Thank you for confirming my thinking
I agree with what wibhi2 says.
Glad to help out.I have several pics of NA337 so far and due to go take more.I’d be more than happy to share any shots I have or take some you may need in the future.It’s located about 15min from my house and I’m always looking for an excuse to make another visit.
Kevin
I have some close up pics of the U/C and would be very surprised if they were anything but black!!
SURPRISE!!![:D]
Seriously though,I agree with you and stand corrected.I just picked up a book at a yard sale on Halifax and Wellington.It shows that a very large number did in fact have black undercarriage.My apologies to everyone for my misinformation.All the original pictures I had seen up to now had all been of natural or silver painted u/c[B)]
Well there you go - just shows that not only were individual aircraft different but also the individual aircraft varied from time to time. Possibly this was a new leg fitted before it could be painted. Or is it the green anti corrosion paint. Unfortunately I have still not got myself attached to send pics. so thanks mkee for your comments. A lot of aircraft also had the “code” letter on the leg as well. I think that perhaps as modellers we try too hard to be authentic in some ways - if that makes sense - not sure it does.
Your guess is as good as mine!!!
I think what it all boils down to is that there are no steadfast rules when it comes to certain details.There are so many variables to consider such as paint availability,in field repairs,time considerations and even where a certain A/C was built. While many of us try to make things as authentic as possible,it’s almost impossible to say that any one thing could be 100% right or wrong.I say just make an educated guess with whatever ref you have available.If the modeler is content that what they have done looks authentic,who can prove that it’s wrong.
Also interesting to note in the above picture is the demarcation line between the night and camoflage. Later pictures of Friday the 13th show a wavy line were as earlier pictures show it straight like above. Also intteresting to note, the early version of friday the 13th
had the squared wing tips and the later had rounded. (thanx david)
So when I get to the under carriage, I could go either way and still be okay.
Thanx
Do you think it’s possible they swapped planes at some point? (I know nothing about Friday the 13th btw)
Gawd’s honest truth…I dunno. The earlier one that I referenced to was before it got to it’s 100th mission. And the last I think was a photo op plane and was made to look a little more interesting visually.
Hey,good catch on that one!!!
I didn’t even notice that one but now that you mentioned it I looked a little closer.I found another picture of it returning from it’s 100th(so the caption says).It shows the wavy demarcation line and different script on the nose art.I also noticed there seems to be a change in the prop hubs and cowlings,they both seem to have a stripe not seen in the first pic.
I also checked on wing configuration.My book shows original mfg up to a B Mk5 having squared tips and rounded starting with B Mk6.It also shows a pic of a modified Mk3 with rounded tips so this doesn’t really help much.It appears that LV907(Friday The 13th) was originally a B Mk3 and one of 225 built between Jan-Mar of 44 but I’m not sure where it was built but it was stationed at RAF Lissett at least at the time of it’s 100th mission. I don’t know how authentic the Halifax at Hendon is considering it is assembled from parts of several airframes and painted to represent LV907.Don’t know if this is any help,I’ve probably caused more questions than answers.
Here is the second pic I have of LV907.
BTW,the book I’m refering to is titled Halifax & Wellington by Brian J. Rapier & Chaz Bowyer,ISBN#1-85648-173-5