Info for B-24 in the Pacific Theatre

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I am going to build a B-24 as a gift for a friend who was a member of a crew on a B-24 in the Pacific from 43-45. I am trying not to quiz my friend too much as I would like this to be a surprise.

Here is what I know. He was in the 494th bomb group and in the 7th Air Force. The plane was silver in color and had a black stripe on the tail. Their pilot wouldn’t let them paint nose art on the plane, so I don’ t have to worry about that.

I have spent a lot of time on the web and bought a couple of books but can’t seem to find a good description of the paint scheme.

Any help would be appreciated.

Roger

2

When you say silver, I am assuming that’s Natural Metal. In which case its usually all over, perhaps with OD anti glare panels on the inside of the engines and in front of the cockpit.

Do you happen to know what codes it carried, that would be the main thing.

3

Wiki for 494th Air Expeditionary Wing. It has pictures of 2 B-24J’s of 494th BG. Also look at the 4 squadrons assigned to the 494th BG at the bottom of the Wiki article. They also show photos of squadron B-24J’s. Also get Dana Bell’s “Air Force Colors”, volume 3 from Squadron.

Try this from Google images for 494th BG aircraft, 865th BS:

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4019/4212894346_03ebab7ea7_o.jpg

4

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I don’t know the codes.

5

Thanks for the quick reply. I will pick up the “Air Force Colors” volume 3.

6

Only $2.25 web only sale now at Squadron

7

Thanks, I have it ordered. The bad news is that I want to buy about 20 more books on their site!