Seen and read all sorts of tips about how to paint the perfect invasion stripes on our favorite War Bird, but I’ve just seen a photo i’ve never seen before, seems like we may be a bit to perfect if we’re going to historical accuraticy
Matter of fact, looks like they are getting down right sloppy[8)]
Guess that stripe job i did when I was a kid was more spot on than all the masking done today…[(-D]
Yeah they just slopped it on. Didn’t have too much time to perfectly mask and paint!!!
Some units applied their stripes very neatly, others just slopped them on rapidly without too much regard. Especially the larger US aircraft like C-47s. Fighters tended to have the neater paint jobs.
Look at the C-47 behind this stick of Pathfinders
Looks like someone don’t like us linking directly to their pictures so here’s a the link to the site. Lots more pictures.
It’s true, some aircraft had very sloppy invasion stripes, but I still prefer them neat & tidy on a model.
Regards, Rick
I have seen lots of photos where the men appeared to be using what looked like painted rollers to apply the stripes. However, I have to agree with Rick. I like my stripes neat, even though they may not be as accurate as those applied in wartime.
I guess they went back and reworked the stripes later. Does anyone know when the order to paint the stripes was issued and how much time they had to get them done before D-Day? Perhaps these were rush jobs and reworked at a later date.
any chance to get those picts with a bit higher resolution ???
The stripes were not applied until around 48 hours or so before the landings were slated to begin. They were supposed to be only a “temporary” ID measure. Within a month or so they were removed from the upper surfaces of the wings and fuselage. By autumn many units had removed them completely. However, some units, such as the 357FG, liked the way the lower fuselage stripes looked on their P-51s and kept them. Due to the amount of missions and maintenence being performed in the summer of 44, I seriously doubt anyone went back and tidied up their temporary invasion stripes.
BTW Moonpuppy, that site link is excellent. I loved all those pre jump photos. I had not seen a few of those yet.
Yous guys never cease to amaze me what ya’ll pull out of your hat, you’re all a resource within yourself!
stikpusher I know, that’s some cool stuff there. Looks to be personal photos from the Vets themselves, it would explain why they all seem so new to us. And the 357Fg was right, the stripes are cool… [8D]
Alot of air units, especially those doing ground support would remove the invasion stripes as soon as they could. They became an identification mark for German anti-aircraft gunners.
There is a picture of a Spitfire cxrashed on the beach in France with invasion stripes that are quite sloppy in application.
Mike T.