I’m getting ready to paint a P-40E, ET601, that represents John Lander’s ‘Texas Longhorn’ at Darwin, Australia, 1942. The decal sheet (Superscale) calls for sand/medium green/azure blue. However, the more research I do, I find that most of the planes of the 49th (at that time) were ‘Lend-Lease’ and were Dark Earth/Dark Green.
Any thoughts?
Thanks for your input.
I had an Aussie aircraft question not too long ago and a forum member suggested the following forum:
http://www.aussiemodeller.com/pages/discussiongroup/forum.html
These guys know their stuff. It uses a Network 54 sign in like Hyper Scale.
Check the P-40 versions for those schemes. In “Curtis P-40 in Action”, the -E versions (used in 1942) are Medium Green 42/Sand upper and Azure blue under. By 1944, they used -N models, and the color plate for those lists Earth Brown and Dark Green upper, and neutral grey under.
Also, the color plate referencing the the aircraft Lt. Landers flew in 1942 lists it out of Rorona, New Guinea. Doesn’t give the month, though.
There is a b&w photo in the book of the airplane’s nose, and the difference in tone suggests that the sand color is correct (to my eye). It shows that the aircraft was equipped with the early style exhaust stubs.
Hope this helps!
Marc & Jon-thanks for the info.
That’s a tough one.
It all depends on whether or not his particular aircraft was originally part of an order for the Brits. All the aircraft Curtiss built for export to the British used the American equivalents of the British spec colors, which would be the dark earth/dark green, and often times these aircraft would be diverted from the British batches and used by the U.S. If his aircraft was originally built for a US spec order, then go it would be sand/medium green/azure blue.
I have a profile of that exact aircraft I can scan for you when I get home if it would be helpful to you.
Thanks Scott but there has been a temporary change of plans. I stopped by one of my two LHS (not my favorite one, but the one on my way home) to pick up the proper colors. They were closed, so the more I thought about it, I decided that the better decision is to do the P-40 as Lt. Kinsley’s "Typhoon Magoon’ of the 8th FS, 49th FG in New Guinea. That plane is dark earth/dark green with a white tail. Those colors I have at the house. However, since I have extra decals left over, I guess I have to find another P40-E kit for future builds…[;)] But if you happen to have a profile of Kinsley’s plane, it would be much appricated…thanks
I just happened to have my 49th FG group reference book with me at work, but there is no profile for him. However, I have an excellent P-40 reference book loaded with profiles at home. There odds are pretty good that I have one for him, and if so I’ll scan it for you. [:)]
Thanks Scott.
As a side-bar espins, what does your book say about the colours on Lt Vaught’s ‘Bob’s Robin’ P-40E out of Darwin '42. Hasegawa’s instructions suggest Med Green, which supports the info from our ADF Serials site. It mentions the use of Med Green extensively at this time when the group were in SWPA.
shaun-as a side note, the Aeromaster decals call for ‘Bob’s Robin’ to be OD with Medium Green air scoop (not flat black, per the Hasegawa instructions), insigna rounds & half of the prop spinner. Don’t know if they are recreating the plane from a different time or it is their opinion based on their research.
Hmmm, tough one to comment on, as there is a long list of people here in Oz with more knowledge than me, that claim Aeromaster’s research can be a little lacking sometimes - especially when it comes to anything relating to WW2 a/c used by the RAAF, or used in Australia. Certainly I know I spent the best part of 2 days hunched over this keyboard researching Vaught’s plane, & eventually it all led me to the conclusion it was overpainted Med Green. I’m also led to believe, he flew more than one P-40 whilst stationed in Darwin.
I managed to find a profile for Lt Vaught’s ‘Bob’s Robin’ P-40E out of Darwin '42. According to the profile, the tip of the spinner and the rudder are flat black, however it’s difficult to tell if top of the cowling along the nose intake is also flat black. [X-)]
I also found a profile for John Lander’s ‘Texas Longhorn’ at New Guinea '42
But don’t have anything for Lt. Kinsley’s "Typhoon Magoon’ of the 8th FS, 49th FG in New Guinea. Sorry Bob. If I come across anything in one of my other books I’ll let you know. [%-)]
Thanks mate, appreciate it. What would the colour be on the tail plane & front half of the spinner? Is that meant to be the Med Green bobbailey mentioned?
In comparing the two profiles, Bob’s Robin appears to be the darker of the two greens.
Thanks Scott. At least now I’ve can use ‘creative license’ to pick the camo scheme for ‘Typhoon McGoon’! [;)]
And the beauty of the deal is if you post some B&W photos, even the “experts” won’t be able to tell the difference. [;)]