Hello,
Yet again I need the all knowing minds of the aircraft builders. The only pics. I see of the TBM torpedoes are black and white…and the instructions say metal color but…Is the torpedo really a metal color. O’ by the way it’s the torp with the final fin or late fin design, if that makes a differance.
General feeling is that most operational air-dropped torpedoes like the Mk. XIII had a gloss or semi-gloss medium gray warhead with the rest being in a natural metal color. I would use MM stainless steel, since it doesn’t really look like stainless steel, but is a nice grayish metallic color that buffs up to a slight sheen needed for the torpedo. Colors varied, I know, but the scheme I’ve described is based on my research, which includes the memories of old Navy armorers, and it leads me to believe gray and NM are correct. We had one in the CAF museum that was a copper-brass color all over polished to a glimmering sheen, but I can’t recall what type torpedo it was. It certainly wasn’t used on the decks of any carriers I ever saw in WW II photos. One color scheme you don’t want is that red and white one the model makers will have you believe is accurate.
TOM
Yeah, what is the deal on that red and white scheme? My old man was a radioman/gunner on TBMs and built the old Monogram TBF back in 1960 or there abouts and I remember him swearing at the instructions for being a lot of BS. ( An aside, he also used to tell me that the figure of the running crewman was him, that he was always the last guy on the plane before takeoff)
Here are a few pics that may help. I’m not sure but I recall an earlier conversation where it was stated that the torpedo body was a “bronze” color but was kept greased on board which could give it a darker metal look but if you look at the last 2 pics, they appear bright and shiny, even in these combat conditions.
Gary
Great thanks guys, and thanks for the pics Gary. I think I’ll make a copy of this for the next model comp to fight off the red and white lovers.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the photos. These are of a TBD Devastator definitely with the markings of May-June 1942 (the red circle was removed from the center to prevent confusion with the Japanese hinomaru red sun marking). These would be from the Coral Sea or the Midway battles as the few remaining TBD’s were withdrawn from combat use and only used for training. Perfect timing as I am trying to model a torpedo-laden B-26 of the 73rd BS during the Japanese invasion of Kiska and Attu in the Aleutians. The torpedoes came from Navy PBY’s. The Navy showed the AAF crews how to use them.
Those photos are of the famous VT-8, off Hornet, mid-May 1942, the same markings they wore at Midway. All these a/c and men were lost, except for Ens George Gay, during the first carrier strike on 4 June 1942.
Rich,
Here is a painting i found of torpedo carrying B-26s at Midway. Unfortunately not much modelling help.
For what it’s worth… Ens George Gay’s father and my father’s father were good friends. George taught my dad how to swim. (good guy to have for an instructor) My dad chose torpedo bombers because of his friendship with George. Just wanted to share that.
Great stuff-- I am doing Gay’s TBD for the Pacific GB-- I painted my torpedo’s warhead gray and the body steel…and even tried my hand at the “nose art” [;)]
Good job on the torp nose, Jeeves. Yours is right on the money.
Wow, thanks for all the help guys, and for the pics as well. As soon as I finish the weathering I’ll give y’all a peek.