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Scott Hemsley

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Posts posted by Scott Hemsley

    About the RCAF brown-green double color camouflage color number help

    in Aircraft Modern

    Posted · Edited by Scott Hemsley

    Actually, 419 Sqn. was never RAF - it was always an RCAF squadron, but it was one of squadrons that comprised the RCAF's 6GRP, which was attached to the RAF's Bomber Command.

     

    As way of some background to the origins of the RCAF squadron numbering system  the publication (long OOP) "RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft: S. Kostenuk & J. Griffin), offered this ...

     

    "Because of the large number of Dominion squadrons which were to be formed in the UK under RAF control, and to avoid confusion with low-numbered RAF squadrons, the British Air Ministry assigned the numbers 400-445 to Canadian squadrons."   Three RCAF squadrons were already in the UK, arriving February and June 1940 respectively, so on March 1, 1941, 110 (AC) Sqn. became 400 Sqn. - later redesignated as (FR) on June 28, '43.; 1 (F) Sqn. became 401 and Sqn. 2(F)  Sqn. (formerly 112 Squadron), became 402 (F) Sqn.

     

    The first of the RCAF's squadrons to be formed in the UK was 403 (F) Sqn. on Mar. 1, 1941.   Seventeen more were formed in 1941 (incl. 419 Sqn. on Dec. 15, ;41 ), ten more in '42, followed by another 4 in '43. Finally, 3 more were formed in '44.   Six additional squadrons were transferred from Canada (suitably renumbered within the 400 block system) complete with air and ground crews.  By the end of the war, the 45 RCAF squadrons in the assigned  400-block broke down as follows:

     

    15 - bomber

    11 - day-fighter

    3 - fighter-bomber

    3 - fighter-reconnaissance

    3 - night-fighter

    1 - intruder

    6 - coastal

    3 - transport

     

    Post-war, the RCAF abandoned the pre-war low-numbering system that was still used in Canada during the war and retained the 400-series numbering that was first used overseas during the war.

     

     

    Scott

     

     

     

    • Like 1

    Recommendations for "RCAF SAR red-orange as used in fuselage RESCUE bands

    in Aircraft Cold War

    Posted · Edited by Scott Hemsley

    I'm planning to do some more post-war RCAF aircraft in the future, possibly starting with a CSR-110 Grumman Albatross,   Prior to their demise, my go-to enamel was Model Master & they did a beautiful Red-Orange which was a perfect or near-perfect match to a colour chip from the paint used on the Albatross, not to mention being a perfect match for the ink used on the (now OOP) Leading Edge sheet for the RCAF Albatross, which I still have in my decal stash. 

     

    However, since they're no longer in existence, can the BM collective suggest alternatives?  I prefer enamels, but if acrylics offer the better choice, I'm game.  Currently, AK Real Colours fulfil much of my requirements, but not in this case. Right now, I could just use the suggestions and if I can't readily obtain a particular paint line from my usual sources, then I'll look into placing an order elsewhere.

     

    Scott

    • Like 1

    Lancaster B.II - what interior colour for the canopy framing?

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted

    I'm in the midst of masking the Airfix Lancaster B.II and I thought I'd get some input from my fellow BM'ers.

     

    Aware the cockpits (IP's back to the wing spar) of some (early) Lancs were in the RAF interior green-grey),  while others were straight black from the bombardier's position to the wing spar,  would the interior of the canopy framing be dependent on the cockpit colour or always either RAF interior green-grey or black? Could it be dependent on where they were assembled that dictated the cockpit framing interior colour?   If it makes any difference, I'm doing OW*J from 426 Squadron, s/n. DS713

     

    Any input would be appreciated.

     

     

    Scott

    Spitfire AN-V That famous air to air colour shots .... but what serial? BR4??

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted · Edited by Scott Hemsley

    According to the publication "RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft" (S. Kostenuk and J. Griffin), it lists AN*V as BR483 in their sample list of aircraft codes and serials for Spitfire Vb and Vc. 

     

    Also, I found a close-up of the above photo of AN*L in a Google search, that shows a partial serial of "JG7?? with the "A" hiding the last two numbers.  The exposed fragments of the last two seem to suggest '76'.  Any ideas?  As for the question put foreword regarding the red in the fin flash, the aforementioned closeup strongly suggests it's just faded red as Troy suggests and not the orange used by the SAAF. 

     

    Can someone help me out here, as I want to do both a Vb and Vc from 417 Squadron.   

     

    I always assumed AN*V was a Vb based on the wing.   In the case of AN-V, what other than the serial identifies it as a Vc, fitted with a "b" wing as was suggested above?  If as Geoffrey suggests, BR459 to 499 allocated to Spitfire Vc's,, what were the serials (and codes) for 417's Vb's?   In the sample list of serials/codes supplied for 417's  in the aforementioned publication. it  groups Vb's and Vc's together.   However, these are the remaining sample serials/codes given for 417 Squadron's Spitfire Vb and Vc.  Could anyone identify which serials from the list below belongs to either a Vb or Vc?

     

    EP315 ... F 

    EP893 ... R 

    ER134 ... Y 

    ER364 ... T 

    ER634 ... H 

    ER944 ... C  and finally, 

    ES124 ... J

     

    Scott

    Mosquito PR.XVI Type 'B' roundel size

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted

    A further question has just come to mind.

     

    The Airfix kit of the PR.XVI does not provide the technical markings, including those red "X" "do not walk" markings over the wing radiators that one would expect to see on a Mosquito, yet the B.XVI kit has them.  In fact, both of the decal options in the PR.XVI kit are without them.  Was it common for overall PRU Mosquitos to not have these, at least the PR.XVI's?   A Google search of PR.XVI operational images have very few, if any shots that show the upper surfaces.

     

    Being overall PRU Blue with just the 4 roundels, fin flash and s/n, would I be 'correct' to leave these markings off my subject aircraft as suggested by both options in the Airfix PR.XVI decal placement diagrams?

     

    btw....

    Quote

    To give you a ballpark figure for the manufacture date, the AM78 record card for MM307 shows its first allocations as:

    4.2.44 Benson

    29.2.44 400 Sq

    Thanks Andy.  Good to know. as it fills in the background just a bit more with that particular airframe - especially the date it was taken-on-strength with the squadron.  

     

    Scott

    Mosquito PR.XVI Type 'B' roundel size

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted

    Thank you, gentlemen (especially Paul) for all your replies.  It seems that 32" is by far the most common suggestion and I'll go with that. 

     

    Quote

    As ever, the OP should refer to a photograph it at all possible, but without knowing the serial number of the Mosquito concerned and thus having some idea of the date of manufacture,, it is impossible to give any further guidance.

    To answer Paul's question as to the specific airframe I'm modelling, the s/n was MM307.  400 (FR) Sqn. (RCAF) operated the Mosquito PR.XVI from Dec. '43 to May '44.  I've no idea of the date of manufacture.   The particular photo I'm using for my main reference can be found on Pg.82 of "RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft" (S.Kostenuk and J.Griffin).  Unfortunately I can't scan it at this time.

     

    FWIW ... According to the aforementioned book, the squadron had been operating both the Mosquito PR.XVI and the Spitfire PR.XI beginning in Dec. '43, but in May '44 switched exclusively to the Spitfire PR.XI until the Squadron was disbanded at Luneburg, Germany; Aug. 7 '45.

     

    Scott

    Mosquito PR.XVI Type 'B' roundel size

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted · Edited by Scott Hemsley

    I'm currently on the home stretch of a Mosquito PR.XVI of 400 Sqn., Spring '44 - pre-June and the aircraft in question has 4 position Type 'B' roundels   I'm using the information guide that accompanies Modeldecal #42, but it's unclear as to the roundel sizes seen on Mosquito PR.XVI, specifically the fuselage.  It does specify a 48" 'B' roundel on the upper wings, but I'm guessing maybe 35" or 40" for the fuselage?  The guide lists a 25" roundel for the likes of a Hurricane, Gladiator, etc. while citing 32" for the likes of a Blenheim or similar,

     

    The Xtradecal sheet I'm using (X72043) has possible candidates sized at 25", 30", 32", 35" and 40" respectively.  Anyone suggest which of these sizes I should go with?  From the port side profile photo I have, the fuselage roundel appears to be smaller than a standard C1 roundel for the type, but I could be wrong.  Any guidance would be appreciated.

     

    Scott

    Italeri Spitfire VII - 72nd Scale

    in Aircraft WWII

    Posted · Edited by Scott Hemsley

    Pat; 

     

    I admit that I've not read every post in the thread, so it may've already been mentioned - but Italeri is NOT the only 1/72 Mk.VII out there.   Hasegawa released it 2ce - once by itself in 1996.   I found one on ebay claiming to be in mint condition for $29.99USD and once again in 2014 as part of an 'Operation Overlord' double boxing (kit # 02098) featuring the Spitfire Mk.VII and the Mosquito Mk.VI. 

     

    You may have to look at the secondary market for either one, but they must be out there.  Scalemates may offer some additional details about either kit, although when I looked up the Hasegawa Spitfire Mk.VII, it came back with the double boxing.  Maybe if you look up the Hasegawa Spitfire and looked at the full production history, you'll find the entry for the 1996 Mk.VII.

     

    Just letting you know there is a choice.

     

     

    Scott

    Alaskan Kittyhawk

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted · Edited by Scott Hemsley

    Carl and I emailed quite a bit when I was doing my Kittyhawk I and after some discussion, especially with that photo of LV-Z being hauled out of the water, I reached the conclusion (and he didn't disagree when all was said and done) that it was gas patch similar to those seen on some Spitfires and Hurricanes in the BoB.  The few decal sheets that I've seen them on have printed them in a dirty-lime green colour. 

     

    As for the overpainted yellow ring on the fuselage roundel .... since it was hastily done 'in-country' on a USAAF base, IMO it stands to reason that USAAF colours would be the ones commonly available to the squadron and not RAF colours (which would have no real reason to be on a forward USAAF base), thus making Olive Drab the most likely choice since it was the colour they used on their own fighters at the time and would therefore be available in some quantity.

     

    Not to hi-jack the thread, but I thought it might be useful to illustrate my points with a photo of my 1/72 Kittyhawk I (a x-kit between the. AZ P-40K short-tail with the extreme rear fuselage of a Hasegawa P-40E, thus avoiding the wing root angle issues of the Hasegawa kit). 

     

    Decals are from an old members-only IPMS/Canada decal sheet covering all the types used in 111 Squadron's history*. The 'gas patch' is from an unknown sheet that was in the decal stash.

    * When 111 Sqn. went overseas, they were re-numbered 400 Sqn. and this was also covered by IPMS/Canada with a sister history sheet for 400 Sqn. (WW2-years only).

    Kittyhawk-I-RFI-1.jpg

     

    Finally, this may be of interest - my attempt to convey the difference between the Curtis-painted Kittyhawk's in their factory colours and standard RAF colours, in this case using a Hurricane I of 1(F) Sqn. RCAF - painted in the UK, with final assembly in Canada (after being crated and shipped by sea) and a Kittyhawk I in Curtis factory colours.  The green/brown paints were mixed in an attempt to match a (colourized?) shot of a RAF/RCAF Kittyhawk I, pre-delivery at the Curtis facility.  To me, the 'earth' almost resembles the RAF Light Earth in colour. 

     

     Kittyhawk-I-RFI-comparison.jpg


    Scott

    • Like 3

    Hiller 12C (OH-23G) - LF Models - 1/72

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

    Take a well-deserved bow, Sir!   

     

    I had this kit ('had' being the operative word) and you stating the kit is quite poor, is truly an understatement.  After a time of repeatedly being taken out of, then replaced in the stash, I reluctantly had to admit it was beyond my skill-level at the time and thus passed it onto a better home.  It is with that backstory, I can do no other than acknowledge and admire your skill.   👍   👍

     

     

    Scott

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    building a 1:72 hasagawa P-3C as a CP-140 aurora

    in Aircraft Modern

    Posted · Edited by Scott Hemsley

    If I recall, only one release of the Hasegawa P-3C contained a decal option for a CP-140 - which IMO, should be thrown in the trash.   Besides being on the translucent side, the colours are totally incorrect as a result of Hasegawa not understanding the CAF scheme of the time.   However, AFAIK all Hasegawa P-3C contained the same plastic, including the parts for a CP-140, even if not mentioned in the instructions anywhere except as 'do not use' in the sprue layout diagram.. 

     

    In terms of decals, your best bet at this time would be to follow the link for Above & Below as mentioned in the above post by B25.  I believe they currently have 2 sheets available for a CP-140, although I'm not sure if one of those sheets is specifically for a CP-140M. 

     

    Also, I'd suggest you do a Google search for CP-140 Aurora images for reference.  There's quite a lot out there and seeing the (subtle) differences in markings - depending on the period, would go along way to clearing things up for you.

     

    Scott

    • Like 1

    Airfix Halifax

    in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft

    Posted

    Not the easiest kit with all it's fit issues, etc.  Over the years, it took me 4 kits to get one I was satisfied with, only to present it to a chap who at 21, flew 2 tours as a navigator with the RCAF over the Ruhr. I have 2 in the stash that I'll have to face in the future,  🙂

     

    Good job to finish it to the level you did, Hunker,   :)

     

    Scott

     

    • Like 1
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