Kari Lumppio

Hello! If you want to do BW-393 with blue rudder and white "7" the time period is before May 1943. For me that is more like mid period of Brewster war time use in Finnish Air Force. BW-393 was damaged heavily January 1942 and sent to Valtion Lentokonetehdas (VL) for major repairs. It was returned mid May 1942 the plane configuration according protocol was: all bombing windows were renewed (when transferred to HLeLv 26 two years later some of them had been replaced with (metal) sheets) baggage compartment front and rear wall were renewed (new paint?) no mention of cockpit paint repairs nor repaints (see above, though) "Kone on maalattu sotakoneiden maalausohjeiden mukaisesti" - plane has been painted according war plane painting instructions. This means gray undersides! BW-393 did not visit VL nor AF depots before winter 1943-44 so the undersides remained in gray until 1944. It was the last BW from VL like that. The next one out of repairs/overhaul (BW-388) received "DN" matt light blue undersides. Sand filter was later modification and you need not to bother with that in BW-393 white 7 context. Spring 1943 BW-393 still had white 7, there is photo of it with 22 victory bars (23rd and 24th were claimed May 4th, 1943). Cannot give the photo as it is in the book Kaartinlaivue - Lentolaivue 24 sodassa by Kari Stenman (p. 136). Some BW-393 photos with Hans Wind from SA-kuva archive below. These are from late 1943 when it already was in the 3rd flight colours (orange 9 on green rudder). Cockpit colour almost certainly the same as before as is all the other painting save the rudder and spinner. More victory bars, of course. Hope this helps some, Kari August 1943 at Suulajärvi Note the extra compass on instrument panel coaming (the "corner" by Wind's left thigh) September 1943 at Suulajärvi

Hello! First we must define the "late variant" Brewster. In my opinion there was no such thing. Not all Brewsters were overhauled. I might be able to help if you can give the BW-3xx number. There are other matters which are more visible than the cockpit colour for example bombing window and sand filter. Valtion Lentokonetehdas (VL) did not usually give any paint colour even less any paint specifications in their repair reports. Usually just mention of the work class: paint repair or a repaint. For Brewster the logic or should we say educated guess is that cockpit repaints would be made with grey. But the possibility of aluminum paint repair can not be excluded. For wartime planes Kiri enamel 34 colour is one which can be found for example Fokker XXI interiors. I have not seen it mentioned in Brewster documents. Fokker fuselage was steel tube framework, BW stressed skin aluminium structure. But let us assume that it was Kiri enamel 34 which was used for BW cockpit repaints. Edit Keskinen & Stenman in their Sotamaalaus (Warpaint) book give also "Ikarol 2" and enamel 1543 as interior colours, both greys. I have to dust more around those time permitting. Not an easy task. Kiri colour chart can be found in Finnish National Archive digital databases. The relevant page hopefully below. The cockpit colour samples I have seen personally on museum pieces etc. have been more mid-grey. I can not guarantee that the 34 sample below is colour correct. I emphasize that this sample is hanging on at least two pure assumptions in series: i) that repaints were done in grey and ii) the grey was Kiri 34. Neither of these are verified facts! Hope this helps some, Kari

I believe the Ju 87 truncated pyramid is just an added restricting shield for the elevator and rudder surfaces and "inside there" is this "Starrschleppkupplung zum Einbau an die Ju 87" (image from the site I linked above): The coupling with the ring (not the tubular framework) is very similar to the modern TOST tow hooks ( https://www.tost.de/blog/category/tow-releases/?lang=en ) which I am much more familiar with from my glider towing days. Cheers, Kari

Hi! On this link there is something for Lw tow couplings: https://www.deutscheluftwaffe.com/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/s/Schleppkupplungen/Kampf und Lastensegler DFS 230 DFS 331/Lastenseagler DFS 230.html though I fear nothing of this is from Me 110. I see GRM has answered and would like to use the opportunity to ask a question. Sonderstaffel GS1 towed Me 321s each with three Me 110 to Saaremaa island (operation Beowulf) in 1941. On photos some of the Me 110 carry some emblem on a circle background. Is there any data about this GS1 unit insignia? Later edit: Found it! Luftwaffe Verband Journal Number 32 from October 2002 has photos of the Saaremaa Troika-schlepp (21 Sep 1941) and on page 5 right upper photo of a Me 110 C tug is shown with an emblem My photocopy is of such low quality that I cannot make what the emblem is. Photo is credited to Petrick. I am certain that from the original photo the emblem could be reproduced. Colours probably anyone's guess. This emblem is something I would like to find more about. Also the code of the plane(s) carrying it. Cheers, Kari

Hi! Hu 150 Forest Green Cheers, Kari

Hello Stefaan! Thank You for the answer. Which is KH605 based on primary sources. I edited my earlier message to clarify my question. All the best, Kari PS I do not see any photos. Working right now. Hope that continues.

Thanks! So there still exists difference of opinion. Stay safe, Kari

Hi! Thank you for the response 72modeler. One more decal sheet with the code solved and agreeing with others. I am more after references. For example did Stefaan or someone has found a photo showing the "Sweetpea" code KH673 or did it come from some archived document.? (Edit. Note that I am asking a question, not suggesting that Stefaan has connection with the mentioned code.) Or is it simply a guess and others have followed? Wouldn't be the first time. Cheers, Kari

Hi! I noticed that there are now several decal sheets for "Sweetpea" Mustang KH673. Apparently research has progressed during the passing ten years. Can anyone add more where the confirmation of the code KH673 came? Just for curiosity reasons. Cheers, Kari

Hallo! I like this. Very solid model and only mild weathering. Stencils were in English on the "Ef-migs" and blue but likely warnings were in red. Also, they were painted with dope mixed with aluminum powder, not NMF. The triangle plates on wing roots had different primer due different aluminum alloy (IIRC darkish green) and I think that is why the panels look darker than rest of the plane. There probably was more such panels on the plane. Your model looks very convincing in any case. I remember seeing one of these likely flying one of it's last flights at Kuorevesi AFB in late Summer 1985. I was in rookie training and remember also that it was very good blueberry season. The sergeants were "not amused" when we were taking cover and then when reappearing behind the bushes and stones almost everyone had mouth and lips blue from eating the berries. Nothing to do with MiG-21F but very strong personal memory connection. Keep up the good work, Kari

Thanks and tackar! I should have waited for some time then. It would also pay to wear reading glasses to see what I write. I have tidied the first message a bit. Stay safe, Krai

Hi! Much like the title says. I bought the 1/72 SH Potez 25 TOE kit in the mistaken belief that it contains all the plastic parts for the Jupiter radial engine version, too. Turns out this is not the case. Apparently one of the frames is version specific. In the TOE case frame H containing nose parts and propeller and fuselage bottom. The TOE version kit does have a nine cylinder radial engine, though. There is frames A-D, but no E,F nor G so I am guessing those are the other version specific part frames. Has the radial version been released and can one find the instructions somewhere? Did not find such thing at Hannants at least. In the pinch I may be able to carve the radial Lorraine engine nose pieces to accept the radial, too. Cheers, Kari

Hallo! MT-423 was WNr 412122 and manufactured by Erla like Mersu G-6 MT-401-430 were. So Erla pattern is fitting. Cheers, Kari

Hallo! What I have seen in F-18 manuals is that the radome tip has "rain erosion boot" over it. The radome under it is painted with the same colour than rest of radome. I believe the boot is inteded to be colourless , but the material changes the tone of underlying colour. (Edit Or is it tinted like BAe Hawk leading edges? It is four years since last hands on "HN"). Likely the tone change is also time dependent, when new the difference was not noticeable. The boot material may be polyurethane, but I do not have verified information. My advice is to paint what you see in colour photo or in real life. There is no FS code for it. Cheers, Kari

Hello! Klimov engines were derived from Hispano-Suiza. Morane 406 had Hispano-Suiza engine. Swiss Moranes did have similar but not identical exhausts compared to I-250. RS does D3801 and D3802/3803 in 1/72. Perhaps the exhausts could be adapted? DB 601/605 (Messerschmitt) exhaust stacks do look similar too. Might be easier to find those as aftermark parts. Stay safe, Kari

This is superb! I especially like the scene with figures everything being only mildly busy. Like in everyday life. Very good work. I couldn't first believe that all photos were of model. Are they? Cheers, Kari

Hello! This is somewhat off topic. I do not know of rest of the world, but when I was in Finnish Airforce as a concript we checked the dominant eye*. My left eye is the dominant one (no surprises there for me) and I was instructed to shoot from the left side. I did and do and I carried the weapon on the other way to adapt, too. Occasionally the weapon threw empty shell against forehead or on the back when in prone shooting position. No problems. We shot and shoot with the Finnish RK-62 (sort of Kalashnikov developement). Cheers, Kari * with both eyes open, find vertical reference, reach one hand forward and place your finger on the reference. Then close one eye. If the finger has "moved" close that eye and open the other. If the finger was on the vertical referecne the open eye was one's dominant one.

Hello! I read with interest the linked thread of inconel exhausts. Thank you 303sqn. I quote from the first document photo (attachment) there (the Rolls Royce exhausts -posting): "Previously inconel was used for all Rolls-Royce manifolds... Due to the difficulties in the supply of nickel during the war it has been necessary to use metals with lower nickel content." I do not want to be argumentative. In this case the lower nickel content meant stainless steel which does not need Kemick or similar protection. Cheers, Kari

Post Scriptum Flight International 1932-08-12 (pity that the pdf-archive in not working at present) has article of the Kemick, too: "HEAT RESISTING PAINT FOR EX- HAUST MANIFOLDS A N entirely new development in Uie ^ painting of engine parts is the discovery of a new paint, known as “ Kemick ” Heat-Resisting Paint, which is at once a rust-preventative and actually improved by intermittent heating and cooling action. Until now there has been no known material which could be satisfactorily- applied to exhaust systems to preserve them from rust for any appreciable length of time. However clean the other parts of an engine, the eflect is spoilt by the rusty and dirty surface of the exhaust system. “ Kemick,” it is claimed, will give this an appear- ance as good as the rest. It will not come oil or bum off hot metal at red or even white heat, and its efficiency as a rust-preventative is in no way lessened at these extreme temperatures. ” Kemick ” is a paint with a liquid and volatile content which serves to spread the material evenly on the sur- face and hold the pigment in place before heating. Moreover, heat which decomposes ordinary paint to worth- less ashes, changes “ Kemick ” by a chemical process into a finish which will adhere to the surface and prevent rust for an indefinite period. It re- tains its colour at all times. When applied it is black, but when heated it bubbles slightly and liberates a fine white powder which, mixed with the black pigment, gives the surface a dark grey colour. It requires no skill in application, and the surface to which it is applied need not be as clean and polished as would be re- quired for an ordinary enamel, although all old paint, oil, grease and loose scaly rust should be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper. Two coats of “ Kemick " are recommended and it is advisable, where possible, to heat the surface after the first coat and before the second is applied. ” Kemick ” is equally satisfactory' on steel, iron, zinc, galvanised iron, copper, brass, tin or aluminium. The manufacturers of this new pro- duct are Nobel Chemical Finishes, Ltd. (associated with I.C.I.j, of Slough, Bucks." So certainly a known system all over the aviation world by 1939. I can answer my own question that it was "made in USA" by American Chemical Paint Company (APC) originally. U.S. Patent Office magazine (June 7, 1921) gives for the Kemick "Particular description of goods - Paint That is Used to Advantage on Surfaces Exposed to Heat. Claims use since Jan. 10, 1921" Cheers, Kari

Hello! To my eyes the exhausts in the photos Troy linked are (were) painted black. Temperature changes (use) and environment has then done it's work on the exhausts. Did Brits use chemical treatment/ paint Kemick? Germans certainly did on DB 605 exaust stacks and the name appears also in Finnish war time documents. The name does not sound very German and I run a quick google search. This time found this nugget, I quote: "Paint for Hot Metal HOT metal surfaces are as subject to rust and corrosion as are cold ones, but no ordinary paint can be used to give them proper protection. A new chemical rust-preventing paint, named Kemick, has been developed for such hot metal surfaces. This finish, which is made by the American Chemical Paint Company, may be used on hot parts of the automobile engine, such as exhaust manifolds, exhaust pipes, and mufflers. Not only will it protect the metal, but it also makes a more sightly engine. Kemick becomes effective through chemical action with the metal which it covers. Whereas ordinary manifold and engine enamels decompose quickly and completely when subjected to heat Kemick decomposes only partly, the volatiles are expelled, and chemicals are liberated to react on the metal surface. It does not burn off but retains its co!or and protective properties and is said to improve with heating —Scientific American." https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1940/9/15/invasion-threat---1588 In this forum there are many people with better google-fu than I. I would be more than interested to know what the Kemick was (paint or some chemical treatment) and from where it did originate. If you ask me, I would paint the inline engine exhaust stacks black all over and start weathering from that. Cheers, Kari

Situation OK This post can be removed Kari

Hello! There is this book: Bortom horisonten https://www.boktugg.se/bok/9789172430150/bortom-horisonten-svensk-flygspaning-meot-sovjetunionen-1946-1952/ It is in Swedish, though. I have it (Swedish is the other official language in Finland) but I do not remember S26 Mustang use for the risky missions. S31 Spitfire, yes. Should read it again, it has been long time. Cheers, Kari

Hei! Antti is right when he writes the blue is simply ultramarin blue. This flag blue was not standardized until late 1980's as Pantone 294 C. But I very much disagree the "Over the years the blue got lighter (toward war time)." If You have possibility do check InScale 72 decals. They have the correct blue colour. Mr. Pentti Manninen (=InScale) might have more info too. For sure he has found archived colour samples which very likely were sent to Ikarol for paint manufacturing. The Ikarol colours included the insignia white and blue. One part of the "light blue later" story is that the Vesivehmaa "museum" (then) wrecks had hakaristi-insignia painted again over the roundels (which were painted on 1945) some time in 60's or 70's with lighter blue Miranol paint. This was then taken as the "real" war-time colour. In my personal opinion Norwegian flag blue is not far from Finnish Air force marking (insignia) blue. Cheers, Kari SA-kuva archive colour photos http://sa-kuva.fi/neo?tem=webneoeng

Hello! Hyperscale does still have the BS 381 "British standard colours for ready mixed paints" chart with the two digit coces online: http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/images/bsc318c1931wm_large.jpg Of the palette on screen the closest match to blågrå to my eyes (whatever it is worth) is the "No 32 Dark Battleship Grey". It may be my computer screen, but the "No 33 R.A.F Blue Grey" does not look right, at least not lighter than blågrå (as it seems to be in Flygvapnet Gladiator photogrpahs?). Skål, Kari

Hej/Hello! BS 381 Admiralty Grey(s) might fit to the blågrå definition? Cheers, Kari