Blimpyboy

Belcher Bits from Canada produces a lovely decal sheet and conversion set for this eggbeater (in both 1/72 and 1/48, I believe), and the decal instructions state the colour is ‘painted aluminium’. http://www.belcherbits.com/lines/decals/bd20.htm Happy painting!

Hopefully, nothing as bottom-gripping as this:

Is that chap on the wing going through the best sludge-wash mix, as advised by the ‘plane captain? ”Now remember, Private, it’s five parts water to two parts Polly Scale water-based acrylic paint and three parts liquid dishwashing soap. Stir don't shake. Just don’t let it dry for too long…” Or, is he thinking “Why does the CO need the panel lines to pop out so much…? This is SOOOO unrealistic - the IPMS guys will have a fit…”.

It's an interesting issue, indeed! On one hand, one would think, intuitively, that the usual RAF dull reds and blues would have been used, as they would be immediately to hand, in quantity, on many stations. On the other hand, 'though - and considering the leeway given to the Free French to use their own national markings - I would be a little surprised if the French didn't attempt to inject a little more national pride into their markings, and mix colours closer to those used in pre-war roundels! The mystery continues!

Hello there! I'm contemplating making a Halifax from either 346 or 347 squadrons - both Free French units that used French national markings in lieu of british markings on the fuselages and tail fins of their birds. In scrutinising the Carpena and Xtradecal decal sheets, I notice a difference in the red colour used by each company, to represent the national markings on these units' Halifaxes. The Carpena sheet has all red components in the same shade used in the RAF's usual markings, while the Xtradecal sheet uses a much brighter shade of red (see the pictures, below). Does the collective have any information about which red shade is most likely to have been used? Thoughts on a postcard, please !

I wonder if this is an old bird left lying 'round after the type had been withdrawn from use - particularly given the state of the paintwork, plus the fact that part of the tailwheel keel thingy also appears to be missing. With regard to your thought about the machine having covered 40 mm guns, I was under the impression that they're rocket rails. Could the serial begin with 'KB'? As to the source, it's from the 'RAAF Photos Old & New' group, in Facebook. There was no other info to go with the picture, sorry! P.S. What's the biplane in the background?

Okay, so it’s 11 years late to the party, but who doesn't love an interesting photo...

Hello all! I'm working on a deck diorama for a TBD-1 Devastator, and am thinking of having the aircraft covered and tied down, like the ones in this photo: Does anyone out there have any diagrams or photos showing the locations of tie down points on the TBD-1 airframe, and the pattern used to secure the aircraft to the deck? Also, does anyone have any detailed pictures of the cloth engine cowling and cockpit covers used on Devastators (and showing how they were attached)? All help will be - as always - greatly appreciated!

I seem to recall reading an article about the recovery of Spitfire Vc BR545/A58-51 from mud flats in northern Australia in the late 1980s. If memory serves it was stated that the rubber tyres were perfectly preserved, and that the Dunlop maker’s mark could be read (but, I’m not sure if these would have been Australian- or British- made tyres). Apparently, the recovered remains are in storage, in the RAAF Museum. Of course, I cannot find the original article in my clippings, nor can I find any such reference to it on the internet. The closest I can find is this page https://spitfireoverdarwin.home.blog/2019/08/04/spitfire-at-crocodile-creek/, which states: 'The pilot’s face mask was still in the cockpit, the undercarriage struts held oil under pressure and the rubber tyres were in near perfect condition'. Something for you to consider, at any rate!

Hello! Here is a fruit salad of sources for you, which may help you in your quest! From here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/modelling-modern-south-african-armour-william-marshall/book/97819102940 \ Good luck!

You've probably already seen this photo, but it looks flat-ish (or perhaps ever so slightly rounded) to me. Otherwise, the leading picture in this pdf may be of some use: https://www.fht.nu/bilder/Flygvapnet/Flygvapennytt/fv_nytt_2_91_ajs_37_viggen.pdf

You could always try the technique this chap used for his Su-24 diorama/vignette (the ‘chute fabrication starts at around 17:45): In addition to 3D-Chutes Expert (https://3d-chute-expert.myshopify.com), these companies make 3-D printed parachutes; maybe you could approach them for a commission: https://dragonbadger.co.uk/?product_cat=&post_type=product&s=Parachute https://aeroscale.net/news/sr-71-full-chute-set Otherwise, perhaps our brethren in the ship modelling domain may have some tips - I reckon it’s somewhat like making sails look ‘full’: http://www.shipmodeling.ca/aa950.html https://modelshipworldforum.com/resources/Rigging_and_Sails/ScaleSails.pdf https://modelshipworld.com/topic/3917-how-to-make-sails-look-full/ https://modelshipworld.com/topic/11861-how-realistic-can-one-make-sails/

Further to Graham's comments earlier, some radar equipped Jills were also used at night, as scouts for larger attacks. I wonder if - for night time attacks - they used flare droppers as well... (that would be an interesting load to model).

I can't speak to combat actions, but the aircraft was undoubtedly designed to specifications that required a level bombing capability (including ASW work). Given the number of photos out there, of bomb rack-equipped B6Ns, I would also presume that aircrews were given a measure of training in delivering bomb attacks as well as torpedo runs. The B6N was also trialed as a smoke-layer (see photo from one of the Maru Mechanics), and I think the device used for this task is included in one of the 1/72 Fujimi kits. Anyway, for inspiration, here are some shots of B6Ns with bomb racks (some aircraft have radar, some don't): http://weapons-free.masdf.com/air/japan/pic/tenzan.jpg http://wowow262.finito.fc2.com/B6N1.JPG http://www.gahoh.net/traffic/ww2/profile/B6N-C6N/B6N/photo/N1-601-zuikaku.jpg http://www.gahoh.net/traffic/ww2/profile/B6N-C6N/B6N/photo/N2-210-03.jpg http://www.gahoh.net/traffic/ww2/profile/B6N-C6N/B6N/photo/N2-531.jpg http://www.gahoh.net/traffic/ww2/profile/B6N-C6N/B6N/photo/N2-601_254-katori.jpg http://www.gahoh.net/traffic/ww2/profile/B6N-C6N/B6N/photo/N2-601_254-katori-02B.jpg

That’s one way to negotiate cheaper after-market support! https://www.janes.com/amp/nhi-offers-to-fix-norways-nh90-issues-at-no-cost/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2

I see what you mean - the photo of aircraft 2604 is very different from the profile versions (no surprise there, really)! I do like the idea of a natural metal aircraft with a black underside, 'though. Good luck with the research, and with your model!

Is this any good? You can download a larger copy (in pdf format) from this page: https://rclibrary.co.uk/3view.asp?ID=14129. Happy whittling!

Here's the aircraft from the second post, from a different angle. Here are some profiles with aircraft in variations of a coloured-over, natural metal scheme. I could only find one photo of an aircraft wearing (what looks, to me, sort of...) the natural metal over black (or some other darkish colour) scheme - I think it's also on the page you listed in the opening post. Here are what look like overall natural metal birds: Here's a disassembled bird wearing a disruptive scheme (which is an option in Czech Model's 1/48 kit): The chap at this site (http://chinesearicarft.blogspot.com/2010/11/172-curtiss-12-shrike.html) has made his in a fetching three-colour uppers scheme (again, no information or photos to go with the model, but I did find a profile {http://image.gamersky.com/webimg13/zhuanti/rocaf1937/zj01-6.jpg} on another site). Good luck, I'd love to see what you end up making!

Perhaps these threads may be of use: and

You could always do a mixed load of stripeys and non-stripeys! And there's always red... https://defense-update.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/su34-flyby.jpg http://авиару.рф/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1a.Opytnyj-Su-27IB-T-10V-1-v-polete.-600x600.jpg But, if plain white is your thing... But, if you really want all stripey R-27s... https://defense-update.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/su34-weapons.jpg

I've seen more than a few Japanese internet sites with models of bare metal Shindens, but none of them had any photos! Anyway, here are some more shots of a patchwork Shinden (I don't know if these are wartime or post-war photos): Here's a derelict bird: An engine test (on some kind of J7W fuselage-like rig). Some propellor damage. And, for some Shinden-related randomness, here are some news articles about some possible J7W wheels being uncovered in a farmer's barn (apparently, the wheels were used for a farmer's wagon after the war): https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/684376/ and https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/695720/ Happy researching!

Pages 7-8 of this document might provide a method by which the colours you're after could be determined: https://dmairfield.org/people/colby_to/Berryloid_color_charts.pdf.

Hmmm… I can see them all on my ‘phone, my laptop and the wife’s computer! I don’t know what the problem may be. Let me have a play ‘round tomorrow. If you still can’t see then, I can send the links via PM/email.

That would be a Ki-1-II bomber (also known as the Army Type 93 Heavy Bomber {not to be confused with the Army Type 93 twin-engine Light Bomber - the Ki-2})!

Hear hear! Particularly this page: http://arawasi-wildeagles.blogspot.com/2014/02/mitsubishi-ki-2.html