Handley Page Hampden

[avro683]

Does anyone out there have access to Warpaint no 57 covering Hampden and Hereford variants? A friend at model club has recently purchased the FM (Fit Mal!?) kit as I have and he has asked me to enquire if anyone can shed any light on Hampdens painted in Medium Sea grey and/or Dark Sea Grey over Sky. The schemes were illustrated in a 1970's Air Illustrated (I think- it has a red cover) and he would like confirmation as to the authenticity of these schemes.

Having discovered the Warpaint exists I thought that might be a good place to start?

Thank you all.

Tony

[dad's lad]

Tony,

This scheme was featured in SAM many years ago. IIRC it was torpedo equipped Hampdens coloured Dark Sea Grey over Sky. I believe that the rear end of the bomb bay doors were lower to accomodate the torpedo.

Unless anyone beats me to it, I can get you a scan from the article.

Clive

[avro683]

Tony,

This scheme was featured in SAM many years ago. IIRC it was torpedo equipped Hampdens coloured Dark Sea Grey over Sky. I believe that the rear end of the bomb bay doors were lower to accomodate the torpedo.

Unless anyone beats me to it, I can get you a scan from the article.

Clive

Clive

Many thanks for the quick response. The scan would be much appreciated. Does it show the alterations to the bomb bay as well or would that need to be sourced elsewhere?

Tony

[Test Graham]

Despite what it is said in many sources, the changes to the Hampden TB were not to the bombbay. The ventral gunner's position was reduced in depth - the change in curvature can be seen in some views, look for the lower windows and their relation to the bottom. A heavy-duty weapon carrier was placed in the bombbay for the torpedo, which was carried semi-exposed. Half of the body was lower than the bottom line of the aircraft, with the doors (2 each side on the Hampden) sitting so that the upper door was in its usual position but the lower one rested against the sides of the torpedo - when the torpedo was dropped (or absent) it closed normally. The body of the torpedo was the length of the bombbay, but to permit dropping at greater than Swordfish speeds a Monoplane Air Tail was fitted, and this sat underneath the gunner's position - which is why the position had to be reduced in height. Or do I mean depth?

Colours were initially the same as Bomber Command, and later were in the standard Coastal colours of Extra Dark Sea Grey over white, although they were only in the OCUs and weather units then, I believe. In between, at least one unit was repainted in (probably) Temperate Sea Scheme - EDSG and Dark Slate Grey over Sky with a low demarcation, and there is a photo (see the profile) of one aircraft of the Australian unit at Boscombe Down in a very light scheme - it may just be TSS with very odd combination of lighting conditions/film/filter giving the impression of no contrast on the upper surfaces, but it has been the subject of some imaginative profiles. I don't think I care to offer a suggestion as to the upper surface colour, but as no other photos showing anything similar to this scheme apparently exist, it may just have been an experiment.

[Kyrre]

As others I doubt any scheme but

a ) Bomber command Brown/Green

B ) TSS

C ) After summer '43, EDSG/Sky

c ) Late war stuff for the odd plane out.

Some pics

Edited March 24, 2008 by Kyrre

[Richard M]

Here's a scan of Warpaint No58 HP Hampden, page 9, which mentions the torpedo Hampden's, the scheme in the photo's does seem light. You can just make out the altered bombay, the text also states there were additional hardpoints on the wings for 500lb'ers.

Warpaint No.58 page 9.

Best

Rich

[Test Graham]

As above, what you can see is the altered gun position. The bottom of the bombbay doors remain parallel to the upper fuselage, as on all Hampdens.

I've never seen any Hampden photo showing EDSG over Sky: in comparison the Coastal white scheme is well documented, although not on operational aircraft.

Edited March 24, 2008 by Graham Boak

[avro683]

Gents

Many thanks for your input. The next model club is tomorrow night so I shall pass all this on.

Best wishes

Tony

[avro683]

All

I have been asked by my friend at Bedford model club to pass on his grateful thanks to you for the info and pics you have provided in respect of this topic.

Tony