Jump to content

FINISHED: 1/72 Hasegawa/Aeromaster Curtiss P-40N Warhawk "Squirlbate"- Captain Richard J. Vodra, 49th Fighter Group, New Guinea 1944


Recommended Posts

I've temporarily set aside worrying about the gun camera issue in order to expend some proper worry on the colour scheme. I have heard some reference in this context to the following:

Protect & Avenge: 49th Fighter Group in World War 2 (Schiffer Book for Craftspeople) by Ferguson, S.W. (1995)

Is there any kind person who might have access to a copy and be willing to check to see if there is any useful information, either text or photographs, in there and if so share it?

I am beginning to get the impression that both the use of the name and the colour scheme are under question, and I don't really feel I can move on until I have settled the point.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG_20150228_115457_zpscthifwu0.jpg

I have come to the reluctant conclusion that the Aeromaster scheme for this aircraft is incorrect, so am modelling according to a recent Osprey profile in Olive Drab & Neutral Grey.

9781841767857P17_zpstprrkm1v.jpg

l am using Revell 47 Mouse Grey as a base for the latter:

IMG_20150301_154540_zpsi2bdshgl.jpg

Edited by Manipled Mutineer
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Mouse grey looks like a great match for Neutral grey. I wish we could get Revell paints easily in the states.

I found a profile of 'Squirlbate' in Gerard Paloque's The 5th Air Force, and it shows DE/DG. It's just a profile though, no pics.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I second Senator Cookenbacher on bemoaning the difficulty in getting certain brands of paint and supplies in the US. Despite "Revell-Monogram" being here we can't get things like Revell Contacta glue or their paint here. I also haven't found a reasonably-priced source for Gunze-Sangyo paint, although I've been able to get other products in the Mr. Hobby range from sellers both in the US and in Hong Kong. Oh well, starting to drift a bit! :P

I think the Osprey scheme looks much better and is likely more accurate. I don't have the book in question but as a fellow P-40 builder if I can find it for a reasonable price then I'm going to go ahead and order it. **EDIT: Ouch, the cheapest I could find it for was $30.

Edited by caszerino
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks both. As far as I can make out, Vodra flew two P-40s, one was a camouflage patterned (possibly DE/DG) E with the legend "Squirlbate" on the nose but no white empennage, whilst the other was an OD/NG and white empennage N with the number 57 and no legend. The supposition is that someone (possibly Squadron/Signal?) got the two mixed up, hence the Aeromaster decals (although where they got the dark green/middle stone/azure blue colour scheme from is anyone's guess!)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm wondering if they didn't "extrapolate" it from B&W photographs, perhaps not having access to or yet seen, anecdotal evidence of the plane's color scheme?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Even if the aircraft is question lacks definitive coverage, the 49th's 'N' models should be well-covered.

I think my local library has the relevant Osprey title, I'll seek it out. But I think you're on solid ground with the plain scheme.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Peter, thanks for the offer - although please don't put yourself out. I've carried on along the lines I outlined above and have put on the first topcoat. I wanted a fairly subdued version of Olive Drab, so I thought I would try Humbrol 66. The white is Model Master, and the yellow on the spinner is Hu154 Insignia Yellow. All are acrylics.

IMG_20150304_224058_zps6qxtlkzg.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice job unifying the underside of those flaps!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG_20150314_174927_zpsxvgwmhm8.jpg

A little more light work today: I separated and affixed the tailwheel fairings, put on the tailwheel itself, added the drop tank, drilled out the landing light(?) under the port wing and dribbled in some superglue to give an impression of transparency, treated the topside port and starboard navigation lights with red & green paint respectively, and did a general touch-up

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
×
×
  • Create New...