Bolingbroke (Blenheim) 717 on floats

[Adrian Hills]

I am looking into doing Bolingbroke 717 on floats. It will be 1/72scale using Airfix MkIV Blenheim and probably Matchbox Twin Otter floats. I have the modern Warpaint on the Blenheim as well as the excellent Putnam book.

 

There are various pictures online of this airframe, however;

 

Are there any images of this airframe fitted with the ventral fin ?

 

Were the upper coulours Dark Earth/ Dark Green or Dark Seagrey/ Dark Slate Grey?

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[dogsbody]

I have never heard of or seen an image of Bolingbroke 717 fitted with a ventral fin. As for colour, I'd say it was standard DG/DE over black.

 

 

Chris

[Adrian Hills]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your input.  My source for the ventral fin was WWW.rwrwalker.ca: 

Prototype and only Mk. III.  Delivered to Test and Development Establishment at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario on 8 August 1940, taken on RCAF strength that day.  First flight on Edo floats 28 August 1940. Ventral fin added after initial tests.   This is a single source reference which is why I presented it as 'a taken as read', purposefully to stimulate debate and see if I could get any closer to actual facts.   I agree with you that the upper colours are probably Dark green and Dark earth.   Cheers Adrian

[dogsbody]

I have only ever seen those same 3 or 4 pictures of 717 and never with a ventral fin. I don't have a lot of Blenheim/Bolingbroke references but I don't remember anything about an extra fin.

 

 

Chris