10thumbs Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 I have on my project list a 1/72 Croc models Gemini which I plan to build as G-AKHZ reportedly flown by Bader. The airframe is said to be awaiting restoration at Hooton Park. B & W photographs suggest a white upper fuselage, with my best educated guess, yellow overall with red trim and registration. I would appreciate any replies which might help in this regard, thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 (edited) I can't really help I'm sorry other than I believe it was Shell Mex, not Oil, if that makes any difference. However, I wait with baited breath to see how you get on.as I have the Dujin Gemini and I also have a penchant for 'industry' branded machines. I guess sparked by Airfix's Shell Heron. Tommo. Edited February 4, 2019 by The Tomohawk Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 The Miles "House" colour and standard for much of the production was Cream overall with Red letters. , HZ was modified to Aries standard with two Gipsy Majors, HZ was owned for a time by Shell Mex & BP (who apparently had two) so the cowlings would be different. It's current state is a wreck and it is light Blue in colour. Shell colours for vehicles were originally Yellow with Red letters then with BP their tankers had Green cabs and Black chassis's with mainly Red tank with a Yellow top with Shell in Red. I've included this information which might help in sorting out colours on photographs. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripod Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 There is a book, "Winged Shell: Oil Company Aviators, 1927-87" that may have something of use, if you don't have it already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 I just found this in my photo collection. John 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-USB Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 (edited) On 2/2/2019 at 8:48 PM, 10thumbs said: I have on my project list a 1/72 Croc models Gemini which I plan to build as G-AKHZ reportedly flown by Bader. The airframe is said to be awaiting restoration at Hooton Park. B & W photographs suggest a white upper fuselage, with my best educated guess, yellow overall with red trim and registration. I would appreciate any replies which might help in this regard, thanks A number of years ago I was doing research on the colors of the Shell Oil Vegas and Orion and I was able to obtain from Shell the exact colors used by their aviation division in the 1930s. Shell provided me with Pantone (PMS) color matches. The yellow and red Shell Oil used from 1930-1947 are different than those used by Shell Oil today. If you do determine that the Gemini you intend to model was painted in the Shell Oil yellow and red I can provide the exact color matches. Tim Edited February 5, 2019 by VH-USB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Royle Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Hello I sent the link to this thread to Peter Amos, widely regarded as "Mr. Miles". Here is his reply that he hopes will be of help. Best wishes Chris Royle Many thanks but I hadn’t seen this forum before. For the record, Shell's Gemini was laid down at Woodley as a Mk.1A but completed after the collapse in late 1947 by Ron Paine’s Wolverhampton Aviation Ltd as a Mk.3A: c/n WAL/C.1003 M.65 Gemini Mk.3A. Regd G-AMGF (CofR.3067) 29.11.50 to Shell Refining & Marketing Co Ltd, London EC3 (based Croydon). CofA No.A.3067 issued 27.3.51. Added to Shell's insurance 2.4.51. Flown to Lagos, Nigeria by Douglas Bader in 1951. Cld 1.1.62 & regd 22.1.62 to Shell Aircraft Ltd, London EC3 (based Croydon). Flown to FG Miles Ltd, Shoreham in early 1955 for modification to M.65 Gemini Mk.7 (basically modified to Aries airframe standard, but retaining its 145 hp DH Gipsy Major 10/2 engines). First flown as a M.65 Gemini Mk.7 24.5.55. On 28.6.55, Capt Leonard Arthur Madeleine flew G-AMGF, with Bader as P1, Croydon-Shoreham-Croydon. He then made the following flights in G-AMGF: 28.3.56, with J Warburton as P1, Rome-Marseilles-Paris and on 29.3.56, Paris-Croydon; 1.5.57, with Bader as P1, Croydon-Croydon and 18.6.57, with J Randall as P1, Croydon-Leavesden-Croydon. The name of firm was changed on 24.5.57 to The Shell Company of the United Kingdom Ltd, London EC3 (based Croydon, later Heathrow). Dismantled at Heathrow prior to 12.63. PWFU 6.1.64. The wings and tailplane were donated to the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield, Bedfordshire for destructive testing 5.2.64. The photo below was taken at Croydon in 1959 and, from memory, I think it was painted cream with crimson trim. (Sorry, I seem unable to post the photo....help please!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Hello Chris Thank you for your input. Do you have a photo posting account with some one such as Photobucket. If not please send me a PM private message and I'll be pleased to help. I do have Peter's excellent book which covers the description above for G-AMGF. Regards John Re- thread... The paragraph re G-AHKZ in Peter's book does not mention Bader by name. The Aries aircraft also had larger fins and rudders than the Gemini BTW. Here is the photo passed on by Chris from Air Britain's site. Photo Copyright of Air Britain 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Note the Radio Compass hump the deeper Gipsy Majors and larger tail end. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10thumbs Posted February 5, 2019 Author Share Posted February 5, 2019 Looks like I need to do my Croc model as G-AMGF flown by Bader in 1951, prior to the upgrade. Would not require extra work on the nacelles, and tail. Overall cream with crimson trim, as per the later photo above, thank you very much. I am a little disappointed in that the Shell colors would be much more flashy. I have ordered a cheap used copy of the book "Winged Shell: Oil Company Aviators, 1927-87" but now I don't see investing in the Air Britain Book, if Bader's name is not mentioned in connection with G-AKHG. I am now unconvinced that Bader ever flew G-AKHG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 According to the book 'Shell wings', Gemini Hotel Zulu was Cream and Grey! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10thumbs Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share Posted February 21, 2019 (SIGH) my copy of Shell Wings just arrived and I was going to post exactly the above. A few interesting tidbits of information regarding Bader, and illustrations, mostly in B & W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 If it helps, there is a photo of Bader flying a Miles Gemini in some editions of Paul Brickhill's Reach For The Sky. It was definitely in the old Campanion Book Club edition. Afraid I don't have mine any more so can't be more help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingswear1 Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 (edited) Just purchased a copy of "Shell Wings", it looks an interesting read. Best regards Mark Edited April 18, 2019 by Kingswear1 Mis-spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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