Tokyo Raider Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Hi Guys- I am starting an 1/48 Airfix P40B for the AVG! I am aware there were originally destined for the RAF and built to their specs, before Chennault got them for the AVG. I was using the cockpit color of yellow zinc chromate like the photos Life Magazine took and published in color at the Curtiss Plant. My question is around the type of seat. I thought the RAF used the square back seat? Were these also painted Zinc or were they natural metal like the USAAF Round Back Seats? Thanks for any help you can provide! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBBates Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) So for the RAF/AVG Tomahawk (not a US P40) I have one color photo at the Curtiss factory showing the square back seat before install sitting on the wing of a Tomahawk .. and the seat is a mid dark green close to the camo dark green.. yes that seems strange but that what it showed.....in my research on the square backseat the same seat seem was use in other aircraft (Harvard's for one) and ive found photos in war bird forums of the same seat pull for restoration..in that same dark green color...not saying you could not have other colors (natural medal) ... but the dark green seem to be legit My RAF/AVG Tomahawk cockpit colors choices based on my interpretations of Curtiss factory colors photos is . Main cockpit Dupont 71-036 "cockpit ligh green" Seat ..dark green Headrest black leather (not the brown on the P40) Other may have other opinions and evidence (evidence is always good) Edited March 13, 2021 by HBBates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo Raider Posted March 13, 2021 Author Share Posted March 13, 2021 Great thanks... i suspected the RAF square back seat may be a different color than the US round back. I will paint the square back seat a dark cammo green. I just downloaded a bunch of photos Life Mag took and was planning mr color c352 yellow zinc chromate for it. Its got green in it but looks just like the photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBBates Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) Edited March 13, 2021 by HBBates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo Raider Posted March 13, 2021 Author Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) I have all those life photos and pouring overthem. The line in back looks like headrest not installed yet. And if you compare the yellow on that seat bulkhead, it changes to more greenish as the plane gets built further in assembly. I just painted my kit in the yellow zinc and it just looks too yellow for a cockpit. It looks like the bulkhead on that back row, before cockpit painted that green. I may have to box this kit up until i figure this color issue out. Edited March 13, 2021 by Tokyo Raider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Tokyo Raider said: I just painted my kit in the yellow zinc and it just looks too yellow for a cockpit. It looks like the bulkhead on that back row, before cockpit painted that green. Hi Bob, Just bear in mind, that the RAF p40B's were Not Lend Lease, but rather purchased with British Money, so British Paint Specs would have have been the order of the day. I think a lot of people (modellers) have taken for a long time that Curtiss painted the RAF orders with US Mil Spec paints because of the like of Life magazine photos have been quoted I would go with HB's comments on the Light Green for Cockpit area Whilst not a Curtiss P40B, I have seen a RAF order Curtiss P40E-1, which was Lend Lease, with the DuPont Light Green Cockpit and Internal fuselage areas, note that other fittings Fuel tank supports etc were Apple Green (fuel tank) or the Curtiss Interior colour as in this life Magazine Photo Hope that Helps? Regards Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo Raider Posted March 13, 2021 Author Share Posted March 13, 2021 Yes... I finally mixed up something like the Curtiss Cockpit Green from the Life photos... The other areas will be YZC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buz Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 (edited) Bob Sorry about the late reply - Just a small point, you actually need to be aware of which aircraft you are building, as the square back seat wasn't in all Tomahawks......however for AVG that version should be correct however I'd check what photos you can of the aircraft you are modelling to confirm. Buz Edited May 13, 2021 by Buz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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