picture request

[phantom II]

The top picture and the others from that series are 417 Sqn RCAF when based in Tunisia. They transitioned to Mk VIII's before Operation Husky flying them until March 1945 when they received Mk IX's.

In response to your question, SAAF used orange on the fin flash and roundel in place of red.

Cheers,
RichB

I did not realize that fine point . I always thought it was due to poor coloring or paint issues .
That brings up a question . Can you actually tell the difference in black and white pictures ?

 

[paddy]

I supose you might if you had a comparison or reference but i think you would have to be looking for it.
well done RichB, i wondered how long it would take a Canadian to spot 417

 

[RichB]

I did not realize that fine point . I always thought it was due to poor coloring or paint issues .
That brings up a question . Can you actually tell the difference in black and white pictures ?

The orange can appear lighter than the red. The tricky bit can be that the aircraft came from RAF depots with RAF roundels. The squadrons would repaint with orange when time and material allowed so they could have both styles of markings in use.

A little trivia. The RCAF Maple Leaf Roundel was approved for use on the RCAF Ensign in June 1940. It's use on aircraft was delayed until January 1946. Other Commonwealth air forces would follow suit with springboks, kangaroos, kiwis, etc.

During the war some RCAF squadrons applied an 8" maple leaf roundel below the windscreen.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[paddy]

I think also the Canadians and Australians and New Zealand commands were within the RAF during the was so were not allowed to paint their own roundels till after so 417 was an RAF Squadron (Canadian) where as the SAAF were integrated but never part of the RAF ?

 

[RichB]

It was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Planagreement. British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand personnel were in a common pool and assigned according operational need. RCAF, RAAF and RNZAF squadrons were formed under Article XV of BCATP and assigned numbers within the 400 block falling under RAF operational control. Squadrons that remained under national control (known as Home Defence in Canada) weren't included in the 400 block.

The South African government established a parallel Joint Air Training Scheme for SAAF, RAF and Commonwealth aircrew training so weren't under Article XV. The SAAF remained independent but integrated into RAF commands. They did have personel assigned from the other Dominion Air Forces to meet operational needs.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[paddy]

I promise i wont bore you anymore with weathered north African aircraft after all we all have google

Proof they were sprayed in the Field

again interesting surface texture/finish

Again Americans in Malta and well worn finish

I think i have idea in my head now of what i want to do, whether i can transfer it from head to model is another matter

 

[moon puppy]

I think i have idea in my head now of what i want to do, whether i can transfer it from head to model is another matter

Well it's not like you're posting tanks on broken bridges all over the place. These are interesting.
Spray painting in open air in the desert. Now you see where the texture comes from!

 

[paddy]

Feeling a bit stupid today as i actually looked in the box (Tamiya 1/32 Spit MKIX ) and it actually includes decals and scheme for a north Africa aircraft in fact the model depicted is ZX-6 just 5 away from the one below.....

o

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Cool!
Go for it Paddy!

 

[paddy]

While still banging on about original wear and tear i have come across the answer to my original question.
Although this is obviously not in far east colours, this is the Spitfire Mk1a preserved in its original war time colours with wear and tear. Seen here in the Imperial war Museum in London.
Its odd for a Mk1 as its Green and grey but it served at an operational conversion unit later in the war after the Green and Brown was discontinued.

Imagine if you put your decals on crooked like that last picture the rivet counters would have you for dinner.

 

[moon puppy]

Very timely Paddy, I want everyone to notice how mottled that paint job appears.

 

[paddy]

Hey, it wasnt a get out of jail free card

 

[Steve Ski]

Ruck On, Paddy, let's get this puppy rollin!

 

[RichB]

Spitfire AR213 at 57 OTU. The aft edge of the tailband followed the angled join line of the tail and the serial number was repeated on the fin flash.

Cheers,
RichB
(From a mall parking lot in Edmonton)

 

[RichB]

Spitfire AR213 at 57 OTU. The aft edge of the tailband followed the angled join line of the tail and the serial number was repeated on the fin flash. View attachment 188278

Cheers,
RichB
(From a the parking lot of a mall in Edmonton for a, "I won't be long" stop.)

 

[moon puppy]

(From a the parking lot of a mall in Edmonton for a, "I won't be long" stop.)

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