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World War II: USA
Aircraft of the United States in WWII.
Hosted by Rowan Baylis
Questions about P-40B paint scheme
Wolf-Leader
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New Hampshire, United States
Joined: June 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,225 posts
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Posted: Saturday, April 08, 2017 - 03:45 AM UTC
I am in the process of painting my P-40B in the flying tiger markings(chinese)mainly chennaults squadron and would like to know what the colors would be.
I have posted on many other modeling websites about this same question and have received all sorts of answers.I was told at one posting that the P-40B have a 3 tone camouflage,others say anywhere from 2-4 tone camouflage.
I also have seen many pictures of artwork on this subject but as usual it seems that it is the old artist conception that seem to be the name of the game.
So if any of you can please tell me what the colors are 2,3,or 4 tone camouflage,it would be of great help.
Thank you.
MichaelSatin
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
AEROSCALE
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Colorado, United States
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Posted: Saturday, April 08, 2017 - 04:11 AM UTC
As far as I know they were painted RAF standard dark earth/dark green over sky. I believe the paints used were US equivalent shades, and I used to know the colors used but don't any more. I'm guessing someone here can help. I know in some photos it looks like more shades, but I think those are places where RAF markings were painted out and others where varnish was used to glue down the Flying Tigers markings, so they're more differences in finish than color.

Hope this helps a bit!

Michael
Wolf-Leader
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New Hampshire, United States
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Posted: Saturday, April 08, 2017 - 05:15 AM UTC
so you are saying that there was only 2 tone paint scheme and not 3,is this correct?
Willard79
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Wellington, New Zealand
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Posted: Saturday, April 08, 2017 - 06:46 AM UTC
Hi it should be 2 tone upper and the underside and the paint was Dupont equivalents of RAF Dark Earth and Dark Green with US Aircraft Grey under surfaces. It seems the Dark Green was scalloped to a degree.
References I have for the colours are as follows.
Dupont Dark Earth – Tamiya Flat Earth darkened with Nato Brown
Dupont Dark Green – Mix of Tamiya dark green and Olive green
Lower Surfaces – a mix of Tamiya Neutral grey and Light Blue
Osprey’s ‘Modelling the P40’ by Brett Green is a good reference
EDIT - I think the scalloping may be where the RAF roundels have been over painted as noted in a previous post above.
Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
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#017
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United Kingdom
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Posted: Saturday, April 08, 2017 - 12:17 PM UTC
Hi Spud

The scallops were part of the factory finish, ready for the roundels to be applied afterwards. They're usually only mentioned on the wings, but I think I can see the shape of them on the fuselage too - it's just not quite as obvious, because they don't clip into the border between the colours so much.

All the best

Rowan
Willard79
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Wellington, New Zealand
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Posted: Saturday, April 08, 2017 - 12:31 PM UTC
Cheers Rowan. That's a fun fact, makes sense when you think about it.
Wolf-Leader
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New Hampshire, United States
Joined: June 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,225 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 05:08 AM UTC
Thank you everyone for the information given.
Knuckles
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Oregon, United States
Joined: March 09, 2017
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Posted: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 05:09 AM UTC
This is a great pic for....studying the paint on the P-40.
rdt1953
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 06, 2015
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Posted: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 05:20 AM UTC
What P - 40 ? Oh - wait a minute - now I see it !
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