Bomb and rocket color question

is it for the hellcat ? I would think its OD

crown r n7

is it for the hellcat ? I would think its OD

 

Ya, it's for the Hellcat. I noticed that some of the parts do not have any paint references, these are some of them.

BK

British bombs and rocket warheads in British Dark Green. Not sure about the rocket bodies off the top of my head... I don't think you will see US ordnance on a FAA bird, even one of US origin. 

Actually they were Dark Green also.  The rocket rails were a light gray.  Google for RAF Typhoon Mk 1's such as this one way down the page:

stikpusher

British bombs and rocket warheads in British Dark Green. Not sure about the rocket bodies off the top of my head... I don't think you will see US ordnance on a FAA bird, even one of US origin. 

 

SO, basically they are completely British Dark Green overall. Any yellow stripes?

And the rocket mount, doesn't use those rails, are light grey? 

The rockets look like these here.

And the mounts look like these.

Apparently this was an F6/MkII change as far as the rockets.

Thanks guys,

BK

Those are US 3.5" Forward Firing Aerial rockets so they would be painted as US colors.  The zero length rocket rails were developed in May 1945.  The rails would be the same as the under wing colors.

richs26

Those are US 3.5" Forward Firing Aerial rockets so they would be painted as US colors.  The zero length rocket rails were developed in May 1945.  The rails would be the same as the under wing colors.

 

Ok, cool. Thanks for help. Then this is a F6F5 with HVARs. I'll paint them up on the MkII like this. It's the only photo I can find of a Hellcat with this type of rocket. Is it possible that the BFA painted them overall green, or left them as the US painted them? I'm thinking they would simply use them and not repaint them.

BK

Do some image searches and see if the FAA even mounted rockets on their Hellcats. Like I said before, you are not likely to find US ordnance on a Royal Navy aircraft of ship. Just because the parts come with the kit, does not mean they are proper to use. IIRC, Hobby Boss has some of the Avenger kits depicted in early paint scheme with later war rocket set ups like this... a big oops on their part.

Stik, I believe you are correct. I cannot locate a Hellcat BFA with rockets. I do know they were built with the mounts, but in this case I have decided to remove those from the rockets and add them to the underside of the wings. I will mount the bombs and drop tank and leave it at that. Rockets are a PITA to paint anyway.

Thanks,

BK

I have been doing some image searches of FAA Helcats since my last post. I found a few with the rocket stub rails mounted, but none showing rockets on them. Same goes for bombs. Centerline fuel tanks yes, that is standard. Now the big question is, did the FAA use the Hellcat as a fighter bomber ever, or strictly in the air to air role? The US Navy did not start employing the Hellcat as fighter bomber until 1945. Prior to that it was pretty much strictly air to air roles- combat air patrol, and strike escort. Yes they did strafing attacks, but they did not carry bombs or rockets until 1945. If you do choose to mount some bombs on it, I strongly suggest you dont use US types and get some British types instead.

Acording to some research I've done, the Mk II saw very little action and only had a total of 52 kills and were completely phased out and replaced with British planes by the end of the war. Most were used in Pacific Theater, but some saw action in Europe and by and large few ever saw combat. So, no rockets makes perfect sense and no bombs also makes sense given its limited use by the BFA.

Thanks for the help guys, you've been quite books of knowledge.

BK

Happy to help point you in the right direction 

Hey Brandon

  If you can get your hands on an Airfix 1/24 Typhoon or Mosquito you can use the rockets with the rails and can use the bombs they are the correct ones used by the RAF and FAA

Crankycraftsman 

Some information.

Chris

I don't know about bombs, but certainly the Hellcat carried the british rockets with british rails fixed in place of the american sets.

You might find the correct rails as an aftermarked resin and the rockets you can get here:

http://www.master-model.pl/product/am-24-012.html

http://www.master-model.pl/product/am-24-011.html

http://www.master-model.pl/product/am-24-013.html

I do know Master model intend to produce metal barrels when they get a kit to work off and maybe some other stuff.

I can't remember how many rails come with the Typhoon or what type, but you might have to rob a Typhoon. You can always do a Tiffy as a V1 chaser or a Bombphoon so you have rails spare!

Well, I appreciate the information gents. I posted this nearly 4 years ago and the kit is long since complete. I will tuck this info away and use it again on the next FAA bird I do. And I do have one in mind. Thanks again.

BK

Here are catalogs on both US and British ordnance.  US bombs were given a third suspension lug below the top lugs for British use.  

https://maritime.org/doc/ordnance/index.htm

http://bulletpicker.com/pdf/OP%20878,%20General%20Data%20on%20Navy,%20AN%20Standard,%20Army%20and%20British%20Bombs.pdf

http://bulletpicker.com/pdf/OP%201664,%20US%20Explosive%20Ordnance,%20Volume%202.pdf

http://bulletpicker.com/pdf/OP%201665,%20British%20Explosive%20Ordnance.pdf

Other types of ordnance:

http://bulletpicker.com/ordnance-pamphlets.html