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Boeing Stearman PT-17 wartime colours

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  • Member since
    May 2019
Boeing Stearman PT-17 wartime colours
Posted by Diko on Thursday, May 30, 2019 2:40 PM

In 1942 my father joined the RAF as a pilot. He was sent to Canada then by train to Terrell Tx to the No1 B.F.T.S. flying training school run by the RAF and USAAF under the lease lend agreement to learn to fly.

Last year my wife and I travelled from UK to Dallas to the BFTS museum 75 yrs to the day my father flew solo in a PT-17. It was airshow and fly in day at thd museum and they had arranged for me to fly in a PT-17 too. Torrential rain and thunderstorms cancelled thd airshow and we returned to UK via Atlanta.

I would like to build the Revell 1/48 Stearman PT-17 but as it would have been in 1942 in wartime colours but I cant find any colour photos of this only the blue/yellow of the model box. Father flew over thirty PT-17s during his training and I have the numbers of all of them.

If anybody could help with the colours I would be greatful. After the Stearman he flew the Texan AT-6 (known in UK as the Harvard) for gunnery training, this is the second model I will construct. Regards Diko.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, May 30, 2019 3:04 PM

Finding a color photo would be a lucky thing. I looked at a number of sites, and the aircraft then and there seem to be blue/ yellow.

I suppose another possiblity would be green/ yellow. It's hard to tell from b/w photos.

Have you written the museum? They'd be a good place to start.

Interesting story, one I didn't know about.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, May 30, 2019 3:34 PM

Numbers of USN Stearmans during the war flew also in all-yellow and silver-dope schemes.

Any chance the museum could help with photos...partcularly since you have the a/c numbers?

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, May 30, 2019 3:43 PM

Following up...

Most of the photos from a quick view of the museum's Facebook page show both the PT-17s and Harvards in silver dope or natural metal finish.That's probably your way to go.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    May 2019
Posted by Diko on Thursday, May 30, 2019 4:06 PM

gregbale

Following up...

Most of the photos from a quick view of the museum's Facebook page show both the PT-17s and Harvards in silver dope or natural metal finish.That's probably your way to go.

 

Thank you for viewing their Facebook page. Yes you are right silver dope and natural finish. Being 1942 do you think the star roundel on top of the wing would be in the blue, white and red or the more familiar USAAF wartime blue roundel with white star?

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, May 30, 2019 4:30 PM

Diko
Being 1942 do you think the star roundel on top of the wing would be in the blue, white and red or the more familiar USAAF wartime blue roundel with white star?

If I remember correctly the change was 'officially' instituted mid-year...but there would likely have been less urgency for non-combat units to make the change. Still, by the fall of that year it would almost certainly be the white star roundel with any red centers painted over.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    May 2019
Posted by Diko on Thursday, May 30, 2019 5:00 PM

gregbale

 

 
Diko
Being 1942 do you think the star roundel on top of the wing would be in the blue, white and red or the more familiar USAAF wartime blue roundel with white star?

 

If I remember correctly the change was 'officially' instituted mid-year...but there would likely have been less urgency for non-combat units to make the change. Still, by the fall of that year it would almost certainly be the white star roundel with any red centers painted over.

 

Thank you gregbale.

  • Member since
    April 2019
  • From: Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Posted by John 3:16 KJV on Thursday, May 30, 2019 7:12 PM

     “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

     For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  - John 3:16-17

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2019
Posted by Diko on Friday, May 31, 2019 2:43 AM
Thanks, you’re responses have been most welcome, thank you
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, May 31, 2019 8:45 AM

During war years many Stearmen were painted in the silver/aluminum scheme.  I rode in one- Civil Air Patrol plane- several times late in war period.  I have a stearman in my stash that I intend to finish that way, after having done one in yellow and blue.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    April 2019
  • From: Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Posted by John 3:16 KJV on Friday, May 31, 2019 9:48 AM

You’re welcome. :)

     “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

     For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  - John 3:16-17

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2019
  • From: Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Posted by John 3:16 KJV on Friday, May 31, 2019 9:49 AM

Here is something for the Texan, too. 

 

http://www.fuselagecodes.com/id63.html

     “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

     For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  - John 3:16-17

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2019
Posted by Diko on Friday, May 31, 2019 11:45 AM
The Terrell based Stearman V121 could be the very aircraft my father first solo'd in. His lod book states PT17 reg 121 was his for the first solo flight on August 9th. Thank you very much thats the Stearman I will base my model on, cheers Diko.
  • Member since
    April 2019
  • From: Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Posted by John 3:16 KJV on Friday, May 31, 2019 4:09 PM

Diko
The Terrell based Stearman V121 could be the very aircraft my father first solo'd in. His lod book states PT17 reg 121 was his for the first solo flight on August 9th. Thank you very much thats the Stearman I will base my model on, cheers Diko.
 

Cool! You’re welcome. :)

     “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

     For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  - John 3:16-17

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Saturday, June 1, 2019 5:15 PM

Diko Ive been following your post on the PT-17 and I’ve been tinkering with a PT-17 kit my self  between GB’s  thanks for the Inspiration Yes 

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    May 2019
Posted by Diko on Sunday, June 2, 2019 3:38 AM
Stearman V121 is the actual first solo flight aeroplane my Father flew. The model will be based on that photo, thanks guys
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