Boeing Stearman PT-17 wartime colours

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  

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. :)

Here is something for the Texan, too. 

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

You’re welcome. :)

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.

http://www.vickersvaliant.com/no.5-bfts-clewiston--florida.html

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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