MC and CB, thank you. But it has a ways to go yet...
Well last nite after work I began to apply decals. Now before we get to showing any of that, let me explain what’s ahead with the markings and how I got there. I am making a P-40F from the 57th Fighter Group in the Western Desert in late summer/autumn of 1942. The 57th received new P-40Fs that had the topside OD covered in Desert Sand/Desert Pink at the factory. The spinner was also Sand at this time. Markings were minimal when they were loaded aboard USS Ranger for shipment to Africa. Stars in the four position, US ARMY on the undersurface of the wings, red plane in group numbers on the sides of the chin scoop, and yellow serial numbers on the tail. A few aircraft had names on the nose and/or artwork on the rudder.
After launching from Ranger off West Africa, then flying in hops until they arrived in Palestine to begin training with the RAF before entering combat, they still had this appearance. Prior to beginning combat orientation flights with the RAF, theater ID markings such as the Red spinner, as were larger white plane in group numbers added straddling the fuselage stars. The original nose plane in group numbers appear to have been painted over
Later, an RAF style red, white, and blue fin flash was added
so now you have an idea of where I’m heading and why...
But for now, the lower surface star and US ARMY
I applied most of the rest of the markings today before work, but I did not have time to take photos, so you’ll have to wait for those till morning...
F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!
U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!
N is for NO SURVIVORS...
- Plankton
LSM