SPA Modeler

Well, at least all the base colors are on now except for things like the main gear struts, tires, guns, and exhaust stacks...

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...

Thank you for those details, very helpful to understand your next moves, and the lower wings look great! Are you applying over a gloss Future coat or did I miss a step?

Yes, I airbrushed on a coat of Future on Saturday. Upper and lower surfaces. I ended up giving a second treatment yesterday in the morning as the surface was not smooth and glossy enough the first time.

All the background info will come in handy and make sense when I get to the topside markings and explain where and why I varied from what is in the kit.

And now for another semi long explanatory post on the markings...

The kit decals appear to be based off of this profile



which appears to be based off of this photo,



which both came from a book that is nearly as old as I am. Now in the photo, the spinner is not visible, but I would say highly improbable. Mainly for the reasons that I stated in my previous post, and also because white was the Axis theater ID color used on their fighters at that time in North Africa. Also, the black serial number on the rudder is not visible in the photo. Although it is possible for a yellow one to be there, but obscured by dust. Now as far as a name on the engine access panel, maybe yes, maybe no, based off of the photo. I checked on Joe Baughers website, and for the serial number given, that airframe was not written off until 1944. So I surmise that it would have recieved the red spinner, and later the RAF trio color fin flash. Now I did find a couple other photos of a 57th FG P-40 coded 53 that did have those ID markings. BUT... I believe it is a different airframe due to the difference in placement of the 3 and the condition of the fuselage stars between the two. My assessment is that the second photo is a replacement aircraft later in the campaign, or has had a major repair in the tail area (less likely).



Anyways, I opted to mark mine as the top photo aircraft, with the offset 3, but with markings as it should have looked later in the campaign.





I am still pondering whether or not if I should add the name and some yellow serial numbers...

Thanks Bruce. The fin flash is debatable, but the red spinner is not. I probably could have placed the numbers a bit closer to the stars, but...

Of course, sometime after I finish this build, a photo will probably turn up to settle the debate...

I’m just happy to have the decals on and nearing the finish line.