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Post by hbpencil on Aug 31, 2015 15:20:57 GMT 12
Thanks for your replys, 'tis appreciated. Glad to hear that it is definitely a K, although that then leaves the mystery of why it has the grille... which, I should point out, some sources call a 'cooling grille' rather than something related to the carb air filter. Perhaps it's both? Anyway, both Dave and David's ideas sound plausible to me however I'll post this on some other aviation sites as well in order to cast a wider net and see if I find someone who can shed some light on this subject.
HB
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Post by hbpencil on Aug 30, 2015 22:58:06 GMT 12
Hello, There seems to be a fair bit of discussion about RNZAF P-40 colours at the moment and I have a question however I didn't want to risk derailing any of the other current threads so I started this new one. I hope I'm not asking something that has already been answered and that I missed it. The question I have relates to this photo, the blurb of which states that the P-40K-15 in the foreground is NZ3064. The last digit isn't very clear but it certainly looks like '4': It was my understanding that only the E and K were received with the two tone cammo scheme on the upper surfaces along with the scalloped demarcation between the upper and lower surface colours, the K being the last series were Curtiss bothered to apply customer spec'd cammo. The M and Ns that followed being painted in the standard OD over NG. At first glance NZ3064 seems to fit that pattern; the serial being for a K-15 and the paint job seems right as well... except I just noticed that she seems to have the carburetor air filters (the small perforated panel forward of the exhausts), a feature that was introduced on the M! Which leads me to wonder if the serial number isn't what was thought and to ask if any RNZAF Ms were painted in two tone cammo? Regards, HB
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Post by hbpencil on Aug 21, 2015 18:09:28 GMT 12
... now known that P-40Ks of this group were painted in a NZ-applied green and blue-grey scheme (Stores ref. 33B/N118)... If it's not to much of hassle, may I ask if you know of any online resources where I can read up some more about this, the RNZAF P-40K's paint scheme? It's something I 'd like to know more about however when I search online all I find is the Green/Brown scheme shown here. Cheers, HB
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Post by hbpencil on Apr 13, 2015 17:22:59 GMT 12
I had been wondering if the lack of white stripes on the tail control surfaces was a feature of the scheme, or an artifact of the incomplete paint job. I believe it's a feature. From what I've seen of period photographs the application of the theatre stripes to the control surfaces seemed to be quite random, regardless of aircraft type.
Regards,
HB
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Post by hbpencil on Jan 21, 2015 19:28:33 GMT 12
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Post by hbpencil on Dec 9, 2014 17:43:38 GMT 12
I realize I'm a bit late but I just want to add my congratulations, it looks good!
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Post by hbpencil on Oct 7, 2014 19:02:56 GMT 12
Hi Wally, That looks great, I like following build threads even though I don't build models myself (I use a digital brush rather than a physical one) so I look forward to seeing it come together. In regards to the code, the only photo I've seen from the anti-V1 campaign that shows the starboard side code of a 486 sqn Tempest is in Jimmy Sheddan's 'Tempest Pilot'. An exact date isn't given and it shows W/O O. D. 'Eagle' Eagleson making a gesture to other pilots (it's a posed shot for the media) and it show's the individual aircraft code forward of the rondel i.e. SA-G. Hardly conclusive, I know, but maybe something to consider. Also, I noticed something about the serial number in your first post. 'Tempest Pilot' has a list of all the V-1s claimed by 486 and it states that McCaw was flying JN758 when he downed those four V-1s, and apparently the first production Tempest V was JN729.
Cheers,
Harry
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Post by hbpencil on Oct 7, 2014 11:29:01 GMT 12
Hi Wally,
I'm just typing this while on my break at work so I'll check the following when I get home. In regards to the positioning of the squadron code, I believe having the code forward of the rondel on both sides was the norm when the squadron was flying Tiffies and this carried over on to the early Tempests, but that was soon changed to read SA-? as you see in the later photos. With the invasion stripes, I believe a full set would be correct. 2nd TAF aircraft based in Normandy had them removed from the upper surfaces fairly quickly because of the German artillery shelling their landing strips, however that wasn't a problem for the Tempests kept back in England to combat the V-1s.
Hope this helps,
Harry
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Post by hbpencil on Oct 3, 2014 20:01:39 GMT 12
The American Air Museum in Britain has uploaded about half of the collection (5000 images so far) online, covering 8th AF operations from '42 to '45. A mixture of domestic and operational stuff and mostly in colour! www.americanairmuseum.com/media?search=FRE+359thRegards, HB
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Post by hbpencil on Sept 15, 2014 17:47:02 GMT 12
Really interesting stuff, especially when considering how much other areas have changed since then. A few years ago a distant relative was up here from Wellington and a few of our family were invited to go with him to the War Memorial Museum to view his mother's artwork (mostly water-colours) which the museum holds in storage. She was an art student prior to WWI who painted many landscapes and it was fascinating to see how different some places looked then, like rows of Vicky Park Market-esqe factories and Rangitoto with no foliage. Not related to NZ at all but for those interested in early colour photography there's the Prokudin-Gorsky Collection: www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?co=prok&st=slideshow
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Post by hbpencil on Aug 15, 2014 18:51:53 GMT 12
Thanks so much for the link, I justhad to share it with some friends who I know will appreciate this art as much as I do.
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Post by hbpencil on Mar 24, 2014 10:29:41 GMT 12
Thanks Dave.
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Post by hbpencil on Mar 23, 2014 14:09:54 GMT 12
Hello,
I make skins for the IL2 sim series and I'm hoping to get a pack of skins of Tempests flown by Kiwis done by Anzac day. The bulk of them will be of 486 squadron aircraft however I'd like to do one of Spurdle's aircraft from when he was CO of 80 squadron, but I have no details whatsoever so if anyone happens to know the serial number and individual code letter that would be awesome!
Regards,
HB
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Post by hbpencil on Mar 23, 2014 13:51:36 GMT 12
Hello all, I've been loitering around this great site for some time now and so I thought it's about time I introduced myself...
What's your name? Harry Burgess
Where are you from? Auckland.
How old are you? Thirty five.
What is your main interest in aviation? Is it historic? Airlines? Military... Historic military, especially that of the Second World War.
Tell us about your background in aviation. Are you just an enthusiast or have you got more hands on experience? Are you a pilot? Do you have an Air Force Background? Or a civil aviation background? I'm just an enthusiast. I was always interested by aircraft and flying as a child, and although that interest dimmed during my late teens (I was in the ATC during my early/mid teens) and twenties it has revived strongly over the last few years.
Do you belong to any aviation groups, like the NZ Warbirds, RNZAF Association, Royal Aeronautical Society or CAF, etc? Afraid not.
Are you an aircraft modeller? (Scale or R/C) No. My hobby is in making 'skins' for the old IL2 flight sim series.
What are your favourite aviation books? Too many to name however The Blue Arena is now my favourite, before that it was I Flew For The Fuhrer.
Do you frequent other aviation forums? Not strictly aviation but yes, those relating to the IL2 sim series (I'm an admin at the Axis & Allies Paintworks site) and some modeling sites as well.
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