RNZAF decals - why do they get it so wrong?

[Dave Homewood]

I've lost count of how many model decal manufacturers seem to think that WWII RNZAF Pacific roundels were a light pale blue! And that the roundel centres were the same colour as the outer blue rings.

Italeri has just released this kit and perpetuated the myth.
www.hyperscale.com/reviews/kits/italeri2658reviewbg_1.htm

Just where is it that these decal makers source their information from? Some old 1960's photos of faded wrecks? It's just annoying.

[phas3e]

Hi,

Im normally a casual lerker here but I reg'd Just now to ask about kittyhawk roundels,
as I am doing a set of RNZAF kittyhawks for IL2 and have been wondering about the markings myself.

Ive been using 'Air to air', 'pacific scrapbook' and an old aircam book, plus various web resources
and have been wondering about the colours of the blue and that use of red in the centers,
especialy of 4OTU machines as they seem to have an even darker blue, maybe RAF roundel blue.

This is basicly what I have at the moment but I lost my template I was using and have started again from scratch.






if you have any pics or any bits of info as to pacfic service and trainer markings it would be great thanks

[Dave Homewood]

Those look really nice, well done!

My understanding is that the NZ paint, particularly the blue, was mixed to attempt to match that of the RAF equivalent, and usually did when applied, but due to poor pigmentation as NZ was lacking materials that would make it good paint, it faded so would often look a little lighter. Many decal makers seem to have taken this literally and make it a very pale Cambridge blue, which is taking it to the extreme of ridiculous. I've never seen a photo showing RNZAF roundels that light while in service - and the only thing I can think of is someone who started this myth looked at remnants of paint on a survivor from the Rukuhia graveyard some 25 + years later and assumed that the faded light blue after years of sun and erosion by weather was true and correct. It's not. The lightest it should get is a middle blue, like the centre of the roundel on the Avenger that the AFC had. That is unless you're depicting an extremely weather beaten wreck. Even in wartime when paint got too bad they repainted it, it was part of the anti-corrosion protection so was important to keep looking good.

Have you had a look at Pete Mossong's excellent website here?
rnzaf.hobbyvista.com/index.html

There's a section on RNZAF P-40's.

I can also highly recommend Warren P. Russell's book "RNZAF and NZPAF Colours and Marking Volume Three - Corsair Special" which has basically all you need to know about the many and varied RNZAF roundels in WWII. If you cannot find the book in your local library you can still purchase it from Warren directly, see my website's advert for it here
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Warren_Russell.htm

It's a rare and excellent book and well worth the $50.00 IMHO

Failing that, I can look up specifics for you if you would like. I also recommend Charles Darby's book 'RNZAF: The First Decade" which also includes paiting details for RNZAF aircraft.

[phas3e]

Cheers,

I will keep that corsair special book in mind, but I can get a hold of 'RNZAF: The First Decade'
from my library.
My 'new book' fund is awaiting JG300 vol 2 but that colours and marking book is tempting.

Heres a screenshot the first of my new P40s 'NZ3072' I was going to stear clear of this one as every skinner who decides to do a kiwi P40 does it, but I saw a few little bits that none of them
had added, like the white stripe not on the left alieron or the cat on the right hand side.

anyway here it is if anyones interested.

[Dave Homewood]

Excellent. I like that very much.