Here a couple of enlargded shots of the know pic of the EP257. Judging by the shape of the code latter seen partially above the wing tip I would say it couldn't have been any letter like A,B, D, E, F, P or R, But just M or N. The shape left top part of the letter is very characteristic for these two letters . Also the right piece seen there indicates it as well. Which one it was .. the M is more likely than the N but .. so the choice is yours.
**** DONE: GB-55 (1)1:48 Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop - MTO III
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Here a couple of enlargded shots of the know pic of the EP257. Judging by the shape of the code latter seen partially above the wing tip I would say it couldn't have been any letter like A,B, D, E, F, P or R, But just M or N. The shape left top part of the letter is very characteristic for these two letters . Also the right piece seen there indicates it as well. Which one it was .. the M is more likely than the N but .. so the choice is yours.
Donivanp
Major
Starting to sound like Joseph coat of many colors. Mr Bill, get er done
Good work so far Bill!
- Thread starter
- #44
N4521U
Colonel
Painted the cockpit today, headway being made.
The guys on this forum are great,
Fubar came thru with some photos of 249 Sqn.
Illustrations from a book about Malta Sqns.
They give me a place to start looking.
Thing about illustrations is they are always suspect.
The same serial could be in many forms.
Even Beurling's aircraft, 32 victories and no photos of His AC?
So EP706 could be a Mk.V, Vb or even a VbT.
Could be Extra Dark Ocean Grey, desert camo or even grey and green.
Sky or Azure underside. Could be an "A" or "B" camo scheme.
White, Sky or even Yellow codes.
Codes could be tight to the roundel, way forward under the back glass of the canopy.
Even unsightly spaced either side of the roundel, one side and not the other.
Models have been built and posted on the web reflecting each and every one of the above.
I could do my Davidson AC of 126 Sqn, but I don't know the code, and have no photo.
Examining photos of WWII AC in general the rules seem to only apply to the Factory.
And then even they had to mix odd batches of color to Make Do because of shortages.
In the field the codes, even the roundels were taller, shorter, higher, lower, fatter and even
different colors and shades..... just like the pilots who flew them.
I would imagine pressed for time and materials accounted for much of this.
Hell, there was a WAR on!!!!
Every custom decal I have applied to an AC comes from an actual photo of the plane.
I make ever attempt to be as accurate as I can to the subject AC.
I say again, you guys are tops! I love this place!!!!
The guys on this forum are great,
Fubar came thru with some photos of 249 Sqn.
Illustrations from a book about Malta Sqns.
They give me a place to start looking.
Thing about illustrations is they are always suspect.
The same serial could be in many forms.
Even Beurling's aircraft, 32 victories and no photos of His AC?
So EP706 could be a Mk.V, Vb or even a VbT.
Could be Extra Dark Ocean Grey, desert camo or even grey and green.
Sky or Azure underside. Could be an "A" or "B" camo scheme.
White, Sky or even Yellow codes.
Codes could be tight to the roundel, way forward under the back glass of the canopy.
Even unsightly spaced either side of the roundel, one side and not the other.
Models have been built and posted on the web reflecting each and every one of the above.
I could do my Davidson AC of 126 Sqn, but I don't know the code, and have no photo.
Examining photos of WWII AC in general the rules seem to only apply to the Factory.
And then even they had to mix odd batches of color to Make Do because of shortages.
In the field the codes, even the roundels were taller, shorter, higher, lower, fatter and even
different colors and shades..... just like the pilots who flew them.
I would imagine pressed for time and materials accounted for much of this.
Hell, there was a WAR on!!!!
Every custom decal I have applied to an AC comes from an actual photo of the plane.
I make ever attempt to be as accurate as I can to the subject AC.
I say again, you guys are tops! I love this place!!!!
- Thread starter
- #45
N4521U
Colonel
Here is a case in point.
The middle, of course is the active AC.
Bottom as illustrated. Codes and serial and Fin flash!
Top, I have recreated the markings From the middle photo.
A marked difference. in size, shape and placement of all.
Not to mention the shape of the vert stab and rudder.
I was going for a grey green camo scheme, but may do this one.
I am going to assume the codes were in Sky and underside Azure,
standard colors upper fuselage.
BTW, a progress photo of the cockpit painting.
Very clean, New AC!!!!!!!
The middle, of course is the active AC.
Bottom as illustrated. Codes and serial and Fin flash!
Top, I have recreated the markings From the middle photo.
A marked difference. in size, shape and placement of all.
Not to mention the shape of the vert stab and rudder.
I was going for a grey green camo scheme, but may do this one.
I am going to assume the codes were in Sky and underside Azure,
standard colors upper fuselage.
BTW, a progress photo of the cockpit painting.
Very clean, New AC!!!!!!!
le_steph40
Chief Master Sergeant
I think you're right regarding the code is sky color, but it could be in MSG, but it seems that the aircraft behind (MKoJ or MKoL ?) wears white code letter (or sky)... it depends on filter used for the photo
fubar57
General
Good sleuthing. D.E on the tail is also lower on the pic than the profile
I have enlarged the pic posted above ..
IMHO ...
the code letters ...
- the "P" letter should be "taller" slightly going on the wing-fuselage fairing at the bottom. Its top part seems to be of more rectangular shape and more square corners.
- the "MK" letters look correct. If compared to the white "MK" code on the Spit in the background The "M" letter is more pointy at the top but not flat. Both letters should be "taller".
According to the pic both letters start slightly below the bottom edge of the RAF roundel.
The colour for the code letters is said to be the MSG but it seems that the yellow could be as well, especially if the camo colours weren't the desert one.
Also .. please make a focus on the spinner shape. It doesn't seem to be the longer one used later with the Rotol prop.
PS. I have a little bit larger scan of the profile .. however the "M" letter is not of the pointy tops.
the source: the net.
IMHO ...
the code letters ...
- the "P" letter should be "taller" slightly going on the wing-fuselage fairing at the bottom. Its top part seems to be of more rectangular shape and more square corners.
- the "MK" letters look correct. If compared to the white "MK" code on the Spit in the background The "M" letter is more pointy at the top but not flat. Both letters should be "taller".
According to the pic both letters start slightly below the bottom edge of the RAF roundel.
The colour for the code letters is said to be the MSG but it seems that the yellow could be as well, especially if the camo colours weren't the desert one.
Also .. please make a focus on the spinner shape. It doesn't seem to be the longer one used later with the Rotol prop.
PS. I have a little bit larger scan of the profile .. however the "M" letter is not of the pointy tops.
the source: the net.
Vic Balshaw
Major General
Lots going on here. 
- Thread starter
- #50
N4521U
Colonel
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Vic Balshaw
Major General
Have you noticed the aircraft behind and how the "MK" looks as though it has been hand applied which in itself would be the same as on your Spit. Nice challenge, roughing the decals up to look crappy.
- Thread starter
- #52
N4521U
Colonel
I did notice, no two alike.Have you noticed the aircraft behind and how the "MK" looks as though it has been hand applied which in itself would be the same as on your Spit. Nice challenge, roughing the decals up to look crappy.
Same went for D-Day stripes, widths and placement........ strange.
Donivanp
Major
What is so strange. It's war, they get a plane and it doesn't have a week to get ready to be used. They landed a Malta and took off again to go kill Germans trying to kill them. Just like D day. They were told the night before and given a basic idea of what needed to be done. In the dark with brooms, mops ect.. threw on the strips.
Lovely work so far Bill!
- Thread starter
- #55
N4521U
Colonel
Just received this in the mail today, Eduard's 3D interior!!!
I am impressed, even the seat back, although in black.
Little panels, seat belts which I needed. The IP looks and feels terrrrific!
Even the compass top and a PE bracket for it. It's the Biz I tell yah!
See! I got a set for each of my builds.
I am impressed, even the seat back, although in black.
Little panels, seat belts which I needed. The IP looks and feels terrrrific!
Even the compass top and a PE bracket for it. It's the Biz I tell yah!
See! I got a set for each of my builds.
Vic Balshaw
Major General
Good stuff Bill. Believe Don may have had problems with the 3D parts when sticking down with CA glue, think he said they may have turned off colour. My suggestion when I do my own on the Wellington is to try PVA glue.
- Thread starter
- #57
N4521U
Colonel
Directions suggest using Mr Mark Setter, on a smooth surface.
CA for the PE as per usual.
CA for the PE as per usual.
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Vic Balshaw
Major General
Not sure Bill, never used them but thinking on it, maybe the Eduard ones are as the also do self stick PE.
Jock Tamson
Staff Sergeant
Those 3D parts look great. Looking forward to seeing them in situ.
- Thread starter
- #60
N4521U
Colonel
Instructions
From my phone.
From my phone.
