**** DONE: GB-55 1/48 A-20B Havoc - MTO III

[Donivanp]

Username : donivanp
First name : Don
Category : intermediate
Scale : 1/48
Manufacturer / Model : AMT/ERTL A-20B/C Havoc
Extras: FMC decals

 

[Jock Tamson]

Cool

 

[CATCH 22]

Don, you'll be building my "Holy Grail" of models! I'm behind it since years, but the difference between the price I'm ready to pay for it and the price(s) offered by the various sellers is too big!
If you want to build the 47-th BG bird, you'll make me happy! I did some digging many years ago and found interesting photos (but no written proof) about the temporary camouflage of those a/c. There are so many photos (the press was there at the right time, maybe on purpose) and one can find interesting details, e.g. the glazing over the bombardier's station was already modified (overpainted) earlier with OD and then over-overpainted with the lighter tone.

I have my own theory about the very rough character of the additional (in field) camo and I'll write about, in case you choose this particular a/c.
Have fun with this nice model! I'm so-o-o-o jealous!
Cheers!

 

[Donivanp]

Don, you'll be building my "Holy Grail" of models! I'm behind it since years, but the difference between the price I'm ready to pay for it and the price(s) offered by the various sellers is too big!
If you want to build the 47-th BG bird, you'll make me happy! I did some digging many years ago and found interesting photos (but no written proof) about the temporary camouflage of those a/c. There are so many photos (the press was there at the right time, maybe on purpose) and one can find interesting details, e.g. the glazing over the bombardier's station was already modified (overpainted) earlier with OD and then over-overpainted with the lighter tone.
View attachment 683044
I have my own theory about the very rough character of the additional (in field) camo and I'll write about, in case you choose this particular a/c.
Have fun with this nice model! I'm so-o-o-o jealous!
Cheers!

My intended aircraft is indeed the 47th.. any photos will be welcome. I found the scheme to be quite intresting with the light OD and the dark olive and the sand over all...

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Nice one Don and a very interesting colour scheme. Going to need a big powder puff and brush to dust this one up.

 

[Totalize]

I like that camo scheme. Looking forward to this one.

 

[Wayne Little]

Yeah....cool camo alright...

 

[fubar57]

Right on. Love the camo

 

[le_steph40]

With all above Don

 

[N4521U]

Done one way back....................
and Wow, you got some doins for that camo pattern, yikes.

 

[Micdrow]

Don, I did look in the book pictured below that I have thinking this would be easy but unfortunately there are very few photos in the book of aircraft for the squadron. About time for me to go to bed as I work tonight but will see if I have some other pictures tomorrow.

 

[Micdrow]

I did find this one really quickly.

A-20B Havoc 41-3014 "Wahoo" of the 47th Bomb Group, North Africa March 1943 | World War Photos

Douglas A-20B 41-3014. Aircraft carrying variants of the special North West African forces camouflage applied in the field.

www.worldwarphotos.info

 

[CATCH 22]

I did find this one really quickly.

A-20B Havoc 41-3014 "Wahoo" of the 47th Bomb Group, North Africa March 1943 | World War Photos

Douglas A-20B 41-3014. Aircraft carrying variants of the special North West African forces camouflage applied in the field.

www.worldwarphotos.info

View attachment 686631

Paul, there is a collection of LIFE-photos showing some of those camouflaged A-20 from the 47-th BG.

What I know is that they were used in this "disguise" during the Kasserine Pass raids.
Cheers!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

That is an incredible camo.

 

[Totalize]

Very cool. Reminds me of this classic picture. I wonder if the squadron was going for the same effect?

 

[CATCH 22]

Very cool. Reminds me of this classic picture. I wonder if the squadron was going for the same effect?

View attachment 686713

There is another (maybe not so classic) photo with the a/c in question in a similar environment:

The second plane is almost completely covered with the lighter tone, what many believe is a washable paint. I have a different theory (as mentioned earlier in the thread), but it will come later. The "painters" of the nearest one were lazier though...

Cheers!

 

[Micdrow]

Found this one on the web

 

[Micdrow]

Found the life collection.

 

[Micdrow]

few more

 

[CATCH 22]

few more

View attachment 686800View attachment 686801View attachment 686802View attachment 686803View attachment 686804View attachment 686805View attachment 686806

That's exactly the collection I was thinking of!
Paul, would you mind posting the link to it. I had almost all of those photos but from earlier times, when LIFE-photos were not given to Google and my old links are dead now.