Grumman Martlet III for Greece?

[Capt. Vick]

Gents,

Have gone down the rabbit hole thinking about the latest group build and I stumbled upon a Greek order for Martlet III's that was on it's way to Greece when they capitulated. Squadron Signal In Action says they were painted all over Sky Blue with IIRC US Navy serial numbers. The 1/72 AZ model box has a "profile" of the Greek Grumman on the back, though camouflaged. The aircraft carrier Ranger(?) stopped in Gibraltar and the Fleet Air Arm took them over.

With that being said, I have been looking for any pictures of these blue planes, which I would suppose would be in Greek markings. Nothing. I have seen pictures of them in British markings after acceptance, used for a short while in north Africa. Can anyone help?

 

[fubar57]

I'll have a quick look when I get off work Jim and then a deeper look when I get home on Wednesday

 

[Capt. Vick]

Thanks brother!

 

[fubar57]

​

Just a thought Jim. Fire up Google Chrome and head over to some Greek Modelling sites. Someone there would probably have something

 

[Micdrow]

You might find this interesting Jim.

F4F Wildcat sale to Greece from USA - Axis History Forum

 

[fubar57]

I found it interesting Paul. I sent Jim a photo that shows the Wildcat for Greece in two different colours, Medium Brown over Light Gray (FS 36440)

 

[Capt. Vick]

Damn this is getting too confusing

 

[Capt. Vick]

Geo indirectly sent me to SDAM and a lovely woman over there said to check their flicker account. Came up with these two (one of which GEO sent me already). No copyright know, per SDAM.

Assuming these photos where taken at the Grumman factory, this would dispel the "shipped in overall Sky Blue" statement from Squadron/Signal In Action 84. (Assuming also that they didn't repaint them before shipment).

Now look at the pictures, it looks as if the fin flash and wing roundels have been painted over. Perhaps because of some neutrality technicality. Or did a censor eliminate them on the actual picture? Thoughts?

 

[fubar57]

Perhaps D Dana Bell has the answer

 

[Dana Bell]

I'm afraid this is one of those mysteries that has bothered me for years. There have been a number of opinions published about those colors - most cite US Navy paints with local (Middle-Eastern) repaints. Several claim a single overall color - usually gray or blue. But until those SDASM photos turned up in this thread, I'd no idea that a two-toned scheme was applied in the US before delivery.

The Grumman records that I saw depicted two different disruptive camouflages, neither of which was applied to the Greek aircraft.

I've one photo, which is a USAF copy of a Brit image. The contrast is poor and the upper surface colors have faded, making this look almost like a monochromatic camouflage. I'm as much in the dark on this as everyone...

Cheers,


Dana

 

[fubar57]

Thank you Dana

 

[fubar57]

Discussion here Jim. https://www.modelclub.gr/forums/index.php/topic,4073.0.html I just started reading it but will continue later. Its in Greek so use Chrome with its auto-translate.