Picture of the Day - Miscellaneous

[Gnomey]

Good stuff!

 

[Viking1066]

Nakajima A6M2-Ns of 802nd Ku at Jaluit May 1943 ARZB

 

[Viking1066]

Macchi MC.202s of 360 and 351 Squadriglia 51 Stormo C.T. In the background are G.50s, CR.42s, an MC.200 and a SM.79 on Sardinia 1943 BUND

 

[Viking1066]

Nakajima B5N1s '9-349' over China 1939 BURI

 

[Viking1066]

Martin PBM-3R Mariner '6464' NATS Tarawa 1944 AIRH

 

[Viking1066]

Fiat BR-42AS Falco NSG20 'Red 83' Strassboug France 1943 ASBIZ

 

[Viking1066]

Nakajima C3N1 '3-92' from the 12th Ku 1938-1939 BURI

 

[Viking1066]

Martin PBM Mariner 'S-525' Towed to Hangar for Repairs at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, 1945 SILH

 

[SaparotRob]

Nakajima C3N1 '3-92' from the 12th Ku 1938-1939 BURI
View attachment 811079

I had to look this one up. It seems this was a rare bird.

 

[Viking1066]

I had to look this one up. It seems this was a rare bird.

It was. I think there are two kits for it. I have those.

 

[CATCH 22]

Martin PBM Mariner 'S-525' Towed to Hangar for Repairs at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, 1945 SILH
View attachment 811080

This is a nice shot of a PBM-3S BuNo 3625 - the anti-submarine type without nose, top and tail turrets. Note the non-standard appearing camouflage. This is not exactly the "Atlantic search scheme" ASW. Top sides look like Blue Grey ANA 603 and bottom sides are white.
Several authors write about early variations of the ASW with blue gray tops. I've seen other photos as well and asked myself could it be that they used a blue filter for those particular photos? Or is it a modern digitalized copy with some computer enhancement? I think it's the latter.
Here is another copy of the above photo, I'll call it an "original":

See how the top surfaces are grey and the tractor is bluish.
And the same scene from a different angle:

Compare the tractor with the PBM in the back: the blue colour is the same. The grey colour of the top surfaces is not - it is Dark Gull Grew ANA 621 - ASW II-scheme.

 

[Viking1066]

Junkers Ju 87B2 Picchiatelli RA 97 Gruppo 238a Squadriglia 'red 11' Italy Feb 1941 ASBIZ

 

[Viking1066]

Regia Aeronautica Fiat BR.20M Cicogna 88 Gruppo Autonomo 56 Sqadriglia 56-8 Castelvetrano Sicily Apr 1942 ASBIZ

 

[CATCH 22]

Another interesting PBM-3S photo where the two top colours: grey and blue grey can be compared side by side:

NAS Norfolk again, 1944-45. The housing of the radar receives new cover from another PBM in blue camouflage. The cover is either very faded Sea Blue ANA 606 or Blue Grey ANA 603. I believe it's the latter - check the cowl flaps in a very dark blue tone which should be Sea Blue. The top surfaces are in Dark Gull Grew ANA 621, ASW II-scheme.

 

[Viking1066]

Nakajima A1N type 3 WIKI

 

[Viking1066]

Friedrichshafen FF33 at end slipway with two Brandenburg W12 biplanes FLYN

 

[Viking1066]

Warplanes of Japan-Transported to the USA on the USS Barnes (CVE-20), Oct-Nov 1945 MHBO