XB-40 Bomber escort colors

[TheRealMrEd]

Can anyone confirm/deny whether this scheme was used on the XB-40 prototype, # 124341?:

If not the right one, does anyone know what's correct? I can't quite make it out from the B&W photos to which I have access.

Thanks,

Ed

 

[Wurger]

IMHO the prototype wasn't of the two-tone camo. Just a couple of repainted or washed areas on the fuselage at the gunner stations. The pics I found via the net confirm that rather.

the pic source: the Internet.

 

[T Bolt]

I agree with that. Looks like the OD was considerably faded before the modifications were made, then those areas sprayed with fresh OD

 

[Wurger]

I think the same. Here are the next three shots. The first one shows the art on the fuselage with the older USA national insignia partially. Please notice the area all around the markings that looks very worn with traces of refreshing of the coat. The two next ones show the nose of the plane with patches of darker paint applied on sides and top.

the pic source: the Internet.

 

[MIflyer]

From somewhere I recall that supposedly if the B-40 had went into production it likely would have used the XB-38 as basis, with the V-1710 engines. The XB-38 was appreciably faster than the B-17, and that would have helped the B-40 keep up with the rest of the force after the B-17's had dropped their bombs. Of course the B-40 did not get lighter because it had no bombs.

 

[TheRealMrEd]

Thanks guys!

Werger, the Mickey Mouse artwork was the reason I was asking. I am replicating that artwork for a build, but since I have n way to print the white parts myself, I'm going to have to print it onto a white decal sheet, coloring the background the same O.D. as the model. When O get the artwork done, if anyone needs it, I could post it here, as a .jpg I suppose.

Ed

 

[Wurger]

I see.

 

[Jarda]

Here's the color photograph

 

[Niceoldguy58]

Wurger is quite correct. The dark patches are "new" OD painted over the new sheet metal mods on faded OD.

As for the B-38, actually the B-40 was originally to be built with Allison engines. However, it was taking so long to modify the B-17 to take the Allison's that the Air Corps said they just wanted a "quick and dirty" mod of the existing B-17 to meet the criteria of what was called the "convoy escort". Interestingly, the whole concept of the convoy escort bomber was originally British in origin. Of course, once finished the British had switched to night bombing and wanted nothing to do with it.

Turns out they were right the second time, but the B-40 did yield some useful weapons mods that were applied to subsequent B-17's - and almost to B-24's.

AlanG

 

[TheRealMrEd]

As promised, artwork for the XB-40 attached. If anyone needs .psd files for the layers, please PM me with e=mail addy and I'll send them along.

Ed

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

Looks good