Getting hold of specific decals and paint schemes - any ideas?

[Guest]

Hi all -as mentioned in another post elsewhere I am currently building a Revell Boston after being inspired to do so by a an extended family member who I found out was in one of these machines over Eindhoven during the Philips factory raid in 1942 by 2nd Group Bomber Command (I think that's how it's described on the web).

The paint schemes and decals included in the kit are for other markings and was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of the right paint scheme and if it's even possible to get the decals from anywhere?

I would normally build a kit like this with the included decals to be honest but would ideally like to give this model to the man himself so thought it would be cool for it to be as realistic in appearance as possible...

Where to start??! Thanks for any help :-)

[BarryW]

Why not try some custom made paint masks? I did that for my Martlett and they work a treat.

You could research on-line, do you know the squadron involved? You can research it on-line through Google searches. Then email your requirements to AdAstra and they will produce the masks for you. They look better than decals.

Enquire via this email address : custom@adastramasks.com

[stona]

Hi Rob, you will find decals for the Squadron/Aircraft codes and serial available on sheets from Hannants. You should be able to use national markings and other decals from the kit.

If you feel up to masks I do agree with Barry that masks can make for a very good looking model.

I'm away from home and therefore my "library" at the moment but might be able to give you an idea of the correct camouflage scheme. Given the date and that it was a Bomber Command aircraft I would suggest that the camouflage would be Dark Earth/Dark Green over Sky. I haven't checked that. Any details you have of the aircraft would help confirm (or discount) that.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Thanks chaps, I did try and search on Hannants but to no avail - trouble is I have no idea what "codes" I'm looking for and might be referring to the squadron or whatever in the wrong way. In short, I'm clueless ;-)

Will see what I can find!!

[BarryW]

Rob - I did a bit of Googling and apparently 88 squadron RAF flew Bostons in the raid with codes RH.

Here is a pic [ATTACH]53076.vB[/ATTACH]

A bit more research should confirm what aircraft were involved and what the camo scheme was. It looks like Dark Earth/Green/ Sky to me but you need to check the actual scheme used around the date of the raid. Steve may have that.

[ATTACH]55523.IPB[/ATTACH]

[stona]

Rob - I did a bit of Googling and apparently 88 squadron RAF flew Bostons in the raid with codes RH.

They'd be 48" high and in Medium Sea Grey.

It seems that the squadron code RH was in front of the fuselage roundel on both sides and the individual aircraft letter was applied in an unusual position below the cockpit.

Cheers

Steve

[Dave W]

Im currenrly reading a book called. 'MilitaryAirfields of East Anglia'.Number 107 squadrons Bostons operating out of Great Massingham took part in the raid on the Phillips works at Eindhoven as well.If you could find out where he was stationed at the time that might help if you dont know the squadron.

[stona]

I've asked SWMBO to check my books as I think I might have one of the old camouflage and markings series for the Boston/Havoc tucked away somewhere.

Steve

[Guest]

Just got home and seen this - looks like good info guys, thanks. Think that the Boston that I have is a different Mk to the one in that pic however, that's a bit of a shame, the gun turret thing in the top middle of the fuselage is protruding dome on the Revell kit. Ah well, can't have it all...

Will see if I can find out where he was based anyway to try and get more of an accurate idea. Not sure what it is you are getting SWMBO to look for to be honest Steve, but it sounds helpful ;-)

Thanks again!

[stona]

Rob it was one of a series of book(lets) dealing with the camouflage and markings of various types. It's an old series,from the late 70s I think,but still a good reference. I definitely had the Boston/Havoc one once upon a time. I've told SWMBO where to look

Steve

[BarryW]

Rob - 88 Squadron did experiment with a turret in 1942 so maybe that might be right.

[ATTACH]53236.vB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]55608.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Dave W]

The Boston mk3 didnt have a dorsal gun turret.This was fitted to the Mk 4 and 5.All three marks were used by the RAF.

[stona]

I've found the relevant booklet and it doesn't help much.

I'd stick with DE/DG over Sky but feel the codes in the period you are looking at would have been dull red.

Cheers

Steve

[Ian M]

Hi Rob. What you need to get hold of are not the Serial Numbers per say, but a sheet of serial numbers, i.e. a whole sheet with just letters of the right size and type.

John in the shop has had them before and you can get them from hannants as well. A good thing to have a few different sheets; different sizes/colours...As well all know some times a kits decals are either damaged or just fall apart.

Transfers & Decals for scale models

Hannants - Plastic model kits and accessories

So its all down to finding the right colour and size and you are on the way.

Ian M

[Guest]

Hey guys - got a bit more info - he recalls that he was in 107RH squadron - does that sound right at all?? Based in West Raynham - near Massingham?

Does any of this info help?