D-Day Stripes?

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Hi everyone, I wonder if anyone could shed some light on a query I have. I'm presently doing a Tempest Mk V.

The version I am doing is to be W/Cdr Roland P. Beamonts, now the issue I have is with the stripes, the paint guide instructions show just stripes on the underside of the wings, but now I am looking at an Osprey manual that shows top and bottom wings and fusealage with stripes, can I take it that this is how it should be. The Ospery guide even points out that the stripes were applied at the actual Hawker factory in Langley.

If this is the case I have a lot more masking to do as I want to get it spot on.

Cheers

Adrian

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

D'oh, forget that, I just turned the page in the instructions to see the D-day version, phew so glad as the first paint job has more stripes!!!

Adrian

P.S I must not work on models when tired !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest]

Lol, nice one Ade

[stona]

Ade,check again. On D-Day all allied aircraft operationg in daylight carried a complete set of "Distinctive Markings" aka invasion stripes for Overlord. That included top and bottom of wings and completely encircling the fuselage.

After D-Day they were gradually removed in stages,first from the top of the wings and then the top of the fuselage.

Hawker Typhoons and later Tempests carried underwing "Identification Stripes" and these may be the ones applied by Hawker at the factory. These were originally the result of the Typhoon being mistaken for Fw 190s and were simply an earlier IFF marking. They were applied to Tempests as a marking visible from the ground. They were NOT invasion stripes. You can easily tell because the black and white bands were not of equal width but comprised 12" black and 18" white bands. Invasion stripes were equal 18" bands and were applied by units very shortly before D-Day on aircraft in service and by the Maintenance Units on aircraft supplied after the invasion,not at the factories.

Basically you've got two types of stripes,the Hawker applied identification stripes and the unit or MU applied invasion stripes for Overlord.

If you are modelling the aircraft from about March/April 1944 until June 4/5th 1944 go with the Hawker identification stripes.

If you are modelling the aircraft on D-Day go with a complete set of distinctive markings (invasion stripes) as per orders from SHAEF. After D-Day you would need to check when and how a particular unit started to remove portions of the stripes.

Cheers

Steve

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Ade,check again. On D-Day all allied aircraft operationg in daylight carried a complete set of "Distinctive Markings" aka invasion stripes for Overlord. That included top and bottom of wings and completely encircling the fuselage.After D-Day they were gradually removed in stages,first from the top of the wings and then the top of the fuselage.

Hawker Typhoons and later Tempests carried underwing "Identification Stripes" and these may be the ones applied by Hawker at the factory. These were originally the result of the Typhoon being mistaken for Fw 190s and were simply an earlier IFF marking. They were applied to Tempests as a marking visible from the ground. They were NOT invasion stripes. You can easily tell because the black and white bands were not of equal width but comprised 12" black and 18" white bands. Invasion stripes were equal 18" bands and were applied by units very shortly before D-Day on aircraft in service and by the Maintenance Units on aircraft supplied after the invasion,not at the factories.

Basically you've got two types of stripes,the Hawker applied identification stripes and the unit or MU applied invasion stripes for Overlord.

If you are modelling the aircraft from about March/April 1944 until June 4/5th 1944 go with the Hawker identification stripes.

If you are modelling the aircraft on D-Day go with a complete set of distinctive markings (invasion stripes) as per orders from SHAEF. After D-Day you would need to check when and how a particular unit started to remove portions of the stripes.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve, after looking in the book and comparing the instructions your bang on as always, I was just alittle tired last nite whilst browsing. Now in the cold light of day a vague memory drifts into me about the two sets of stripes, well this build will be pre D-day I guess as if you look at the pics posted of my Tempest I have already done the 3 white 4 black stripes.

Though it is puzzling that Osprey say the full D-day stripes on this particular aircraft were done at the factory?

Adrian

[stona]

Though it is puzzling that Osprey say the full D-day stripes on this particular aircraft were done at the factory?

Adrian

It wouldn't be the first time they got something wrong

Cheers

Steve