1/144 B-24 / F7A Photo Mapping

[JollyRoger]

We are currently taking a CafeReo Big Bird 1/144 B-24 and making it a F7A Photo Mapping aircraft from the 5th Air Force. These pics show the point that it is at now. My son is in the process of getting the nose art and tail markings ready to print on decal sheet. What we are thinking about doing is making a dual aircraft. These models are hard to come by so we were thinking that seeing nose art was applied to either side of the aircraft we would represent 2 different aircraft. The starboard side would be HANGOVER HAVEN and the port side could be PHOTO FANNY with the correct tail markings for each. The 2 pics look different because one is with the flash and the other is without.
We are still not sure about this. We would like your opinions.

[Dauntless]

That's cool JR.

I didn't know there was a Liberator like that.
Looks much like the blue the RAF used on their Photo Recon Spitfires.

Like to see the finish.

[JollyRoger]

Thanks Dauntless,
Thats PR Blue (Photo Reconnaissance Blue). It was used on P-38's, Spitfires, Mosquitos, F7A's and B's and most likely any other Photo Recon aircraft. It didn't hold up well. It faded quickly and just didn't last. The B-24's carried it for a short time and then it was stripped off and the aircraft operated in natural metal skin.

[Dauntless]

I didn't know it till I started looking at profiles, but there were some mostly blue instead of mostly white tri-color PB4Y's the Navy used in the Pacific as well as the Atlantic.

I think this one is a photo recon version according to Wings Palette.

[JollyRoger]

The F7A's AND B's were different than the PB4Y"s. The F7's had cameras mounted in the nose and rear bombay areas. This is a great web site with a lot of info and pics on the type.

http://mysite.verizon.net/yenrav/20cms/index.htm

[Dauntless]

Interesting site.

Of note they kept all or most of the defensive armament. Possible high flying Japanese aircraft by then.
Also, the ones lost on missions are not explained probably because they were alone when shot down by enemy aircraft?

[JollyRoger]

If you go to that web site click on the tab for Aircraft. Scroll to the bottom and there will be a table of aircraft losses with some pretty good explanations of what happened to them.

[Dauntless]

I did look at that, mostly landing and takeoff accidents, but a few lost on missions, not explained, though a couple of guys parachuted to safety.

Looking forward to seeing the end result of your recon B-24.

I want to do that tri-color scheme myself., one of these days.

On another note, I scored a Cafereo Black Widow the other day for a vey reasonable price of $22 free shipping.

Might have to start another 1:144 thread again. The old one is very long in the tooth.

[JollyRoger]

Stars, guns and all glass are on. Just have to put nose art and tail markings on.

[JollyRoger]

A couple of pics of "hangover haven II"

[cnq]

very nice work. I like it.