Aleksandar Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I read that the "US ARMY" underwing stencil (applied to early war P-39 and -40s) color was actually INSIGNIA BLUE, not black Is this really true, and can it be confirmed with color photos? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Insignia Blue is correct. Doesn't show up well in photos but it is in various specs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Actually it's both. The specification changed from black to Insignia Blue. Don't recall the date, but both are correct depending on time period in question. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hal Marshman Sr Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 On silver or yellow airplanes, the color remained black. On all camoflaged aircraft, the specified color was insignia blue. For some reason, Curtiss maintained the black up to, but not including the -E variants Coilor pictures I have not. Hal Sr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I go with the 2 previous answers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aleksandar Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) Sooo... These early-war birds (Aleutian P-40E and Guadalcanal P-400) should have them in insignia blue? Edited August 1, 2011 by Aleksandar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigjugs Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Curtiss screwed up and carried black past the change date. But, correct with insignia Blue on the P-40E. Until October 1940 the U.S. ARMY was to be in black when applied to a light color on the underside. October 22, 1940 marks the revision in the color such that Blue 47 (Insignia Blue) was to be used. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aleksandar Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 OK, blue it is! But this means cutting out masks... DOH!!! Thanks for the info anyway, everyone! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eharrold44 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 You learn something new everyday! Thank you for the information. I have an Airacobra waiting in line to be built, so it's definitely useful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 OK, blue it is! But this means cutting out masks... DOH!!! Thanks for the info anyway, everyone! Honestly, if you have decals for this in black, I'd say use em. Cutting masks is a pain and by the time you do all that work and pull the masks off then weather the model, they'll probably be close enough to black. Although, painted on vs decal silvering...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hal Marshman Sr Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Woodland Scenice makes dry decal letters and numbers in the font used by the military. Paint the wing undersurface Ins Blue. Apply the correct rub on decals. Now paint it neutral Gray or whatever the bottom color is. Once dry, the dry decal can be removed by patting it with tape. Voila, Ins Blue U. S. ARMY on your wing bottom. This is how I do it. Hal Sr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hal Marshman Sr Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Sorry B-17guy, if you want it right, you do it right. If you don't care, then use the decal provided. Personally, I consider that important enough to do right. Hal Sr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I know hal, I know. I get lazy sometimes..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hal Marshman Sr Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I know hal, I know. I get lazy sometimes..... Don't we all my friend, don't we all. I've gotten tired of putting brake lines on my builds, used to be a trademark. Hal Sr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achook-achook Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Wow this is very interesting and learned something. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prop Duster Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Woodland Scenice makes dry decal letters and numbers in the font used by the military. Paint the wing undersurface Ins Blue. Apply the correct rub on decals. Now paint it neutral Gray or whatever the bottom color is. Once dry, the dry decal can be removed by patting it with tape. Voila, Ins Blue U. S. ARMY on your wing bottom. This is how I do it. Hal Sr Hal Would you please, when you have the time, find that font name and post it. I looked at their web site and didn't see the "Amarillo" font. TIA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I would guess it's the "45° USA Gothic", like here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil marchese Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 When one compares the date of the OD change; Then the fus star; inventories for 31 Dec 40 and 30 June 41; Organizational changes; tail designators to RCN (Abbv. S/N ) and new production for US Army consumption between Oct 40 and Dec 6 41 the is not a whole lot of modeling subjects of the 1940s combat types that would predate the call for ins. Blue. Wiithout doing specfic checks one is more in the realm of YP-37 AND B -17B in flavor than LB-30 , B-17D and P-40D. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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