billx

Hi, I've built an Authentic Models 1/48th SBD-5 and want to paint it as a member of the Marine bomb group VMSB-231 in approximately 1944. The kit shows two aircraft from the Tarawa era, both off the USS Lexington, and the paint scheme is dark blue above, partial intermediate blue on the sides, and flat white on the bottom.

The photos of VMSB-231 here (Pictures from VMSB-231 in WW2) do not seem to have the intermediate blue band, but are just dark blue on top. Does anyone have guidance or a color drawing or photo? Thanks.

Bill

Lips McGee

Bill,

One of my good buddies is in VMA-231 (redesignated after the war). The Ace of Spades have all sorts of yearbooks in their ready room and I am sure they have photos of the aircraft during that era. I'll try to get some info for ya.

In the photos you sent, it appears to me that the two-toned blue scheme is there, it's just hard to make out because of the lighting and the fading of the paint. The paint in the pacific would very quickly fade under the harsh conditions.

If you look at the photos in the link you sent one more time, and look very closely, you might see the faint demarcation line between the paint. Its tough to make out and almost looks like an effect of the lighting. From the research I've seen and done, the "medium blue" wasn't as bright as some often make it out to be, and it was often much more blended.

billx

Thanks, Mike. That would be great.
It's confusing, but I thought that might be the case. I've seen a drawing of a plane from this group that was all dark blue and white bottom. I wanted to make sure before going forward.

GEEDUBBYA

Howdy Bill,

First, welcome to the forum, we're glad to have ya here.
Ok, I have about three of these SBD models here at the house, only built one, and it was in a gray and white color scheme. But, I did a quick google search and found a few photos of the color scheme you are taling about:


(above photo found at: http://photohome.com/photos/aircraft-pictures/bombers/sbd-5-dauntless-1.html )

Here is abit different layout of the same colors:

(above pic found at: http://www.warbird-photos.com/airshow2003/images/PICT1485.JPG )



(above: even in black and white, you can see the three color paint job. Pic found at: http://www.aviation-history.com/douglas/sbd5-1b.jpg )

Anyway, a search in google images will show you quite a few photos, if not there, try yahoo images. Hope these help.

Have a good day,

Greg

billx

Thanks, Greg! I'm glad to be here.

Does anyone know if there were variations on this color scheme among the Marine units?

Bill

Lips McGee

I remember reading a while back that in typical Marine Corps fashion the painters were issued two buckets: one of the white/light gull grey-ish color, and one of the sea blue. They were additionally issued instructions on how to mix the paint, and there may be some slight variation there as a result. Although, paint so light as that medium blue (medium.. ha! more like sky blue) would fade very quickly in the SouthPac sun.