I recently picked-up a rather nice model kit of the Helldiver and I seem to recall (in some magazine somewhere in the distant past) a paint scheme for an Italian machine with black/yellow target undersides. My memory might be playing tricks but I wonder if anyone has any info on this as it looked rather interesting and I fancy replicating it on my model if I can!
Thanks!
By: Chox - 21st July 2009 at 10:36
Excellent stuff! Those photos clear-up all the queries so I’ll get to work now! Thanks for digging-out the information!
By: airart - 21st July 2009 at 06:33
More Details
These pix should cover other details that you requested, Tim.
Although not very clear, I would opt for aluminium paint scheme, given the ‘flat’ appearance of the finish, rather than natural metal. On the second pic I marked the area of the yellow bands above the wings, visible as a dark section on the leading edge. Also note the ’43’ on the main u/c leg.
Can’t see any particular towing equipment, so it was most probably some sort of detatchable pod? Note that the use of Italian Helldivers in this role lasted maybe not more than a year, to keep the few examples left operational in use (average seven seervicable at any one time) until all flying hours had been exhausted.
Happy modelling… please post a pic when it’s ready.
Richard
By: ChrisDNT - 20th July 2009 at 19:35
I remember having read somewhere that an Helldiver is being restored to static in Italy. Does someone know something about it ?
By: Chox - 20th July 2009 at 17:33
You have more details?! Brilliant!
It’s a fascinating paint scheme. Although I’m firmly a fan of more modern aircraft it was one which I coudn’t ignore. It’s amazing that when the Helldiver has been explored in countless magazine features over the years, the same US Navy paint schemes and markings keep appearing, but this rather bizarre version seems to have been ignored. Good thing you spotted it even if nobody else did!
By: airart - 20th July 2009 at 16:46
OK Tim, give me some time and I’ll dig out the rest of the details.
The bands above the wings would be slightly inboard of the roundels. Italian aircraft carried two weight tallies on their aircraft, usually on the fin, but these could also be found on the rear fuselage, below the tailplane, sometimes. The first ‘PV’ is Peso a Vuoto, meaning ’empty weight’. ‘CU’ stands for Carico Utile, meaning ‘load capacity’. Adding both one gets the all-up weight.
The undersides bands are very much like those painted on RAF aircraft in layout, including the black underside to the fixed part of the tailplane and the yellow control surfaces.
By: Chox - 20th July 2009 at 12:02
Right, the next questions!
Anybody know where I might find the smaller details to complete this paint scheme? Not quite sure where the chord-wise yellow band on the upper wing would be applied? Also, what is the lower code on the tail? CU2180 ? Also, would any target-tug gear have been attached to the underside anywhere? Is the finish silver or natural metal?
Yep, I know it’s a pretty obscure one, but if anyone has any pointers, they’d be greatly appreciated. It is a pretty impressive paint scheme you have to admit!
By: Chox - 19th July 2009 at 12:38
Thanks Richard! I should have guessed it would have been your artwork!:D
Tim
By: airart - 19th July 2009 at 11:57
Howzat!
Sunday treat, my friend Chox!
Here’s the full caption:
Curtiss S2C-5 Helldiver, MM.4686/86-43, Italian Air Force converted to target tug duties after the war and which continued to fly up to July 7, 1958 when it was destroyed in a fire. Silver overall with black anti-dazzle panel; yellow/black undersides. Yellow band around rear fuselage and chordwise above wings; all lettering in black. Note ’43’ repeated on mainwheel doors
Copyright: Richard J. Caruana
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July 19, 2009 at 12:24 am